Mechanisms of PCBs mixture toxicity on isolated rat hepatocytes

Ind Health. 1991;29(2):57-64. doi: 10.2486/indhealth.29.57.

Abstract

Exposure of isolated hepatocytes to a polychlorinated biphenyl mixture induced a rapid loss of cell viability. The effect was not dose-dependent. The biochemical effects in the cellular toxicity did not involve glutathione content, protein sulfhydryl groups and lipid peroxidation. A transient increase in cytosolic Ca2+ was observed after exposing the hepatocytes to the polychlorinated biphenyl mixture. Our findings indicate that polychlorinated biphenyls are able to kill hepatocytes and suggest that elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration could be responsable of the toxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Cytosol / metabolism
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / toxicity*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / metabolism

Substances

  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls
  • Glutathione
  • Calcium