Effect of monocrotophos (an organophosphate) on liver of albino rat – Histochemical and biochemical studies

Abstract

Six groups of female albino rats (each of 125-150 gms) were taken for experimental work. 1/5th of LD50 dose (14 mg/kg body weight) of monocrotophos was administered by intragastric intubation to groups TI, TII and R for 15 days, 30 days, 30 days with recovery period of 15 days respectively. Other three groups were kept as corresponding controls for all the treated groups and were fed on normal diet. Blood samples were collected from all groups for estimation of levels of GOT, GPT, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase. For histochemical studies, liver was collected from various groups at the end of the experiment and fixed in Bouin fluid and then processed for staining with haematoxylin-eosin. In rats of control group, the sections of liver revealed normal histoarchitcture showing hexagonal hepatic lobules with central and portal veins as well as sinusoids with polyhedral Kupffer cells.The treated groups TI & TII, showed vacuolation of hepatocytes, widening of portal tract and sinusoids and various necrotic changes in the histoarchitecture along with increased level of GOT, GPT, alkaline and acid phosphatases in blood serum. As these enzymes are known to be the marker enzymes of the liver, so their rise in blood serum is indicative of hepatic injury. In rats of R group, recovery was observed at both histochemical as well as biochemical level.