Dose-Dependent Toxicological Effects of Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl₄) in Male Wistar Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus): Biochemical, Hematological, and Histopathological Assessment

Rasha Ibrahim Salman, Forensic Science Department, College of Science, University of Wasit, Wasit, IraqFollow

Article Type

Article

Abstract

Laboratory animals, especially rodents, are essential models for biomedical research, and especially for studies of disease mechanisms. The current study was carried out at Al-Kut animal facility of College of Science, University of Wasit, Al-Kut, Iraq under controlled experimental conditions in a systematic evaluation of the physiological, biochemical and histopathological responses of laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus). Fifty male Wistar albino rats were used and divided into five groups of 10 animals each and treated with different doses of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), a well-established hepatotoxic agent (purity ≥ 99%), for 8 weeks. The environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, light cycles and noise were kept to international standards (NRC, 2011). Dose-dependent changes were observed in liver enzymes (ALT, AST), glucose and cholesterol levels as seen by biochemical analyses. At high doses, there were marked reductions in the RBC and hemoglobin, along with higher than normal counts of WBC. Liver and spleen-weight ratios were significantly increased in high dose groups. Histopathological analysis revealed hepatic steatosis, mild necrosis and lymphoid hyperplasia of the spleen in treated animals. The results indicate that the compound is toxic in a dose-dependent manner with recovery seen in the recovery group. This research emphasizes the need to harmonize animal care and strictly follow experimental procedures to obtain reliable and reproducible biomedical data in the local research environment of Wasit Governorate, Iraq. This study was approved by the IACUC of the University of Wasit (Approval No. UOW-IACUC-2023/08).

Keywords

Laboratory animals, Rattus norvegicus, CCl4, Carbon tetrachloride, Hepatotoxicity, Wasit university, Toxicology, Histopathology, Biochemical parameters, Animal model

Recommended Citation

Salman, Rasha Ibrahim (2026) "Dose-Dependent Toxicological Effects of Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl₄) in Male Wistar Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus): Biochemical, Hematological, and Histopathological Assessment," Muthanna Medical Journal: Vol. 13: Iss. 3, Article 1.
Available at: https://muthmj.mu.edu.iq/journal/vol13/iss3/1