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Serum levels of TCDD and dioxin-like chemicals in Rhesus monkeys chronically exposed to dioxin: correlation of increased serum PCB levels with endometriosis.

Humans and animals are exposed daily to a complex mixture of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs). Previous work has shown that exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is associated with a dose-dependent increase in the incidence and severity of endometriosis in the rhesus monkey. Dioxin-like chemicals can also exert effects in combination with TCDD via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. This study demonstrates that the serum levels of TCDD and specific dioxin-like PHAH congeners were increased in TCDD-treated animals with endometriosis 13 years after the TCDD exposure. Nine TCDD-exposed and 6 unexposed female rhesus monkeys were evaluated for serum content of relevant compounds and for endometriosis by surgical laparoscopy. Additional studies were done on 4 animals that died 7 to 11 years after exposure to TCDD and 4 lead-treated animals with no history of PHAH treatment. For TCDD-exposed and unexposed animals, TCDD exposure correlated with an increased serum TCDD concentration. Furthermore, TCDD exposure and an elevated serum TCDD concentration were associated with increased serum levels of triglycerides, 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran, 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB) and 3,3'4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PnCB). Importantly, the animals with elevated serum levels of 3,3',4,4'-TCB, 3,3',4,4',5-PnCB and an increased total serum TEQ had a high prevalence of endometriosis, and the severity of disease correlated with the serum concentration of 3,3,',4,4'-TCB. Increased serum concentrations of coplanar PCBs were also present in lead-treated animals. Implications of these findings for human health and the prevalence of endometriosis in humans will be discussed.

Animals↗

Effects of subchronic exposure to complex mixtures of dioxin-like and non-dioxin-like polyhalogenated aromatic compounds on thyroid hormone and vitamin A levels in female Sprague-Dawley rats.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of subchronic exposure to complex mixtures of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs) on the thyroid hormone and retinoid status in female Sprague-Dawley rats and to investigate the predictability of these effects by the toxic equivalency factor (TEF) concept. In the first experiment, the focus was on a complex dioxin-like PHAH mixture, which covered > 90% of the total toxic equivalents (TEQ) present in Baltic herring. In the second experiment, the contribution of non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was investigated by testing the commercial PCB mixture Aroclor 1260, its 0-1 ortho and 2-4 ortho fractions and the reconstituted 0-4 ortho fraction. Hepatic retinoid levels were severely decreased ( approximately 70%) after treatment with the dioxin-like PHAH mixture, similar to the effect of a TEQ equivalent dose of 1 microg 2,3,7,8-TCDD/kg bw/week. However, the TEF concept failed to predict the effect on plasma retinol; a decrease (21%) was observed after treatment with the PHAH mixture, whereas an increase (21%) was found after treatment with TCDD. A more severe decrease of total thyroid hormone in plasma was observed after exposure to the PHAH mixture compared to treatment with TCDD ( approximately 60% vs. 38%). The discrepancy found between the predicted and observed effects for plasma retinol and thyroid hormone is possibly due to an additional effect of hydroxylated PCBs, formed from metabolizable PCBs present in the PHAH mixture. Aroclor 1260 and its fractions did not significantly alter the retinoid and thyroid hormone status at the dose levels tested, indicating that in case of exposure to complex PCB mixtures at environmental levels, no effects, or at best, only marginal effects can be expected on the retinoid and thyroid hormone status.

Animals↗

Chlorophyll derived from Chlorella inhibits dioxin absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and accelerates dioxin excretion in rats.

