Abstract
IntroductionTributyltin is one of the important and wide-spread persistent organic contaminants that accumulate in the food chain. It is suspected to cause endocrine-disrupting effects in mammals, due in part to its possible transfer through marine food chains and to the consumption of contaminated seafood.Aim of the workWas to study the possible toxic effect of Tributyltin on thyroid follicular cells of adult male albino rats and to evaluate the possible protective role of green tea.Material and methodsForty-five adult male albino rats were included and randomly divided into 3 equal groups: a control group (Group I); Group II: received tributyltin chloride (TBT) dissolved in corn oil orally in a dose of 5 mg/kg for 30 days. Group III: received tributyltin chloride in the same dose with concomitant oral administration of green tea extract for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were subjected to hormonal assay for T3, T4 and TSH levels. Malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione were assessed. The thyroid tissue was processed for histological and ultrastructure examination. The colloid area of thyroid follicles was evaluated morphometrically and statistically analyzed.ResultsA significant decrease in T3 and T4 levels and serum reduced glutathione in the group II when compared with the other groups. Furthermore, a significant increase in serum Malondialdehyde and TSH levels was recorded in group II treated group by comparison to the other two groups. Histopathological and ultrastructural changes of thyroid gland follicles were detected in tributyltin treated rats; the follicular cells appeared swollen and vacuolated. Epithelial stratification was noticed in some foci with excessive vacuolation of the colloid. Dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum filled with flocculent material and increased number of lysosomes were also detected together with variation in shape and size of the nuclei. A marked improvement in the histological features of thyroid follicles was noticed in group III.ConclusionTributyltin induces oxidative stress in rats as well as anti-thyroid effect. The green tea extract is useful in combating tissue injury that is a result of tributyltin toxicity.
Highlights
Tributyltin is one of the important and wide-spread persistent organic contaminants that accumulate in the food chain
A significant increase in serum Malondialdehyde and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels was recorded in group II treated group by comparison to the other two groups
Histopathological and ultrastructural changes of thyroid gland follicles were detected in tributyltin treated rats; the follicular cells appeared swollen and vacuolated
Summary
Tributyltin is one of the important and wide-spread persistent organic contaminants that accumulate in the food chain. It is suspected to cause endocrine-disrupting effects in mammals, due in part to its possible transfer through marine food chains and to the consumption of contaminated seafood. Organotin compounds (OT), as tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT), are prevalent contaminants that have been widely used as biocides, agriculture fungicides and wood preservatives. They have been utilized as disinfecting agents in circulating industrial cooling waters, as well as, antifouling paints for marine vessels (Antizar-Ladislao, 2008). TBT at relatively high concentrations as hundreds of nanomoles has been found in human blood (AntizarLadislao, 2008) and the lipophilicity of organotin compounds favors their toxicity at membrane level, as well as disrupting diverse biological processes, involved in the endocrine, (Sharan et al, 2013) the immune, (Brown & Whalen, 2015) and nervous systems (Dong et al, 2006)
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