Siti Balkis Budin, Hanis Saimin, Izatus Shima Taib, Putri Ayu Jayusman, Jamaludin Mohamed
Fenitrothion or Sumithion [o,o-dimetyl-o-(3-methyl-4-nitrophenyl) phosphorothiote] is an organophosphorus pesticide widely used in agriculture and public health programmes. This experimental study aimed to evaluate the morphological changes in lungs due to ingestion of this pesticide. The study was performed on 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Ten rats were used as control group while another 10 received fenitrothion (FNT) by oral gavage for 28 consecutive days. The animals were sacrificed at the end of treatment period and lung was isolated for histopathology purpose. Rats in FNT group exhibit cholinergic signs such as hypoactivity, tremor, lacrimation and piloerection. At the end of the study, the body weight of the FNT group was significantly lower than the control group. However, the difference in the lung weight between control group and FNT group was not significant. Histological examination using light microscope revealed there is disruption of alveolar walls, swollen alveolar cells, inflammation cells and cells necrosis. Terminal bronchiole also showed destruction of its lining. Presence of highly infiltrate MALT was noted in the rats of FNT group. The results suggest that ingestion of FNT could cause damage and injury towards lung tissues as well as lung toxicity in male Sprague-Dawley rats. It is also suggested that this pesticide leads to neurotoxicity and induces the immune system.
