Histomorphometric and genotoxic studies in albino rats following sub-chronic exposure to arsenic
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Date
2014
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PAU
Abstract
The present study was carried out to evaluate the histomorphometric and genotoxic effects of sodium arsenite at low doses on female rats. Forty eight mature female rats were divided into four groups; one group as control and three groups received sodium arsenite at the doses of 10, 30 and 50 μg/L dissolved in distilled water orally for 60 days. Half of the rats from each group were sacrificed after 30 days and the remaining after 60 days of treatment. Oral exposure of sodium arsenite results in disruption of estrous cycle with prolonged diestrous and metestrous phases. A significant decrease (P≤0.01) in the number of corpus lutea along with increased number of atretic follicles has been observed in treated ovaries after 30 and 60 days of treatment. The thickness of uterine myometrium and endometrium decreased significantly (P≤0.05-0.01) in treated rats. Histopathological observations of liver and kidney sections showed presence of pyknotic cells, infiltrations and increased glomerulus chamber spaces. The activities of antioxidant enzymes decreased significantly (P≤0.01) with an increase in the levels of lipid peroxidation, urea and creatinine in treated animals. The concentration of arsenic was high in treated as compared to control rats. Increased liver microsomal degranulation and bone marrow chromosomal aberration (chromatid gaps, fragmentation and breakage) in all the treated groups substantiates carcinogenic and mutagenic effects of sodium arsenite. It may be inferred that exposure to sodium arsenite at low doses disturbs the antioxidant/prooxidant ratio leading to a state of oxidative stress as evidenced through histological, biochemical and genotoxic parameters.
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Keywords
enzymes, biological phenomena, toxicity, proteins, inorganic compounds, irrigation, antioxidants, organic compounds, peptides, water