An experimental model of hepatocellular necrosis produced by paracetamol in mouse

Paracetamol administered at different doses (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, once orally) to albino mice caused varying degree of congestion, degeneration and mid to centrilobular coagulative necrosis in the liver tissues. Hepatocytes appeared large, and had vacuolated cytoplasm and small condensed pyknotic nuclei. Cytolysis, karyolysis and karyorrhexis of many hepatocytes were observed. The histopathological changes were severe in nature with increased dose of paracetamol (1000 mg/kg). At this stage, massive and severe necrotic and degenerative changes were mainly observed in the portal lobule and extended towards the central vein. The severity and extent of liver damage was found to be dose dependent. Conclusively, paracetamol caused optimum liver damage at a single oral dose of 500 mg per kg body weight, indicating that this dose of paracetamol is capable of producing an experimental model of hepatocellular necrosis in mouse.