Dichloromethane and ethanol co-exposure aggravates oxidative stress indices causing hepatic and renal dysfunction in pubertal rats.

Abstract

Toxicological effects from chemical interaction may result in weaker or stronger effects. The present study investigated the influence of acute oral co-exposure to dichloromethane (DCM) and ethanol (EtOH) in rats. Four groups of rats were treated for seven consecutive days with corn oil, DCM at 150 mg/kg alone, EtOH at 5 g/kg alone, and both DCM and EtOH, respectively. Subsequently, biomarkers of hepatic and renal functions, cellular antioxidant defense systems, and oxidative stress indices were analyzed in the liver and kidney samples. Results indicated that the significant (p < 0.05) elevations in the biomarkers of hepatic and renal toxicity following exposure of rats to DCM alone and EtOH alone were aggravated in the co-exposure group. Further, the significant reductions in the antioxidant status and the increase in lipid peroxidation in the liver and kidney of rats following exposure to DCM alone and EtOH alone were aggravated in the co-exposure group. Histological alterations of rats treated with DCM alone and EtOH alone were worsened in the co-exposure group. In summary, co-exposure to DCM and EtOH elicited more harmful effects on the liver and kidney than the individual chemical exposure, which is attributable to the intensified oxidative stress in the treated rats.