Effect of herbicide based formulations on structure and function of testis in rats

For instant weed management, widely used herbicide formulations (HFs) are Paraquat based formulation (PBF) or Glyphosate based formulation (GBF). Here, we investigated the effect of PBF Gramoxone® and GBF Roundup® on the structure and function of the testis of the male Wistar rats at the pubertal or post pubertal stage. Male rats were gavaged with Gramoxone® (5 mg/kg body wt.) or Roundup® (250 mg/kg body wt.). The treatment period of 25 days starts on a postnatal day (PND) 28 to 53 (from pre-pubertal to the pubertal stage) or 60 days from PND 28 to 88 (from prepubertal to the post pubertal stage). Age-matched control animals received distilled water. The structure of the testes was evaluated by observing changes in its histology and the function of the testes was assessed by estimating serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels. No significant effect was observed in the structure and function of the testes of the pubertal stage rats on exposure to both herbicide formulations. However, shrunken and distorted seminiferous tubules with oligozoospermia in testes, a non-significant decrease in FSH and LH, and a significant reduction in testosterone levels were noted in the post pubertal stage rats. The results indicated that changes in the testes of post pubertal groups are due to a longer duration of exposure to the Gramoxone® or Roundup® than in pubertal groups, and also the effect of these two formulations was more on the testis structure and function than on the pituitary-testis axis

A Case of Amniotic Membrane Transplantation for Corneal Injury induced by Gramoxone(R)

PURPOSE: We report a case of corneal burn induced by Gramoxone(R), treated successfully with amniotic membrane transplantation. METHODS: A 68-year-old female patient was diagnosed as corneal burn induced by Gramoxone(R) and referred from other hospital after treatment at local clinic for 2 weeks. Severe conjunctival injection, chemosis of palpebral conjunctiva, fibrovascular invasion on nasal side of limbus and cornea, corneal opacity, stromal edema with Descement membrane folding were observed. We performed amniotic membrane transplantation. RESULTS: There were no corneal opacity, symblepharon and lacrimal punctal occlusion on the last follow up after 13 months until operation. Only partial pseudopterygium was found at the inferior nasal portion of cornea and limbus. Corneal thickness of margin of the lesion was 803 um. Refrective examination showed astigmatism, -0.9D, axis 5degrees. Final visual acuity was 0.8 (corrected, 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic membrane transplantation was simple, short in operation time, no need of additional procedures and it prevents corneal opacity, edema and neovascularization of limbus then, promotes re-epitheliarization of cornea and recovers visual acuity normally in this case.

Gramoxone Poisoning Victims as Corneal Transplantion Donors

PURPOSE: Paraquat (Gramoxone;1,1'dimethyl 4,4'-dipyridilium) is a toxic herbicide. It is ingested accidently or for the purpose of suicide in rural community. Having experienced four patients receiving donor corneas from the victims of Gramoxone poisoning, we report these cases with the review of the literature. METHODS: Four corneas donated by two males who died of Gramoxone intoxication were used in corneal transplantation of 4 patients. RESULTS: At postoperative 12 months, uncorrected visual acuity in each of the 3 patients was 0.1, 0.3 and 0.04, and each cornea maintained transparency. One patient had a retransplantation due to corneal epithelial cell defect and at postoperative 12 months, uncorrected visual acuity was 0.9.

Paraquat Poisoning by Injection: 3 autopsy cases / 대한법의학회지

Paraquat is a bipyridilium nonselective contact herbicide and well-known pulmonary toxicants. Concentrated solution of paraquat may causes severe corrosive injury and multiple system organ failure. It is poorly absorbed from GI tract, but is extremely toxic and so one swallowed mouthful of Gramoxone(about 5ml) will be fatal. We experienced 3 cases of paraquat poisoning through injection and examined pathologic findings, medical records and concentration of paraquat in blood and tissues. We reviewed the mechanism of action of paraquat, pathologic changes of organ system, concentration of compound in the various organ and cause of death in autopsy cases.

Four Cases of Ocular Injury caused by Gramoxone

Parquat, more commonly used in its commercial name, Gramoxone, is a widely used herbicide for it is inexpensive and effective. It is lethal when ingested accidentally or for the purpose of committing suicide. Having experienced four patients who were injured accidentally in the eye by Gramoxone (herbicide containing paraquat and diquat), we report these cases with the review of the literatures.

Three cases of primary irritant dermatitis due to paraquat(gramoxone) / 대한피부과학회지

Paraquat(Gramoxone) is the most commonly used herbicide in Korea. But serious paraquat poisoning in human beings has occurred following ingestion or exposure to the skin. Exposure to paraquat through the skin has resulted in local irritation or inflammation of varyiig degree, sometimes severe. We report three cases of primary irritant dermatitis due to paraquat. Two patients developed generalized vesicobullae and necrotirulcer in the scrotum, respectively. The other patient developed painful whitish patch and erosion in ttie tongue after accidental exposure.

A case of erythema multiforme induced by accidental contact with Gramoxone@ (1,1-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridilum dichloride) / 대한피부과학회지

Erythema multiforme can be induced by various causes, including infections like virus or fungus, drugs like sulfonamides and penicillins, internal malignences, connective tissue diseases, pregnancy, menstruation, and exoessive sun exposure ramoxone, one of the paraquat dichloride compounds, is the most commonly used weed-kiIler in Korea. It is sometimes used in suicides due to its fatal toxicity, and even weak transutaneous absorption can lead to death. Herein we report a case of erythema multiform in a 46-year-old man induced by accidental contact with the Gramoxone

Chemical burn due to weed killer, Gramoxone@(paraquat dichloride) / 대한피부과학회지

A 62-year-old farmer was admitted to our department because of second degree chemical burns of both buttocks ten days following accidental contact with Gramoxone, a weed killer. He was treated with oral antibiotics and cold compresses and discharged after the burned area were reepithelialized. Laboratory findings were within normal limits for three weeks. Although lung fibrosis, hepatic and renal failure can be caused by repeated absorption of paraquat (Gramoxone) through injuried skin, systemic absorption through normal skin has not been reported. During the four month follow up period there were no systemic problems nor recurrence of skin lesions. We report herein a case of chemical burns induced by Gramoxone, which is probably an occupational dermatosis of farmers handling weed killers.

Lesões viscerais em dois casos fatais consequentes ao manuseio de agrotóxicos / Visceral lesions in 2 fatal cases due to the handling of agrotoxic products

São apresentados dois casos de pacientes com lesões viscerais do fígado e rins consequentes ao manuseio inadequado de um agrotóxico, o dicloreto de paraquat 1,1'-dimetil-4,4'-dipiridilio dicloreto (Gramoxone) e chamam a atenção para um tipo especial de hepatite tóxica; descrevem o tipo de lesão hepática Q sua topografia intralobular, assim como lesões graves nos túbulos renais, com formação de sais de cálcio. São feitas considerações sobre as vias de absorção do tóxico e das áreas de predileção de atuação dentro do lóbulo hepático, assim como sobre o diagnóstico diferencial com outros tipos de hepatite tóxica (AU).