Rat liver alterations after chronic treatment with hexachlorobenzene.
Groups of female rats were treated orally with 0.5, 2.0, 8.0, and 32 mg/kg hexachlorobenzene twice a week for 203 days. The liver content of hexachlorobenzene was found to be dose-dependent. In the animals treated with the highest dose the concentration was 273 mug/g hexachlorobenzene. In the fresh and fixed hepatic tissue of the treated animals pink fluorescence was observed. Electron microscopy revealed a dose dependent enlargement of all hepatocytes due to proliferation of the SER in the centrolobular area or to increased glycogen deposits (beta- or alpha-particles) and SER in the intermediary and periportal area. Numerous porphyrin deposits and siderosomes, intimate disorganisation and moderate dislocation of the RER and a moderate enlargement of bizarre-sharped mitochondria were recognized. The relationship between porphyrin crystals and mitochondria on the one hand and between SER and glycogen deposits on the other is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D002722:Chlorobenzenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006003:Glycogen / Q000032:analysis; D006581:Hexachlorobenzene / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
D002722:Chlorobenzenes; D006581:Hexachlorobenzene; D006003:Glycogen