Plasticizers liver effects

Liver Effects. In 1980 a 2-year feeding study carried out as part of the NTP/NCI Bioassay Program in the United States (38,39) indicated that DEHP causes increased incidence of Hver tumors in rats and mice and that DEHA had a similar effect in mice but not rats. In these studies the levels of plasticizers fed were very high, this being possible only because of thek low acute toxicity. 

PBDEs are a class of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) used in textiles, plastics and electronic products. The effects of BFRs are associated with three commercial mixtures of PBDEs decaBDE, octaBDE and pentaBDE. In laboratory animal experiments, the toxicity of PBDEs was linked to damage to liver function and,... 

Vinyl chloride is a chemical used in the manufacture of plastics, which is carcinogenic and causes various toxic effects, including liver injury and damage to the bones and skin. Liver hemangiosarcomas are produced in animals and humans. Vinyl chloride undergoes metabolic activation by cytochrome P-450 to an epoxide, which may interact with DNA and form adducts (ethenodeoxyadenosine and ethenodeoxycytidine), which leads to mutations. These can be detected in white cells, and a mutant p21 ras protein can be detected in the serum of exposed workers. Also, reaction with GSH occurs. 

The October 1996 issue of the Dutch magazine Natuur Techniek makes mention of a research of the University of Bristol, Great Britain into the effects of implanting artificial hip joints and knees into the body. This research showed that metal particles and pieces of plastic, cement and polymers are gradually released from the artificial joints. Such particles were found in the neighbourhood of joints and lymph nodes. However, they were also present in the bone marrow, the spleen and the liver. The more artificial limbs are exposed to loads, the more particles will be released. So far there are no indications of health hazards, but it is not possible to predict long term effects. 

Similarly, many xenobiotics, such as pesticides, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), plasticizers, phenols, and some other dmg residues, are also toxic even at trace levels present in the earth s ecosystem [5-7], Without analytical techniques capable of detecting them at nanolevels, we assume the absence of these pollutants in the environment, while these notorious pollutants accumulate in our body tissues resulting in various diseases and side effects such as carcinogenesis and failure of many vital body organs including the kidney, liver, and heart [8-11]. Under such situations, it is essential to have analytical techniques that can detect dmgs, pharmaceuticals, and xenobiotics in biological and environmental samples at very low concentrations. 

Volatile solvent abuse or glue sniffing, is common among teenagers, especially males. The success of the modem chemical industry provides easy access to these substances as adhesives, dry cleaners, air fresheners, deodorants, aerosols and other products. Various techniques of administration are employed viscous products may be inhaled from a plastic bag, liquids from a handkerchief or plastic bottle. The immediate euphoriant and excitatory effects are replaced by confusion, hallucinations and delusions as the dose is increased. Chronic abusers, notably of toluene, develop peripheral neuropathy, cerebellar disease and dementia damage to the kidney, liver, heart and limgs also occurs with solvents. Over 50% of deaths from the practice follow cardiac arrhythmia, probably caused by sensitisation of the myocardium to catecholamines and by vagal inhibition... 

Both in animal experiments and in hmnan beings, it was demonstrated that hepatodematosis can prevent the development of ascites. This coating of the liver was effected using a plastic adhesive or polyvinyl sponge. Yet, this procedure had no clinical significance. 

The detoxification of vinyl chloride provides an example of effective detoxification by a P450 isozyme (ethanol detoxification was previously discussed in Chapter 25). Vinyl chloride is used in the synthesis of plastics and can cause angiosarcoma in the liver of exposed workers. It is activated in a phase I reaction to a reactive epoxide by... 

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