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Long-term effects of developmental exposure to low doses of PCB 126 and methylmercury.

Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are food contaminants often found in fish. Experimental and epidemiological studies indicate that both PCBs and MeHg are developmental neurotoxicants, and some reports suggest that they may cause additive and/or synergistic neurotoxicity. We had previously investigated the effects of exposure to low doses of MeHg (0.5 mg/kg/day in drinking water) and PCB 126 (100 ng/kg/day in food) alone or in combination, from gestational day 7 to post-partum day 21, on neurobehavioral development in Wistar rats. The main finding was hyperactivity in male rats exposed to PCB 126, and in female animals exposed to PCB 126+MeHg at 4 months of age (Vitalone et al., 2008). Since effects caused by developmental exposure may be exacerbated as the animal ages, aim of the present study was to investigate behavioral effects of the same developmental exposure to PCB 126 and/or MeHg up to the age of 20 months. Results indicate that aging did not enhance the behavioral effects of early exposures; however, behavioral alterations found in the first months of life in male rats exposed to PCB 126, or in female rats exposed to PCB 126+MeHg, were persistent. Furthermore, an additional effect (increased body weight) was unmasked in adulthood in male rats exposed to PCB 126. These results indicate that developmental exposure to a low, environmentally relevant dose of PCB 126 causes long-lasting hyperactivity in male rats, and a significant increase in body weight.
AuthorsAnnabella Vitalone, Assia Catalani, Carlo Cinque, Vittorio Fattori, Patrizia Matteucci, Anna Rita Zuena, Lucio G Costa
JournalToxicology letters (Toxicol Lett) Vol. 197 Issue 1 Pg. 38-45 (Aug 01 2010) ISSN: 1879-3169 [Electronic] Netherlands
PMID20450966 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
CopyrightCopyright 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Chemical References
  • Methylmercury Compounds
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls
  • 3,4,5,3',4'-pentachlorobiphenyl
Topics
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal (drug effects)
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Growth and Development (drug effects)
  • Male
  • Methylmercury Compounds (toxicity)
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls (toxicity)
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Time
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical (toxicity)

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