Liver morphology changes in rats after high dose aluminium administration

<strong>Background: </strong>Aluminum may get access to the human body through several different routes, including the gastrointestinal and the respiratory tracts. Furthermore, various medical interventions including aluminum-containing drugs such as antacids, phosphate binders, buffered aspirins; along with dialysis, vaccines, antiperspirants and injectable allergens also factor in the total human body consumption of aluminum. We investigated the effects of high dose aluminum administration in rats to examine the changes in hepatic and biliary morphology. <strong>Materials &amp; Methods: </strong>50 rats of both genders were divided into 2 groups of 25 each. Group I received 0.5 mL of sterile physiological suspension of fine aluminum powder in the concentration of 100 mg mL^-1 intraperitoneally (50 mg aluminum per rat). Group II did not receive anything. Liver aluminum was analysed using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. For light microscopy the liver tissue was stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and for histochemical analysis with the triammonium salt of aurintricarboxylic acid (aluminon). <strong>Results: </strong>The mean aluminum level in group I was 36.2 µg g^-1and in group II was 0.95 µg g^-1. The difference was significant (P&lt; 0.05).Slight multiplied bile ductuli was seen in 15 rats in group I and 4 in group II. The difference was significant (P&lt; 0.05). <strong>Conclusion: </strong>The present investigation showed that aluminium injected intraperitoneally accumulates in the liver of experimental rats. In conclusion, aluminium administration appears to increase oxidant stress in the liver, as evidenced by mild proliferation seen in the biliary ductuli. These effects of aluminium toxicity may be directly related to the free radical generation.