Evaluation of the brain lesions in rats exposed to vinyl chloride monomer

Introduction: Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is a halogenated hydrocarbon with acute toxic effects, as well as chronic carcinogenic effects. Vinyl chloride has been found in the air near vinyl chloride manufacturing and processing plants, hazardous waste sites, and landfills. This toxic chemical is a known human carcinogen causing liver cancer, brain cancer, and some cancers of the blood. Material and methods: we used twenty male Wistar rats (weighing ۱۸۰ to ۲۰۰ g). rats were kept in standard conditions (۴۵-۵۰% of humidity and ۱۲ hours of light and darkness period). Rats were divided into two groups (n=۱۰). The administration route of VCM (۱۰۰۰ mg/kg per day) was oral for ۴۰ days. The animals were sacrificed and the brain slides were stained by H&E, TUNEL, and NISSL. Stained sections were evaluated under fluorescence microscopy. The results were analyzed by SPSS software and T test. The P value <۰.۰۵ was considered statistically significant. Results: The results of the T-test revealed significant differences among the Vinyl chloride. we observed karyorrhexis, cell membrane destruction, and apoptosis in both the control and VC treated group. Comparisons between two groups revealed that VCM caused increased apoptosis in the CA۱, CA۲, CA۳ and DG hippocampal subfields. Discussion: In the present study, significant apoptotic neurons were observed in the hippocampus of VCM-treated rats. Oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in biological membranes disrupts membranes, reduces membrane fluidity, inactivates membrane receptors and enzymes, and disrupts membrane structure, which ultimately leads to increased apoptosis of nerve cells due to oxidative stress. Conclusion: The protective effects of antioxidants are exerted on neurons and glial cells against chemical or metabolic substances entering the brain by scavenging free radicals and stabilizing the membranes of neuronal and glial cells. Therefore, it is recommended to use antioxidant compounds as a supplement to combat and reduce these side effects.

کلیدواژه ها:

Vinyl chloral ، Brain ، Apoptosis ، Rat