Toxicokinetics and tissue distribution of HCH in rats fed on protein deficient diet

Abstract

Weanling male rats were maintained for 28 days on diet containing 5%, 10% and 21% protein as casein. For kinetic studies a single oral dose of HCH (200 mg/kg) was administered to rats. Groups of rats were then killed at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 24, 48 and 72 hrs after exposure to HCH and blood samples were drawn. For distribution study, a daily oral dose of HCH (50 mg/kg) was given to rats for 30 days. The rats fed a lower protein diet and HCH had a higher mortality, lower rate of growth, increased liver weight and deposition of the pesticide in blood and tissues in larger amounts. A significant increase was observed in all the kinetic parameters except for decrease in elimination rate constant and clearance in rats fed on low protein diet and HCH. The HCH‐isomers exhibited stereoselective affinity to some tissues and a close correlation existed between the toxicokinetic parameters and dietary protein levels.

Key words:

• Kinetics
• distribution
• protein malnutriton
• body burden
• stereoselective affinity

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