Effect of Hexachlorobenzene on the Immune System of Rats Following Combined Pre- and Postnatal Exposure

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Abstract
The effect of HCB on the immune system was studied after combined pre- and postnatal exposure. Pregnant rats received diets containing 50 and 150 mg HCB/kg. Dosing continued during lactation and after weaning. At an age of 5 weeks the immune system was functionally assessed. in both treatment groups, the resistance to L.mono-cytogenes infection was suppressed, as was the resistance to an infection with T. spiralis (increased yield of muscle larvae). No effect was observed on allograft rejection or on mitogenic response of thymus and spleen cells. HCB enhanced the thymus-dependent antibody response to T.spiralis antigen and to tetanus toxoid (secondary IgG titers to tetanus toxoid were increased 16-fold in both test groups). No effect was found on the thymus-independent IgM response to LPS, on the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and on the clearance of carbon particles and L.monocytogenes. HCB treatment caused morphologic changes in lymph nodes, lung and liver. It is concluded that HCB suppresses cellular immunity and enhances humoral immunity in both test groups. As effects on liver (increase in weight and microscopic changes) were only noted in the 150 mg/kg group, it is also concluded that the developing immune system seems particularly vulnerable to HCB.

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