Phenacetin and the liver. The influence of phenacetin in acute and chronic doses on membrane-bound mitochondrial enzymes in the rat.

Following the administration of phenacetin in single and in multiple high doses, enzymes bound to the inner mitochondrial membrane of the liver were determined. Acute doses of phenacetin (75% of oral LD50) failed to produce any effect. The chronic administration of phenacetin provoked a small but statistically significant decrease in the TD-trnashydrogenase activity. This observation indicates that liver damage may occur in patients with phenacetin abuse.