1. Khawaja Usman Masud 2. A.H. Nagi

1. Prof. of Histopathology, Bolan Medical College, Quetta, 2. Prof. of Pathology, UHS, Lahore.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To demonstrate the effects of antimony on hepatic tissues of Rabbits. To correlate the severity of tissue damage to the dose of antimony and to an immunologically altered state of the animal.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at PGMI and KEMU, Lahore from January 1988 to March 1988. 

Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 40 healthy rabbits weighing 1.5kg divided into 4 groups each group  having 10 animals with one control group.  Group I animals were injected with antimony sodium tartrate of ½ MLD 6mg/kg body weight I/V at interval of 2 days for 12 weeks, whereas experimental dose of 1.71mg/kg body weight was injected I/V at interval of 4 days to group II animals.  Those of group III were injected 2ml of specific bovine albumin 30%(DADEUSA) followed by schedule of group II animals. Group IV (control group) animals were injected I/V with distilled water.

Results: Hepatic Enzymes, Serum Alanine Aminotransferase and Serum Gamma Glutamyl transpeptidasc (GT)  levels were estimated at the end of six weeks and twelve weeks.  These were found to be raised gradually from 7^th week onwards until the experiment was terminated. 

Conclusion: It is concluded from this study that antimony sodium tartrate has toxic effects on liver tissue and can cause hepatocellular damage (if given for prolong period)

Key Words: Antimony, Hepato Toxicity, Hepatic enzymes, S-ALAT, ɣ GT, H&E, PAS, MSS.