Effect of Mancozeb Inhalation on the Olfactory Mucosa in Rats

Background: Mancozeb, (ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate), is an important fungicide useful against a wide range of fungus affecting ornamental plants, crops, and fruits. We aimed to evaluate the changes in the olfactory mucosa due to mancozeb toxicity and, if cytokine is active, IL-6 immunoactivity. Material and Method: In experimental group, the mancozeb (500 mg/kg) was administered with inhalation to 10 male Wistar Albino rats for five days a week. The control group (n = 10) received distilled water with spray at the same time period. The experiment was terminated after three weeks. Samples were placed in 10% formaldehyde for fixation and placed in paraffin, sections of 5 μm were prepared from paraffin blocks and stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) primary antibody were used for immunohistochemical analysis. Result: In the mancozeb group, olfactory epithelial cell degeneration and apoptosis, inflammation, dilatation and congestion in the vessels were observed. IL-6 expression was increased in vascular endothelium and inflammatory cells. Conclusions: Mancozeb was thought that the increase in IL-6 expression due to the increase in cell degeneration signal was thought to affect the development of cell apoptosis and angiogenesis, and that the use of mancozeb might adversely affect the olfactory mechanism.