Some Biochemical and Histopathological Changes in Liver of Pregnant Female Rats Following Fluoroquinolones Administration

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the possible effects of fluoroquinolones (Norfloxacin,
Ciprofloxacin, and Enrofloxacin) on some biochemical and histopathological changes of liver in pregnant female rats
(Ratus norvigicus). 40 pregnant rats weighing 175-185 gm, and 10-12 weeks old in age, were divided equally in to
control and three experimental groups. Control group treated with dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) at a dose 0.5
ml/animal/day while the experimental animals treated with oral doses of (700 mg/Kg b.w. of Norfloxacin, 550
mg/Kg b.w. of Ciprofloxacin, and 750 mg/Kg b.w. of Enrofloxacin, all groups were administered these substances
from the day 1 till the day 15 of gestation. Dissection was performed on day 15 of gestation after 4 hours from the
last dose. Results revealed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in total protein content in serum of the treated groups
(NFX, CPX) when compared with control, while ENX treated group showed a decrease in total protein but not
significant. Assessment of globulin in all treated groups showed a significant decrease as compared with the globulin
of control. Histopathological changes in liver sections of these females were in the form of dilatation of central and
portal vein, and sinusoidal spaces, congestion in blood vessels, degenerated hepatocytes with necrotic nuclei. These
results revealed the toxic effects of fluoroquinolones on the livers of pregnant female rats.