Effects of acute 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid intoxication on some rat serum components and enzyme activities

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of acute 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) intoxication (0.6 g/kg, po) on lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, amylase, creatinine, glucose, total protein and albumin levels in rats. Serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and creatinine increased from 1- to 4-fold at 5, 8 and 24 h after 2,4-D administration, whereas serum levels of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase were higher only at 8 and 24 h. Amylase levels were only increased 8 h after administration of 2,4-D and then returned to normal levels. In contrast, 2,4-D reduced the serum levels of glucose and total protein 5, 8 and 24 h and serum albumin levels 5 h after herbicide intoxication. Thus, acute intoxication with 2,4-D disrupts serum levels of several enzymes and components which are considered to be indicators of tissue injury. Most likely these alterations mainly reflect hepatic and muscle tissue damage induced by the herbicide, but significant pancreatic and kidney toxicity may also have occurred.