tannins and Hepatitis

A matrix gel diffusion (MGD) procedure with a sensitivity comparable to the complement fixation test (CF) has been developed for detecting Australia antigen in serum. The test utilizes a thin layer of agar (0.1 mm) with an applied plastic matrix. Reactants are introduced directly onto the surface of the agar through wells in the plastic matrix. End points obtained by CF with a panel of 11 sera varied from 1:8 to 1:512. When these sera were tested by MGD, end points for detection of antigen were within one dilution of that obtained by CF.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Complement Fixation Tests; Erythrocytes; Haplorhini; Hepatitis; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis, Animal; Humans; Immune Sera; Immunodiffusion; Methods; Plastics; Sheep; Staining and Labeling; Tannins; Thiazines

Topics: Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Fatty Liver; Hepatitis; Liver Diseases; Liver Glycogen; Necrosis; Pathology; Rabbits; Research; Tannins; Toxicology

The LD(50) +/- S.E. of tannic acid given orally to albino rats was found to be 2.26+/-0.083 g. per kg. body weight, which is higher than its apparent LD(50) when given per rectum. The immediate cause of death was respiratory failure preceded by convulsions when death occurred early and by hypothermic cachexia when death was delayed. Death was associated with a progressively developing hepatic necrosis and nephritis and a temporary acute gastroenteritis. It was accompanied by loss of weight and edema in many organs, evidence of stimulation of the spleen, adrenal cortex and testes, and atrophy of the thymus. Recovery in survivors was associated with a temporary increase in weight of the spleen and testes and persistence of loss of weight in the adrenal, pyloric stomach, and skin.

Topics: Cachexia; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Edema; Gastroenteritis; Hepatitis; Hepatitis A; Hypothermia; Liver Diseases; Nephritis; Pathology; Rats; Research; Seizures; Spleen; Tannins; Toxicology

Topics: Aspartate Aminotransferases; Barium Sulfate; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Coronary Disease; Crohn Disease; Diabetes Mellitus; Enema; Enteritis; Geriatrics; Hepatitis; Humans; Pharmacology; Research; Tannins; Transaminases

Topics: Amides; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Chloroform; Complement Fixation Tests; Hepatitis; Nitrosamines; Paraffin; Rats; Research; Sulfhydryl Compounds; Tannins; Toxicology

Topics: Barium; Barium Sulfate; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Enema; Hepatitis; Humans; Radiography; Radiography, Abdominal; Tannins; Toxicology; Viral Vaccines

Topics: Barium Sulfate; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Child; Enema; Geriatrics; Hepatitis; Hepatitis A; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Radiology; Tannins; Toxicology

Tannic acid contained in the barium enema was found to have been the sole known potential hepatotoxin in four of the five cases of fulminating fatal liver failure that occurred in a 213-bed hospital over a period of 27 months. In the other case halothane anesthesia had also been administered. Autopsies (performed on four of the cases) did not suggest viral hepatitis but showed substantially indentical hepatic changes, not unlike those reported in the past following tannic acid exposure. Proof is not claimed that tannic acid was the cause of these deaths, but further investigation regarding the safety of its administration in barium enemas is advocated.

Topics: Barium; Barium Sulfate; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Enema; Hepatitis; Hepatitis A; Humans; Liver Diseases; Radiography, Abdominal; Tannins; Toxicology