The effect of vitamin supplementation on the toxic effects of dichlorvos on the microanatomy of rat hippocampal formation

Dichlorvos (DDVP) is a widely used pesticide that is toxic to animals and humans but study of its effect on the microanatomy of the brain is scanty. This study was designed to investigate the ameliorating effect of vitamin supplementation on DDVP-induced neurotoxicity in the hippocampus of Wistar rats. 25 male Wistar rats were separated into unexposed group and those exposed to DDVP (1000 mg/L) through inhalation either without, or with vitamin E, vitamin C or red palm oil supplementation. Treatment lasted for 14 days after which rats were sacrificed by ketamine anaesthesia. Hippocampal biopsies were processed into paraffin blocks and H&E stained sections were evaluated by light microscopy. DDVP administration elicited toxicity in the dentate gyrus, cornuammonis1 (CA1) and cornuammonis 3 (CA3) regions. There was pyknosis and alteration of the microanatomy of dentate granule cells and pyramidal cells of CA1 and CA3. DDVP-induced toxicity was mitigated by vitamins E, C and red palm oil in the dentate gyrus, but partially in CA1 and CA3. Inhalational DDVP induces toxicity in the hippocampus of rats and this could affect memory. Toxicity of DDVP is partially ameliorated by vitamins E, C and red palm oil.Keywords: Dichlorvos, dentate gyrus, cornuammonis, hippocampus, red palm oil