title: Histological and ultrastructural study of the effect of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil on normal liver of Wistar rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, we analysed the histopathological and ultrastructural effects of systemic chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the liver of healthy rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty inbred Wistar rats were used as controls and another 20 rats received a bolus infusion, via the inferior vena cava, of 375 mg/m(2) 5-FU. The animals of each group were sacrificed 16 h, 3 days or 1, 2, 3 and 6 months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histologically, in one rat 16 h after 5-FU administration, we observed only a small necrotic focus of hepatocytes. Ultrastructurally, a mild vacuolization of cytoplasm, a decrease in mitochondria and an increase in lysosomes were observed. These abnormalities were restored 1 month later.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results confirm that the particular dose, route and duration of 5-FU administration do not cause hepatotoxic morphological changes in the liver of healthy Wistar rats.
authors.affiliation: 'Theagenio' Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zafiriou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grekou
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stravoravdi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Natsis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005472:Fluorouracil