Effect of Solder Fumes on Liver Serum Markers and Hepatic Vascular Elements in Rats

Objective: this study was performed to determine the effects of solder fume on liverserum markers and vascular elements in ratsmaterials and methods: a total number of 48 rats were randomly divided into experimental(n=30) and control (n=18) groups. based on exposure time, each group wasfurther divided into 2, 4 and 6 weeks of exposure subgroups. rats in the experimentalsubgroups were placed in an exposure chamber and exposed to solder fume for onehour per day. the concentration of metal fumes and gases in the exposure chamberwere measured daily by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. blood and liver sampleswere collected from all rats in the experimental and control subgroups to determinethe concentration of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase,as well as total and conjugated bilirubin levels. histological examinationsof specimens were performed under a stage-micrometer calibrated microscope.results: despite some alterations in enzyme and bilirubin levels between control andexperimental groups, the differences were not statistically significant. however, histopathologicalexaminations of liver tissues revealed significant differences in the diametersof cross sectioned sinusoids of rats in the 4-week experimental and controlsubgroups (p<0.001). furthermore, there were significant differences in the diametersof cross-sectioned central venules of all experimental and control subgroup members(p<0.001).conclusion: the results of this study suggest that although solder fume in the acutephase of exposure of up to 4 weeks does not significantly change liver serum markerenzymes, it can greatly increase the diameters of cross-sectioned hepatic sinusoidsand the central venule.