Assessment of histopathological and histochemical changes in liver of pregnant female rats and their fetuses following ciprofloxacin administration

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out on female albino rats weighing 130-160 g, through two periods of gestation [day 1 or day 6 up to day 19 of pregnancy] representing four experimental groups and one control group. Experimental animals were given daily oral dose [57 mg/Kg b.w., therapeutic dose] or 114 mg/K b.w. [double therapeutic dose] of ciprofloxacin [CPFX]. Dissection was performed on day 20 of pregnancy. Histological changes in liver sections of pregnant rats were in the form of dilatation of central and portal vein, and sinusoidal spaces; appearance of macrophages and Kupffer cells in sinusoidal spaces and congestion in blood vessels, The hepatocytes showed cytoplasmic vacuolation and nuclear unrest, Inflammatory leucocytic infiltration and focal fibrosis were also observed. Liver sections of fetuses obtained from pregnant rats treated with the [CPFX] revealed histopathological alterations similar to their mothers. Total proteins content decreased by -5.59% in GI, -8.60% in GIII and -6.83% in GIV. Group two [GII] recorded a lower level in total protein [-0.62%]. Moreover a significant decrease in total protein of fetuses was manifested being 17.96%, 13.28%, 22.62% and 21.87% for the four groups, respectively. The hepatocytes of mothers exhibited a significant decrease in DNA content presenting 9.42%, 3.46%, 10.40% and 7.51,% in the four groups respectively. In the hepatocytes of their fetuses the DNA content recorded a significant decrease of 10.43%, 9.34%, 18.68% and 17.58% for the four groups respectively. These results emphasize the toxicity of CPFX and its teratogenic effects