Morphological changes in liver of wistar rats induced by Gold Kushta

Objective: To observe hepatic changes induced by Gold Kushta. In our study the histopathological effects of Gold Kushta was seen in livers of Wistar rats. Study Design: Experimental study. Setting: Department of Pathology, Sahiwal Medical College, Sahiwal. Period: 1st July 2019 to 31st Dec 2019. Material & Method: Total of 28 wistar rats of 6 – 8 weeks of age and weighing 200 – 250 grams which were then randomly divided into 4 groups each containing 7 rats. The groups were labelled as G I, II, III and IV. These groups were given preparations of gold in the form of kushta for a period of 8 weeks. The gold kushta was given in the form of pellets. Group I was taken as Control, G II was given single dose kushta 0.15 mg and G III was given double dose kushta 0.3mg on alternate days. Group IV was given a single dose of BSA (bovine serum albumin) 75mg (250mg/kg body wt) at the start of experiment and Gold kushta 0.3 mg on alternate days. Histopathological changes were then seen in lobules, sinusoids, kupffer cells and central veins of livers of wistar rats. Results: The histological examination of liver showed sinusoidal congestion and central vein congestion, apoptosis, necrosis and hydropic degeneration as common features. In addition fatty degeneration, inflammation and kupffer cell hyperplasia were also seen in few cases. These changes were observed in all the above groups except group G I serving as control. More changes were seen in high dose groups and the groups given BSA inj. (Group II, III and IV). Conclusion: Thus, indigenous preparations of gold kushta have detrimental effects over livers of wistar rats and are thus hepatotoxic.