Histopathological Changes in liver tissue induced by meloxicam in male mice

Abstract

Despite of the frequent utility of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of osteoarthritis related diseases, as they have analgesic antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects, they have been currently proven to cause deleterious toxic effects to the hepatic tissue. Meloxicam is a new version of NSAIDs classified as selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor (COX-2) which may have a protective role over the old traditional types (non-selective COX-1 inhibitor), therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate whether meloxicam could have toxic pathological effects on the liver tissue like other traditional drugs . Fifteen adult male mice were divided into two groups, one group of five mice served as control and received only distilled water, while the animals of the second group (10 mice) was treated with meloxicam 0.4 mg/kg administrated daily by oral gastric gavage for 10 days. After 24 hours of the last dose, animals were sacrificed, their livers were removed and processed for histological examination by light microscope. The liver sections obtained from meloxicam treated mice showed dilatation and congestion of blood sinusoids, as well as portal venous congestion. Appearance of degenerative changes of hepatocytes was found in forms of cytoplasmic vacuolations and nuclear pyknosis as well as glycogen depletion. In addition, mononuclear cellular infiltration, areas of hemorrhage and necrosis were evident. Focal loss of normal hepatic architecture was also observed. It could be conclude from this study that meloxicam might cause mild to moderate hepatotoxicity.