Histochemical and serological parameters of hepatic lithium toxicity ameliorated by L-arginine supplementation

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to judge the ability of L-arginine to restore the carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism particularly in the liver against lithium carbonate induced hepatotoxicity. This study is randomized, interventional, prospective, morphometric and histochemical study. This study was conducted in the department of anatomy, BMSI, JPMC, Karachi. Animals were obtained from the animal house of BMSI, JPMC, Karachi. The duration of this study comprises of two, six and twelve weeks. Sixty albino adult rats 90 - 120 days of age weighing about 200 - 300 grams were used for this study. Animals were divided into four different groups each comprising 15 rats. Each major group was subdivided into three sub-groups 1, 2 and 3 on the basis of 02 weeks, 6 weeks and 12 weeks duration of treatment respectively. 4 um thick sections of rat liver were stained with PAS haematoxylin, Gomori's calcium phosphate and oil red O. Serum analysis of ALT and ALP was done. Lithium treated group on PAS staining displayed depletion of glycogen content of hepatocytes. Gomori's calcium phosphate staining revealed diminution of the intracellular enzyme contents of hepatocytes especially alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and concomitant rise in serum hepatic enzymes like Alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and ALP. Oil red O stained sections of the liver depicted microvesicular fatty infiltration in liver cells in lithium treated group B animals. This study revealed that the toxicity of lithium is manifested histochemically by disturbances of in the glycogen, lipid and enzyme metabolism in the liver simultaneously exhibiting the restoration of the same metabolism by L-arginine as a best adjuvant in the treatment of bipolar disorder with lithium carbonate