Chronic effects of mustard gas on liver parenchyma in rat

ABSTRACT

Sulfur mustard [bis [2-chloroethyl] sulfide] is a strong alkylating agent with known mutagenic and suspected carcinogenic properties. Eighty NMARI male rats, 3 months old, were divided into eight groups [10 in each groups], were injected with 2.5, 5 and 10 mg /kg sulfur mustard plus Tyrods buffer. Rats were kept under optimal hygienic condition, temperature 25 C, relative humidity 40 to 45% and light provided for a 12-h day/12-h night cycle. They were given water and rodent pellets. After 2 and 8 weeks rats were killed. The samples were fixed in formaldehyde solution [%10], were stained with H and E and PAS and were studied with light microscope. Increased blood cells in hepatic sinusoids, disappearance borders of liver lobules, irregulation of hepatic cord, apoptotic appearance of cells in lobule, and these signs were seen in 2/5 mg/kg [8 weeks], 5mg/kg [2 and 8 weeks] and 10 mg /kg [2 and 8 weeks] groups. Glycogen decreased in 5mg/kg [8 weeks] and 10 mg/kg [2 and 8 weeks] groups. All of changes were dependent on dosage and time duration.