title: Cellular targets in response to dioxin exposure.
abstract: Dioxins are contaminants present in a variety of environmental media. The 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is biologically reactive at very low concentrations. This research is based on the use of innovative bioindicators able to evidence the exposure to TCDD by evaluating the biological effects on the embryonic development of the amphibious Xenopus laevis. TCDD exposure effects analyzed found that an Lc 50 value of 342 ng/l, TCDD concentrations up to 400 ng/l caused significative developmental delays. No significative teratogenic effects were found. X. laevis proved to be sensitive to the P-450 induction and alteration of glutathione levels at TCDD low doses (0.1-0.5 ng/l).
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Ambiente e del Territorio, Università di Milano.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dell'Orto
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cantelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Urani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D014982:Xenopus laevis
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D005978:Glutathione