Thioacetamide toxicity and the spleen: Histological and biochemical analysis

Exposure to thioacetamide is associated with the development of liver cirrh osis in experimental animals. In addition to liver, thioacetamide toxicity has been observed in other organs. In this study, the toxic effect of thioa cetamide on the spleen was investigated at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks post-treatm ent durations. The level of tissue copper and selenium increased until the eighth week when a significant drop was observed. The zinc level was also i ncreased but returned back to normal by week 8, thereafter it showed furthe r increase. Calculation of the copper/zinc ratio showed an increase, but, r ecovered and returned to normal value by week 12. The level of manganese fl uctuated until the eighth week. It then increased rapidly. Histological stu dies of the spleen tissue showed a significant increase in extramedullary h aematopoiesis in the red pulp region and marked hyperplasia in the marginal zone and follicles. The results of this study, demonstrate an intimate ass ociation between trace element levels and spleen pathology, as observed in studies of other organs.