Study of Histopathologic changes in the Liver of Albino Rats, Induced by Toxic doses of Valproic Acid

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to see the histopathologic changes in the liver of albino rats, induced by the toxic doses of valproic acid.

Material & Methods: The study was carried out in the Department of Pathology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from September 1996 to March 1997. Twenty-four adult & apparently healthy albino rats were selected. The animals were divided into two equal groups; Group Tx and Group C. “Group Tx” was treated with oral toxic regimen of Valproic acid and “Group C” (Control) was kept on the routine diet of animal house. All the animals were fed at labitum and sacrificed after three weeks of treatment. The liver of each animal was properly fixed, sectioned, processed and stained by H&E stain and other stains where needed. The slides were examined under the light microscope, with reference to the architecture, portal area and parenchyma.

Results: No significant changes were seen in the “Group C.” Foci of steatosis were seen in the livers of 10 out of 12 animals (88.33%) and necrosis in 4 out of 12 animals (33.33%) of the “Group Tx.”

Conclusion: The results of our experimental study support the evidence that steatosis and necrosis are the main histopathologic changes, induced by Valproic acid, if given as monotherapy in toxic doses to albino rats.