Ameliorative Effect of Flavonoid Antioxidant on the Histology and Ultrastructure of Albino Rats` Liver Treated with Radiation and /or Acrylonitrile

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to investigate the effect of acrylonitrile as an important organic nitrile which is widely used in the manufacturing of fibers and plastics, also, the exposure to gamma radiation that induce oxidative stress on liver tissues, and evaluate the role of hesperidin in recovery and improvement. In the present study a total number of 80 albino rats were used, they were divided into eight groups as follows; C = Control group received orally a mixture of dimethyl sulphoxide and water (1: 9, v/v). ACN = Rats received acrylonitrile orally in a daily dose of 50 mg/kg b. w. for 4 weeks. R = Rats exposed to gamma radiation accumulative dose up to 6Gy (1.5Gy/week). Hes = Rats received hesperidin orally in a daily dose of 100 mg/kg b. w. for 4 weeks. ACN+R = Rats received acrylonitrile orally in a daily dose of 50 mg/kg b. w. for 4 weeks and exposed to gamma radiation accumulative dose up to 6Gy (1.5Gy/week) ACN+ Hes = Rats received acrylonitrile orally in a daily dose of 50 mg/kg b. w. and hesperidin of 100 mg/kg b. w. for 4 weeks. R+ Hes = Rats exposed to gamma radiation accumulative dose up to 6Gy (1.5Gy/week) and received hesperidin orally in a daily dose of 100 mg/kg b. w. for 4 weeks. R+ACN +Hes = Rats exposed to gamma radiation accumulative dose up to 6Gy (1.5Gy/week) and received acrylonitrile orally in a daily dose of 50 mg/kg b. w. and hesperidin of 100 mg/kg b. w. for 4 weeks. Animals were randomly selected from each group after 2 and 4 weeks of the experiment. The present study investigated the following:  Histopathological studies The same histological findings were observed in the livers of R, ACN, ACN+R groups when compared to the controls. Treated rats have displayed deleterious alterations in their liver tissues. The most striking histopathological signs of liver injuries are: • Conspicuous disorganization of liver tissues with distinct detachment of the hepatic strands from each other. • Marked congestion and dilatation of hepatic sinusoids, central and portal veins. • Remarkable abundance of the infiltrative inflammatory cellular infiltration, which was extensively prevailing around the portal tract. • Occurrence of the cellular necrotic lesions. • Also, the nuclei showed different histopathological injuries such as pyknosis, Karyorrhexis, karyolysis.

 The electron microscopy investigation The electron microscopic examination of those groups showed, • Swollen fused mitochondria with deteriorated cristae. • Fragmented cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes. • The hepatocyte showed an increase in number of lysosomes and lipid droplets. • Erosion of some parts of cell membrane. • The hepatic sinusoids appeared dilated and containing deformed Kupffer cells with abnormal nuclei. • Nuclear lesions were observed as ill-defined electron translucent nuclei with ruptured membrane and irregular outer boundary. Administration of hesperidin post gamma irradiation and /or acrylonitrile, showed ameliorative effect and marked improvement in the liver tissue.