Effects of diflubenzuron on the mouse liver

Diflubenzuron (DFB), a potent inhibitor of insect chitin synthesis, was administered to Swiss Webster mice in a 30-day oral intubation study. Animal groups received either no treatment, vehicle control (Polyethylene glycol 400), or DFB suspensions at doses of 125, 500, and 2,000 mg/kg body weight. Hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity as well as morphological characteristics were studied. DFB was shown to elicit hepatocellular changes at all dose levels. The activities of three glutathione S-transferases (S-aryl, S-aralkyl, and S-epoxide) were all altered after DFB administration. Light microscopy revealed radial arrays of hepatocellular vacuolization between the portal and central vein areas. Electron-microscopic examination, verified by morphometric analysis, revealed degenerative changes as well as an increased volume density of the endoplasmic reticulum.