Lipid metabolism in polychlorinated biphenyl-poisoned rats

Abstract

To clarify the metabolism of lipids in polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-poisoned rats, in vivo and in vitro experiments were carried out. Male Wistar rats were separated into two groups, to one group a commercial flour diet was given and to the other group 500 ppm of PCB (Kanechlor-500) supplemented diet was given for 35 days. These animals were used for the following in vivo and in vitro experiments. (1) In vivo experiment: [ 14C] Acetate or [ 14C]glucose was administered to these rats and respiratory 14CO 2 and incorporation of 14C into the various lipid fractions in liver were determined. It was observed that the conversion into cholesterol from acetate or glucose was significantly accelerated in PCB-poisoned rats. However, no significant change was observed regarding respiratory 14CO 2 content between control and PCB-poisoned rats 90 min after administration of [ 14C]acetate or [ 14C]glucose. (2) In vitro experiment: Liver slices from control rats or PCB-poisoned rats were incubated with [ 14C]acetate or [ 14C]glucose for 90 min at 37°C and incorporation of 14C into various lipid fractions was investigated. In liver slices from PCB-treated rats, conversion into the [ 14C]sterol fraction from [ 14C]acetate and [ 14C]glucose was significantly accelerated.