Immunological, hematological and biochemical studies on the adverse effects of ethephon and gibberellic acid in adult albino rat and the possible protective role of vitamin C.

Gibberellic acid (GA3) and Ethephon (ETP) are plant growth regulators that are largely used in agriculture of many countries to accelerate and control the production of a wide variety of vegetables and fruits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of GA3 and/or ETP and protective effect of vitamin C on some immunological, hematological and hepatic parameters in male albino rats. Rats were divided into six groups (6 animals per group) as follows: 1) G1, was considered as control group, received saline solution (1ml/kg). 2) G2 received vitamin C (200 mg/kg). 3) G3 received GA3 (75 mg / kg). 4) G4 was given ETP (150 mg/kg) 5) G5 received vitamin C+ GA3 with the same previous doses. 6) G6 was given vitamin C+ ETP with the same previous doses. All doses were given orally and once daily for six weeks. The results demonstrated that administration of GA3 and/or ETP induced alterations and adverse effects in most of the measured parameters. The immunological parameters showed significant decrease in levels of Immunoglobulins (Igs), IgG, IgA, and IgM and significant increase in serum pro-inflammatory cytokines INF-γ, TNF- α, IL-1β and IL-6 compared with control group. In addition, significant increase in WBCs and lymphocytes and significant decrease in neutrophil were recorded. The results also showed a significant decrease in RBCs with a decrease in hemoglobin content compared with control group. Hepatotoxic effect of both GA3 and ETP was indicated in the present study by significant elevated levels of ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin and AFP and significant decreased levels of total proteins and albumins. Liver lipid peroxidation (MDA) and serum NO were significantly elevated in GA3 and ETP groups compared with control group, on the other hand, both GA3 and ETP caused a significant decrease in liver antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT and GSH content. Administration of vitamin C with GA3 and/or ETP ameliorated the all previous studied parameters compared with GA3 and/or ETP groups. So, it could be concluded that both GA3 and ETP could induce immunological disturbance, liver dysfunction and injury, alteration in hematological parameters and oxidative stress and vitamin C could ameliorate these changes and this may be attributed to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and free radicals scavenging properties.

赤霉素（Gibberellic acid，GA3）与乙烯利（Ethephon，ETP）是一类被多国农业广泛应用的植物生长调节剂，用于加速并调控多种蔬菜与水果的生产进程。本研究旨在评估GA3和/或ETP的毒性，以及维生素C对雄性白化大鼠部分免疫、血液学及肝脏相关指标的保护作用。
实验将雄性白化大鼠分为6组（每组6只），具体如下：1）G1为对照组，灌胃给予生理盐水（1ml/kg）；2）G2给予维生素C（200mg/kg）；3）G3给予GA3（75mg/kg）；4）G4给予ETP（150mg/kg）；5）G5联合给予维生素C与GA3，剂量同前；6）G6联合给予维生素C与ETP，剂量同前。所有给药方式均为灌胃，每日1次，持续6周。
实验结果显示，GA3和/或ETP给药会导致多数检测指标出现异常改变与不良反应。与对照组相比，免疫相关指标中免疫球蛋白（Immunoglobulins，Igs）IgG、IgA及IgM水平显著降低，而血清促炎细胞因子干扰素-γ（INF-γ）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）及白细胞介素-6（IL-6）水平显著升高；此外，白细胞计数（WBCs）与淋巴细胞计数显著升高，中性粒细胞计数则显著降低。同时，红细胞计数（RBCs）及血红蛋白含量均较对照组显著下降。
本研究以谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、谷草转氨酶（AST）、碱性磷酸酶（ALP）、γ-谷氨酰转移酶（GGT）、胆红素及甲胎蛋白（AFP）水平显著升高，总蛋白与白蛋白水平显著降低为指标，证实GA3与ETP均具有肝毒性。与对照组相比，GA3与ETP给药组的肝脏脂质过氧化产物丙二醛（MDA）及血清一氧化氮（NO）水平显著升高；同时，GA3与ETP均会使肝脏抗氧化酶超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性及谷胱甘肽（GSH）含量显著降低。
与单独给予GA3或ETP的组别相比，联合给予维生素C可显著改善上述所有检测指标。综上，本研究表明GA3与ETP均可诱发免疫紊乱、肝功能异常与损伤、血液学指标改变及氧化应激；而维生素C可改善上述变化，这可能与其抗炎、抗氧化及清除自由基的特性相关。