ALTERATIONS OF RAT-LIVER SUBSEQUENT TO HEAT OVERLOAD

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 102  (3) , 154-157
Abstract
Since pathological changes in the liver are among the consistent findings in humans subsequent to heatstroke, specimens were taken from the liver in rats during a study to assess the rat as a model for human heatstroke. Tissues from 4 groups of rats were processed for light and EM. The groups consisted of control rats, rats run to exhaustion at 5.degree. C, rats exhausted at 26.degree. C and rats restrained at 41.5.degree. C until their rectal temperatures reached 42.3.degree. C. Exhaustive exercise at 5.degree. C produced neither fatalities nor pathological changes in the livers. Exhaustive exercise at 26.degree. C and restraint at 41.5.degree. C were fatal for most rats. Histological and/or ultrastructural changes, which included centrilobular necrosis, vacuolization and diminution of hepatocellular microvilli, and loss of sinusoidal endothelium, were observed in livers from rats that were run to exhaustion at 26.degree. C and from those rats restrained at 41.5.degree. C. The validity of the rat model was supported, since human heatstroke results in similar hepatic changes.

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