Objective: Mancozeb is one of the most widely used Ethylenebisdithiocarbamates fungicides in Brazil. A pilot experimental model was created to evaluate its potential hepatotoxic effect.
Materials and methods: An experimental study was performed with 27 male Wistar rats (3 groups). The Control Group received a saline solution, while Intervention Groups I and II received 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of Mancozeb respectively, once a week, for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements were carried out, and the marker of biological exposure in urine was dosed. Biochemical tests, evaluation micronucleus count, comet and oxidative stress markers assay, and histological assessment of the liver were also performed.
Results: The hepatotoxic effect of Mancozeb was confirmed by anthropometric measurements, genotoxicity, and oxidative stress. Statistically significant results were found when the exposed groups were compared to the control group.
Conclusions: These results were supported by inflammatory infiltration and balloonization in the treated groups. The experimental model effectively demonstrated the deleterious effect of Mancozeb on the liver.