We investigated the effects of chlorophyll derived from Chlorella on gastrointestinal absorption of seven types of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and 10 types of polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) in Wistar rats. Twenty-eight rats were randomly distributed into seven groups (n = 4). After overnight food deprivation, rats were given 4 g of the basal diet or 4 g of the chlorophyll diet containing 0.01-0.5% chlorophyll one time on day 1; each diet also contained 0.2 mL PCDD and PCDF standard solutions. The amounts of fecal excretion of PCDD and PCDF congeners from days 1 to 5 in the group fed 0.01% chlorophyll were 64.8% for 1,2,3,7,8-pentaCDD, 78.6% for 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexaCDD, 73.5% for 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexaCDD, 58.5% for 1,2,3,7,8,9-hexaCDD, 33.3% for 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptaCDD, 85.7% for 1,2,3,7,8-pentaCDF, 77.3% for 2,3,4,7,8-pentaCDF, 88.6% for 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexaCDF, 78.0% for 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexaCDF, 62.5% for 1,2,3,7,8,9-hexaCDF, 84.1% for 2,3,4,6,7,8-hexaCDF, 41.7% for 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptaCDF, and 40.0% for 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptaCDF greater (p < 0.01) than those of the control group, respectively. The fecal excretion of PCDD and PCDF congeners was remarkably increased along with the increasing dietary chlorophyll. The amounts of PCDD and PCDF congeners in rats on day 5 administered dioxin mixtures were lower in the 0.01% chlorophyll group than in the control group, ranging from 3.5 to 50.0% for PCDD congeners and from 3.7 to 41.7% lower for PCDF congeners, except for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran. The amount of PCDD and PCDF congeners in rats was remarkably decreased along with the increasing dietary chlorophyll. These findings suggest that chlorophyll is effective for preventing dioxin absorption via foods.

Animals↗

Oxidative stress induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin: an application of oxidative stress markers to cancer risk assessment of dioxins.

Dioxins are known to be a class of highly toxic and persistent environmental contaminants. Among them the toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has been the most intensively studied, and it has been classified as a human carcinogenic substance by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Although the mechanism of carcinogenesis by TCDD is unclear, it is now considered to have act a cancer promoter. In this review, was discuss the ability of TCDD to induce oxidative stress in vivo, the mechanism of the oxidative stress induction, and how oxidative stress relates to the development of cancer. We then discuss the advantages of measuring the level of oxidative stress in people exposed to dioxins in epidemiological studies for cancer risk assessment. We also discuss several methods of measuring the level of oxidative stress in humans.

Carcinogens↗

Placental transport of dioxins from mother to fetus. II. PCBs, dioxins and furans and vitamin K metabolism.

Placental transport of dioxins and furans from mother to fetus takes place. It is probably related to the fatty acid transport. Between 10 and 20% of fatty acids in a full-term baby are of maternal origin. In adipose tissue of children that died in the early neonatal period concentrations of +/- 25% were found of three dioxin and furan congeners 12378 P5CDD, 123678 H6CDD, and 23478 P5CDF in relation to a mean concentration of these congeners in the fat of 14 breastmilk samples. Data of concentrations are given as measured in liver and adipose tissue. In the placenta of a Dutch woman an accumulation of dioxins and furans is found in relation to blood. Animal studies support the hypothesis that polychlorobifenyls play a role in the cause of the late hemorrhagic disease in the newborn, in particular the 2, 4, 5, 2, 4, 5-hexachlorobifenyl that is present in relatively high concentrations in breastmilk.

