Ethoxyquin and Butylated Hydroxy Toluene Distrub the Hematological Parameters and Induce Structural and Functional Alterations in Liver of Rats

Abstract

The current experiment aimed to assess the effect of the synthetic antioxidants ethoxyquin (EQ) and/or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on the liver function tests, hematological parameters, and liver histoarchitecture in rats. A total of 50 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups of 10 animals per group. The first group served as the control and did not receive any treatments, and the second group served as the vehicle control and was orally administrated 1 ml of corn oil day after day for consecutive 45 and 90 days. The third group (EQ) was orally administered 1 ml of EQ dissolved in corn oil day after day for consecutive 45 and 90 days in a dose of 1/5 LD₅₀, and the fourth group (BHT) was orally received 1 ml of BHT dissolved in corn oil day after day for consecutive 45 and 90 days in a dose of 1/5 LD₅₀. The fifth group (combination group) was orally administered both EQ and BHT at the same doses and durations described above. The present results showed that the final body weight was significantly decreased in the EQ- or BHT-treated group particularly at 90 days of exposure to both compounds. Furthermore, the liver weight was significantly elevated in EQ, BHT, and co-exposed groups at 45 and 90 days of exposure, compared to the control group. Moreover, EQ, BHT, and their co-exposure caused a significant elevation in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes, as well as total bilirubin at 45 and 90 days of exposure. On the other hand, there was no significant change in the total albumin. Hemoglobin value, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and differential leucocyte count at 45 and 90 days of exposure were significantly decreased. Histopathological significant findings in the liver were observed as vascular congestions, vacuolations, hydropic degenerations, lipidosis, and swelling, particularly in the co-exposed group for 90 days. These findings confirmed the hepatotoxic potential of EQ and BHT; therefore, it is recommended to control and limit the utilization of such chemicals.

Keywords: ALT; AST; Antioxidants; BHT; EQ; Feed additives; Total bilirubin.

Figure 1

Histopathological findings of the liver tissue of rats (control) showed normal histological pictures; at 45 days (A1) and at 90 days (A2). (H&E staining scale bars: 20 μm).

Figure 2

Histopathological findings of the liver tissue of rats that administrated EQ for 45 days showing mild degenerative and vascular changes (B1) and hepatocytes vacuolations (B2). While at 90 days showed vascular congestions, and hepatocytes vacuolations (B3), mild hyperplastic proliferations of biliary system (B4). (H&E staining scale bars: 20 μm). The liver tissue of rats that administrated BHT for 45 days showed focal mononuclear aggregates (C1), vacuolar, and hydropic degenerations (C2). (H&E staining scale bars: 30 μm). While, at 90 days showed cellular swelling, necrosis (C3), vacuolar and hydropic degenerations (C4). (H&E staining scale bars: 20 μm). the liver tissue of rats administrated EQ +BHT for 45 days showed marked cellular swelling, vacuolar and hydropic degenerations (D1) , lipidosis, focal leukocytic aggregations and congestions (D2). While at 90 days showed marked cellular swellings, steatosis (D3), intralobular and portal leukocytic aggregations (D4) (H&E staining scale bars: 20 μm).