Effects of diflubenzuron on the mouse liver.
Diflubenzuron (DFB), a potent inhibitor of insect chitin synthesis, was administered to Swiss Webster mice in a 30-day oral intubation study. Animal groups received either no treatment, vehicle control (Polyethylene glycol 400), or DFB suspensions at doses of 125, 500, and 2,000 mg/kg body weight. Hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity as well as morphological characteristics were studied. DFB was shown to elicit hepatocellular changes at all dose levels. The activities of three glutathione S-transferases (S-aryl, S-aralkyl, and S-epoxide) were all altered after DFB administration. Light microscopy revealed radial arrays of hepatocellular vacuolization between the portal and central vein areas. Electron-microscopic examination, verified by morphometric analysis, revealed degenerative changes as well as an increased volume density of the endoplasmic reticulum.
D000818:Animals; D004132:Diflubenzuron / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D007605:Juvenile Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron
D007605:Juvenile Hormones; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D004132:Diflubenzuron