Dose Dependent Hepatic and Endothelial Changes in Rats Treated with Dexamethasone

• Main Authors: V.Hemanth Kumar, Nagendra Nayak IM, Shobha V Huilgol, Saeed M Yendigeri, Narendar K, Rajasekhar CH
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2015-05-01
• Series: Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
• Subjects: arteriosclerosis; glucocorticoids; hepatic steatosis; insulin resistance
• Online Access: https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/5930/12810_CE[Ra]_F(P)_PF1(PAK)_PFA(P)_PF2(PAG).pdf

Aims and Objectives: To study the effect of dexamethasone on liver and endothelium, and to determine the optimum dose which induces the abnormal changes in liver and endothelium in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Albino Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups (n=6). Control group rats received normal saline. Graded doses of dexamethasone (0.5,1,2,4,8 and 16mg/kg/ i.p.) was administered to the groups for six days. Liver and aorta were dissected at the end of the study and examined for histopathological changes under microscope. Results: Intraperitoneal administration of dexamethasone (4,8 and 16mg/kg) for six days resulted in fatty changes in liver and same doses have shown thickening of endothelial layers in aorta, in comparison to control group. There were not much significant changes seen in low doses of dexamethasone (0.5, 1 and 2mg/kg). Conclusion: It is concluded that the acute high doses of dexamethasone (4,8 and 16mg/kg) for six days caused hepatic steatosis and showed mild to moderate arteriosclerosis in aorta. These changes may be secondary consequences of insulin resistance. Hence, it can be used as new animal model to screen the various plants and medicines in the treatment of insulin resistance.