Systematic Review: Alterations of the Rat Liver Histopathology Due to Lead Exposure

Background: Lead is a versatile heavy metal that is not biodegradable. Its capability to remain undetected in the body poses a serious risk to environmental health. Even small quantities of lead that accumulate chronically or acutely can cause a condition known as lead poisoning.Aim: To determine the alterations of the rat liver histopathology due to lead exposure.Methods: This descriptive analytical study used a systematic literature review approach according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Articles were searched using specific keywords on PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar and were published between September 2017 and January 2022.Results: Ten articles were found that met the inclusion criteria. Lead induction was performed orally using a gastric tube in 4 studies, 4 other studies added lead in drinking water and given ad libitum, and the last two studies administered lead intraperitoneally. Lead hepatotoxicity was due to its ability to induce inflammatory reactions and form free radicals that are hazardous to the liver.Conclusion: Lead can accumulate in the liver and cause histopathological alteration, leading to hepatocyte necrosis even in small doses when consumed over a long period of time.