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REPEATED EXPOSURE TO THE POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL (AROCLOR 1254) ELEVATES THE BASAL SERUM LEVELS OF CORTICOSTERONE BUT DOES NOT AFFECT THE STRESS-INDUCED RISE
Citation:
Miller, D., L. Gray, Jr., J. Andrews, R. Leubke, AND R. Smialowicz. REPEATED EXPOSURE TO THE POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL (AROCLOR 1254) ELEVATES THE BASAL SERUM LEVELS OF CORTICOSTERONE BUT DOES NOT AFFECT THE STRESS-INDUCED RISE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-95/139.
Description:
Polychlorinated biphenyls are ubiquitous and persistent environmental contaminants (Safe, 1984; Safe et al., 1985) resulting in concern over the possible effects to health after long-term low-level exposure. eries of studies with one of these chlorinated hydrocarbons, Aroclor 1254, revealed altered growth as well as compromised immune and reproductive functions in weaning male rats exposed to low doses for an extended period (Andrews, 1989; Gray et all., 1992; Smialowicz et al., 1989). 5 week body and lymphoid organ exposure to low doses of Aroclor 1254 reduced the weights of the weight reductions were accompanied by alterations in immune function, including reduced natural killer (NK) cell activity and an enhanced mitogen-stimulated lymphoproliferative response. owever, this pattern of immune response as well as the presence of body weight reductions and hepatomegaly suggest the immune alterations may have been mediatedthrough altered adrenal function (see Smialowicz et al., 1989 for discussion). asal levels of corticosteroids and the elevation observed in response to activation of the pituitary adrenocorticotropin-adrenal axis is routinely used as a gauge of the integrity of this system (Armario et al., 1986). e now report extended daily exposure (15 weeks) to Aroclor 1254 results in an elevation of the basal serum levels of CORT. espite the presence of these elevations a prolonged exposure to Aroclor 1254 does not compromise the rise in CORT observed in response to stress.