RECOVERY OF BIOCHEMICAL-CHANGES INDUCED BY 1, 2-DICHLORO PROPANE IN RAT-LIVER AND KIDNEY

1 Biochemical changes in male, Wistar rats, treated with different doses of 1,2-dichloropropane (50-500 mg kg-1 body weight), were investigated at the end of a 4-week treatment and after a 4-week recovery period. 2 The behaviour of Phase I and Phase II metabolic steps and of the angiotensin converting enzyme activity of the renal proximal tubule brush border were determined. 3 Phase II is more affected by the solvent than Phase I metabolism, and liver metabolism is more affected than the kidney. 4 Angiotensin converting enzyme activity from the proximal tubule brush border appears to be the most sensitive parameter of kidney involvement during treatment. 5 After a 4-week recovery period all the metabolic indices together with angiotensin converting enzyme activity have returned to normal. Only liver reduced glutathione content shows a slight, but significant, increase for the highest dose (500 mg kg-1 body weight). 6 The results show that the biochemical changes induced in liver and kidney by 1,2-dichloropropane are reversible.