Introduction: Endocrine disturbances
to the thyroid and adrenals
were
observed due to acrylamide exposure. Aim of the work: to detect any alteration
in the ultrastructure and
apoptosis
in the cortex of adrenal
gland
after exposure to acrylamide.
Material & methods: 16 female albino
rats were separated into two
groups,
group I acting as control and
rats
in group II received 10 mg/kg
body
weight of acrylamide by oral
gavages
for 3 months. The adrenal
glands
were removed and processed
for
electron microscopy and histological
examination. Sections were
stained
with Hx&E and Bax and Bcl2
immunohisochemistry. Results: In the ACR group, the
rounded or arched clusters of ZG
and the parallel columns of ZF were
less apparent with narrowing of capillaries
that may indicate the presence
of swelling. By TEM, electron
lucent
areas were observed in the
cytoplasm
of ZG cells and many mitochondria
showed defects. Many
cells
of ZF showed cytoplasmic vacuoles
of irregular shape and electron
lucent
areas in the mitochondria.
The
expression of Bax in the cortex
was
significantly higher in the ACR
group < br />while the Bcl-2 expression
was
significantly decreased in the
acrylamide
treated group compared
to
the control group. Conclusion: The
cellular
and mitochondrial changes
and
the increase in the Bax to Bcl-2
expression
ratio indicated increase
in
the direction of apoptotic pathway in the cortex of adrenal gland due to
exposure to ACR.