Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2012 May;19(2):132-7.
doi: 10.4103/0971-6580.97206.

Repeated Topical Application of para-Phenylenediamine Induces Renal Histopathological Changes in Rats

Manuj Kr Bharali  1 , Rajeev Basumatary, Taibur Rahman, Karabi Dutta
Affiliations

Repeated Topical Application of para-Phenylenediamine Induces Renal Histopathological Changes in Rats

Manuj Kr Bharali et al. Toxicol Int. 2012 May.

Abstract

Hemolytic anemia and rhabdomyolysis have been often reported to be an adverse effect of drug- and chemical-induced toxicity both in experimental and real-life scenario. para-Phenylenediamine (PPD) is a derivative of para-nitroaniline and has been found as an ingredient of almost all hair dye formulations in varying concentrations from 2% to 4% w/v. Earlier studies have reported that the accidental oral ingestion of PPD in humans can lead to acute renal failure because of rhabdomyolysis. In the present investigation, we have tested the chronic topical application of PPD and its effect on the renal histology of Sprague-Dawley rats. The experiment provides clear evidence that topically applied PPD induces hemolytic anemia as evident from the decrease in the total RBC count, packed cell volume, and hemoglobin content apart from rhabdomyolysis which subsequently causes acute renal failure in rats.

Keywords: Hemolysis; para-phenylenediamine; renal dysfunction; rhabdomyolysis; topical.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparative cytomorphology of RBC from control (a) and treated group of animals (b-d). (a) Control. (b) Echinocytic transformation of RBC after PPD treatment (arrow). (c) Polychromatic erythrocytes with Heinz bodies. (d) Ghost cells and polychromatic megalocytes (arrow)
Figure 2
Figure 2
The effect of PPD on the (a) serum albumin (mg/dl), (b) creatinine (mg%), and (c) creatinine phosphokinase (IU/L) levels in the experimental animals after 60 days. Mean±SEM (n=5), statistical analysis by t-test. *P<0.05, **P<0.001
Figure 3
Figure 3
Kidney section from (a) control and (b-d) PPD-treated animals, respectively. Note (b) necrosis of proximal tubular cells with cytoplasmic vacuolation; (c) tubular atrophy and desquamation of the tubular epithelial layer. (d) The tubulointerstitial inflammation with hyperchromic leucocyte infiltration. H and E, original magnification ×40
Figure 4
Figure 4
Kidney section from (a) control and (b) PPD-treated group of animals. Perls’ Prussian blue staining, original magnification ×40. Note the increased deposition of iron pigments along the proximal tubular compartment in the PPD-treated animals compared to control animals
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. Corbett JF, Menkert J. Hair colouring. Cutis. 1973;12:190–3.
    1. Hansen J, Mollgaard B, Avnstorp C, Menne T. Paraben contact allergy: Patch testing and in vitro absorption/metabolism. Am J Contact Dermat. 1993;4:78–86.
    1. Schnuch A, Geier J, Uter W, Frosch PJ, Lehmacher W, Aberer W, et al. National rates and regional differences in sensitization to allergens of standard series. Contact Dermatitis. 1997;37:200–9. - PubMed
    1. Krasteva M, Nicolas JF, Chabeau G, Garrigue JL, Bour H, Thivolet J, et al. Dissociation of allergenic and immunogenic functions in contact sensitivity to para-phenylenediamine. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 1993;102:200–4. - PubMed
    1. Sax NJ. General chemicals. In: Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 6th ed. New York: Reinhold; 1984. p. 2148.