Gazi University Journal of Science, cilt.36, sa.1, ss.68-78, 2023 (ESCI)
Diflubenzuron is a commonly used larvicide/biocidal substance. The present study aimed to reveal the effects of diflubenzuron on Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzymatic activity and liver histopathology of a mammalian species (rats). The animals fed with various doses of diflubenzuron and the liver tissues of rats were taken on the 10th, 20th, 25th, 45th days and sixth month. AChE activity of liver was measured by spectrophotometer. Tissues were embedded in Araldite 502 (Sigma), took ultrathin sections, and examined under a 100 CX II Transmission Electron Microscope. AChE activity in the chronic dose of diflubenzuron group was like that in the control group. The enzymatic activity in the subacute dose was found to be significantly different from the control group. After subacute dose exposure was terminated, the AChE activity was still lower on the 45th day compared with the control group. Chronic and subacute doses caused adverse effects to liver tissues, such as numerous mitochondria, abnormally structured nuclei in the hepatocytes and many lipid droplets in the sinusoids of the liver ultrastructure. After the subacute dose was terminated, liver damage was still observed on the 20th and 25th days, but the liver tissue was partly regenerated on the 45th day. Cellular damage might recover after 45 days, but AChE activity probably takes more time to reach a normal level.