Toxicity and distribution of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran in male guinea pigs

Journal Article · · J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15287398309530448· OSTI ID:6914260

Ioannou, Y M; Birnbaum, L S; Matthews, H B

The toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) was studied in male Hartley guinea pigs after single or multiple oral treatment. In each animal studied, adipose tissue, liver, and skin were the major depots of TCDF and accounted for 50-74% of the total dose. The whole-body half-life of TCDF in guinea pigs was estimated to be approximately 40 d. This slow clearance of TCDF by guinea pigs may explain the high toxicity of TCDF for this species even when very low repeated doses were administered. Intervals of 1, 2, or 4 wk between doses had little effect on TCDF lethality, but did have an effect on the pattern of toxicity. Treatment of mature animals with high single doses of TCDF (10 or 15 ..mu..g/kg body weight) resulted in the immediate loss of weight and the eventual death of all treated animals within 2-4 wk after the loss of approximately 35% of their initial body weight. Treatment of immature animals with low multiple doses totaling cumulative doses of between 4 and 12 ..mu..g/kg resulted in the death of 75% of these animals, with the deaths occurring between 7 and 19 d after the initial appearance of quantitative toxic symptoms (loss of weight); however, weight loss was less dramatic following repeated low doses than after acute high doses. Concentration of TCDF in adipose tissue was generally proportional to dose of TCDF. With increasing time after dosage, there was a shift in distribution from adipose tissue to liver.

• Research Organization: National Inst. of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
• OSTI ID: 6914260
• Journal Information: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 12:4-6; ISSN JTEHD
• 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.
ADIPOSE TISSUE
AGE DEPENDENCE
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
BENZOFURANS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTION
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
FUNCTIONS
FURANS
GLANDS
GUINEA PIGS
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
INGESTION
INTAKE
LIVER
MAMMALS
MORTALITY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
RETENTION FUNCTIONS
RODENTS
SKIN
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES
WEIGHT