Toxopathological Studies on Ethylene Bisdithiocarbamates Metabolite in Albino Rats

The carcinogenic effect of ETU on albino rats was studied using 500 ppm of ETU for 90 days. Hematological and serum biochemical pictures and histopathology were recorded at 7, 30 and 90 days of experiment The experimental rats showed nausea and decrease body weight at 7 days. While at 30 and 90 days postapplication (PA), alopecia and marked decrease in body weight were seen. Significant decreases in RBCs, Hb, PCV% and WBC values were noticed after 30 days PA of the ETU. The chemistry parameters showed significant increase in levels of ALT, AST, BUN, CRN, T-CHO, F-CHO, Na+, PL,TG and TSH at 30 days PA of the ETU till the end of the experiment. While the levels of TP, Ca+, PI, K+. ALB,T3 and T4 were significantly decreased after 30 days PA of the ETU. Grossly, the thyroid glands and internal organs were enlarged and nodulated. Microscopically, at 7 days PA of the ETU hepatic hemorrhage, cholangitis, acute focal interstitial nephritis and round cells infiltration in the gastric and intestinal mucosa were evident. At 30 days PA of the ETU, hepatocytes fatty change, coagulative necrosis in renal tubules, squamous cell papilloma in non glandular part of the stomach and mucinous degeneration in the intestine were seen. At 90 days PA of the ETU, adenomacarcinomas in the thyroid and gastric glands, fatty change and coagulative necrosis in the liver, interstitial nephritis in the kidneys and catarrhal enteritis were evident. The ethylene bisdithiocarbamates metabolite ETU, has toxic effects in rats and possible carcinogenicity of these agents in humans are expected. Therefore, further studies should be done to assess this risk in human.