BIOCHEMICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE LIVER OF DIOXIN (TCDD)- INTOXICATED RABBITS

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University

2 Biochemistry and Pathology units, Research Institute of Ophthalmology

Abstract

2,3,7,8- Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a highly persistent trace environmental contaminant that represents one of the most potent toxicants known to man. Dioxin is the name generally given to a class of super-toxic chemicals, formed as a by–product of the manufacture, molding, or burning of organic chemicals and plastics that contain chlorine. Oxidative stress may play a role in the toxic manifestations of dioxin. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the dose-dependent effects of dioxin on various indices of oxidative stress along with other biochemical parameters in blood and liver of male rabbit, and to examine the histopathological consequences in the liver. Twenty four male rabbits were divided randomly into three groups. The first group (12 rabbits) served as control and vehicle-carrier. The other two groups, six rabbits each, received different oral doses of dioxin (3 and 6 µg/kg body weight) on seven consecutive days. Dioxin caused exaggerated oxidative stress response in dioxin-treated rabbits as indicated by significant changes in total antioxidant capacity,  malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Other biochemical parameters analyzed were also altered either slightly or significantly. The dioxin-mediated oxidative stress appears to cause hepatic histological changes. The hepatic tissue displayed microvesicular steatosis, and degenerative as well as necrotic changes. These changes were particularly prominent with the higher dose. In conclusion the results indicated that, the treatment of rabbits with dioxin may cause oxidative stress response and changes in some biochemical parameters and hepatic histological architecture in a dose-dependent manner.

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