Effects of BDE-99 on hormone homeostasis and biochemical parameters in adult male rats

In this study, we evaluated the effects of BDE-99 on hormone homeostasis, as well as in urinary and serum biochemical parameters of adult male rats. Animals (10 per group) received BDE-99 by gavage at single doses of 0, 0.6 and 1.2 mg/kg. Forty-five days after BDE-99 exposure, urine and serum samples were collected for hormonal and biochemical analysis. Oxidative stress (OS) markers in erythrocytes, plasma and urine were also evaluated. Urinary excretion of total protein significantly increased following BDE-99 exposure, while lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), γ-glutamil transferase (GGT), and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activities significantly decreased. Liver toxicity was evidenced by elevated serum activities of the enzymes glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Following BDE-99 administration, OS markers in erythrocytes showed an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and a reduction in glutathione reductase (GR) activity. In urine, isoprostane levels increased after BDE-99 exposure. The hormonal analysis showed a significant decrease in testosterone and progesterone levels. These results support the hypothesis that BDE-99 interacts with hormonal response. Moreover, BDE-99 administration to adult male rats showed signs of renal and hepatic toxicity.