Effects of emulsified perfluorochemicals on liver cytochromes P-450 in rats

1. The effects of intravenous (i.v.) injection of various perfluorochemical (PFC) emulsions or different fractions of the non-ionic poloxamer surfactant, Pluronic F-68, have been studied separately in male and female rats. 2. Injection of 10 ml/kg body wt of either Fluosol-DA 20% (F-DA) or a novel perfluorodecalin emulsion containing a C-16 oil additive in male rats increased liver weight up to 7 days later; no corresponding effect occurred in response to injection of Oxypherol (FC-43). 3. Liver weight was also increased in female rats at 72 hr after injection of the novel emulsion but this was less pronounced than in males; liver weight in female rats was unchanged in response to injection of either F-DA or FC-43. 4. Mean liver microsomal cytochromes P-450 concentrations in male rats were increased 2-3 fold at 72 hr after injection of either F-DA or the novel emulsion with a less pronounced increase also seen at 7 days in animals receiving the novel emulsion. No significant alterations in cytochrome concentration occurred in response to injection of FC-43 or either commercial grade or purified pluronic solution. 5. Liver cytochromes P-450 concentrations in female rats were unaffected by any of the experimental treatments. 6. These results show that injection of a single low dose of emulsified PFCs into male rats can increase hepatic microsomal cytochromes P-450 concentration but the response is highly variable, depending on composition of emulsion injected.