The effect of a PCB (2, 4, 2′, 4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl) on lipid-synthesizing enzymes in rat liver microsomes

Abstract

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are well known as industrial chemicals of considerable commercial importance. The detection of these compounds in natural food chains and in human diets (FISHBEIN 1974) has raised concern about their possible impact on fish and wildlife in the environment and the health of human beings. Some of the biological effects of the PCBs have been documented (KAY 1973) and include the induction of various microsomal enzymes as well as cytochrome P4.^ (LITTERST and VAN LOON 1974, CHEN and DUBOIS 1973, JOHNSTONE-~ al~ 1974). In vitro studies have revealed an inhibitory effect of PCBs on oxidative phosphorylation in isolated mitochondria (SIVALINGAN et al. 1973) and on certain enzymes such as ATPase (YAP et al. 1971).