EM changes and other toxic effects of firemaster BP-6 (polybrominated biphenyls) in the mouse.

Abstract

Groups of Swiss ICR mice were fed 1000 ppm polybrominated biphenyls (FireMaster BP-6) in rodent chow for 4, 8, 11, and 14 days. Control groups were fed standard rodent chow without FireMaster BP-6. Animals were killed at the end of each feeding period and the livers examined by electron microscopy. EM changes noted were progressive increase in size of hepatocytes, a decrease in rough endoplasmic reticulum, a marked increase in smooth endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial degeneration, increased lysosomes, and a decrease in glycogen. In addition, there was increasing proliferation of microvilli in bile canaliculi with increasing feeding times. A group of mice fed 1000 ppm FireMaster BP-6 in rodent chow for 11 days had livers with a mean of 13.93% of total body weight as compared with 6.49% for the control group (P=0.02). Tissue distribution following ingestion of 100 ppm FireMaster BP-6 for 14 days was studied. Twelve weeks post-feeding, the tissue concentrations of hexabromobiphenyl in order of highest concentration to lowest were as follows: perithymic fat, perirenal fat, adrenal glands, thymus gland, liver and stomach.

• Authors: T H Corbett, J L Simmons, H Kawanishi, J L Endres
• Journal: Environmental health perspectives (Environ Health Perspect) Vol. 23 Pg. 275-81 (Apr 1978) ISSN: 0091-6765 [Print] United States
• PMID: 209987 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biphenyl Compounds
• Flame Retardants
• Polybrominated Biphenyls

Topics

• Animal Feed
• Animals
• Biphenyl Compounds (toxicity)
• Body Weight
• Cell Membrane (ultrastructure)
• Cell Nucleus (ultrastructure)
• Flame Retardants (toxicity)
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Liver (pathology, ultrastructure)
• Male
• Mice
• Microscopy, Electron
• Mitochondria, Liver (ultrastructure)
• Organ Size
• Polybrominated Biphenyls (toxicity)
• Tissue Distribution