BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL TOXICITY IN RATS - MANIPULATION BY VITAMIN-C

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 48  (1) , 22-31
Abstract
The effects of chronic polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compound toxicity on L-ascorbic acid metabolism in rats were studied. PCB treatment brought about a depression in the activities of the enzymes L-gulonolactone oxidase and dehydroascorbatase along with increased tissue levels and urinary excretion of L-ascorbic acid. PCB toxicity drastically disturbed the normal histological pattern of the liver cells and also significantly changed the hepatic lipid composition. L-ascorbic acid supplementation to the intoxicated group of animals afforded a definite protection against the enzyme activity alterations and histological changes caused by PCB toxicity, although it did not prevent the growth retardative effect of PCB.