Effect of clenbuterol hydrochloride on weight gain and histological lesions in mice

Abstract

Clenbuterol hydrochloride (CLB) is a growth-promoting b-agonist in animals for supply, but its illicit use has generated repercussions on public health. A biological model with mice was developed to evaluate the effect of CLB on weight gain and histological lesions. Mice were fed rabbit meat, which was previously supplemented with CLB. Body weight was recorded 35 days post-exposure muscular and serum concentration of CLB was obtained through the ELISA test, and tissues were collected from liver and heart for histopathological analysis. Values obtained from the experimental animals (G1 and G2) were analyzed by a completely randomized experimental design with two treatments (n = 10), subjected to an analysis of variance and comparison of means with the Tukey test (p < 0.05). There was an increase of 7 g in body weight in G1, compared to 4.0 g in G2. Liver weight was 2.58 g and 1.79, respectively (p < 0.05). In G1, CLB concentration in muscle was 5324 pg.g^–1, and 4378 pg.g^–1 in blood serum. Only histological changes were observed in the tissues of G1 mice. Liver showed cellular swelling, moderate mitosis, pyknosis and hydropic degeneration in addition, fiber thickening, pleomorphism and nuclear atypia were observed in the heart. CLB contributed to weight gain in exposed mice and caused structural alterations in liver and heart.