Biochemical effects of some synthetic food and drug colorants on liver function, some hormones and haematological parameters in male and female mice

ABSTRACT

The effect of feeding synthetic food and drug colorants belonging to four different chemical classes, i.e. brilliant black [Bk], brilliant blue [Bl], erythrosine [Er], and indigo carmine [In] were studied. Groups of male and female mice [10/sex/group] were fed ad libitum diets mixed with the synthetic food colorants 250 mg/kg diet for 7 months. The activities of GOT, GPT, and alkaline phosphatase of liver and heart tissues were inhibited in male and female mice relative to control, and males were more affected than females. The serum levels of T3 [triodothyronine] and T4 [thyroxine] were reduced, while erythrosine reduced also the level of testosterone relative to control. The blood hemoglobin content was increased under the effect of the 4 synthetic food colorants in the order Er > Bk > In > Bl as well as the RBCs, while WBCs count were increased relative to control in male and female mice. Pathological, histopathological changes were observed either in female or male mice organs, specially in the liver and stomach. Some changes were found in the liver tissues and cell nucleus [polynucleus], in addition, enlargement of the stomach size was evident