Comparison between the effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and six other compounds on the vitamin A storage, the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase and the aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in the rat liver.

The effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 2,3,7,8- tetrabromodibenzo -p-dioxin ( TBrDD ), 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol (3-Cl- predioxin ) 4,5,6-trichloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol (5-Cl- predioxin ), toxaphene, 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and phenobarbital (PB) on the vitamin A storage, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activities in the liver of Sprague-Dawley rats was investigated. Vitamin A was determined as retinol by high pressure liquid chromatography. UDPGT was measured with p-nitrophenol as an aglycone and AHH with 3,4-benzopyrene as a substrate. Both in TCDD- and toxaphene-treated animals a reduced body weight gain was recorded, but no other overt signs of toxicity were seen in this study. Both the concentration and the total amount of hepatic retinol was significantly reduced in TCDD-, 3-MC-, PB- and TBrDD -treated animals. These compounds were also those which gave the most significant enzyme induction as regards the UDPGT and AHH activities. However, the reduction of hepatic retinol caused by these compounds did not correlate with the enzyme activities studied. When compared on a molecular basis, TCDD and TBrDD were in the order of several magnitudes more potent as reducers of hepatic retinol and likewise as enzyme inducers.