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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the structural, ultrastructural, and biochemical changes in albino rats' liver treated with different doses and durations of ketoconazole and the possible recovery after cessation of treatment. Background Ketoconazole is an imidazole drug commonly used in treatment of fungal infection. It induces variable degree of hepatotoxicity. Materials and methods Fifty adult male albino rats were used in this study. The rats were divided into five groups. Group 1 was the control group. Group II (low dose treated) included 10 rats treated with ketoconazole at a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight orally for 7 days. Group III (high dose treated) included 10 rats treated with ketoconazole at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight orally for 14 days. Group IV (arrested low dose) included 10 rats treated with low dose ketoconazole for 7 days followed by cessation of treatment for 7 days. Group V (arrested high dose) included 10 rats treated with high dose ketoconazole for 14 days followed by cessation of treatment for 14 days. At the end of each experimental period, animals were killed, blood samples were collected for biochemical study, and liver tissue samples were obtained for histological study. Results Ketoconazole-treated rats showed destructive changes of liver tissue in the form of marked congested dilated blood vessels, hepatocyte necrosis and complete tissue loss, periportal fibrosis, and elevated serum transaminase. However, nearly complete recovery of liver tissue and improvement in serum enzymes occurred among those treated with low dose, whereas those treated with high dose still showed persistence of some changes. Conclusion Ketoconazole induced marked histological changes in the liver tissue especially with high dose.

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