The Possible Protective Effect of Apple Cider Vinegar on Mercuric Chloride-Induced Changes on Rat Hepatocytes: Immunohistochemical and Ultrastructure Study

INTRODUCTION: Mercuric chloride is a toxic form of mercury capable for induction of oxidative liver damage. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a powerful antioxidant agent being used in salad dressings. Our study aimed to assess the beneficial effect of ACV against mercuric chloride-induced hepatic cell damage through an ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty Wistar rats used divided into four groups (10 rats each); control; Group A (ACV): Rats received 2 ml/kg ACV; Group B (HgCl(2)): Rats received 1 mg/kg HgCl(2), and Group C (ACV + HgCl(2)): Rats received 2 ml/kg ACV 30 min before giving 1 mg/kg HgCl(2). Doses given orally by intragastric tube for 30 days. RESULTS: Toluidine blue results of HgCl(2) group revealed hepatocytes with irregular boundaries, eccentric deeply stained nuclei, and large cytoplasmic vacuoles. Electron microscopic results showed dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, cytoplasmic vacuolations, areas of cytoplasmic rarefaction, degenerated mitochondria, nuclear membrane irregularities, and dilated bile canaliculi with lost microvilli. Moreover, there was significantly increased expression of HSP60 and number of hepatocytes with proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive nuclei. ACV + HgCl(2) group showed improvement of the previous changes. CONCLUSION: ACV could be promising for attenuation of liver cell damages induced by several toxins through its powerful antioxidant properties.