Biochemical and histological evaluation of kidney damage after sub-acute exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic herbicide in rats: involvement of oxidative stress

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effects of sub-acute exposure to different doses of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on rat kidney. Forty animals were divided into four equal groups and treated with different doses of 2,4-D: 0, 15, 75 and 150 mg/kg body weight per day via oral gavage for 28 consecutive days. Renal function, histopathology, tissue malondialdehyde and antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated. The results showed a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in uric acid level and an increase in plasma levels of urea and creatinine (p < 0.01) in rats administered 2,4-D at the three studied doses. The activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were significantly affected for all treated rats, while glutathione peroxidase significantly decreased in rats exposed to 2,4-D at a dose of 150 mg/kg. Through sub-acute treatment, starting from the low to the high doses of 2,4-D, there were significant increase in kidney MDA as compared to controls. The histopathological study revealed tubular damages, glomerular alterations, vascular congestion and increased number of pyknotic nuclei in kidneys of all 2,4-D treated groups. The severity of these alterations increase in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings confirm that sub-acute exposure to 2,4-D induced oxidative renal dysfunction in rats. Therefore, at higher doses, 2,4-D may be implicated in the pathogenesis of kidney failure via lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress.

Ameliorative Effects of Melatonin Against 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Toxicity in Kidney of Mice – A Histological Study.

“…Our findings are in accordance with other earlier reports which have attributed the reduction in body and kidney weights due to reluctant food intake [8][9][10]. It is possible that 2,4-D may have suppressed the hunger centers of a central nervous system, resulting in decreased food intake.…”

“…2,4-D treatment showed a fair degree of derangement of renal functions with concomitant changes in the histological structure of the kidney [8][9][10]. Moreover, the increment in plasma urea and creatinine levels and the reduction of uric acid in plasma along with histopathological alterations of 2,4-D-treated rats reported by Tayeb et al [8] also supported the impairment of renal functions. Teratogenic [11][12][13], genotoxic [14], neurotoxic [2,[15][16][17], immunosuppressive [18], cytotoxic [19][20], and hepatotoxic [21][22][23] effects of 2,4-D have also been well documented.…”

“…It was observed that 2,4-D accumulated in the kidney [8][9][10] and might affect their structure. Hence, kidney exhibited degenerative changes gradually with cellular atrophy.…”

“…2,4-D toxicity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is associated with significant oxidative properties of this compound, which is responsible for cell death mostly through the induction of apoptosis [7]. 2,4-D treatment showed a fair degree of derangement of renal functions with concomitant changes in the histological structure of the kidney [8][9][10]. Moreover, the increment in plasma urea and creatinine levels and the reduction of uric acid in plasma along with histopathological alterations of 2,4-D-treated rats reported by Tayeb et al [8] also supported the impairment of renal functions.…”

“…While each kind of exposure may involve small amounts of 2,4-D, their cumulative effect poses a serious concern. In toxicity tests, significant adverse effects were noted in the blood [7] and kidneys [8][9][10]. 2,4-D toxicity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is associated with significant oxidative properties of this compound, which is responsible for cell death mostly through the induction of apoptosis [7].…”