THE ALGORITHM FOR HISTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF MORPHOLOGICAL AND FUNCTIONAL CHANGES IN THE UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT EPITHELIUM AND VASCULATURE FOLLOWING ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDE EXPOSURE (CHLORPYRIFOS)

Abstract

This study investigates the morphofunctional alterations in the upper respiratory tract wall induced by pesticide exposure, specifically focusing on the toxic effects of the organochlorine compound Nurinol (Chlorpyrifos). Using acute and chronic inhalation exposure models in rabbits, we employed a combination of modern morphological, morphometric, and statistical methods to establish an analytical algorithm for assessing the severity and nature of respiratory tract lesions. The analysis revealed significant pathological changes, including destruction of the pseudostratified ciliated epithelium, basement membrane thickening, mucin hypersecretion, activation of inflammatory infiltrates, and structural disorders in the mucosal glands. Furthermore, reduced activity of metabolic enzymes indicated impaired energy metabolism and tissue respiration. The findings highlight decreased ciliary clearance and mucociliary transport function. This work underscores the high medical and ecological significance of pesticide-induced respiratory pathologies in regions of intensive agricultural pesticide use, justifying the need for effective methods for early diagnosis and prevention. The study proposes a comprehensive histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical methodology for monitoring pesticide effects.