Toxicological Effects of Long Term Pregabalin Abuse on Liver of Adult Albino Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of medicine, Cairo University,

2 Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of medicine, Beni-Suef University

Abstract

Background: Pregabalin (trade name ‘Lyrica’) is one of the most recent antiepileptic drugs. It is also used in several medical therapies such as neuropathic pain and anxiety disorders. Recently, pregabalin abuse potential has increased among vulnerable population with doses that exceed the therapeutic ones which was the leading cause of the focusing of the new scientific studies on its susceptible toxicological effects. Previous studies discussed many case reports concerning the toxic effect of pregabalin on liver in addition to limited in vitro studies that showed its serious effect on the histopathological level. Objective: The aim of our study is to assess toxicological effects of pregabalin abuse for a long period on different biochemical and histopathological parameters of liver of adult Albino Rats. Materials and methods: our study was carried out on eighty rats which are randomly allocated into 2 groups. Group (I) included 40 rats which received distilled water orally for 8 weeks and considered as control group. Group (II) included 40 rats which received pregabalin at a dose of 300 mg/kg once daily, orally for 8 weeks and considered as pregabalin group. Then all animals were scarified. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Histopathological examination of liver was conducted through H & E staining. Results: Our data showed that pregabalin at this high dose harmed the liver on both biochemical and histopathological levels. It elevated AST, ALT, T.B, alkaline phosphatase and glucose values. Microscopically, pregabalin produced severe degenerative changes and necrosis of hepatocytes, congestion of blood vessels and lymphocytic infiltration with proliferation of van kupffer cells. Conclusion: Pregabalin abuse can markedly affect the liver on both levels, biochemically and histopathologically

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