RESUMO
The present work was planned to assess and evaluate some physiological parameters, histopathological and histochemical impacts of sodium barbital on the liver of adult male albino mice. The mice were divided into 3 groups, the first group served as a control group, while the other two groups were treated with the therapeutic dose [60 mg/kg b.wt., i.p.] for 7 days [short-term group] and 21 days [long-term group] as repeated daily doses. Biochemical analysis showed a significant increase in serum glucose level [hyperglycaemia], AST, ALT and bilirubin, in all treated groups. Also, total lipids and triglycerides showed a significant increase in the long-term group and non significant change in the short-term group. On the other hand, alkaline phosphatase ALP, showed a significant decrease in both treated groups. Total cholesterol level showed a significant decrease in the short-term group but exhibited a significant increase in the long-term group. The results obtained from the present study showed marked alterations in the liver tissue. Histopathological changes in liver tissue were congestion of the central veins, wedening of the blood sinusoids, activation of the phagocytic ktipffer cells and cytoplasmic degeneration [fatty and hydropic] with nuclear lesions. Histochemical changes in liver tissue revealed depletion of polysaccharides and total proteins in both short-term and long-term groups. So these results came to conclusion that barbiturates should be prohibited and carefully used specially when prescribed as tranquilizer