Alterations of trace elements in kidney, spleen and lungs in treated and untreated experimental liver cirrhosis

Repeated administration of carbon tetrachloride (CC1(4)) to the experimental animals not only produces liver cirrhosis but also pathological changes in different organs. The alteration of trace elements in the plasma and in the liver has been documented. Very limited studies were carried out regarding the alteration of trace elements in different organs in experimental animals subjected to CC1(4) toxicity and the influence of scavengers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and allopurinol as preventative measurements. Four groups of animals were studied: CC1(4) and allopurinol (group 1), CC1(4) and SOD (group 2), CC1(4) alone (group 3) and olive oil (group 4). Analysis of tissue concentrations of trace elements in different organ's tissues (e.g. lung, spleen and kidneys) were performed. Histopathological assessments were studied in all groups after 7 weeks of repeated administration of the solutions. Copper contents in the spleen and lungs were significantly high in group 2, while kidney copper contents were significantly high in all experimental groups. Selenium contents in the kidneys and lungs were significantly low in group 1, while it was significantly high in group 2 in all organs. Manganese contents in kidneys was significantly low in group 1 and significantly increased in group 2 in the case of spleen and lung. Lung zinc content was significantly increased in group 2. Spleen zinc decreased significantly only in group 3. Histopathological assessment indicated evidence of interstitial pneumonia in the group treated with allopurinol. The low levels of selenium predisposes to the development of interstitial pneumonia.