Dioxins↗

Long-term carcinogenesis studies on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and 1,2,3,6,7,8- and 1,2,3,7,8,9-hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (HCDDs) are among the most toxic and carcinogenic of "man-made" chemicals. These "dioxins," as well as many of the other polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofuran (PCDFs) derivatives, are chlorinated aromatic compounds which are chemically stable, insoluble in water, and highly soluble in fats and oils. TCDD acts as a complete carcinogen in several species, causing both common and uncommon tumors at multiple sites. It is a highly potent chemical carcinogen in chronic animal studies, producing carcinogenic effects in laboratory animals with doses as low as 0.001 micrograms/kg/day. In rats, TCDD induces neoplasms in the lung, oral/nasal cavities, thyroid and adrenal glands, and liver. In mice, TCDD induces neoplasms in the liver and subcutaneous tissue, thyroid gland, and thymic lymphomas. In hamsters, it induces squamous cell carcinomas of the facial skin. Tumors of the integumentary system are reported after oral (mice and rats), intraperitoneal (hamsters), and dermal (mice) administration. A mixture of HCDDS (defined as the mixture of the 1,2,3,6,7,8- and 1,2,3,7,8,9 isomers used in the NTP experiments) are potent liver carcinogens in mice and rats. Pharmacokinetic studies in laboratory animals indicate that 50-90% of dietary TCDD is absorbed. It concentrates in adipose tissue and the liver. In mammals, the TCDD present in the liver is slowly redistributed and stored in fatty tissue. Elimination of TCDD occurs via excretion of metabolites in the bile and urine and passively through the gut wall. Metabolism is slow: the biological half-life of TCDD varies from weeks (rodents) to years (humans), and is strongly dependent upon the rate of TCDD metabolism. Many of the toxic effects of TCDD, including teratogenicity, may arise by receptor-mediated mechanisms. The induction of cytochrome P-448 and related enzymes by TCDD occurs by such a mechanism, and is related to the binding of TCDD to the Ah receptor. The specific mechanism(s) by which TCDD exerts its carcinogenic effects is unclear: receptor-binding may be part of the story. The role of the Ah receptor has been indicated in a skin promotion assay. The evidence for mutagenicity is inconclusive. TCDD did not induce lethal mutations, chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei or sister chromatid exchanges in rodents treated in vivo, nor was it mutagenic to bacteria, but it did enhance transformation of mouse C3H 10T1/2 cells by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and was mutagenic to mouse lymphoma cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Identification of dioxin-responsive elements (DREs) in the 5' regions of putative dioxin-inducible genes.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is an exogenous ligand for the cytosolic aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-inducible transcription factor whose exact physiological role remains elusive. TCDD has been shown to modulate the expression of a large array of genes, albeit often indirectly, by demonstration of protein or mRNA upregulation. Here, by computer analysis of available promoter sequences, we identify dioxin-responsive elements in the promoter regions of many putative AhR regulated and therefore dioxin-inducible genes.

Animals↗

Comparison of the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in maternal and fetal blood, amniotic and allantoic fluids in cattle.

To characterize the maternal-fetal transport of lipophilic endocrine disrupting chemicals, concentrations of polychlorinated (2,3,7,8-substituted) dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in maternal and fetal blood, and amniotic and allantoic fluids in cattle. Total toxicity equivalent quantity (TEQ) was highest in amniotic fluid on a fat-weight basis, whereas it was highest in maternal blood on a total weight basis. TEQ was lowest in allantoic fluid on either basis; 26 of 29 congeners analyzed in this experiment were detected in one or more samples. The largest number of congeners was detected in amniotic fluid. O8CDD, 2,3,4,7,8-P5CDF and 2,3',4,4',5-P5CB were the major congeners in PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs, respectively. The O8CDD concentration was higher in fetal blood than in maternal blood on a fat-weight basis, whereas concentrations of other congeners were lower in fetal blood than in maternal blood. Furthermore, on a fat-weight basis, the O8CDD concentration was considerably higher in allantoic fluid compared with other samples. Concentrations of major PCB congeners were higher in amniotic fluid than in maternal and fetal blood on a fat-weight basis. In conclusion, it is suggested that lipophilic endocrine-disrupting chemicals contained in maternal blood are all transferred to the fetal circulation via the placenta in cattle. Furthermore, the results of this experiment imply that O8CDD has different transportation systems from other dioxins in the circulation, and that a considerable amount of PCBs is excreted and accumulated in amniotic fluid during the fetal stage in cattle.

Allantois↗

Atmospheric deposition of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in the Kanto Region, Japan.

