Carbendazim is a systemic broad-spectrum fungicide controlling a wide range of pathogens. It is also used as a preservative in paint, textile, papermaking and leather industry, as well as a preservative of fruits. In the present study, carbendazim was administered at 0, 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg per day doses orally to male rats (Rattus rattus) for 15 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood samples, liver and kidney tissues of each animal were taken. Serum enzyme activities, and haematological and biochemical parameters were analysed. In toxicological tests, 600 mg/kg per day doses of carbendazim caused an increase of albumin, glucose, creatinine and cholesterol levels. Also, at the same doses, white blood cell and lymphocyte counts decreased. However, mean cell hemoglobin and mean cell hemoglobin concentrations increased. Histopathological examinations revealed congestion, an enlargement of the sinusoids, an increase in the number of Kupffer cells, mononuclear cell infiltration and hydropic degeneration in the liver. At the highest doses, congestion, mononuclear cell infiltration, tubular degeneration and fibrosis were observed in the kidney tissue. These results indicate that 300 and 600 mg/kg per day carbendazim affected the liver and kidney tissue and caused some changes on haematological and biochemical parameters of rats.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of low and high dose of carbendazim on the level of certain hormones and endocrine glands (thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands) of male rats. Carbendazim is a systemic fungicide with activity against a number of plant pathogens. In this study, daily doses of 0, 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg per day carbendazim were applied to male rats by gavage for 15 weeks. At the end of the experiment, T3, T4, TSH, ACTH and GH levels in rat serum were analysed. Thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands of rats were taken. A significant increase was observed in serum T3 levels of the rats, which were exposed to 300 mg/kg per day carbendazim doses, compared to the serum T3 levels of the control group. There were no differences between the control and carbendazim-treated group of rats regarding serum TSH, T4, ACTH and growth hormone levels. This showed us that carbendazim caused histopathological damages in thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands of rats. No changes were observed in pituitary glands of treated rats. These results suggest that a high quantity of subchronic carbendazim exposure affects thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands.

In this study, the effects of carbendazim on the thymus in male rats were evaluated. Carbendazim was administered at 0, 150, 300 and 600 mg kg(-1) day(-1) doses by gavage to male rats for 15 weeks. Body weights of rats in all groups were recorded weekly during treatment. At the end of the experiment, the effects of carbendazim on the thymus were investigated histopathologically and morphologically. Also, based on these effects, change in immunolocalization of fibronectin (FN), which is a component of the extracellular matrix, was investigated immunohistochemically. Fibrosis and oedema were observed in the thymus of rats treated with 300 and 600 mg kg(-1) day(-1) doses of carbendazim. Also in this region, an increase in FN density was noted at the end of the immunohistochemical investigation. A decrease was observed in absolute and relative thymus weights of rats treated with carbendazim compared with the control group. While the decrease in absolute thymus weight was statistically significant in rats exposed to carbendazim at the highest dose, the decrease in relative thymus weights was statistically significant for all carbendazim doses.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of carbendazim (methyl 2-benzimidazole carbamate) on the some hormone levels and on testis tissue. Carbendazim in the doses of 0, 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg/day were administered (by gavage) to male rats, daily for 15 weeks. At the end of the experiment serum total testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels were analyzed and testis tissues were taken for light and electron microscopic examinations. A statistically significant decrease in total serum testosterone level in rats exposed to carbendazim (dose: 300 and 600 mg/kg/day), compared to the control, was observed. Also, dihydrotestosterone level was significantly decreased in all experimental groups. Histopathologically, carbendazim caused detrimental effects in testis tissues. These effects were vacuolization, disorganization and necrosis in germinal epithelium. In addition, multinucleated giant cells were observed in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. These pathological findings were supported by electron microscopic examinations. These results suggest that carbendazim, in subchronic exposure, affects testis tissue and androgenic hormone levels.