Effect of synthetic colorants (Sunset yellow and Ponceau 4R) in some biochemical and histopathological parameters of albino rats

Color additives are used for a wide variety of purposes and in great amount. However,the sharp increase in the use of synthetic food colorants in the past few years and additionally there is an uncontrolled use of synthetic color. The present investigation is planned to illustrate the effects of two synthetic color additives(Sunset yellow and Ponceau 4R) for biochemical and histopathologically on liver and kidney of rats. Thirty adult Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three equal groups as follows; Animals in control group (CG) served as the control group received distilled water, Sunset yellow group (SG) received Sunset yellow (2g/kg bw ) dissolved in distilled water, Ponceau group (PG) receive Ponceau 4R (4g/kg bw) dissolved in distilled water, treatments done for 45 days. Then the blood sample was collected from heart puncture to estimate serum urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and the liver and kidney were removed for histopathological study. The results showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in serum urea concentration (mg/dl) in SG and PG compared with CG, also a significant increase in AST and ALT compared with CG. The histological examination showed a fatty degeneration of the liver in (SG) while kidney showed (nephritis) meanwhile (PG) showed vacuolar degeneration with congestion in central vein of liver the kidney showed tubular degeneration. Therefore, synthetic colorants administration should not be used for large amount or for long period in man’s diet or drink.