Ethoxyquin and Butylated Hydroxy Toluene Distrub the Hematological Parameters and Induce Structural and Functional Alterations in Liver of Rats.

The current experiment aimed to assess the effect of the synthetic antioxidants ethoxyquin (EQ) and/or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on the liver function tests, hematological parameters, and liver histoarchitecture in rats. A total of 50 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups of 10 animals per group. The first group served as the control and did not receive any treatments, and the second group served as the vehicle control and was orally administrated 1 ml of corn oil day after day for consecutive 45 and 90 days. The third group (EQ) was orally administered 1 ml of EQ dissolved in corn oil day after day for consecutive 45 and 90 days in a dose of 1/5 LD50, and the fourth group (BHT) was orally received 1 ml of BHT dissolved in corn oil day after day for consecutive 45 and 90 days in a dose of 1/5 LD50. The fifth group (combination group) was orally administered both EQ and BHT at the same doses and durations described above. The present results showed that the final body weight was significantly decreased in the EQ- or BHT-treated group particularly at 90 days of exposure to both compounds. Furthermore, the liver weight was significantly elevated in EQ, BHT, and co-exposed groups at 45 and 90 days of exposure, compared to the control group. Moreover, EQ, BHT, and their co-exposure caused a significant elevation in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes, as well as total bilirubin at 45 and 90 days of exposure. On the other hand, there was no significant change in the total albumin. Hemoglobin value, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and differential leucocyte count at 45 and 90 days of exposure were significantly decreased. Histopathological significant findings in the liver were observed as vascular congestions, vacuolations, hydropic degenerations, lipidosis, and swelling, particularly in the co-exposed group for 90 days. These findings confirmed the hepatotoxic potential of EQ and BHT; therefore, it is recommended to control and limit the utilization of such chemicals.

The role of oestradiol on the dermal penetration of phenol, alone or in a mixture, in ovariectomized rats.

The human body, as well as that of animals, is almost entirely covered by skin. As a result, skin is considered the first line of defence against various types of chemicals. Many factors can affect the rate of dermal penetration of these agents either by enhancing or decreasing penetration. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of oestradiol on the dermal penetration of phenol, a major chemical found in industry and hazardous waste sites. The effect of oestradiol on the dermal penetration of phenol was assessed by applying (14)C-phenol alone or in combination with trichloroethylene (TCE) to dermatomed female and male rat back skin samples in flow-through diffusion cells for 16 hours. The penetration of phenol alone was significantly lower in the ovariectomized group compared with female controls. Oestradiol restoration increased the dermal penetration of phenol alone while TCE enhanced phenol penetration in the ovariectomized group to reach control values. When the ovariectomized group receiving testosterone was treated with phenol alone or with the phenol-TCE mixture, the dermal penetration of phenol resembled the control males. These findings revealed that oestradiol plays a major role in increasing the penetration of phenol either alone or in a mixture.