| Abstract: | In order to examine the cholecystohepatic circulation of trichloroethylene (TRI) and its metabolites, we injected the gallbladder with TRI and its metabolites, i.e. chloral hydrate (CH), free-trichloroethanol (F-TCE), trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and conjugated-trichloroethanol (Conj-TCE), using anesthetized dogs. The absorption rates of water from the gallbladder were 25-30% 2 h after administration for all substances. The absorption rates of substances were 65-70% in the CH, F-TCE and TRI groups, and 40-50% in the Conj-TCE and TCA groups 2 h after the administration. Conj-TCE in the blood absorbed from the gallbladder has a tendency to be directly transported to the venous system rather than to be taken into hepatocytes in the liver. All of the administered substances, in particular, F-TCE might be metabolized to other substances in the gallbladder. |
