Effect of mild gestational diabetes mellitus on histological, ultrastructural, and quantitative morphometric alterations of rat fetal liver

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran

2 Gorgan Congenital Malformations Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran

3 Pathology Department of Shahid Kamyab Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

4 Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran

5 Environmental Health Research Center, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran

Abstract

Objective(s): Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), one of the most common metabolic disorders in pregnancy, impacts maternal and fetal health. This study was designed to assess the effects of mild GDM on the histology, ultrastructure, and morphometry of fetal liver tissue.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, twenty pregnant rats were randomly allocated into control and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic groups. Mild hyperglycemia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (40 mg/kg/bw) on the 5th day of gestation. At day 19 of gestation, fetal livers were separated and subjected to histological, transmission electron microscopic, and quantitative morphometric examinations.
Results: In the GDM group, PAS staining was positive, revealing scattered eosinophilic inclusions in some hepatocytes. Masson trichrome staining was also positive and showed some fibrous tissue as fine fibers in the portal spaces that extended to the central vein. Reticulin staining in the GDM group was focally positive in the areas of fibrosis and the portal spaces. Ultrastructural examination showed pyknotic nuclei, karyolysis, degranulation and vesiculation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and degeneration of mitochondria in the GDM group. The morphometric examination demonstrated that the mean area of hepatocytes was significantly lower in the GDM group than in the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, the mean diameter of the central vein and the density of megakaryocytes were significantly higher in the GDM group than in the control group (P<0.05). 
Conclusion: Uncontrolled mild GDM induced the histological, ultrastructural and morphometric alterations in the fetal liver.

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References

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Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Volume 27, Issue 11
November 2024
Pages 1405-1409

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