Histopathological study of repeated sublethal electrical injuries in albino rats

ABSTRACT

This work aimed to study histopathological changes resulting after repeatedexposure to sublethal electric shocks in albino rats. The experimentalanimals were divided into three groups Group I was exposed to electricalstimulations [220 volts for one second] one hour apart/day for one day; Groups II and III were exposed to the same electrical stimulations/day for twoand three successive days, respectively. Lung, heart, brain, liver, kidney, testis and skin [at the site of entry of current] were dissected out andprocessed for paraffin blocks. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and Eosin for histopathological examination. Light microscopy of lung revealedvascular congestion with interalveolar and intraalveolar hemorrhage of varyingdegrees in all groups. Cardiac muscle exhibited petechial hemorrhage in group II [80%] and group III [90%] with focal streaming of nuclei in group III [80%]. Brain tissue exhibited focal petechial hemorrhage and dilatedperivascular spaces in group II [60%] and group III [70%]. Liver exhibitedoccasional hepatocellular necrosis in group III [50%]. Kidney, testicular andskin tissues were within normal limits in all groups