Cardiotoxicity and apoptotic activity in subacute endosulfan toxicity and the protective effect of vitamin C in rabbits: a pathological study.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most significant causes of mortality in humans and animals, and its etiology is usually unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the cardiac pathology of endosulfan toxicity and the protective effect of vitamin C in rabbits. Twenty-four rabbits were divided into 4 groups: (1) the END group was given a daily sublethal dose of endosulfan in corn oil by oral gavage for 6 weeks; (2) the END + C group received the endosulfan as well as vitamin C over the same 6-week period; (3) the OIL + C group received corn oil daily and vitamin C every other day; and (4) the OIL group received only corn oil daily. We observed microscopic hemorrhages, single-cell necrosis, inflammatory reactions, and fibrotic changes in the myocardium in the END group. Small hemorrhages and single-cell necrosis also were seen in some hearts in the END + C group, but no inflammation was observed. Caspase-3 immunoreactivity was more significant in myocardial cells in the END group compared with the others. A protective effect of vitamin C on lesions was observed in the END + C group. These results showed that endosulfan resulted in toxic changes in the hearts of rabbits, but this toxicity could be decreased with vitamin C treatment.