Sub-acute effect of ingesting potassium iodide salt on some visceral organs of domestic mice (Mus musculus)

Abstract

The effect of ingesting potassium Iodide (KI) salt was determined using sixteen(16) male  domestic mice (Mus musculus), aged 2-3 months and of weight range 27.0gm to 38.6gm. KI salt of 500, 1000, and 1500mg/kg body weight doses dissolved in distilled water were given ad libitum to rats to determine both physical and histological changes induced by the different doses of the salt on the experimental animals. Physical changes observed include loss of appetite, sluggishness, weight loss, altered body conditions, lethargy, abdominal enlargement and death. These changes were marked in the group that received higher dosages of KI. The liver and kidney processed for microscopy showed remarkable histological lesions of varied intensity. The kidney exhibited tubular hyalinization, while the liver revealed chronic venous congestion, intraportal ulceration and portal hypertrophy among other effects. These lesions are indicative of potassium iodide induced toxicity. From this study, it is evident that ingesting KI salt in high doses has deleterious effects on some visceral organs of albino rats.