Study of the effects of Lindane on respiratory system in rats

Abstract

Objectives: Lindane is organochlorine compound which is widely used in agriculture and medicine for treatment of pediculosis (as shampoo) and scabies (as lotion). Lindane is absorbed through inhalation and leads to intoxication. The purpose of this investigation is studying of the effects of Lindane in Tracheal and pulmonary cells of Rats. Methods: For this investigation, solvent(Ethyl acetate) and Lindane were intraperitoneally given at doses of 10, 20 and 40mg/kg.After 24 hours the animal were killed by Ether and The Lung and Tracheal tissues were fixed in 10% formalin. After preparation of microscopic segments, H&E (Hematoxylin & Eosin) staining for histopathologic studies and AB (Alcian Blue) and PAS ( Periodic Acid Schiff) staining for cytochemistry of glycoprotein secreting cells were used. Results: The results indicated that the tissue of lung and pneumocyte cells was intact in control group. Different cellular damages including swell of cells, formation of Vacuole, reduction of staining ability in the type II pneumocytes, thickening of Alveolar walls and injury in ciliated and nonciliated cells. Lindane caused changes of epithelium from pseudostratified to simple. Cytochemically, in control group, the epithelial tissue of trachea, neutral (PAS+) and acidic (AB +) glycoprotein secreting cells were observed. In all cases intensity of damages was dose dependent. Conclusion: The results indicated that Lindane cause cellular damage in the Respiratory system cells. The mechanism of this toxic effects is unknown, but reported that Lindane is converted into intermediate substance by the action of hepatic microsomal enzymes, and this new substance can cause cellular injuries.