Effect of Injectable Ketamine on Histopathological Changes in the Liver in Neonates Born to Pregnant Rats Subjected to Short-Term and Long-Term Anesthesia

Background and Objective: Ketamine, a derivative of phencyclidine, is utilized as an anesthetic agent in surgical procedures. Like other medications, it can be associated with various adverse effects on different organs in the body. This study was conducted to determine the effect of injectable ketamine on the histopathological changes in the liver in neonates born to pregnant rats subjected to short-term and long-term anesthesia. Methods: In this experimental study, 15 pregnant female Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 5 each: A control group, a short-term anesthesia group (receiving an intraperitoneal injection of ketamine at a dosage of 25 mg/kg/bw), three times per week for 4 weeks), and a long-term anesthesia group (receiving an intraperitoneal injection of ketamine at a dosage of 75 mg/kg/bw, once per week for 4 weeks). Following parturition and during the lactation period, when the neonatal rats reached two weeks of age, they were initially anesthetized and sacrificed for tissue sampling via intraperitoneal injection of 7 units of ketamine and 3 units of xylazine. Tissue samples, with a thickness of 5 to 6 microns, were sectioned and examined using light microscope after fixation in formalin. Results: In the short-term anesthesia group, dilation of the centrilobular veins and fluid accumulation were observed, with an intensity score of 2. Additionally, some hepatocytes exhibited degenerative-necrotic changes, characterized by acidophilic and dark cytoplasm, with an intensity score of 1. In the long-term anesthesia group, the liver tissue showed hyperemic changes in the portal space with a score of 1, as well as increased dilation of sinusoidal spaces and centrilobular veins of varying sizes and irregularities, also with an intensity score of 1. Fluid and blood accumulation were also noted in some of these structures. In the control group, cellular structures were maintained with complete regularity, and the intensity score of changes was determined to be zero. Conclusion: Ketamine administration to pregnant rats can induce histopathological changes in the liver tissue of their offspring. These detrimental changes were more pronounced in the long-term group compared to both the short-term and control group.