Histological and Histochemical Changes in the Liver of Albino Rats Due to Methyl Alcohol Administration

Abstract

Histological and histochemical changes in the livers of 40 adult male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were studied at different intervals following methyl alcohol administration. The animates were divided into three groups. Methanol was administrated by oral a intubation in two doses (1m1/Kg. body weight and 2m1/Kg. body weight, respectively) for twenty consecutive days. Then the animals were killed after different periods of time (5, 10 and 20 days). The changes appeared to be time and/or dose dependent. Early signs of hepatic changes were characterized by hydropic degeneration, nuclear pyknosis, erosion of the endothelial lining of the blood vessels, vascular congestion and internal haemorrhage. Degenerative hepatic cells were seen invaded by inflammatory infiltrative cells. Maximum signs of deterioration were detected when 2m1/Kg. body weight was given. The first dose of methanol (1m1/Kg. body weight) caused depletion of liver glycogen, lipids, total proteins, proteins containing NH group, nucleic acids contents, and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). Also, it caused a significant elevation of alkaline and acid phosphatase activities. The second dose of methanol (2m1/Kg. body weight) showed stronger effects on the 10th and 20th days of administration.