The atmospheric bulk (dry and wet) deposition of dioxins was investigated at four locations (Tokyo, Yokohama, Tsukuba, and Tanzawa) in the Kanto region (in Japan) over one year using a stainless-steel pot. Annual average polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF) deposition fluxes were estimated to be from 450 to 1300 ng/m2/yr, and the annual average TEQ fluxes from 5.7 to 17 ng-TEQ/m2/yr at the four locations. The PCDD/PCDF deposition flux was higher in winter than in summer. The deposition flux could be related to ambient temperature, particularly for less chlorinated PCDDs/PCDFs, while the deposition flux is not necessarily related to the amount of precipitation. The PCDD/PCDF deposition flux increased as the particle deposition flux increased, for the winter samples. Based on the ratio of the PCDD/PCDF deposition fluxes to the particle deposition fluxes, the contribution of the reentrainment of soil particles to the TEQ of PCDD/PCDF deposition was considered to be negligible in this region. Based on the air concentrations monitored near our deposition sampling points by the municipalities, the ratio of the annual deposition flux to the annual average air concentration was roughly estimated to be 0.082 cm/s. The range of deposition flux in the Kanto region was estimated to be from 1.5 to 31 (median: 9.8) ng-TEQ/m2/yr based on the range of air concentration data measured by the municipalities. The total annual deposition flux in the entire Kanto region was estimated to range from 50 to 900 g-TEQ/yr (median 320 g-TEQ/yr). This estimated flux was of the same order as the sum of estimated emissions from municipal solid waste incinerators and industrial waste incinerators in the Kanto region. The contributions of dioxin-like PCBs in Yokohama, Tsukuba, and Tanzawa depositions were less than 10% of the total TEQ; however, in Tokyo it was almost equal to or more than 50%.

Air Pollutants↗

Persistent organic pollutants in Detroit River suspended sediments: polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated naphthalenes.

Suspended sediments from the Detroit River were collected in 1999 and 2000 using sediment traps at sites ranging from western Lake Erie to southern Lake St. Clair and analyzed to determine the spatial distributions of contaminants including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs), dioxin-like PCBs (DLPCBs) and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs). Concentrations of all three contaminant classes were clearly elevated at sites in the lower reaches of the river in the Trenton Channel. The potential influence of the Trenton Channel as a source of contamination to western Lake Erie was further evidenced by PCDD/PCDF homologue profiles, which indicated a contribution from chemical manufacturing in addition to the normal background combustion profile. Toxic equivalents (TEQs) for PCDDs/PCDFs generally exceeded those for DLPCBs; combined total TEQs in July 2000 for these two compound classes ranged from 2.30 pg/g in southern Lake St. Clair to 306 pg/g at a station just downstream of the outflow of Monguagon Creek in the Trenton Channel. The spatial distribution of PCN contamination was similar to that of PCDDs/PCDFs and DLPCBs, with the highest level of total PCNs (8200 ng/g) detected at a site in the Trenton Channel near Elizabeth Park; TEQs for PCNs in the Trenton Channel ranged from 73 to 3300 pg/g. The data indicate that PCNs represent a significant contribution to dioxin-like biological activity in Detroit River suspended sediments.

Benzofurans↗

Toxicokinetics of an environmentally relevant mixture of dioxin-like PHAHs with or without a non-dioxin-like PCB in a semi-chronic exposure study in female Sprague Dawley rats.

Female Sprague Dawley rats were treated subcutaneously for 20 weeks with an environmentally relevant mixture of dioxin-like PHAHs with (PHAH+) or without (PHAH-) 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl. The hepatic retention (% of given dose) of the various PHAH congeners differed considerably and in the following order: 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (30.5-43.1%), 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (12.8-17.6%), 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (6.9-10.8%), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (3.2-4.5%), 2,3,3',4,4',5-hexachlorobiphenyl (1.0-1.7%), 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (0.5-0.8%) and 2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (0.2-0.4%). A decrease of the hepatic retention of 2,3,7,8-TCDD, 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF was found at increasing doses of the PHAH+ mixture. 2,2',4,4',5,5'-Hexachlorobiphenyl increased the hepatic retention (1.3-2 times) of all congeners in the PHAH+ group, compared to the TEQ equivalent dosed PHAH- group. No interactions were observed on the ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity.

