Effects of formaldehyde intoxication on liver of Swiss albino mice

Formaldehyde (FA) is a very reactive one-carbon compound, can react with lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids which are cellular components.FA induces cellular toxic effects in the liver by damaging hepatic parenchyma and impairment of functions.This study was carried out to evaluatethe serum biochemical changes and cytotoxic effects on liver in Swiss albino mice caused by FA toxicity.For this purpose, mice were divided into threeequal groups i.e.Control, oral andintraperitoneal.Oral and intraperitonealgroups were further divided into three subgroups which were subjected to exposure of FA for 30 and 10 consecutive days respectively.After exposure, blood and liver samples were collected and analyzed for biochemical and morphological studies.The serum biochemical parameters like Aspartate Transaminase (AST) and Alanine Transaminase (ALT) were increased significantly (P‹0.05) in mice after FA exposure.The anatomical results revealed gross morphological changes i.e. congestion and petechial hemorrhages on the liver.Histologically, the liver showedscattered lymphocytic infiltration, dilatation of sinusoids, necrosis and degeneration of parenchymatous cells in orally exposed mice (10 mg/kg) and diffuse lymphocytic infiltration, necrosis were seen in intraperitoneallyFA injectedmice at the rate of 7 and 10 mg/kg body weight.All these findings revealed that, FA depending on specific dose leads to an irritant toxic effects on the liver of mice.