Carbofuran-induced histopathological and biochemical changes in liver of the teleost fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch). 1988

R N Ram, and S K Singh
Centre of Advanced Study in Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.

In Channa punctatus exposed to a safe dose (4.5 ppm) of the commercial carbamate pesticide carbofuran for 6 months, from January to June, liver exhibited varying degrees of histopathological changes including cytoplasmolysis, nuclear pyknosis, and necrosis leading to complete exhaustion and disintegration of hepatocytes. In some regions of liver, extensive degeneration of proliferated hepatocytes, in close proximity to blood sinuses, looking like darkly stained debris of hepatomass and induction of tumors were indicative of carcinogenic action of this pesticide which may be attributed to its cumulative toxicity during chronic exposure. Apart from this, the rupturing of blood sinus causing invasive infiltration of leukocytes, and detrimental focal necrosis resulting in the complete dissolution of hepatocytes indicated by the presence of debris mass in the necrotic space can be seen. Moreover, in the liver of experimental fish, corresponding to cellular damage, a significant decrease in hepatosomatic index and ascorbic acid content and an elevation in acid and alkaline phosphatase levels were also recorded. These results suggest that carbofuran is capable of inducing histopathological and biochemical alterations in liver which may cause physiometabolic dysfunction in this species.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007306 Insecticides Pesticides designed to control insects that are harmful to man. The insects may be directly harmful, as those acting as disease vectors, or indirectly harmful, as destroyers of crops, food products, or textile fabrics. Insecticide
D008099 Liver A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances. Livers
D002235 Carbofuran A cholinesterase inhibitor that is used as a systemic insecticide, an acaricide, and nematocide. (From Merck Index, 11th ed) Bayer 70143,Furadan,NIA-10242,NIA 10242,NIA10242
D005399 Fishes A group of cold-blooded, aquatic vertebrates having gills, fins, a cartilaginous or bony endoskeleton, and elongated bodies covered with scales.
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014873 Water Pollutants Substances or organisms which pollute the water or bodies of water. Use for water pollutants in general or those for which there is no specific heading. Water Pollutant,Pollutant, Water,Pollutants, Water
D014874 Water Pollutants, Chemical Chemical compounds which pollute the water of rivers, streams, lakes, the sea, reservoirs, or other bodies of water. Chemical Water Pollutants,Landfill Leachate,Leachate, Landfill,Pollutants, Chemical Water

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