No abstract

Lindane (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane) has been shown to produce hepatomas in some strains of mice but not in others. Genetic factors and/or altered metabolism may play a role in the susceptibility to lindane-induced hepatomas. This study reports the effect of age and obesity on the comparative metabolism and disposition of lindane in obese yellow Avy/a and in lean pseudoagouti Avy/a and black a/a phenotypes of (YS x VY) F1 hybrid female mice at 8, 17, 30, 56, and 86 wk of age. At 24 h prior to sacrifice the mice were dosed p.o. with 18 mg lindane (containing 55 microCi [U-14C]lindane/kg). Aging altered the biotransformation of lindane such that while the excretion of lindane and its metabolites declined, the proportion of conjugated and polar metabolites increased. Tissue storage was elevated in older animals. In the yellow Avy/a mice, which are known to have a predisposition to the formation of hepatomas, there was accelerated and prolonged growth, reduced metabolite excretion, a greater proportion of conjugated metabolites, and higher dechlorinase activity compared to that of their pseudoagouti Avy/a and black a/a siblings.