Nitrofurazone at a high dose induces hepatocyte and adrenal necrosis in rats

Abstract

Nitrofurazone (NF), a well-known testicular toxicant, was given to rats at 500 mg/kg to characterize its effects on the liver and adrenal gland. Marked degenerative or necrotic changes were seen in the adrenal gland, and, to a lesser extent, in the liver. The adrenal gland displayed coagulative necrosis involving the cortex, especially the zonae fasciculata and reticularis, which was apparent as early as at 1.5 h postdose and had spread to the whole area by 3 h. Hepatic changes became clear at 3 h, but the degree and the extent of the lesion were far less than in the adrenal gland. The lesions consisted of foci of hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis, which were exacerbated by diethyl maleate (DEM), a hepatic glutathione-depleting agent. The results suggest that NF induces changes possibly by a mechanism which involves free radical production.