Histological and ultrastructural study of the effect of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil on normal liver of Wistar rats.
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.
Zafiriou
G
G
'Theagenio' Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Grekou
A
A
Stravoravdi
P
P
Natsis
K
K
Barich
A
A
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
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005472:Fluorouracil