Electron microscopic study of the effect of H2 receptor antagonist [cimetidine] on the liver of rabbit

ABSTRACT

Thirty adult male rabbits were used in this study. Ten of them were used as a control. 10 received therapeutic doses of cimetidine [10 mg/kg body weight for 2 weeks] and the last-ten rabbits received toxic doses [300 mgm/kgm body weight for 2 weeks]. After sacrifice of the rabbits, pieces of the liver were processed for electron microscopy examination. The results revealed that, in the rabbits treated with the therapeutic closes, few lysosomes were evident. The mitochondria were swollen, but less electron dense and the rough endoplasmic reticulum appeared normal. Concerning the rabbits administered the toxic doses, the hepatocytes showed cell necrosis, destruction of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in some sites, lysosomes and phagocytic vacuoles. The mitochondria appeared more electron dense and smaller. There was retention of bile, and lipofuscin in some cells