Eman Ezz El Sharkawy
Assiut University
Egypt
Title: Chronic exposure to hexaconazole fungicide induced neoplastic changes in hepatocytes in male rats
Biography
Biography: Eman Ezz El Sharkawy
Abstract
Long-term hepatotoxic effect of commercial Hexaconazole, one of triazole fungicides was studied on male albino rats. Two groups of rats exposed to 75 or 150 mg/kg bw, Hexaconazole orally using stomach tube respectively for 12 months. Absolute and relative liver weights were recorded. Total protein, albumin and globulin levels were determined. Serum gamma glutamyle transferase (γ-GT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transferase (AST) and bilirubin concentrations were also recorded. Histopathological lesions in livers of exposed rats were described. Liver sections were submitted to immunohistochemical staining using glutathion-S-transferase placental form (GST-P) tumor marker for detection of carcinogenicity. A pronounced toxic effect was observed on liver where absolute and relative liver weight was significantly increased. A significant reduction was in total protein and albumin. A significant increase in the enzyme activities and bilirubin concentrations in exposed groups was recorded. Liver histopathology exhibited various abnormalities as hepatocellular swelling, hyperplasia of bile duct and hepatocytes hypertrophy with increase in microcytic degeneration. The most interesting finding was the presence of preneoplastic nodules which appeared by light microscope and confirmed with immunohistochemistry assessment. These results suggested that hexaconazole fungicide has hepatotoxic effect and tumor promoting activity on liver tissue when administered for 12 months.