Abstract
Tellurium compounds may be cytotoxic to different cells types. Thus, this work evaluated the effect of diphenyl ditelluride ((PhTe)2), an organotellurium commonly used in organic synthesis, on the morphology of liver, kidney, and lung. Adult mice were acutely (a subcutaneous single dose: 250 μmol/kg) or subchronically (one daily subcutaneous dose: 10 or 50 μmol/kg for 7 and 14 days) exposed to (PhTe)2. Afterwards, the histological analyses of liver, kidney, and lungs were performed. Liver histology revealed that the hepatocytes of mice subchronically exposed to (PhTe)2 presented cytoplasmic vacuolization, hydropic degeneration, and hyperchromatic nuclei. Subchronic exposure to 50 μmol/kg (PhTe)2 also caused hepatic necrosis. Microvesicular and macrovesicular steatosis were identified in liver of mice acutely exposed to (PhTe)2. Acute and subchronic intoxication with (PhTe)2 induced changes on epithelial cells of renal tubules, namely, loss of brush border and cytoplasmatic vacuolization. Atrophy and hypertrophy, cast proteinaceous formation, and acute tubular necrosis were also identified in renal tissue. Mice subchronically exposed to 50 μmol/kg (PhTe)2 developed intra-alveolar edema and alveolar wall congestion in some areas of lungs. Acute exposure to (PhTe)2 did not cause histological changes in lungs. Our data show that (PhTe)2 may be considered a histotoxic agent for liver, kidney, and lung.
Highlights
Tellurium (Te) is a rare metalloid, which has been regarded as a toxic and nonessential trace element
In a similar way, accumulating evidence has showed that the compound diphenyl ditelluride ((PhTe)2), an organotellurium used commonly as intermediate in organic synthesis [9], is toxic to different tissues [20–29] and inhibits sulfhydryl containing enzymes in vitro and in vivo [9, 16, 19]
Diphenyl ditelluride was synthesized according to the literature method [34] (Paulmier, 1986)
Summary
Tellurium (Te) is a rare metalloid, which has been regarded as a toxic and nonessential trace element It can be found in the environment as elemental and ionic inorganic forms [1, 2]. With emphasis on toxicological properties, experimental studies have highlighted the detrimental effects of different Te compounds in several tissues including liver, kidney, and blood [9–11]. In a similar way, accumulating evidence has showed that the compound diphenyl ditelluride ((PhTe)2), an organotellurium used commonly as intermediate in organic synthesis [9], is toxic to different tissues [20–29] and inhibits sulfhydryl containing enzymes in vitro and in vivo [9, 16, 19]. Keeping in mind the (PhTe) toxicity and the scarcity of data on its action on the morphology of targets tissues such as liver, kidney and lung, the present study aimed to assess the histology of liver, kidney and lungs of mice exposed acute and subchronically to (PhTe) in order to extend, characterize and confirm morphologically the biochemical toxicity of (PhTe)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
