Hepatic megalocytosis due to vanadium inhalation: participation of oxidative stress

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological changes, liver function test (LFT), and oxidative stress damage caused by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), in mice exposed to vanadium via inhalation. Male CD-1 mice were exposed to vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) via inhalation (0.02 M), 1 hour twice a week for 6 weeks. At the end of the protocol, controls and exposed mice were killed to evaluate the changes. Histological analysis and LFT were performed to detect the damage. TBARS detection was assessed for oxidative stress. Inflammatory infiltration, binucleation, and meganucleus were detected in the liver of V₂O₅-exposed mice (p < 0.05). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were also significantly increased (p < 0.05). Lipid peroxidation was significantly higher in V₂O₅-exposed animals compared to controls (p < 0.05). V₂O₅ exposure induced inflammation and cell damage detected by the increase in ALT and AST levels, as well as histological changes that suggest regenerative changes, such as binucleation and meganucleus.