RESUMO
In order to clarify the effect of chronic oral administration of acetaldehyde, 24 adult albino rats of both sexes divided into four groups were used in this study. The stomach was dissected and prepared for staining by Hx and E, periodic acid Schiff, alcian blue- PAS and Pritchard technique. Acetaldehyde induced hyperkeratosis in the forestomach. In glandular stomach, it induced focal discontinuity in the surface mucous cells with exfoliation and shedding of the cells into the lumen. Dilatation and irregularity of many glandular tubules were observed with vacuolation and destruction of some parietal cells. Groups of chief cells were destroyed loosing their eosinophilic granules with pyknotic nuclei. Histochemical observation has revealed increased PAS reaction in the surface and mucous neck cells. Decreased reactivity to AB stain in the mucous neck cells was evident. These findings have suggested that acetaldehyde has a toxic effect even in small dose when taken orally for a long period. It is recommended to restrict its use as a flavoring agent as far as possible