Animals↗

Use of a toxicokinetic model in the analysis of cancer mortality in relation to the estimated absorbed dose of dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, TCDD).

We performed an analysis of All cancer and Lung cancer mortality in relation to estimated absorbed dose of dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, TCDD) in the cohort of chemical workers at 12 US plants assembled by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (n = 5172). Estimates of cumulative exposure to TCDD were based on a minimal physiologic toxicokinetic model (MPTK) that accounts for inter- and intra-individual variations in body mass index (BMI) over time. Population-level parameters related to liver elimination and background (input or concentration) of TCDD were estimated from separate data with repeated measures of serum TCDD (US Air Force Health Study). An occupational TCDD input parameter was estimated based on one-point-in-time TCDD data available for a subset (n = 253) of the NIOSH cohort. Model-based time-dependent cumulative dose estimates (area under the curve (AUC) of the lipid-adjusted serum TCDD concentration over time) were obtained for members of the full cohort with recorded body height and weight (n = 4049), as this information is required by the MPTK model to compute dose. Missing-value problems arose in the estimation of the occupational input parameter (n = 42) and in TCDD-dose calculation in the full cohort (n = 886) and they were handled with multiple imputation methods. Risk-regression analyses were based on Cox log-linear models including age at entry, year of entry and duration of employment as categorical covariates in addition to the logarithm of cumulative TCDD dose in ppt-years. Risk sets were stratified on birth cohort. Estimates of the unlagged exposure coefficient in these models were 0.1249 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.0144, 0.2354] for All cancer and 0.2158 (95% CI 0.02376, 0.4078) for lung cancer. A 10-year lag produced an increase in the estimate for all cancer (0.1539, 95% CI 0.0387, 0.2691), whereas, the estimate for lung cancer was not affected much (0.2125, 95% CI 0.0138, 0.4112). At a dose level of 100 times the background the estimates obtained with a 10-year lag translate into a relative risk of 2.03 (95% CI 1.19-3.45) for all cancer and of 2.66 (95% CI 1.07-6.64) for lung cancer. Higher estimates of the exposure coefficients were obtained after imputation of missing values. This increase in risk seemed due to the inclusion of short-term workers, who may exhibit a higher mortality for reasons other than dioxin exposure.

Body Mass Index↗

Dioxin exerts anti-estrogenic actions in a novel dioxin-responsive telomerase-immortalized epithelial cell line of the porcine oviduct (TERT-OPEC).

Oviduct epithelial cells are important for the nourishment and survival of ovulated oocytes and early embryos, and they respond to the steroid hormones estrogen and progesterone. Endocrine-disrupting polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAH) are environmental toxins that act in part through the ligand-activated transcription factor arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR; dioxin receptor), and exposure to PHAH has been shown to decrease fertility. To investigate effects of PHAHs on the oviduct epithelium as a potential target tissue of dioxin-type endocrine disruptors, we have established a novel telomerase-immortalized oviduct porcine epithelial cell line (TERT-OPEC). TERT-OPEC exhibited active telomerase and the immunoreactive epithelial marker cytokeratin but lacked the stromal marker vimentin. TERT-OPEC contained functional estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and AhR, as determined by the detection of ER-alpha- and AhR-specific target molecules. Treatment of TERT-OPEC with the AhR ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) resulted in a significant increase in the production of the cytochrome P-450 microsomal enzyme CYP1A1. Activated AhR caused a downregulation of ER nuclear protein fraction and significantly decreased ER-signaling in TERT-OPEC as determined by ERE-luciferase transient transfection assays. In summary, the TCDD-induced and AhR-mediated anti-estrogenic responses by TERT-OPEC suggest that PHAH affect the predominantly estrogen-dependent differentiation of the oviduct epithelium within the fallopian tube. This action then alters the local endocrine milieu, potentially resulting in a largely unexplored cause of impaired embryonic development and female infertility.

