الفهرس 
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Abstract
Tartrazine and sunset yellow are organic azo dyes widely used in human food and pharmaceutical products. Previous studies showed that repeated ingestion of tartrazine or sunset yellow developed behavioral hyperactivity. In addition, a variety of immunologic responses have been attributed to their ingestion. The current study aimed to determine the influence of oral administration of tartrazine and sunset yellow at doses equal to, and ten times acceptable daily intake (ADI) for 30 days on levels of neurotransmitters in the brain (including; epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin). In addition, renal and hepatic function tests (including; ALT, AST, total protein, albumin, globulines, A/G ratio, urea, creatinine, uric acid). Also, sodium, potassium and zinc concentrations in the serum were determined; furthermore the biomarkers of oxidative stress and histopathology were also measured in liver and brain tissue.
Our data showed a significant decrease in the level of epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin and a significant increase in dopamine in brain of rats dosed with tartrazine and sunset yellow as compared to control rats. Also a significant increase in ALT, AST, total protein, urea, creatinine and uric acid, while albumin and zinc concentration showed a significant decrease in serum of rats dosed with tartrazine and sunset yellow as compared to control rats and these significant change were more apparent in high doses than low. The decline in the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione level as well as the rise in the level of malondialdehyde were observed in the liver and brain of rats that adminstered high doses of tartrazine or sunset yellow. In addition, histopathological alterations were observed in the liver and brain of the food dyes treated rats.
We concluded that tartrazine and sunset yellow affect adversely and alter biochemical and histopathological markers in vital organs not only at higher doses but also at low doses.
Key Words: Tartrazine, Sunset yellow, Azo dyes, Neurotransmitters, Oxidative stress, Hepatic, Renal, Brain and Histopathological alterations.