Evaluation of the hepatotoxic effects of polyethylene and butylated hydroxy toluene in adult male albino rats

ABSTRACT

Plastic is used in contact with nearly all packaged foods; plastic is made by combining many toxic synthetic man-made chemicals by a process called polymerization. FDA Office of Food Additive Safety assuming that all plastics migrate toxins into the food they contact. Butylated hydroxy toluene [BHT] is one of additives in LOPE [low-density polyethylene] and HOPE [high-density polyethylene]. Migration into water and food substances have been measured for this BHT antioxidant, generally at higher temperatures than experienced in normal use, there is considerable loss of antioxidants especially with fatty or oily foods so, study for biochemical and histopathological changes induced by Polyethylene and BHT on the liver of adult male albino rats using light and electron microscopes has done as following Fifty albino rats were divided into five groups. 1[st] group rats served as control, 2[nd] group was gavaged daily with 0.5 ml of com oil [vehicle], 3rd group was administered with polyethylene pellets mixed to food by 120 daily, 4[th] group was gavaged with BHT by 1120 of LOSO equal 400 mg/kg/day in com oil, and the 5[th] group was gavaged by combination of polyethylene and BHT at same doses as 3[rd] and 4[th] groups. At the end of experiment which lasts for 12 weeks, all rats were anaesthetized and blood samples were collected for analysis of Alpha Feto Protein CAFP] serum level and liver function tests. Animals were sacrificed, specimens from liver were taken, and prepared for histopathological examination through light and electron microscopes. The study revealed that There was significant increase of Alanine transaminase [ALT] and Aspartate transaminase CAST] with lowering in alkaline phosphatase level among Polyethylene, BHT and combination of BHT with Polyethylene administered groups compared to control group while AFP level showed significant elevation in both BHT and combined [polyethylene and BHT] group compared to control and polyethylene groups. These biochemical changes had been proved by histopathological examination, liver cells showed cellular infiltration around central vein with dilation and congestion of the vein and blood sinusoids, lobular necrosis with fatty infiltration. Ultrustructurally, liver cells showed muddy cytoplasm contained electro lucent vacuoles, electron dense mitochondria with loss of or few microvilli in bile canaliculi and sinusoids. This study concluded that, BHT gave the most significant toxic effect on liver of albino rats than ingestion of pure polyethylene while toxic effect was more prominent by using combination of both agents