The influence of malnutrition on the toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in rats.
A single oral dose of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) (20 or 40 microgram/kg body wt) administered to rats resulted in reduced body weight gain, water intake, degenerative changes in the liver and involution of the thymus. Although a restricted diet alone caused thymic involutions it was shown that TCDD at 10 or 20 microgram/kg body wt accentuated this atrophy. Microscopically, a marked atrophy of the thymus and swelling and necrosis of the liver were found in the malnourished animals. The effects of TCDD were also tested in rats fed either 3.5%, 26% or 55% protein. There was no clear relation between the protein level and the influence of TCDD on the thymus. However, the effect of TCDD on body weight and the liver was more severe in rats given low protein diet. These effects were not reversed by high protein diet. Since it is unlikely that the influence of TCDD on the thymus is related to malnutrition, other mechanisms, such as depletion of energy reserves, a direct effect of TCDD on the thymus or a mediation by the hepatotoxic action may be involved.
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D004147:Dioxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D004435:Eating; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009929:Organ Size; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D011488:Protein Deficiency / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D004147:Dioxins; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins