ABSTRACT
Previous studies had indicated that administration of flutamide [an antiandrogen] might induce hepatic toxicity. This study was carried out to throw more light on the structural changes of flutamide on the liver of adult male albino rat and the possible reversible effect after its discontinuation. A total number of 25 adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were divided into three groups; experimental group of 20 rats received subcutaneous inject ions of flutamide dissolved in propylene glycol vehicle in a dose of 10 mg /day for four weeks, a control group of 5 rats received subcutaneous injections of propylene glycol vehicle for four weeks, and a third group of 10 rats obtained from the first group and were left for four weeks after stoppage of fiutamide The effect of flutamide on the liver was studied using both light and electron microscope. The results showed that flutamide caused focal degenerative changes, necrosis of the liver cells and a marked decrease in glycogen content of the hepatocytes. Also there was proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulurn, electron-dense mitochondria and increased number of lysosomes, Four weeks after stoppage of flutamide administration the majority of hepatocytes returned normal while some were still necrotic