Effects of 2,4-D and its metabolite 2,4-dichlorophenol on antioxidant enzymes and level of glutathione in human erythrocytes.

The effects of in vitro exposure of human erythrocytes to different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and its metabolite 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) were studied. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) were determined. The activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase SOD decreased with increasing dose of 2,4-D and 2,4-DCP, while glutathione peroxidase activity increased. 2,4-D (500 ppm) decreased the level of reduced glutathione in erythrocytes by 18% and 2,4-DCP (250 ppm) by 32%, respectively, in comparison with the controls. These results lead to the conclusion that in vitro administration of herbicide-2,4-D and its metabolite 2,4-DCP causes a decrease in the level of reduced glutathione in erythrocytes and significant changes in antioxidant enzyme activities. Comparison of the toxicity of 2,4-D and 2,4-DCP revealed that the most prominent changes occurred in human erythrocytes incubated with 2,4-DCP.