Stimulation of the faecal excretion of 2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl in rats by squalane.

Faecal excretion of 2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (6-CB) was followed for 19 weeks in rats fed a control diet, or a squalane-supplemented diet, for up to 17 weeks. In 3 d after a single oral dose of 8 mg/kg of 6-CB, 20% dose was excreted in faeces as unchanged 6-CB, which probably represents that not-absorbed. From day 4 to 133 only an additional 2-4% dose was excreted in faeces by control animals. Addition of 8% squalane to the diet 2, 6 and 15 weeks after dosing resulted in a five-fold increase of daily 6-CB excretion in faeces independent of the time of beginning the treatment. Total excretion of 6-CB in faeces from day 4 to 133 was 3.6, 6-7 and 9.3% dose after 4, 13 and 17 weeks of squalane treatment, respectively. No adverse effects of long-term squalane treatment on body-weight gain, feed efficiency and organ weights were observed. Plasma cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly lowered. Independent of the duration of treatment, the livers of rats fed the squalane-supplemented diet contained 40-50 micrograms/g squalane. Within the limits of detection no squalane could be found in lungs, kidneys, abdominal fat, spleen and blood. It is concluded that 6-CB elimination can be enhanced by oral treatment with squalane even a long time after uptake of the poison. As there was no alteration in the tissue distribution of 6-CB, the 6-CB excreted after squalane treatment probably originates from all tissues.