Animals↗

Current dietary exposure to polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorodibenzofurans, and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls in Italy.

This study deals with an assessment of dietary exposure to polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (DL-PCBs) for the Italian general population, obtained by combining data from a national food consumption survey with contamination concentrations of European foodstuffs available on the market. The distribution of PCDD, PCDF, and DL-PCB dietary intake(s) in the Italian population was investigated to assess to what extent the variability in dietary habits may cause higher exposures to the previously mentioned contaminants. Results indicate that the main contributions to total PCDD, PCDF, and DL-PCB intake are due to fish and fish products (44%) and to milk and dairy products (27%). The mean PCDD, PCDF, and DL-PCB intake (total toxic equivalents) via food was estimated 5.34, 3.37, and 2.28 pg World Health Organization (WHO)-TE/kg of body weight (kg-bw) per day for the three age groups 0-6 (breastfeeding excluded), 7-12, and 13-94 years old, respectively. The highest exposures due to variation in dietary habits are in general within a factor of 2-3. From the mean exposure estimated for the general population (adults), it can be inferred that a consistent part of it would exceed the tolerable daily intake of 2 pg WHO-TE/kg-bw adopted by the Scientific Committee on Food of the European Commission in 2001.

Animals↗

Persistent, low-dose 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin exposure: effect on aryl hydrocarbon receptor expression in a dioxin-resistance model.

Most toxic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) are mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). A single, acute dose of TCDD can alter its own receptor levels thus complicating evaluation of dose-response relationships for AHR-mediated events. Since environmental exposure to dioxins is typically of a repeated low-dose nature, we examined the effect of such exposure on AHR expression. Three rat strains differing greatly in their sensitivity to acute TCDD lethality, Long-Evans (Turku AB) (L-E) (LD50 approximately 10 microg/kg); Sprague Dawley (SD) (LD50 approximately 50 microg/kg); and Han/Wistar (Kuopio) (H/W) (LD50 > 9600 microg/kg), were administered TCDD intragastrically, biweekly for 22 weeks producing doses equivalent to 0, 10, 30, and 100 ng/kg/day. Changes in hepatic AHR levels were quantitated at the protein level by radioligand binding and immunoblotting and at the mRNA level by RT-PCR. Cytosolic AHR protein was elevated at 10 or 30 ng/kg/day TCDD in SD and L-E rats; AHR mRNA was also elevated at these doses, suggesting a pretranslational mechanism. There was no apparent relationship between TCDD-induced AHR regulation and strain sensitivity to TCDD. Overall, "subchronic" TCDD did not greatly perturb AHR expression. The maintenance of relatively constant receptor levels in the face of persistent agonist stimulation is in contrast to the sustained depletion of AHR by TCDD observed in cell culture and to the fluctuations in AHR observed hours to days following acute TCDD exposure in vivo. Changes in AHR levels may affect dose-response relationships; the effect of TCDD on its own receptor at environmentally relevant dosing schemes is therefore important to risk assessment.

Animals↗

Advances in analytical techniques for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and dioxin-like PCBs.

Analytical techniques for the determination of polychorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) and dioxin-like PCBs (DLPCB) are reviewed. The focus of the review is on recent advances in methodology and analytical procedures. The paper also reviews toxicology, the development of toxic equivalent factors (TEF) and the determination of toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) values. Sources, occurrence and temporal trends of PCDD/PCDF are summarized to provide examples of levels and concentration ranges for the methods and techniques reviewed.

