Induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and epoxide hydrolase in rat liver, kidney, testis, prostate glands, and stomach by a potent nematocide, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane
Because of environmental contamination with 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), a potent nematocide, it has become necessary to assess its adverse biological effects. The present data describe the ability of DBCP to induce aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and epoxide hydrolase (EH) activities in the liver, kidney, testis, prostate glands, and stomach of the male rat. DBCP induced AHH in all organs studied except the liver and prostate glands. Maximum induction of AHH appeared 8, 8, and 16 hr following treatment for stomach, kidney, and testis, respectively. At the maximum induction, AHH activity in testis, kidney, and stomach was 2.1, 3.8, and 4.7 times that of controls, respectively. EH activity was also induced at varying times following DBCP treatment in the liver, kidney, testis, and prostate glands. The maximum induction occurred at 48 hr in kidney and testis, and at 74 hr in liver and prostate glands. At the maximally induced state, EH activity in prostate, testis, kidney, and liver was 2.3, 1.4, 1.9, and 2.6 times that of controls, respectively. Thus, EH induction was slightly less than that of AHH in respective organs. Furthermore, DBCP induction of AHH and EH activity was inhibited by either actinomycin D or cycloheximide, suggesting that this enzyme induction is due to de novo synthesis of new hemoproteins. © 1981.