31 - Evaluation of Effects of Finasteride on the Histomorphology of Liver and Spleen of Adult Male Wistar Rat

Poster Board Number: 31
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Co-authors:

HOPE OKECHUKWU - Anatomy - Abia State University, Nigeria; AMBROSE OBIALOR - Anatomy - Imo State University

Abstract Body : Finasteride is administered orally with a dose of 1mg and 5mg daily for the treatment of androgen dependent alopecia, and prostatic hyperplasia respectively. In this experiment aimed at evaluating the effects of Finasteride on liver and spleen of adult male Wistar rat, a total of sixteen male albino rats were used. They were divided into four groups, A – D with four rats each, exposed to the same environmental conditions and were treated according to the standard guidelines for use of animals for experiments. The control, group A received normal rat chow and water while the experimental groups in addition were treated with different doses of oral finasteride daily for 14 days. Group B was treated with 0.5mg/kg, Group C received 1mg/kg and Group D was given 2mg/kg. After the 14days treatment, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture into K₃EDTA bottles and plain bottles. The liver and spleen were removed, and histological sections were prepared and stained using H and E stains.

Results showed no significant difference (P < 0.05) in the AST, ALP, and total Bilirubin of the rats treated with 0.5mg/kg, 1mg/kg and 2mg/kg of finasteride compared to the control group, but there was significant increase in the level of ALT in groups C and D when compared with control group. Histologically, the liver of the rats treated with 2mg/kg (group D) showed evenly spaced portal triad around a central vein and mild portal inflammation without interface, lobular hepatitis, fibrosis, or steatosis. The control, groups B and C showed normal architecture of the liver. The spleen of the rats treated with 1mg/kg and 2mg/kg (Groups C and D) showed reduction in lymphocytes density in the white pulp and increase in volume of the red pulp which suggests a myeloid leukemic characteristic.

Our findings therefore suggests that the recommended dose of finasteride for treatment of alopecia is within the safe dose while the 5mg for treatment of prostatic hyperplasia could induce splenic and liver toxicity and should be further investigated.