histopathological study of analgesic hepatotoxicity in rabbit

ABSTRACT

This study of analgesic hepatotoxicity was conducted on rabbit divided into four equal groups [A-D]. The group "A" served as control. The group "B" animals were administered acetylsalicylic acid [600 mg/Kg/day] orally, while group "C" animals received paracetamol [300 mg/Kg/day]. The group "D" was given both the acetylsalicylic acid [300 mg/Kg/day] and paracetamol [150 mg/Ig/day]. An autopsy was performed on all the animal groups at the end of 4 weeks. On gross and microscopic examination of liver sections, the control animals did not reveal any hepatic abnormality while the group "B" animals showed acute hepatitis [57%], acute cholangitis [14%] and focal necrosis [14%]. The group "C" revealed acute hepatitis in 86% cases. The group "D" receiving combination of drugs showed acute hepatitis [71%] and acute cholangitis [14%]. This study indicates that paracetamol is more toxic to liver as compared to acetylsalicylic acid in higher doses