Effect of Repeated Oral Administration of Roundup® and Ammonium Nitrate on Liver of Wistar Rats

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate single and interactive toxicity potential of Roundup® and ammonium nitrate in rats for a period of 120 days. Animals of both sexes were divided into four groups of six rats each. Group I served as control and rats were provided with water only. Group II rats were treated orally with Roundup® @ 500 mg/kg b.wt. Rats of Group III were orally administered with ammonium nitrate @ 220 mg/kg b.wt. Group IV received both Roundup® @ 500 mg/kg b.wt and ammonium nitrate @ 220 mg/kg b.wt. Significant increase in plasma alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase was observed in groups II, III and IV as compared to control group I. Liver homogenates manifested significant increase in lipid peroxidation along with significantly decreased activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in all treated rats as compared to control. Concomitant exposure to both of these chemicals in group IV showed more significant alterations in various biochemical and oxidative stress indices even in comparison to groups II and III. Histopathologically, Roundup® treated group II showed moderate hepatocytic degeneration and necrosis in liver. Liver in group III showed peri-central mono-nuclear cells (MNC’s) infiltration and focal area of necrosis crowded by mononuclear cells (MNC’s) and in group IV showed severe degeneration of hepatocytes with granular cytoplasm and formation of focal necrotic granuloma infiltrated by mononuclear cells (MNC’s).