Xenobiotic metabolism of bank vole (Myodes glareolus) exposed to PCDDs

Previous studies in bank vole (Myodes glareolus) and field vole (Microtus agrestis) living at the old sawmill area contaminated by chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and -furans (PCDD/Fs) showed that these two relatively close species have a significant difference in their body burden of PCDD/Fs, bank voles having significantly higher concentrations. The aim of this study was to clarify more comprehensively the basic xenobiotic metabolism in wild bank voles and examine whether PCDD exposure would affect xenobiotic metabolism in bank voles more generally. The activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes was studied by fluorometric analyzes as well as by the aid of an earlier developed N-in-one CYP-selective activity cocktail, and immunoblotting assay. Several CYP-associated activities were considerably and statistically significantly elevated in the liver of animals living in the contaminated area. Increases in several CYP1A- and CYP2A/B-associated activities are probably due to the exposure to variable dioxin- and PCB-class inducers. The results of this comprehensive screening seemed to be in agreement with the existing knowledge of CYP enzyme induction by dioxin-like substances.