Long term administration of gentamicin affects hemato-biochemical parameters and liver architecture of Swiss Albino mice

Gentamicin is most frequently used aminoglycoside antibiotic. Despite its wide use, the effects of gentamicin have not been clearly studied in relation to alteration hemato-biochemical parameters and liver injury. In the present study, to evaluate the effects of gentamicin on behavioral, hematological, biochemical and morphological parameters of liver, Swiss albino mice were divided into 4 experimental groups (group A: control; group B: pharmacological dose; group C: pharmacological dose rate with chronic treatment, and group D: high dose with chronic treatment). All the mice from group C and D showed dullness, fearness, roughness of the body coat, anorexia and weakness. Liver weight and size were increased significantly in the mice of group C and D than that of group A or group B. Similarly, in hematological study, Total erythrocyte count (TEC), Total leukocyte count (TLC) and hemoglobin (Hb%) values were decreased significantly, whereas, Alanine amino transferase (ALT) values were increased significantly in the mice of group C and D. In addition, congestion and dark coloration with hepatomegaly were found in treated group C and D. Histological study revealed that the liver parenchyma showed central vein congestion, lymphocytic infiltration, irregular size of hepatocyte and dilatation of sinusoids of treated group C and D. Taken together, our current study suggests that although pharmacological dose of Gentamicin has no adverse effect on liver but chronic pharmacological dose or chronic high dose has serious adverse effect on liver. These observations lead us to postulate that gentamicin induces liver tissue damage after long term treatment.