Biological effects related to exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) on cats

Abstract

As an animal familiar to humans, cats are considered to be sensitive to chemicals; cats may be exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) from indoor dust, household products, and common pet food, leading to adverse endocrine effects, such as thyroid hormone dysfunction. To elucidate the general biological effects resulting from exposure of cats to PCBs and PBDEs, cats were treated with a single i.p. dose of a principal mixture of 12 PCBs and observed for a short-term period. Results revealed that the testis weight, serum albumin, and total protein of the treated group decrease statistically in comparison with those in the control group. The negative correlations suggested that the decrease in the total protein and albumin levels may be disturbed by 4’OH-CB18, 3’OH-CB28 and 3OH-CB101. Meanwhile, the serum albumin level and relative brain weight decreased significantly for cats subjected to 1-year continuous oral administration of BDE-209 in comparison to those of control cats. In addition, the subcutaneous fat as well as serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides (TG) levels increased in cats treated with BDE-209 and down-regulation of stearoyl-CoA desaturase mRNA expression in the liver occurred. These results suggested that chronic BDE-209 treatment may restrain lipolysis in the liver, which is associated with lipogenesis in the subcutaneous fat. Evidence of liver and kidney cell damage was not observed as there was no significant difference in the liver enzymes, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels between the two groups of both experiments. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that provides information on the biochemical effects of organohalogen compounds in cats. Further investigations on risk assessment and other potential health effects of PCBs and PBDEs on the reproductive system, brain, and lipid metabolism in cats are required.