Abstract
The effects of subchronic exposure to tetrachlorodiphenyl sulfone (TCDS) on hematological parameters [white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrite (Ht) levels] were examined. Oxidative stress in erythrocytes was also assessed by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and enzyme antioxidant activities [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)]. TCDS was administered orally, dissolved in water, ad libitum to 12 female rats at 28.9 mg/kg/day for 6 or 12 weeks. Results showed that TCDS induced significant decreases in RBC, Hb, and Ht. Whereas MCV, MCH, and MCHC remain unchanged and WBC increased only in the second period of the study. Moreover erythrocyte TBARS level increased, and antioxidant enzyme (SOD, GPx, and CAT) activities decreased. We concluded that TCDS intoxication promotes erythrocyte oxidative damage and disrupt hematological constituents in rats.