Foetal hepatorenal toxicity and intrauterine growth retardation in pregnant Wistar rats treated with artemether

Abstract

Objectives: Foetal hepatorenal toxicity and foetal morphology were evaluated following artemether administration to pregnant Wistar albino rats. Methods: Twenty pregnant Wistar rats weighing between 180-200 g were divided into four groups (n=5, each) with Group 1 serving as the control. Groups 2, 3 and 4 received 1.1 mg, 2.2 mg and 3.3 mg per kilogram body weight artemether, respectively orally, twice daily for three days on day 7, 8 and 9 of pregnancy. The animals were sacrificed on day 20 of pregnancy and foetuses were harvested and evaluated for morphological changes. Foetal body weight and crown-rump length (CRL) were measured; alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was assayed using amniotic fluid, and foetal kidney and liver were evaluated histologically for toxicity. Results: There was a significant decrease in body weight, CRL and AFP of the treated groups compared to the control. The foetal liver of the treated groups revealed distorted cytoarchitecture, marked hepatocyte inflammation and hepatic necrosis. The foetal kidney of artemether-treated groups also showed disorganised renal structure, atrophic and degenerated glomeruli with acute tubular necrosis. Conclusion: Artemether administration to pregnant albino rats causes intrauterine growth retardation or stunted growth, as well as foetal hepatorenal toxicity.

Postoperative Hypoparathyroidism in Thyroid Surgery: Anatomic-Surgical Mapping of the Parathyroids and Implications for Thyroid Surgery

“…The bodies were donated by individuals to the Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy of the Medical University of Innsbruck who had given their written informed consent prior to death for their use for scientific and educational purposes 30,31 . All cadavers were preserved using an arterial injection of a formaldehyde solution and immersion in phenolic acid in water for one to three months.…”

“…According to Austrian National Law, scientific institutions (in general Institutes, Departments or Divisions of Medical Universities) are entitled to receive the body after death mainly by means of a specific legacy, which is a special form of last will and testament. No bequests are accepted without the donor having registered their legacy and been given appropriate information upon which to make a decision based upon written informed consent (policy of ethics) 31 ; therefore an ethics committee approval is not necessary.…”