Abstract
Acute hepatotoxicity of T-2 toxin (10mg/kg b.w., p.o.) was examined up to 48 hours after injection (48 HAI). Blood biochemical parameters such as activities of GOT, GPT, and LDH and concentrations of glucose, lipids, and protein showed apparent changes from 8 to 24 hours, and, at 48 HAI, most of them exhibited values within normal ranges. On the other hand, hepatic aniline hydro-xylase activity decreased while hepatic lipid peroxide level increased continuously throughout the observation period of 48 hours. Histopathological changes of the liver were clearly detected 8 HAI and characterized by an increase in density and acidophilic stainability of hepatocyte cytoplasm with loss of glycogen. Such changes reached their maximal severity 16 HAI and thereafter became to locate in the perilobular area. Ultrastructural changes of hepatocytes were characterized by condensation and/or deformation of mitochondria, aberrations of rough endoplasmic reticulum with decrease in ribosomes, and depletion of glycogen. Subcellular changes of hepatocytes also showed a tendency to recover on and after 24 HAI. Thus, a sublethal dose of T-2 toxin could cause prominent but essentially transient hepatic damages, and blood chemical changes correlated well with histological ones.
