Assessment of paraquat-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in Wistar albino rats

Paraquat is a widely used herbicide causing oxidative stress and toxicity after exposure. Despite evidence of toxicity, histological evaluation of dose-dependent hepatic and renal damage following subchronic exposure is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the effects of paraquat administration on hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats after repeated exposure for 28 days.48 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of 8 each. One group was kept as the control group, and the other five groups were treated with paraquat at concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 mg/kg for 28 days. Kidney and liver samples were collected from all animals and prepared for histological examination and analysis using H&E. Histopathological findings showed that tissue damage increased with drug dosage. The group (5-10mg/kg) showed minor cell vacuolation, cell death, and liver structural alterations. In animals in group (20-100mg/kg), liver damage included significant liver cell necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, hemorrhages, and altered liver architecture. The kidneys also showed dose-dependent varying effects, with the high-dose group exhibiting increased glomerular degeneration, epithelial cell loss, tubule dilatation, and altered renal architecture in animals. The study revealed that after multiple poisonings, liver and kidney damage becomes more severe with higher paraquat doses. The study shows histopathological evidence of paraquat’s systemic toxicity and underlines considering these factors in long-term exposure to determine risk and perform toxicological studies.