Determination of apoptosis in liver and kidney tissues in experimental copper toxicity in rats

In this study, we aimed to investigate cell death in liver and kidney cells of rats which were exposed to experimental copper toxicity. In the study, 56 adult, male, Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Two experimental groups with 14 rats in each and two separate control groups for the experimental groups were composed. During the experimental period, 75 mg/kg copper sulfate solution was orally administered to the rats in the first and the second experimental groups for 14 and 28 days, respectively. Blood serum copper level was examined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. As a result, the serum copper level of the first experimental group is determined to be higher than both the second experimental group and the control groups. Histopathological results exhibit hepatocellular degeneration, portal mononuclear cell infiltration and necrotic hepatocytes at random locations in the liver of rats both from the first and the second experimental groups. Hepatocellular degeneration observed in the first experimental group was more severe, while the number of necrotic cells in the second experimental group was appeared to be higher. For both experimental groups, degeneration in corticomedullary tubus, renal cortex and focal lenfocyte infiltration were observed. TUNEL method and caspase -3, -8, -9 activities were examined immunohistochemically were used to show apoptosis. The examination revealed that liver and renal cells of both experimental groups necrosis or apoptosis. When both organs were observed, it was seen that apoptotic cells were predominant in the first experimental group while necrotic cells were predominant in the second experimental group. From this observation, it was concluded as liver undergoes to apoptosis with both intrinsic and extrinsic routes in the first experimental group while kidney tends only to intrinsic route.