Oxidative Damage of Decabromodiphenyl Ether (BDE209) on the Hepatic Cells of Rat in vitro

Owing to its good flame-retardant effect, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were widely added to electronic, electrical appliances, as well as textiles and chemical products. Decabromodiphenyl Ether (BDE-209) is one class of PBDEs which was most demanded in international market. To illustrate the possible function of BDE-209 on rat liver, hepatic cells were expose to BDE-209 with different concentrations (1, 2, 4, 8, 16 mg center dot L-1) in vitro, the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the levels of DNA-protein crosslinks (DPC) were investigated. The results indicated that: with the BDE-209 exposure concentrations increased, MDA content and DPC coefficient increased gradually, showed almost the same trend. Significant difference was observed in both MDA content and DPC coefficient in the 4,8 and 16 mg center dot L-1 (P < 0.05) groups compared to the control group, while extremely significant difference was observed in the 16 mg center dot L-1 groups (P < 0.01). Moreover, MDA content has a good dose-response relationship with the BDE-209 exposure concentrations(R= 0.995, P < 0.05), so does DPC (R= 0.996, P < 0.05). The results suggested that the BDE209 exposure can cause oxidative stress and genetic toxicity to rat liver, demonstrating hepatotoxic effect as well as genetic effect to the body.