Effect of repeated exposure to isoflurane on the liver of rats fed on low protein diet Histopathological and histochemical study

ABSTRACT

Forty eight white rats divided into 8 equal groups were used. The animals of the first four groups were fed on a standard diet composed of milk and bread ad libitum. While the rats of the other four groups were kept on a special diet composed of bread in water, i.e. relatively protein poor diet ad libitum. Group I was exposed to O2 100%. Group II was exposed to 1% isoflurane in O2. Group III was exposed to hypoxic mixture [10% O2 in N2]. Group IV was exposed to 1% isoflurane carried by the hypoxic mixture. The animals of the last four groups kept on low protein diet were exposed in a similar sequence like the first 4 groups. Exposure was 30 minutes every other day for 12 exposures. No histopathological changes detected in rats exposed to O2 100%, fed on either types of food. While mild histopathological changes in the form of focal fatty change or vacular degeneration in other groups. Depressed activity of acid phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase and succinic dehydrogenase enzymes were observed in groups maintained on low protein diet which was the probable cause for this depressed activity