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Ultrastructural changes in rat liver treated with pralidoxime following acute organophosphate poisoning

Salim Satar1, Deniz Satar, Ozgul Tap

  • 1Cukurova University School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, 01330 Balcali, Adana, Turkey. ssatar@cu.edu.tr

The Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, New York
|December 14, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Acute organophosphate poisoning from methamidophos causes severe liver damage in rats. However, treatment with 2-pralidoxime (2-PAM) and atropine effectively reverses these histopathological effects, indicating reversibility of liver injury.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Hepatology
  • Histopathology

Background:

  • Organophosphate pesticides, such as methamidophos, are widely used, posing potential risks to human and animal health.
  • Exposure to organophosphates can lead to poisoning, with the liver being a potential target organ for toxic effects.
  • Understanding the specific ultrastructural changes in the liver following methamidophos exposure is crucial for assessing toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the ultrastructural alterations in rat liver tissue induced by methamidophos exposure.
  • To evaluate the potential protective and restorative effects of 2-pralidoxime (2-PAM) and atropine treatment against methamidophos-induced liver injury.

Main Methods:

  • Male Wistar-albino rats were divided into four groups, receiving either methamidophos, saline, or methamidophos followed by 2-PAM and atropine treatment.
  • Plasma cholinesterase levels were quantified using radioimmunoassay.
  • Liver tissues were examined using electron microscopy to assess cellular and subcellular changes.

Main Results:

  • Methamidophos exposure caused significant ultrastructural damage to hepatocytes and organelles, including nuclear chromatin changes, increased cytoplasmic density, mitochondrial lysis, and lipid accumulation.
  • Extensive glycogen accumulation and increased collagen fibers in the perisinusoidal zone were observed in methamidophos-treated rats.
  • Rats treated with 2-PAM and atropine following methamidophos exposure showed no such histopathological alterations, indicating a reversal of toxic effects.

Conclusions:

  • Acute organophosphate poisoning with methamidophos induces severe, dose-dependent histopathological changes in the rat liver.
  • Co-administration or timely treatment with 2-pralidoxime (2-PAM) and atropine effectively mitigates and reverses these methamidophos-induced liver injuries.
  • These findings highlight the critical role of prompt and appropriate medical intervention in managing organophosphate poisoning and its hepatic consequences.

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