Alterations in the liver cell transmembrane potential following CCl₄ and bile salt treatment of rats

The liver cell transmembrane potential was measured in anesthetized, artificially ventilated rats. A 24 hour pretreatment of rats with CCl₄ produced a dose dependent depolarization from the control potential of -47.5 ± 1.2 mV (mean ± S.E.M.). A depolarization of a smaller magnitude was also observed several minutes following a treatment with taurocholate. In contrast to these alterations, taurolithocholate treatment produced a hyperpolarization in the liver cell transmembrane potential. These results suggets the liver cell membrane potential may reflect the functional integrity of the hepatocyte. The specific mechanism(s) responsible for these drug induced changes remains unknown although altered membrane permeability or altered Na⁺-K⁺ pump action could play some role.