Effect of Tamoxifen on the histomorphological and biochemical components of the liver of Guinea Pigs

Aim: Tamoxifen, once praised for its importance in preventing breast cancer recurrence, is now implicated in dangerous side-effects. The authors are not aware of studies on the effect of tamoxifen on the histomorphological and biochemical components of the liver of guinea pig, hence the present one. Methods: Thirty guinea pigs weighing between 650g and 700g were assigned randomly into 6 groups of five and were separately given 0.70 and 7.0mg/kg body weight (b.w) tamoxifen for 2 and 4 weeks. Liver function tests and conventional tissue processing haematoxylin and eosin staining method were used in the study. Results: The results showed a significant loss in body weight (p<0.05) of the guinea pigs administered with low and high doses of the tamoxifen for 4 weeks when compared with the controls. The mean serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin increased significantly than the controls in high dose groups exposed for 2 weeks and 4 weeks respectively (p<0.05). Similarly, histomorphological changes such as enlargement and sclerotic condition of central vein, enlargement and non-hexagonal radiating arrangement of sinusoids were observed in the liver of guinea pigs in the high dose tamoxifen Key words: Tamoxifen, Liver, Breast cancer