Effect of repeated exposure to isoflurane on liver of rats subjected to hypoxia and enzyme induction Histopathological and histochemical study

ABSTRACT

Forty eight white rats divided into 8 equal groups were used. Group 1 was exposed to 100% O2. Group 2 exposed to isoflurane 1% in O2. Group 3 exposed to hypoxic mixture [10% O2 in N2]. Group 4 exposed to isoflurane 1% in the hypoxic mixture. The rats of the other four groups were pretreated with 0.1% phenobarbitone in milk 5 days before and throughout the whole experiment. Exposure was done in special exposure box for 30 minutes every other day for 12 exposures. Liver sections stained with Hx and E and PAS to detect histopathological changes and histochemically to detect liver enzyme activity. Mild histopathological and histochemical changes were detected in all groups when compared with the control ones, indicating absence of hepatic insult following exposure to isoflurane alone or combined with hypoxia and enzyme induction