Toxic effects of the synthetic food dye brilliant blue on liver, kidney and testes functions in rats

ABSTRACT

Evaluation of the toxic effects of synthetic dyes brilliant blue were tested in rats by measuring their actions on serum activity of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminas [AST], glutamate pyruvate transaminase [ALT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], acid phosphatase [ACP], serum total bilirubin [SBIL-T], serum creatinine [SCR], serum urea [SUR] and serum testosterone concentrations. Rats were fed synthetic brilliant blue dye supplemented diet, daily for 15, 30 and 45 days. Brilliant blue dye caused an increase of ALT, AST, ALP, SBIL-T, SUR and SCR. This increase was more pronounced in animals treated with repeated single higher doses than in those receiving the repeated single lower doses. On the contrary, serum ACP and testosterone concentrations were decreased after treatment. Histopathological examinations revealed alterations in kidneys include congestion and hemorrhage with infiltration, thick walled blood vessels and deformation of the structure of glomeruli. Whereas alterations in liver include focal necrosis of hepatocytes, infiltration and vacuolation. Testes showed irregular shape of seminiferous tubules, atrophy of Leydig cells and disturbance in spermatogenesis. Results indicated that the used doses of the synthetic dye brilliant blue were mostly attributable to hepatocellular damage, renal failure and decrease in spermatogenesis process