Tissue Residue Profiles and Histopathological Alterations induced by Enrofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin in Albino Rats

Abstract

The widespread use of veterinary antibiotics, particularly fluoroquinolones like enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, has raised serious concerns about tissue residue accumulation and toxicological effects in animal products consumed by humans. This study investigated the tissue residue levels and histopathological effects of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in the liver and kidney of albino rats. Fifteen (15) female albino rats (weighing 120 to 160 g) were obtained from a certified animal breeding center in the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. Tissue residue levels of Enrofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin were quantified using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The fixed tissue samples (liver and kidney) were processed through standard histological procedures. Result revealed that high-Performance Liquid Chromatography showed that enrofloxacin accumulated more in the liver (1.92 ± 0.23 µg/g) than the kidney (0.88 ± 0.15 µg/g), while ciprofloxacin accumulated more in the kidney (2.41 ± 0.25 µg/g) than the liver (1.27 ± 0.19 µg/g), with all treated groups significantly different from controls (p < 0.05). Histologically, treated rats exhibited vascular congestion, hepatocellular necrosis, fatty change, glomerular atrophy, and tubular epithelial necrosis, whereas controls showed normal architecture. Based on the findings, it was therefore recommended that veterinary practitioners should regulate the dosage and duration of fluoroquinolone use in animals to minimize hepatic stress and prevent toxic accumulation in the liver. Farmers should strictly adhere to drug withdrawal periods before slaughtering animals to ensure that harmful antibiotic residues are cleared from liver tissues.