BIOCHEMICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES IN RETINA AND LIVER OF MALE RABBITS TREATED WITH DIOXIN

Abstract

Dioxin is the name generally given to a class of super-toxic chemicals, formed as a by–product of the manufacture, molding, or burning of organic chemicals and plastics that contain chlorine. Oxidative stress may play a role in the toxic manifestations of dioxin. The aim of this study was to investigate the dose-dependent effects of dioxin on various indices of oxidative stress along with other biochemical parameters in blood, retina and liver of male rabbits, and to examine the histopathological consequences in the retina and liver. Twenty four male rabbits were divided randomly into three groups. The first group (12 rabbits) served as control and vehicle-carrier. The other two groups, six rabbits each, received oral doses of dioxin (3 and 6 µg/kg body weight) on seven consecutive days. It was found that, rabbits treated with dioxin exhibited significant changes in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. This indicates that, Dioxin can cause oxidative stress and release of ROS. Other biochemical parameters analyzed were also altered either slightly or significantly.