Histological and histochemical change in the liver and kidney of male albino rats treated with carbamazepine [Tegrelds] at different postnatal ages

ABSTRACT

The present work was done to study the effect of chronic administration of carbamazepine [CBZ] on the structure of liver and kidney of the male albino rat. This drug was administrated to male albino rats at different postnatal ages [three weeks, three months and nine months] through intragastric metal tube in a gradually increasing single daily dose. These animals received CBZ for a total duration of one and half month 6 mg/kg b. w. for one week, 12 mg/kg b. w. for another week, then 24 mg/kg b. w. for one month. Some animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the last dose; others were left for one month after the last dose to study the effect of drug withdrawal. Histological and histochemical methods were used. In the liver, some degenerative changes of hepatocytes in the form of small dense irregular nuclei with either pale or deep acidophilic cytoplasm, localized cellular infiltration, mainly lymphocytes and neutrophils and dilatation of blood sinusoids in some areas were observed. A weak positive PAS reaction was detected in most areas of the liver. There was also an obvious increase in the amount and density of reticular fibers in between the liver cells and in the portal tract. Renal changes were in the form of vacuolation of the cytoplasm of some tubular cells with dense irregular nuclei, extensive cellular infiltration between the tubules with dilatation and congestion of the peritubular blood capillaries, loss of positive PAS, reaction and decrease in the intensity of the positive reaction for alkaline phosphatase enzyme were observed in the kidney tubules. Withdrawal of CBZ led to a marked improvement in the structure of liver and kidney. The regression of the above-mentioned changes was more obvious in the older age groups