Relative and combined effects of propylthiouracil, ethanol and protein deficiency on liver histology and hepatic iron, zinc, manganese and copper contents.

The present study was performed in order to discern the effects of propylthiouracil (PTU) on ethanol and/or protein deficiency-mediated liver histological changes and liver Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn alterations in male adult Wistar rats. The study was performed on 64 animals divided into eight groups, fed with the Leiber-DeCarli control, 36% ethanol-2% protein- and 36% ethanol-2% protein-containing diets, without and with PTU, respectively. PTU was administered at a concentration of 0.05%, an amount which rendered the animals hypothyroid. Two further groups of 5 animals each, with and without PTU respectively, were allowed to consume the control diet ad libitum. Animals treated with PTU showed significantly less fibrosis, but more fat, than animals without PTU. Liver fibrosis was inversely correlated with liver zinc, liver content of this element being higher in the PTU-treated and the ethanol or protein deficiency groups. PTU also reversed ethanol-mediated hepatocyte ballooning and also led to a reduction in nuclear areas.