Digestive tract toxicity associated with exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in rats

Abstract

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is a herbicide of the chlorophenoxy class and the second most widely used herbicide applied to several different crops worldwide. Environmental factors, especially those related to diet, strongly affect the risk of developing cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. There is currently no evidence to determine whether there is an association between 2,4-D exposure and gastrointestinal disorders. We evaluated the histological effect of chronic oral and inhalation exposure to 2,4-D on the digestive tract of rats. Eighty male adult albino Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups (n=10): two control groups, one for inhalation and one for oral exposure, and 6 groups exposed orally or by inhalation at three different concentrations of 2,4-D [3.71×10 -3 grams of active ingredient per hectare (gai/ha), 6.19×10 -3 gai/ha, and 9.28×10 -3 gai/ha]. The animals were exposed for 6 months. The esophagus, stomach, and intestine were collected for histopathological analysis. Animals exposed to 2,4-D had hyperkeratosis of the esophagus, regardless of the exposure route. All animals exposed to a higher concentration of 2,4-D orally presented mild dysplasia of the large intestine. In the small intestine, most animals exposed to moderate and high concentrations of 2,4-D had mild dysplasia. No gastric changes were observed in any of the groups studied. Chronic exposure to 2,4-D, especially at moderate and high concentrations, regardless of the exposure route, caused reactive damage to the esophagus (hyperkeratosis) and dysplastic changes to the intestine.

Synthesis of magnetic Fe3O4/graphene aerogel for the removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicide from water

“…13,14 This herbicide induces ocular irritation and gastrointestinal distress, and has the potential to be hazardous to sh and other aquatic species. [15][16][17] 2,4-D was a constituent of Agent Orange, the pesticide that was extensively utilized during the Vietnam War. While 2,4-D accounted for 50% of the composition of Agent Orange, the health consequences of Agent Orange are mainly attributed to the presence of dioxin pollutants produced during its manufacturing process rather than 2,4-D itself.…”