The Effect of Sub-chronic Linuron Exposure on Thyroid, Liver, and Kidney Function in Male Wistar Rats

Background: Herbicides are routinely used to control noxious plants. Most of these chemicals may cause toxicity and endocrine disruption in humans and wildlife. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of linuron on thyroid hormone levels and some hepatic and renal parameters and organ (thyroid, liver and kidney) structures to assume their toxicity toward experimental animals and to evaluate the endocrine disrupting capacity of this chemical. Methods: Two groups (8 rats each) were used for an in vivo study. The lot I served as control. Lot II was exposed to 40 mg/200 mg/day pesticide for 50 days. Changes in hepatic and renal parameters and histological structure were investigated in different treated groups. Results: Data from this study showed that linuron altered thyroid function as evidenced by abnormal TSH, T4, and T3 levels. Furthermore, exposure to linuron induces a significant decrease in body weight and a significant increase in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, total bilirubin, uric acid, creatinine, glutathione, and malondialdehyde. Previous data were confirmed through the histopathological examination of different organs. Conclusions: The most used phenylurea herbicide, linuron, disrupted thyroid function at a 40 mg/200 mg/day dose and produced oxidative stress in the liver and kidney in male Wistar rats. The data of this study warrant further investigation.