Hepatic, renal, and pancreatic damage associated with chronic exposure to oral and inhaled 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-d): an environmental exposure model in rats

2,4-Diclophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible toxic effect of chronic exposure to oral and inhaled 2,4-D herbicide on the liver, kidney, and pancreas by simulating environmental exposure. Eighty male albino adult Wistar rats divided into eight groups were exposed for 6 months to inhaled and oral (contaminated feed) three different doses of 2,4-D [3.71 × 10⁻³ g of active ingredient per hectare (g a.i./ha), 6.19 × 10⁻³ g a.i./ha and 9.28 × 10⁻³ g a.i./ha]. Blood, liver, kidney, spleen, and pancreas samples were collected for analysis. There was a difference in ALT (alanine aminotransferase) levels between groups exposed to 2,4-D. The groups exposed to oral 2,4-D had a higher incidence of steatosis, and exposed to high doses had increased liver inflammation. All animals in the groups exposed to high 2,4-D concentrations showed renal tubular hydropic degeneration. Atrophy of Langerhans islets was observed in animals exposed to 2,4-D. The simulation of chronic environmental exposure to the 2,4-D herbicide resulted in hepatic changes that were both dose-dependent and exposure-dependent and renal and pancreatic changes that were dose-dependent.