title: Studies on thallium toxicity, its tissue distribution and histopathological effects in rats.
abstract: The distribution of thallium (Tl) in the body and its toxic effect on the histology and function of the liver and kidney of rats after Tl administration were investigated using biochemical and histopathological assays. Male albino rats exhibited a markedly dose-dependent increase in the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at 16 h after an intraperitoneal injection of 30, 60 or 120 mg/kg Tl. The serum level of creatinine in the rats injected with 30 mg/kg Tl, elevated significantly after 4 days of administration. The distribution of Tl in the tissues of intoxicated rats was uneven. The content of Tl was found to be highest in the kidney, followed by ileum, stomach and liver. Histological examination demonstrated frequent occurrence of hepatocyte necrosis and vacuolation in the liver and pathological changes of renal tubules in the treated rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N. T., Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: V E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Ooi
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D051381:Rats; D013793:Thallium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D013793:Thallium; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase