Polychlorinated biphenyl induction of hepatocellular carcinoma in the Sprague-Dawley rat

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.856097· OSTI ID:6284871

Norback, D H; Weltman, R H

Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (70 males and 70 females in the initial group) were fed a diet containing a polychlorinated biphenyl mixture (Aroclor 1260, 100 ppm for 16 months and 50 ppm for an additional 8 months) for 2 years followed by a control diet for 5 months. Sequential morphologic changes were evaluated throughout the study. The following hepatocellular lesions developed in sequence: centrilobular cell hypertrophy at 1 month, foci of cell alteration at 3 months, areas at 6 months, neoplastic nodules at 12 months, trabecular carcinoma at 15 months, and adenocarcinoma at 24 months. In addition, simple and cystic cholangioma at 18 and 23 months, respectively, and adenofibrosis at 22 months were present. With the exception of hepatocyte hypertrophy and adenofibrosis, all lesions contained cells that were positive for gamma glutamyl transpeptidase activity. In the group that was examined after 18 months, hepatocellular neoplasms were present in 95% of the 47 females and in 15% of the 46 males. Distant organ metastases did not occur and the mortality rate was not increased. In 81 control rats examined after the 18th month, only 1 hepatocellular neoplasm (a neoplastic nodule) occurred. PCB-exposed and control rats developed simple cholangioma, cystic cholangioma and adenofibrosis; the incidence of each was greater in the PCB group. Thus, within the Sprague-Dawley rat group exposed to a diet with relatively high concentrations of Aroclor 1260 for 2 years a hepatocarcinogenic effect manifested by formation of slowly growing hepatocellular carcinomas was produced. The incidence of hepatocellular neoplasms in females was strikingly greater than in males.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison
• OSTI ID: 6284871
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 60; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
CARCINOGENESIS
CARCINOMAS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CHRONIC INTAKE
DATA
DIET
DISEASE INCIDENCE
DISEASES
ENZYME ACTIVITY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
INFORMATION
INGESTION
INTAKE
LIVER CELLS
MAMMALS
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
MORTALITY
NEOPLASMS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORAL ADMINISTRATION
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
PATHOGENESIS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RATS
RODENTS
SEX DEPENDENCE
SOMATIC CELLS
TIME DEPENDENCE
VERTEBRATES