Serum biochemical parameters and histological analysis
In order to investigate the toxicity-related effects of PP242, serum
biochemical parameters were measured. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST),
alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin were measured to
determine liver health; blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CRE)
were measured to evaluate kidney health; and low-density lipoprotein
(LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured to evaluate heart
health.
Histopathological examination was conducted with hepatic and renal
tissues obtained from the trial fixed in primary 10% neutral formalin
solution. The left lobe of the liver and kidneys were cut to an
appropriate size and thickness and fixed in the secondary formalin
solution. The cut tissue was embedded in paraffin through a general
tissue treatment process. Paraffin-formatted tissues were then cut to a
thickness of 3 μm and subjected to hematoxylin and eosin staining, and
histopathological examination was performed under an optical microscope
(Olympus CX41, Japan). The findings were recorded, depending on the
degree as normal, minimal (1+), mild (2+), moderate (3+) or severe
(severe, 4+) grading.