Protective trials against aflatoxin B[1] induced toxicity in albino rat hepatocytes. Histological and histochemical study

ABSTRACT

Is to investigate the effect of aflatoxin B[1] on hepatocytes and the possible protective effect of administration of selenium and high protein diet. The stud was carried out on 32 albino rats divided into 4 equal groups; a control group, a group receiving aflatoxin B[1] a group receiving selenium with aflatoxin and a fourth group receiving high protein diet with aflatoxin. Specimens were taken from the liver of all groups and subjected to histological, histochemical and ultrastructural studies. Animals receiving aflatoxin B[1] showed periportal hepatic degeneration in the form of ballooning of cells and vacuolation of the cytoplasm. Some cells revealed hepaloceliular necrosis. Portal tract showed bile duct proliferation. Fibrosis was occasionally seen in the portal tract. Ultrastructural results revealed irregularities in the nuclei with dilatation of the perinuclear cisternea. Some nuclei showed separation of the fibrillar and granular component of their nucleoli. The cytoplasm showed proliferation and dilatation of smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, degenerated mitochondria, decreased number of ribosomes and glycogen granules with the increase of lysosomes and appearance of fat droplets. Evident decrease in the DNA and RNA content were seen by methyl green pyronin stain. Administration of selenium showed evident improvement in the cellular structure and liver architecture. The electron microscopic study showed nearly normal nuclei and nucleoli. The cytoplasm showed more or less normal mitochondria, moderate number of ribosomes and glycogen granules Administration of high protein diet revealed moderate improvement. Administration of selenium antagonizes the deleterious effect induced by aflatoxin B[1] while high protein diet has less protective effect on the toxicity, of aflatoxin on the liver