Effect of different doses of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on cardiac parameters in male Wistar rats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different doses of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic herbicide in rat hearts. Exposure was through rat food that was nebulized with the herbicide. Thirty adult male Wistar rats (200-300 g) were used. The diet was exposed to 2,4-D in two different doses (CG: control group 10 ml distilled water; LCG: low concentration group 3.71 × 10^-3 g.ia/ha diluted in 10 ml saline at 0.9% and HCG: High concentration group 9.28 × 10^-3 g.ia/ha diluted in 10 ml 0.9% saline). After 6 months of exposure, blood samples were collected for CKMB evaluation, and left ventricular fragments were analyzed by histological evaluation, fibrosis measurements, fractal dimension and immunohistochemistry (BAX, Bcl2, TNF-α and NF-kB). There were no significant changes in CK-MB concentration, histological parameters, fibrosis measurements and fractal dimension. Long-term oral consumption of food nebulized by the herbicide 2,4-D promoted an increase in BAX, Bcl-2/BAX, and cytoplasmic NF-kB in the nuclear area of the group that received the highest dose of the herbicide. This suggests that the herbicide induces cardiotoxicity.