Effect of cicloxilic acid on the liver damage produced by a choline-free, high-fat low-protein diet.

The effects of cis-2-hydroxy-2-phenylcyclohexanecarboxilic acid (cicloxilic acid) on the liver damage produced by a choline-free, high-fat low-protein diet (Handler's diet) were studied in rats. Treatment with cicloxilic acid significantly counteracted the increase in liver weight, hepatic lipids, serum transaminase and ornithine carbamoyl transferase activities, caused by the unbalanced and deficient diet. Histological examination of the liver showed a near-normal structure of the hepatic cells in the cicloxilic acid-treated animals. Other antihepatotoxic and choleretic drugs, with which cicloxilic acid was compared, showed either much less protective activity or none at all. Furthermore, while cicloxilic acid (which exhibits choleretic activity) did not alter the hepatic glycogen content, another choleretic drug, 1-phenyl-1-hydroxypentane (PC 1), caused marked depletion. It is concluded that the protective activity exerted by cicloxilic acid on the liver is separable from its choleretic activity.