Protective and curative role of L-ascorbic acid on endosulfan induced histopathological changes in the gill of an experimental model, the fresh water bivalve, Parreysia cylindrica

In the present study, histopathological changes were recorded in the gill of fresh water bivalve, Parreysia cylindrica after acute exposure to endosulfan alone and in combination with 50mg/l and 100mg/l of L-ascorbic acid. Due to endosulfan intoxication, damage to the gill was extensive resulting in hyperplasia, degeneration, necrosis in secondary gill lamellae and connective tissue, swelling, rupture and flattening of epithelial cells and formation of sub epithelial spaces. Exposure to endosulfan in combination with 50 mg/l of L-ascorbic acid showed considerable reduction in nature of damage, while with 100 mg /l of L-ascorbic acid; almost normal histological structure of gill was observed. The pre-exposed bivalves to acute treatment of endosulfan alone showed fast recovery in presence of L-ascorbic acid than the recovery in the normal fresh water. More curative action was provided by the treatment of 100 mg/l of L-ascorbic acid, which resulted in almost a normal histological structure of gill after ten days of recovery period in exposed bivalves.