452-456The hepatotoxic effect of 1,1 bis (p-chlorophenyl)
2,2,2 trichloroethane (DDT) treatment for 10 consecutive days has been examined
in Wistar rats. DDT exposure increased relative liver weight, dose dependently,
with a marked decrease of glycogen content and profound histological changes including
cytoplasmic vacuolization, signs of necrosis and nuclear
enlargement. The hepatomegaly induced by DDT
(50 and 100 mg/kg body weight day-1) appeared not to be accompanied by a significant
alteration of the hepatic glucocorticoid receptor concentration and affinity while,
serum corticosteroid binding globulin level increased slightly with the lower dose
of the pesticide. It is concluded that a short-term exposure to DDT did not lead
to a status stress and, therefore, the hepatotoxic effect of organochlorine seemed
not to be mediated by endogenous glucocorticoids