Studies on the pathogenesis of tetracycline-induced fatty liver

The present study assesses the roles of hepatic ATP and of pregnancy in the pathogenesis of tetracycline-induced fatty liver. Pregnant and nonpregnant female rats were infused with tetracycline (10 mg./100 gm.) daily for 3 days. At that time, mean total hepatic lipid and triglyceride concentrations for the tetracycline-injected nonpregnant and pregnant rats were significantly higher than control values. The total lipid and triglyceride levels, as well as plasma decay rates and hepatic concentrations of tetracycline, were comparable in the tetracycline-injected nonpregnant and pregnant rats. Hepatic ATP levels were normal in animals given tetracycline for 3 or 7 consecutive days as well as in those studied during maximal hepatic tetracycline concentration. It is concluded that in the rat: (1) tetracycline-induced fatty liver is not mediated via hepatic ATP depletion, and (2) large doses of tetracycline are metabolized comparably and result in a similar increase in hepatic lipid in pregnant and nonpregnant animals.