Alterations in liver ultrastructure and Glutation -S- Transferase enzyme activity as a result of furosemide application

Abstract

Although the morphological and functional changes brought about in the renal tissue by diuretics are well known, few investigations have been made on those in the liver tissue. In this work, an attempt has been made to investigate the effects of furosemide, a highly effective diuretic, on the liver morphology and enzyme Glutathione activity of Glutatione -S- Transferase (GST), an important detoxication enzyme. During this investigation, 60 mg and 100 mg doses of furosemide have been administered i.p. to mice. Liver tissue samples obtained from experimental animals during the effect period have been evaluated under transmission electron-microscopy (TEM) following routine procedures for ultrastructural examination and Liver GST (E.C. 2,5,1,18) enzyme activities measured. In the examination made it was observed that, in the group administered 60 mg furosemide, there were increases in the granular (GER) and agranular endoplasmic reticulum (AGER) cisternae of the hepatocytes, loss of cristae in the mitochondria and marked distentions. In addition, an increase in the microvilli on the cell surfaces facing the Disse Space and biliarly canaliculi was also noted. No alteration in the GST activity was observed in this group. As for the experimental animals administered 100 mg furosemide, the sample morphological findings were noted to be more marked and a collagen accumulation in the Disse space and enlargements of the biliary canaliculi were determined. It was observed that there was a 20% inhibition in the GST enzyme activity in this group.