Oxidative stress and histopathological changes in the heart following oral lindane (gamma hexachlorohexane) administration in rats.
BACKGROUND
Lindane is a persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic organochlorine insecticide. Human exposure to lindane (gamma hexachlorohexane) occurs via food and water. It is largely known to cause toxicity in various organs, such as the liver, brain, and testes. Appreciable amounts of lindane also accumulate in the heart. However, the effect of chronic lindane exposure on the heart is not well investigated.


METHODS
The present study was designed to explore the effect of oral administration of lindane (1.5 and 7 mg/kg/day for 21 days) on lipid peroxidation, endogenous antioxidants (GSH, SOD and catalase), and histopathological changes (light and electron microscopic studies) of rat hearts.


RESULTS
Lipid peroxidation of the heart, as measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, (TBARS) was increased, with a decrease in GSH level. An increase in SOD and catalase activities was observed in the 7-mg/kg/day dose of lindane. Interstitial edema in the myocardium was observed in both doses. Ultrastructural changes consisted of loss of integrity of the myofibrils, Z-band disruption, and mitochondrial damage.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to report lindane-induced oxidative stress in the heart. Our observations have significant clinical relevance, as oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of major cardiovascular disorders.
Ananya
Roy
R
Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Subeena
Sood
S
Kumar
Dinda Amit
DA
Kumar
Das Taposh
DT
Kumar
Maulik Subir
MS
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D007306:Insecticides; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione