Diuron-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in Clarias gariepinus: Biochemical and histopathological assessment

Increased usage of diuron in agriculture has non-target harmful impacts on aquatic life. Diuron toxicity causes endocrine disruption in the liver and kidney of Clarias gariepinus. Fish were exposed to sub-lethal diuron concentrations (0.00, 0.09, 0.17, 0.26, and 0.35 mg/L) for 28 days, and biochemical molecules (total protein, glucose, and cholesterol), biochemical enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase: AST and alanine aminotransferase: ALT), and histopathological sections of the kidney and liver were examined. The results demonstrated that increased diuron concentrations and exposure durations raised levels of total protein, glucose, cholesterol, AST, and ALT, indicating a dose-dependent toxicological impact on metabolic processes. Redundancy analysis demonstrated that cholesterol plays an important role in regulating the enzymatic response to diuron toxicity, although, to a lesser extent, glucose and protein also contributed to physiological adaptations and stress responses in C. gariepinus. Histological examination revealed severe alterations in the liver and kidneys, indicating cellular destruction and loss of structural integrity. This study highlights the importance of constant monitoring of aquatic ecosystems for diuron contamination and the potential ecological risks it poses to fish health.