the effects of acetaminophene on the ultrastructure of rat gastric mucosa

Year 1997, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 16 - 21, 01.01.1997

E. Yenilmez Y. Canberk S. Arbak

Abstract

Objective: Investigations revealed the toxic effects of high doses of acetaminophene on liver, kidney and bone marrow. Gastrointestinal disorders such as gastric ulcer were described in patients with chronic liver disease and liver cirrhosis. We aim to investigate the ultrastructural effects of high doses of acetaminophene on gasric fundic mucosa as there was a limited area of investigation on this subject.

Methods: A single dose of acetaminophene (600 mg/kg) was administered to the rats and then they were sacrificied at 3rd(Group I), 6th(Group II) and 24th (Group III) hour following the acetaminophene administration.

Results: In group I, fundic glands were severely degenerated. The most affected cells were the parietal cells with restricted intracellular secretory canaliculi and mitochondrial cristae degeneration. Endoplasmic reticulum of the chief cells were dilated and secretory granules were scanty. ECL and AL cells among the endocrine cells were also affected. Although the degeneration still existed in group II chief cells presented some signs of recovery. ECL and AL cells were active reflecting both the synthesis and secretory phases. Mitotic activity was increased in group III and gasric glands seemed normal, ECL cells were in secretory phase and AL cells were active in synthesis and storage phase.

Conclusion: It was concluded that high doses of acetaminophene resulted in reversible degenerative changes in the gastric glands and the time-related regenerative process was also revealed.

Keywords

Gastric mucosa, acetaminophene, morphology, electronmicroscopy

References

• Bonkowsky liL, Mudge CH, Murtry RJ. Chronic hepatic inflammation and fibrosis due to low doses of paracetamol. Lancet 1978:36:1016- 1018.