Effects of oral exposure to diazinon on mice liver and kidney tissues: biometric analyses of histopathologic changes

Abstract

Objective: To determine the sublethal toxic effects of diazinon on liver and kidney tissues of Swiss albino mice.

Study design: Mice were exposed to different concentrations (30, 60, and 120 mg/kg) of diazinon through oral administration for 30 consecutive days. Biometric analyses (area measurements of histologic structures) of some histopathological changes were evaluated by measuring the areas of hepatocyte/nucleus in the liver and the areas of glomerulus and renal corpuscle in the kidney. Both glomerular area and renal corpuscle area statistically decreased from the low-dose group to high-dose group as compared to controls.

Results: In liver tissue vacuolization in hepatocytes, mononuclear cell infiltration, congestion, enlargement of the veins, and an increase in the number of Kupffer cells were found in the liver of exposed mice. In kidney tissue, mononuclear cell infiltration, glomerular degeneration, glomerular loss, and congestion were observed in diazinon-treated groups.

Conclusion: Diazinon caused dose-related histopathological damage in liver and especially in kidney tissues of mice. This work indicates that it might cause adverse effects to nontarget organisms, including humans.