Analytical and microscopical studies on the protective effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and beta-carotene against the toxicity induced by fenitrothion on the liver of female albino rats

Abstract

The organophosphate insecticide feneitrothion is a contact insecticide and selective acaricide. It is used as a fly, mosquito and cockroach, residual contact spray for farms and public health programs. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the toxicity of fenitrothion on the female rate and the possible protective effects of ascorbic acid (vitamine C) and beta–carotene as antioxidant agents against the toxicity induced by fenitrothion. Sixty of adult female albino rats were randomly assigned to six equal groups including control group and groups treat
          
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  !" successive days. Ingestion of fenitrtothion caused a significant increase in ALT (alanine transferase), AST (aspartate transferase), and AP (alkaline phosphatase). It decreased signifiantly GL (glucose) level, AchE (acetyle cholinesterase) and GSH (glutathion reductase) activities, while, it had insignificant effects on TB (total bilirubine) and a slight decrease in TP (total protein). The histological study of female rat liver tissues by Hx & Eosin,P.A.S, and Methyl Green Pyronine revealed that, fenitrothion showed vascular and degenrative changes in the hepatic cells, Also, it caused a significant decrease in glycogen contents and depletion in of nucleic acids in hepatic cells. Treatments with ascorbic acid and beta–carotene plus fenitrothion hasn’t been caused any significant changes in all parameters in serum of female rats. Treatment with ascorbic acid plus fenitrothion resulted a significant improvement in all parameters tested regarding to the histological study, while, beta-carotene plus fenitrothion showed the same improvement except in glycogen content in hepatic cells .