Utilização do processamento digital de imagens como método de análise do epitelio hepático de ratos cronicamente expostos de modo oral e inalatorio ao herbicida glifosato

Abstract

Introduction: Glyphosate (N-phosphonomethyl-glycine) is a non-selective, systemic herbicide, widely used in cotton, corn, soybean crops, among others, aiming to control weeds. Its wide use aims to increase productivity, making the process more profitable. Exposure to the herbicide causes damage to flora and fauna and can be a possible harmful agent to the hepatic epithelium and cause pathological changes. Study design: Experimental study. Objective: to analyze the effects of chronic oral and inhalation exposure to different concentrations of the herbicide glyphosate on the liver tissue of rats, using digital image processing. 112 Wistar rats were used for the research, allocated into 2 groups with 14 rats in each cage. Inhalation control group (GCI) was composed of a low concentration group (GBI), medium concentration group (GMI) and high concentration group (GAI) and oral control group (GCO) low concentration group (GBO), medium concentration group (GMO) and high concentration group (GAO). The inhalation group received daily nebulization, while the oral group received nebulized feeding with glyphosate. After a period of 180 days of experiment, the animals were euthanized and the slides were made. Microscope images were taken, the hepatic nuclei were selected and delimited, to later supply the respective program with the information and thus create a database that made it possible to analyze the digital processing of 200 thousand hepatocytes. Results: It was observed that both the routes of exposure and the dosages exert preponderant changes, suggestive of liver damage. The Routes of Administration showed a significant difference (p<0.05). The same occurred with the dose (GC, GB, GM and GA), where the dose effect was significant and p value <0.05. Conclusion: Chronic inhalation exposure to glyphosate has a high potential for harm to liver cells. In this way, it constitutes a risk factor for workers with direct contact, and for residents of regions that use glyphosate and suffer from the effect of drift.