DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL NECROSIS AND SIDE-EFFECTS AFTER HEPATIC INJECTIONS OF ACETIC-ACID SOLUTIONS

Acetic acid injection therapy has recently been studied as a treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma. Since trials of this therapy have just begun, both basic and clinical studies of it are presently required, T herefore, the efficacy and safety of this therapy as a treatment for h epatocellular carcinoma were examined in rats. When acetic acid was in jected into normal rat liver, the extent of necrosis at the site of in jection expanded in a dose-dependent manner. At concentrations of 30% and above, acetic acid began to prove fatal, and mortality increased i n a dose-dependent fashion. At a concentration of 45% and above, all r ats died within 2 days after injection due to acute multi-organic circ ulatory failure, On histological examination, distinct thorombus forma tion was observed in the liver. We conclude that additional detailed e xamination of the effects of various amounts and concentrations of ace tic acid and of the effects of acetic acid injection on other organs s hould be performed prior to clinical application of this therapy.