Toxic effects of carbendazim at low dose levels in male rats

Carbendazim is a systemic broad-spectrum fungicide controlling a wide range of pathogens. It is also used as a preservative in paint, papermaking and leather industry, and as a preservative of fruits. In the present study, low dose intracellular effect of carbendazim was investigated employing 5, 10, 25 and 50 mM of the compound administered to male rats intradermally. Blood and liver of each animal was collected 6 hrs later to analyze serum and tissue enzyme activities, tissue lipid peroxidation and hematological and biochemical parameters. The experimental results of low dosage carbendazim use indicated augmentation of investigated parameters. However, the higher dosage of carbendazim use resulted in renormalization of investigated parameters to control levels or to values below control, providing a U-shaped hormesis type dose-response profile. Histopathological sections revealed portal vein congestion, mononuclear cell infiltration and hydropic degeneration of the liver tissue. These results indicated that carbendazim even at low dose exhibited toxicity, affected the liver and also caused specific changes in hematological and biochemical parameters in the rat.