Abstract
Objective:Objective: To evaluate diclofenac-induced biochemical and histopathological changes in White Leghorn birds.Materials and Methods:Six-week-old birds were equally divided into three groups of six birds each. Group I served as control and received vehicle orally. The birds of Group II and III were orally administered with a single low (2 mg/kg) and high dose (20 mg/kg) of diclofenac sodium, respectively, and were observed for 7 days. The acute toxicity was assessed by observing the clinical signs and symptoms, mortality, alterations in blood biochemistry, and necropsy findings.Results:The birds of Group II showed only mild symptoms of diarrhea. In Group III, 50% of birds died in between 24 and 36 h post-treatment showing the symptoms of segregatory behavior, lethargy, terminal anorexia, and severe bloody diarrhea. The birds of Group II and the surviving birds of Group III showed a significantly (P<0.05) increased plasma uric acid, creatinine and plasma glutamic pyruvic transaminase (PGPT), and decreased total protein and albumin at 12 and 24 h post-treatment which returned to the normal levels at 36 h post-treatment. The dead birds of the high-dose group also showed similar pattern of biochemical changes at 12 and 24 h post-treatment and revealed extensive visceral gout with characteristic histopathological lesions in liver, kidney, heart, spleen, and intestine on post-mortem.Conclusion:The results indicate that diclofenac sodium has hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, and visceral gout inducing potentials in White Leghorn birds, especially at higher dose.
Highlights
NSAIDs are characterized by the ability to inhibit cyclo-oxygenase enzymes, which are involved in the formation of prostaglandins
The widespread use of diclofenac sodium in veterinary medicine has been linked to near extinction of vultures in the Indian subcontinent, and as such the drug has been withdrawn from veterinary use in the year 2006
In Group III, 50% of birds succumbed to toxicity between 24 and 36 h post-treatment and showed dullness, segregatory behavior, blood tinged diarrhea, and anorexia before death
Summary
NSAIDs are characterized by the ability to inhibit cyclo-oxygenase enzymes, which are involved in the formation of prostaglandins. There are marked differences between drugs in their selective inhibition of the two subtypes of cyclo-oxygenase, COX-1 and COX-2, the latter being involved with the modulation of inflammation-mediated responses and pain, while the former modulates blood flow to the kidneys. The ability of NSAIDs to inhibit both these subtypes has been implicated as a cause of the side effects occasionally associated with the use of some NSAIDs. Toxic effects on the kidneys of vultures have been observed with number of NSAIDs.[1] The widespread use of diclofenac sodium in veterinary medicine has been linked to near extinction of vultures in the Indian subcontinent, and as such the drug has been withdrawn from veterinary use in the year 2006. The present study was planned with the objective to evaluate the acute oral toxicity of diclofenac sodium in White Leghorn birds and to assess whether diclofenac is toxic to these birds as reported in vultures
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