Toxicological and Pathological Evaluation of Prolonged Bromuconazole Fungicide Exposure in Male Rats

Background: Fungicides are widely used for keeping of consumed vegetables and fruits fresh for long period in supermarkets. The tested fungicide Bromuconazole in our study is a triazole fungicide used primarily in enclosed com- mercial greenhouses to control diseases as (black spot) in bananas, cereals, grapes, rice and vegetables. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate toxicolog- ical effects and histopathological changes following chronic administration of Bromuconazole fungicide in male rats. Materials and Methods: The animals were divided into three groups; each consisting of 10 animals. The first group was served as control. The second and third groups were given Bromuconazole at daily doses of 36.5 and 18.25mg/kg b.wt. for 3 months, respectively. The selected dosages for the second and third groups were corresponding to 1/10 and 1/20 LD 50, respectively. Results: A significant increase in the hepatic and renal tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), y-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), acid phosphatase and serum levels of alpha fetoprotein (AFP), urea and creatinine. De- creases in serum alkaline phosphatase activity, reduced glu- tathione (GSH) content in the liver and kidney and the hepatic antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) and glutathione reductase (GSH-R)) activities were also recorded. Moreover, exposure to Bromuconazole caused severe necrobiotic and proliferative changes in most of the investigated organs. Conclusion: Our results indicated that Bromuconazole treatment induced a dose-dependent histopathological alter- ations and cellular proliferation in the investigated organs with subsequent significant disturbances in their antioxidant defense mechanisms and serum biochemical parameters. Moreover, the serum level of alpha fetoprotein was increased suggesting a carcinogenic potential of this fungicide on prolonged exposure.