Biochemistry and Bioinformatics

4-tert-Octylphenol (4-tOP), an endocrine disruptor used in industrial and domestic products, has been detected in environmental matrices and is linked to the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases and aquatic ecosystem impairments. This study investigated the gender-specific effects of 4-tOP toxicity in Wistar rats. Forty Wistar rats (20 male, 20 female) were divided into four groups, including a control group. They were administered intraperitoneal doses of 0.62, 0.41, and 0.2 mg 4-tOP/kg body weight, dissolved in DMSO. The treatment was repeated after 36 hours, and after 72 hours, urine, blood, kidney, and liver samples were collected for biochemical and histological analyses. Enzymatic activities and oxidative stress markers, including trehalase, creatinine, AST, ALT, SOD, GSH, and MDA, were assessed using spectrophotometry. Trehalase and creatinine levels in urine significantly increased in the higher-dose groups compared to controls. Serum AST and ALT activities, along with quinine oxidase, were also elevated in treated groups. Conversely, renal and hepatic SOD activity and GSH levels were significantly reduced, while MDA levels increased, indicating oxidative stress. Females exhibited heightened sensitivity to renal and hepatic toxicity compared to males. Female rats were more susceptible to 4-tOP-induced renal and hepatotoxicity, likely driven by oxidative stress. This highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations on 4-tOP usage and the promotion of safer alternatives to mitigate its health and environmental impact.

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