The effect of hexachlorobenzene on in vivo biotransformation, residue deposition, and elimination of certain exogenous compounds and on body weight and organ weight in the rat

Abstract

The hexachlorobenzend (HCB) on the invivo biotransformation and elimination of 5 exogenous chemicals, and on body, liver, and brain weight of rats was studied. Male Sprague-Lawley rats weighing 200 to 250 gm each were fed either HCB-diet (250 ppm HCB) or control-diet (no HCB) for 4 weeks (Phase I). The rats were then given a single intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg (4.5 uCl) each of either aldrin-¹⁴C, 1-naphthol-¹⁴C, DDT-¹⁴C, HCB-¹⁴C, or mirex-¹⁴C in peanut oil. Urine and fecal samples were collected for up to 2 weeks posttreatment (Phase II). At the end of Phase II, the rats were weighed, killed, and tissue samples were collected. Urine, fecal, and tissue samples were assayed for total carbon-14 activity. Urine samples were extracted and subjected to thin-layer chromatography (tlc) to compare the relative distribution of radioactivity among metabolites. Brain and liver weights for the two diet groups were compared, as were body weight changes during Phase I and Phase II.