Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
The study demonstrated that zinc affected the liver cells by giving the mice particular doses of zinc as Znso4. The mice were divided into four groups of 6 mice each. Both of moderate and high dose groups showed various degrees of degenerative changes in the hepatocytes, such as increased size and the presence of spaces, dark appearance of the cytoplasm, whereas none of these changes were present in both group I (controls) and group II (low dose group) .
BACKGROUND:
According to previous studies, there is a correlation between certain doses of zinc and the changes that may occur in the liver cells.
METHODS:
The study was conducted on mice, which were divided into four groups of six mice each. Group I received tap water during the entire period of experimentation (30 days), group II, group III and group IV were received 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg/Kg body weight zinc as Znso4 consecutively (orally and daily) . Sections of livers were made and examined by light microscope.
RESULTS:
Zinc affected liver cells (hepatocytes) in mice under certain doses. Group III and group IV animals which received 10 mg and 15 mg/kg body weight zinc as Znso4 consecutively showed various degrees of degenerative changes in the hepatocytes, such as increased size and the presence of spaces, dark appearance of the cytoplasm. The degree of these changes was more abundant in liver cells of high dose group in comparison with the changes in liver cells of moderate dose group, whereas none of these changes were present in both group I (controls) and group II (low dose group) which received tap water and 5mg/kg body weight zinc consecutively .
CONCLUSION:
Certain doses of zinc could cause damages to the liver cells.