Hepatic oxidative status and metal homeostasis disturbance of 2-hydroxylated dioxin in ICR mice

•Hepatic pathologic changes in the 2-HODD-treated mice were observed.•The oxidative stress in the mice liver was increased after 2-HODD exposure.•Essential hepatic metal homeostasis was perturbed in the 2-HODD-treated mice.•Dose-dependent changes of the examined parameters were observed.

In the present study, the toxic effects of the oral exposure of 2-hydroxylated dioxin (2-HODD) in ICR male mice were examined. The mice were administered different doses (0.2, 2.0 and 20.0 mg/kg) of 2-HODD. After 14 days of exposure, the oxidative stress (OS) indicator levels and the essential metal concentrations in the mouse livers were determined. The results showed that the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were increased in the 0.2 mg/kg group, whereas they were significantly decreased in the 2.0 and 20.0 mg/kg groups. Decreases in the catalase (CAT) activity and the glutathione (GSH) levels, accompanied by increases in the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, were recorded in all of the 2-HODD-treated groups. The hepatic iron, copper and zinc levels increased in all of the 2-HODD-treated groups. The histological examination of the livers demonstrated swollen cells and inflammation. Dose-dependent changes in both the OS indicators and the hepatic metal levels were observed. In conclusion, a single low dose of 2-HODD significantly perturbed the hepatic OS status and metals homeostasis in the mice.