Protective activity of L-carnitine and quercetin against atrazine-induced hematological toxicity in adult male rats

Atrazine (ATZ) is one of the most extensively used herbicides globally. It is classified as an endocrine disruptor chemical (EDC), interfering with several physiological functions. L-carnitine (LC) and quercetin (QT) have been shown to have significant antioxidant actions. Therefore, this study targeted to inspect the beneficial effects of LC and QT to defend againstameliorate ATZ toxicity through studying their effects on body weight, body weight gain, and hemogram in adult male rats. In light of this, four groups of seven adult male albino rats were established. The groups were control, ATZ, ATZ + LC and ATZ + QT and the experiment lasted for 56 days. Results showed no significant impacts on body weight (P > 0.05) in all groups. Additionally, compared to control group, ATZ dramatically decreased body weight gain (BWG) (P < 0.001). Moreover, rats that got ATZ plus the other treatments also showed a reduced BWG (P < 0.001). Moreover, ATZ intensely decreased the proportion and concentration of Hb, RBCs, WBCs and platelets counts (P < 0.001). Notably, administering LC restored Hb concentration and percentage, RBCs, WBCs and platelets counts to control levels (P < 0.01). Furthermore, Hb concentration and percentage were enhancedincreased numerically with QT. While ATZ reduced RBC, WBC, and platelet counts, QT markedly increased those counts (P < 0.01), though it did not bring them back to control levels. There were no discernible changes (P > 0.05) between the groups for the other hemogram parameters. Thus, LC and QT could be considered excellent candidates to abate the adverse effects of ATZ on hemogram.