Stereological study of the effects of nandrolone decanoate on the mouse liver

Background: The beneficial potential of anabolic steroids comes with undesirable side effects. Short and long term side effects have been demonstrated in many organs, and the liver changes are associated with androgenic anabolic steroids use. Despite the widespread physiological, biochemical and pathological investigation of the effects of androgenic anabolic steroids on the liver, the stereological Study of the effects of anabolic androgenic steroids on the liver histological structure has received less attention. Aims: The present study investigates the nandrolone decanoate (ND) effects, on the liver. Methods: The liver of the control and ND-treated mouse was fixed, processed, stained and Studied using modern stereological methods. Results: The analysis of the data revealed that liver weight and volume increased similar to 19% and similar to 35%, in ND-treated group in comparison with the control group respectively. The total volume of the hepatocytes and sinusoids increased similar to 59% and similar to 116% respectively in treated animals. The total volume of the central veins and portal triad veins decreased similar to 42% and similar to 70%, respectively. The total number of hepatocytes nuclei in experimental group increased similar to 20%. The mean total volume of the connective tissue, arteries and bile ductules in the portal tracts and the mean volume of the hepatocytes and their nuclei did not show any significant changes. Conclusion: ND can increase the volume of the liver, mainly due to hyperplasia of the hepatocytes. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.