Animals↗

Tissue distribution after a single subcutaneous administration of 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzo-p-dioxin in comparison with toxicokinetics of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in female Wistar rats.

Tissue concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzo-p-dioxin (TBDD) and induction of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) were determined in female Wistar rats following a single subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of TBDD. Two sets of experiments were performed in order to study (a) the time course after a single s.c. administration of 600 ng TBDD/kg body wt up to 78 days, and (b) the dose-response seven days after a single s.c. injection of different doses of TBDD (3 to 3,000 ng/kg body wt). The results obtained on toxicokinetics and enzyme induction were compared with those following a single s.c. administration of 300 ng/kg body wt 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Three days after the injection, approximately 93% of TBDD and 90% of TCDD had been absorbed. Fourteen days after s.c. injection less than 1% of the administered dose of both substances remained at the injection site. Three days after a single s.c. injection of 600 ng TBDD/kg body wt and 300 ng TCDD/kg body wt, the maximum tissue concentrations in the liver amounted to (M +/- S.D.) 5.7 +/- 0.8 and 4.7 +/- 0.9 ng/g wet weight, respectively. In adipose tissue, the peak concentration was 3.2 +/- 0.2 ng/g wet weight for TBDD on day 14, and 0.8 +/- 0.1 ng/g for TCDD on day 7. Throughout the study, the concentration ratio in the TCDD-treated group was always at least twice as high as that in the TBDD-treated group. The elimination half-life (t1/2) of TBDD and of TCDD in the liver was 13.3 and 13.6 days, respectively. In the adipose tissue the t1/2 of TCDD was 24.5 days but no reliable t1/2 could be calculated for TBDD (t1/2 = 39.4 days with a 95% confidence interval of 25.9 to 82.4 days). Tissue content of TBDD and TCDD in liver and adipose tissue increased dose-dependently, and the linear regression in a double-logarithmic plot showed a straight line. Time course of the induction of hepatic EROD activity after treatment with 600 ng TBDD/kg body wt was almost identical with that observed following a single dose of 300 ng TCDD/kg body wt. The induction of hepatic EROD activity was linearly correlated in a double-logarithmic plot to the hepatic concentrations of the congeners (both TBDD and TCDD). The slopes of the dose-response curves after administration of TBDD and TCDD were almost parallel for tissue concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 30 ng/g wet weight.

Absorption↗

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) and monobromo-polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (MoBPXDD/Fs) in the atmosphere and bulk deposition in Kyoto, Japan.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) and monobromo-polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (MoBPXDD/Fs) in atmosphere, bulk atmospheric deposition and soil in Kyoto, which is an urban city in Japan, were measured. Decabromodiphenyl ether (D(10)BDE, BDE-209) was detected in relatively high concentrations compared to other PBDE congeners in most samples. Similar results, in which D(10)BDE was predominantly detected, were reported in other studies in Japan. However, these homologue profiles differ from those of studies conducted in North America. The partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds between atmospheric gas phase and particulate-associated phase is an important factor in their environmental behavior. In this study, atmospheric particulate phase fraction (f(P)) of the brominated compounds increased with increasing bromine number, and f(P) was higher in samples collected in winter than in those collected in summer. Moreover, f(P) of PBDFs and MoBPXDFs was higher than that of PCDFs with the same halogen number. These results agree well with expectations from the vapor pressure of the brominated compounds and PCDD/Fs. Among the brominated compounds in the atmosphere, the level of MoBPXDD/Fs correlates positively with that of PCDD/Fs. This relationship has been previously observed in waste incineration samples. These results suggest that one of the sources of MoBPXDD/Fs in the atmosphere is incineration byproduct. The level of PBDD/Fs seems to correlate positively with that of PBDEs. This relationship suggest that the PBDD/Fs in the atmosphere relate to PBDEs, which is an impurity of PBDE products, or formed by the manufacture or combustion of plastics containing PBDEs.

Air Pollutants↗