title: General health effects of prolonged exposure to 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazobenzene and 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazoxybenzene in rats.
abstract: 3,3',4,4'-Tetrachloroazobenzene (TCAB) and 3,3',4',4'-tetrachloroazoxybenzene (TCAOB) are formed as contaminants during the industrial manufacturing of chloroanilide herbicides. Changes in the general body health status were evaluated in rats fed an experimental diet containing 100 ppm of TCAB or TCAOB for 120 days. A significant difference in body weight between experimental and control animals was observed. Of all major organs examined at necropsy, liver, spleen and testis weight were affected. Induction of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes was observed. Hematological studies indicated a definite reduction in the number of erythrocytes among TCAOB treated rats. Various parameters of serum clinical chemistry were subsequently determined. The total lipids and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase in exposed animals were found to be elevated. Results obtained in this study coupled with our earlier findings on carcinogenicity indicate that occupational exposure to TCAB and TCAOB may cause adverse human health effects.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001189:Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases / Q000032:analysis; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002722:Chlorobenzenes / Q000633:toxicity*; D004032:Diet; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D002722:Chlorobenzenes; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008055:Lipids; C013279:3,4,3',4'-tetrachloroazobenzene; C013280:3,4,3',4'-tetrachloroazoxybenzene; D001189:Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases