CULTURE-MEDIUM COMPOSITION AFFECTS THE RELATIVE TOXICITIES OF CHLOROBENZENES IN RAT-LIVER SLICES AND THE ISOLATED-PERFUSED LIVER

The effects of different media composition on the hepatotoxicity produced by monochlorobenzene (MCB), 1,2-dichlorobenzene (1,2-DCB), 1,3-dichlorobenzene (1,3-DCB) and 1,4-dichlorobenzene (1,4-DCB) were examined in two different in vitro systems. The toxicity of these chlorobenzenes was investigated in the perfused rat liver and liver slices using Krebs-Henseleit buffer. Significant differences between the chlorobenzenes were apparent in the perfused liver but not in the tissue slices. However, a dose and time related response of rat liver slices to the chlorobenzenes was observed. Partial amelioration of the chlorobenzene toxicity was observed when the Krebs-Henseleit buffer was supplemented with vitamins, amino acids, and/or bovine serum albumin. 1,2-DCB and 1,3-DCB toxicity was affected by amino acids and vitamins. The toxicity produced by 1,4-DCB was suppressed by amino acids, vitamins and 1% BSA. MCB hepatoxicity could only be suppressed by 1% BSA. This data suggests that tissue culture media composition plays a major role in the hepatotoxicity of the chlorobenzenes.