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Article Open Access

Effect of medroxyprogesterone injection on liver function and histological features of the liver in albino rats

  • Authors:
    • Fawaz A. Alassaf
    • Mohammed N. Abed
    • Mohannad E. Qazzaz
  • View Affiliations / Copyright

    Affiliations: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul, Nineveh Governorate 41002, Iraq, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul, Nineveh Governorate 41002, Iraq, Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul, Nineveh Governorate 41002, Iraq
    Copyright: © Alassaf et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY 4.0].
  • Article Number: 53
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    Published online on: April 2, 2025
       https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2025.341
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Abstract

Medroxyprogesterone is a synthetic progestin that is widely used as a hormonal contraceptive and has a potential for hepatotoxicity. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of medroxyprogesterone administration on the hepatic functions of female albino rats. For this purpose, a total of 20 female albino rats were divided into two groups of 10 rats each. The first group represented the rats prior to medroxyprogesterone administration, and the second group included the same rats after receiving an intramuscular injection of medroxyprogesterone (3.5 mg/rat/week) following an 8‑week study period. In addition, the study included group 3, which represented the control female albino rats at the start of the study and group 4 represented the same rats of group 3, but at the end of the experiment. Blood samples were obtained for the evaluation of liver function, including the analysis of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin levels. Additionally, samples of hepatic tissues were histologically assessed. The results revealed a statistically significant elevation in AST, ALT and total bilirubin levels, with a reduction in ALP levels in the treated group (group 2) compared to the other groups at P<0.001. The histopathological examination of the liver tissues revealed the vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes, the congestion of sinusoids and inflammation in the treated group compared to the control groups. These findings point to the negative impact of medroxyprogesterone on rat liver function, with hepatic cell injury being observed. These findings highlight the potential hepatotoxic effects of this drug and urges the routine monitoring of liver function in clinical settings. 
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Spandidos Publications style
Alassaf FA, Abed MN and Qazzaz ME: Effect of medroxyprogesterone injection on liver function and histological features of the liver in albino rats. World Acad Sci J 7: 53, 2025.
APA
Alassaf, F.A., Abed, M.N., & Qazzaz, M.E. (2025). Effect of medroxyprogesterone injection on liver function and histological features of the liver in albino rats. World Academy of Sciences Journal, 7, 53. https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2025.341
MLA
Alassaf, F. A., Abed, M. N., Qazzaz, M. E."Effect of medroxyprogesterone injection on liver function and histological features of the liver in albino rats". World Academy of Sciences Journal 7.4 (2025): 53.
Chicago
Alassaf, F. A., Abed, M. N., Qazzaz, M. E."Effect of medroxyprogesterone injection on liver function and histological features of the liver in albino rats". World Academy of Sciences Journal 7, no. 4 (2025): 53. https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2025.341
Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Alassaf FA, Abed MN and Qazzaz ME: Effect of medroxyprogesterone injection on liver function and histological features of the liver in albino rats. World Acad Sci J 7: 53, 2025.
APA
Alassaf, F.A., Abed, M.N., & Qazzaz, M.E. (2025). Effect of medroxyprogesterone injection on liver function and histological features of the liver in albino rats. World Academy of Sciences Journal, 7, 53. https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2025.341
MLA
Alassaf, F. A., Abed, M. N., Qazzaz, M. E."Effect of medroxyprogesterone injection on liver function and histological features of the liver in albino rats". World Academy of Sciences Journal 7.4 (2025): 53.
Chicago
Alassaf, F. A., Abed, M. N., Qazzaz, M. E."Effect of medroxyprogesterone injection on liver function and histological features of the liver in albino rats". World Academy of Sciences Journal 7, no. 4 (2025): 53. https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2025.341
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