Histopathological Study of N-acetyl-para-aminophenol-Induced Gastric Alterations and Ascorbic Acid Administration in Albino Rats

• Ola A. Abdalally

  Almahara Institute for the Medical and Managerial Sciences, Libya

  Author

• Ahlaam M. Khalid

  Higher Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Libya

  Author

• Eda M.A. Alshailabi

  Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Faculty of Science, Libya

  Author

N-acetyl-para-aminophenol (NAPA) is widely used as an analgesic and antipyretic drug; however, prolonged administration or high doses may adversely affect the gastrointestinal tract. The present study aimed to investigate the histopathological alterations induced by NAPA in gastric tissues and to evaluate the effects of ascorbic acid (AA) administration in albino rats. Thirty-five adult male albino rats were randomly allocated into five experimental groups: control, AA-treated, NAPA-treated, co-treated (AA + NAPA), and AA pre-treated groups. NAPA was administered orally at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight for two weeks, while AA was administered at the same dose either alone, concurrently with NAPA, or before NAPA exposure. Histological examination of gastric tissues from NAPA-treated rats revealed pronounced pathological alterations, including epithelial disruption, mucosal necrosis, inflammatory cell penetration, vascular dilation, and submucosal oedema. Co-administration of AA with NAPA resulted in partial modulation of these histopathological changes; however, erosive and necrotic lesions remained evident.  In contrast, AA pre-treatment did not confer a significant protective effect, as gastric tissues continued to exhibit marked pathological changes. In conclusion, NAPA induces significant gastric tissue injury in albino rats, and AA provides limited protection depending on the mode of administration. These findings may provide a basis for further studies exploring potential strategies to mitigate NAPA-induced gastric injury in humans

1. Ola A. Abdalally, Almahara Institute for the Medical and Managerial Sciences, Libya

   ¹Almahara Institute for the Medical and Managerial Sciences, Libya

2. Ahlaam M. Khalid, Higher Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Libya

   Higher Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Libya

3. Eda M.A. Alshailabi , Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Faculty of Science, Libya

   Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Faculty of Science, Libya

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