This study was carried out to investigate the histological and ultrastructural changes
in the liver cells that would occur in response to the use of sodium benzoate. Adult
male albino rats used in this study were divided into five groups; first group used as
control was administered distilled water and other four groups were administered
with sodium benzoate dissolved in distilled water at a dose 1g/kg/bwt daily: two
groups administered sodium benzoate for 90 days and 365 days were sacrificed
immediately. While the other two groups administered sodium benzoate for 90 days
and 365 days were sacrificed after further 30 days without sodium benzoate
administration. The most striking changes which occurred in rats were vacuolation of
hepatic cytoplasm, the appearance of large areas of rarified cytoplasm separating
dense areas of cellular organelles and an increase of lipid droplets. Disorgination of
cellular organelles, increasing of collagenous fibres and depletion of polysaccharides
and total protein were also observed. These alterations became more pronounced in
liver of rats administered to long period. In the two recovery groups, the liver tissue
retained its normal appearance to a large extent compared with sections administered
with sodium benzoate for 90 days and 365 days.