Perchloroethylene: Effects on Body and Organ Weights and Plasma Butyrylcholinesterase Activity in Mice

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The effects of continuous and intermittent inhalation of perchloroethylene (PCE) on plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity, organ weights, liver morphology and motor activity in NMRI mice were tested. PCE exposure increased plasma BuChE activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in both sexes. The increase was statistically significant at 37 ppm in animals continuously exposed for 30 days. BuChE increased .apprx. 1.5-fold in females and 2.5-fold in males after 120 days exposure to 150 ppm. After rehabilitation of animals exposed for 30 days to 150 ppm, BuChE levels returned to normal. Liver weight also increased in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Both sexes exhibited significant liver enlargement at 9 ppm. The increase was .apprx. 2.3-fold in females and 1.9-fold in males after continuous exposure to 150 ppm for 120 days. After rehabilitation (120 days) of animals exposed to 150 ppm for 30 days, a 10% increase still remained. A decrease in body weight gain was seen in both sexes after exposure to concentrations > 75 ppm. Female kidney weight was slightly increased. No clear effect on spleen weight was detected. When the same time-weighted average concentration was used, intermittent exposure for 30 days had similar effects on liver weight and BuChE activity as continuous exposure, even when exposures lasted for only 1 h/day. Liver cell morphology was changed after PCE exposure. The alterations were observed at 9 ppm but disappeared after rehabilitation.