Toxicity of chlorinated cyclic hydrocarbons I. The effect of administration of chlordane on rat liver and serum, and the levels of certain chemicals in the serum of chlordane workers

Rats were administered chlordane emulsion orally, and changes in the liver function were studied. The levels of certain chemicals in the serum of chlordane wokers also were determined. The increase in the body weight of rats administered chlordane was suppressed compared to control rats. Liver weights of rats administered chlordane were significantly (p<0.01) greater than those of control rats. Levels of moisture, total lipid, triglycerides and phospholipid per gram liver of rats administered chlordane were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of control rats. Levels of lipid peroxide of rats administered chlordane were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of control rats, and increased according to increases in the amount of chlordane administered. Levers of DNP-stimulated ATPase activity in the liver mitochondria of rats administered chlordane were lower than those of control rats. State 4 respiration in the mitochondria of rats administered chlordane was greater than those of control rats. State 3 respiration was the same in both groups. As a result, the respiratory control index (RCI) of administered rats was lower than those of control rats. Levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and γ-GTP activity in the serum of rats administered chlordane were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of control rats. Levels of blood suger of rats administered chlordane were significantly (p<0.05) lower than those of control rats. Levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, activity of CPK and LDH of several tested chlordane wokers were higher than the upper limit of normal persons.