Chronic inhalation exposure to the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) alters cardiac collagen in Wistar rats.

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2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the most used in the world and exposure to herbicides can affect animals and humans, causing toxic effects that include cardiotoxicity. This is the first study to evaluate cardiac remodeling after experimental simulation of environmental exposure by chronic inhalation (6months) to the herbicide 2,4-D. Thirty male Wistar rats were exposed to two different concentrations of the 2,4-D formulation (low - 187.17mg/m3; and high - 467.93mg/m3) and the control group exposed to nebulization of chloride solution 0.9% sodium. Inhalation exposure lasted 6months. Mice hearts were collected for histology. There was a difference between exposure concentrations in relation to the increase in cardiac collagen (P<0.0001). In mice exposed to a low dose of 2,4-D and a decrease in the fractal dimension of cardiac collagen in the high dose of 2, 4-D (P=0.010). This study shows that chronic inhalation exposure to 2,4-D induces cardiotoxicity in rats, characterized by extracellular matrix reorganization and changes in collagen levels, highlighting the impact of the exposure route on cardiac outcomes. There was no difference in relation to anatomical parameters, cardiomyocyte area, collagen types I and III and analysis of arteriole thickness. Chronic exposure at different doses to the 2,4D herbicide had the potential to cause damage to cardiac remodeling by altering cardiac collagen in rats.