Efectos protectores del ácido fólico sobre los hepatocitos de conejos machos adolescentes alcohólicos / Protective effects of folic acid on hepatocytes from adolescent alcoholic male rabbits

RESUMEN

Se evaluaron los efectos protectores del ácido fólico sobre los hepatocitos de conejos alcohólicos adolescentes, para lo cual se analizaron las variables morfométricas área núcleo, área citoplasma, y relación área núcleo/área citoplasma en los hepatocitos de las 3 zonas del lobulillo hepático. Se utilizaron 24 conejos divididos en 4 grupos tratados con etanol, tratados con etanol y ácido fólico, tratados con ácido fólico y control no tratado. Para el estudio morfométrico se empleó el software Image Tool for Window v 3.00 y se aplicó una ANOVA de 2 vías con interacción. Los animales tratados con etanol presentaron alteraciones en las variables morfométricas, en particular en las zonas intermedia y perivenosa. Los animales alcohólicos tratados con ácido fólico mostraron valores de las variables estudiadas, que aunque fueron superiores a los controles, estuvieron por debajo de los animales que solo ingirieron etanol. Se concluyó que el ácido fólico brindaba protección a los hepatocitos y, por otra parte, se comprobó heterogeneidad zonal en el lobulillo hepático en todos los grupos estudiados.

ABSTRACT

The protective effects of folic acid on hepatocytes of alcoholic adolescent rabbits were evaluated. To this end, morphometric variables like core area, cytoplasmic area and core area/ cytoplasmic area ratio were analyzed in hepatocytes of the 3 hepatic lobule areas. Twenty four rabbits divided into 4 groups were used; they were treated with ethanol, with ethanol and folic acid, with folic acid and untreated controls. For the morphometric study, we used software Image Tool for Windows 3000, and two-way interactive ANOVA was also applied. The animals treated with ethanol presented disturbances in morphometric variables, particularly in intermediate and perivenous areas. The alcoholic animals that received folic acid exhibited higher values of the studied variables than controls, but lower than those of the animals that just took ethanol. It was concluded that folic acid protects hepatocytes, and on the other hand, heterogeneity of hepatic lobule areas in all the studied groups was confirmed.