The present study was performed to investigate the protective effects of
zinc (227 mg/L in
drinking water) treatment in
chlorpyrifos (13.5 mg/kg
body weight, orally) induced hepatotoxicity in male rats. Animals received
chlorpyrifos and/or
zinc treatments for 8 wk. A 99mTc-mebrofenin clearance test was done to determine the biological half-life (Tbiol) of the
radiopharmaceutical in liver for the determination of the hepatobiliary function of the animals. At the end of treatment periods, samples were collected for the measurement of
zinc levels in serum and liver. Electron microscopic studies were performed to study hepatic ultrastructure following various treatments. When compared to normal controls,
chlorpyrifos treatment resulted in reduced hepatic and serum
zinc levels (p < 0.01). The biological half-life (Tbiol) of 99mTc-mebrofenin in liver was increased (p < 0.01) significantly in
chlorpyrifos-treated animals, reflecting a poor excretion of the
radiopharmaceutical from the liver. Simultaneous
zinc supplementation retained the increased hepatic Tbiol values of 99mTc-mebrofenin within normal limits.
Zinc treatment also protected hepatocytes from the marked disruptions in the membranous organelles and narrowing/blocking of biliary channels, which was otherwise a common observation following
chlorpyrifos treatment. These data clearly show the protective effects of
zinc in animals subjected to
organophosphate poisoning.