Liver response to oral administration of mirex in rats

Abstract

Single oral doses of 50, 100, and 150 ppm of mirex stimulated liver enlargement at an initial rate which was dose independent. An apparent maximum response of the liver was obtained at 100 ppm of mirex. Hypertrophy was involved in the liver response. Changes in the liver concentration of lipid, deoxyribonucleic acid, and ribonucleic acid were observed. Protein, glycogen, and dry weight concentrations remained essentially unchanged. Hepatic and serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity did not indicate that mirex caused liver cell damage. Sex hormones were apparently involved in the magnitude of the liver response. Mirex residue in the liver of male rats was most closely correlated with hepatic lipid concentration but was not significantly correlated in females.