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Toxic Effect of Frequent Low and High Doses of Acetaminophen on Liver Function in Mice
Authors
-
Mohammed H. M. Merah
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wasit, Wasit, Iraq
Abstract
Acetaminophen is pharmacologically an active chemical entity, which is used safely and most widely as an over-the-counter analgesic drug, has been on the increase for the past few years-a trend that is predicted to continue. The study aims to examine experimental assessment the toxic effect of frequent low and high doses of acetaminophen on liver function through serological measurement of hepatic enzymes and antioxidants in mice. Forty adult male albino mice were equally assigned to NC (distilled water), and three acetaminophen groups; HAD (1000 mg/kg/day), RAD (500 mg/kg/day), and LAD (250 mg/kg/day). All mice were injected daily for 28 days; and finally, they chloroform- euthanized and directly blood sampled to obtaining the sera that utilized for measurement of hepatic enzymes (ALP, ALT, AST, and GGT), antioxidants [catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] and lipid peroxidation [malondialdehyde (MDA)] throughout the quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. In comparison to values of NC, though the serum levels of ALP, ALT, AST, and GGT were significantly increased in HAD, there were significant decreases in values of ALT and GGT in mice of LAD but not RAD; whereas, values of ALP and AST were differed insignificantly in mice of RAD and LAD. Among antioxidants, the findings of CAT, GSH-Px, and SOD were decreased in HAD but not RAD; however, significant elevation in values of SOD but not CAT and GSH-Px were shown in mice of LAD. For MDA, higher values were seen in mice of HAD but not in RAD and Lad. This study demonstrates that the prolonged administration of acetaminophen induces dose-dependent hepatotoxicity in mice, characterized biochemically by significant elevations in serum ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT, consistent with impaired serum antioxidants and lipid peroxidation markers. These findings underscore the hepatotoxic risk of acetaminophen overdose and prolonged use, emphasizing the necessity of strict adherence to therapeutic dosages, vigilant clinical monitoring, and early intervention strategies to mitigate liver injury.
Keywords:
Antioxidant Activity Antipyretic Agent Hepatic Enzymes N-acetyl-p-aminophenol Non-Opioid Analgesic Paracetamol
Article information
Journal
Journal of Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Animal Science
Volume (Issue)
2(2), (2025)
Pages
121-128
Published
Copyright
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammed H. M. Merah (Author)
Open access
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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