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·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·L^-1 (P<;0.05) groups compared to the control group, while extremely significant difference was observed in the 16 mg·L^-1groups (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 BDE-209 exposure can cause oxidative stress and genetic toxicity to rat liver, demonstrating hepatotoxic effect as well as genetic effect to the body.