The synergistic effect of chlorinated chemicals and low concentration of griseofulvin on porphyrin metabolism--the effect of 0.05% hexachlorobenzene and 0.1% griseofulvin on young and old mice.

The difference in the synergistic effect of 0.05% hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and 0.1% Griseofulvin (GF) on porphyrin metabolism between young (4 weeks old) and old (8 weeks old) mice was investigated. These mice were divided into four groups, group A was treated with feeds containing 0.05% HCB and 0.1% GF, group B with 0.05% HCB, group C with 0.1% GF and group D with normal feed. The treatments were continued for 8 and 16 days, after which porphyrins in the erythrocytes, feces and liver were analyzed by a chromatographic method. Hepatic protoporphyrin levels had risen by 8th day in the young mice treated with 0.05% HCB and 0.1% GF, and by 16th day in the young mice treated with 0.1% GF, but no rise in the hepatic protoporphyrin levels in the old mice was seen. Hepatic protoporphyrin level by 16th day in the young mice treated with 0.1% GF had significantly risen compared to that in the old mice with same treatment. Fecal coproporphyrin level had risen at 8th day in the young mice treated with 0.05% HCB and 0.1% GF and by 16th day in the young mice treated with 0.05% HCB. It had also risen by 16th day in the old mice treated with 0.05% HCB and 0.1% GF. Fecal protoporphyrin level in the young mice treated with 0.05% HCB and 0.1% GF, 0.1% GF alone was three to four times higher than those in normal mice. Erythrocytic coproporphyrin and protoporphyrin levels in the young mice treated with 0.05% HCB and 0.1% GF, 0.05% HCB or 0.1% GF alone were generally higher than those in the old mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)