Effect of aluminium phosphide (ALP) gas inhalation exposure on adipose tissue characteristics and histological toxicity in male rats

Abstract

Considering the increasing incidence of fatal aluminium phosphide (ALP) poisoning and its toxicological aspects and also the paucity of our knowledge concerning the ALP effect on adipose tissue and adipokines, the present study aimed to assess the effect of acute and sub-chronic ALP inhalation exposure on adipose tissue characteristics and histological alterations in rats. This experimental study was performed on 40 male Wistar rats weighing 150–200 g. They were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10) including inhalation exposure groups to 5.67 mg/m3 (2.4 ppm) ALP for 6 h, one week and four weeks, respectively, and a control group. At the beginning and end of the study, body weight and fasting blood sugar (FBS) of animals were determined. Then, the animals were anaesthetized. The specimens of perirenal and visceral (perigonadal) adipose tissues by the routine histological process for haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were determined. The results showed that the histopathological alteration of adipose tissue was significantly different between the study groups (p < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the numbers of adipocytes in perirenal area were dramatically increased in 6 h ALP exposure(p < 0.001). In agreement with the cell number changes, cell size in the perirenal area in the 6h-ALP group was markedly lower than control group (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, there was no statistically difference in the cell number of adipocytes in gonadal area between control and 6h-ALP groups(p = 0.071). Final FBS increased significantly in 6-h and 4 weeks compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased significantly in 4 weeks and 6h-ALP exposure in comparison with the control group (p < 0.0001) also, LDL and HDL levels in 6 h and 4 weeks’ ALP exposure and in 4 weeks ALP exposure had a significant decrease compared with the control group, respectively (p = 0.03 and p = 0.001 and p < 0.0001). ALP poisoning had a significant association with alterations in physiological and histological parameters.

Keywords

• toxicity
• inhalation exposure
• aluminium phosphide
• phosphines
• leptin