Transport and distribution of alpha-tocopherol in lymph, serum and liver cells in rats.

Rats were cannulated in the major mesenteric lymph duct and given an intraduodenal bolus of unlabeled and alpha-[3H]tocopherol, and [14C]oleic acid in soybean oil. The appearance of alpha-tocopherol in lymph was negligible during the first 2 h and peaked 4-15 h after feeding, whereas no detectable amount was recovered in the portal vein. Intestinal absorption via the lymphatic pathway was 15.4 +/- 8.9% (n = 10) and 45.9 +/- 10.8% (n = 4) for alpha-tocopherol and [14C]oleic acid, respectively. About 99% of alpha-tocopherol in lymph was associated with the chylomicron fraction (d less than 1.006 g/ml). In non-fasting rats, 51% of serum alpha-tocopherol was associated with chylomicrons/VLDL (very-low-density lipoprotein, d less than 1.006 g/ml) and 47% with HDL (high-density lipoprotein, 1.05 less than d less than 1.21 g/ml). Our study revealed that the liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue contain approx. 92% of the total mass of alpha-tocopherol measured in ten different organs. Parenchymal and nonparenchymal liver cells contributed to 75% and 25% of the total mass of alpha-tocopherol in the liver, respectively.

Ethanol inhibition of codeine and morphine metabolism in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Suspensions of isolated hepatocytes from male Wistar rats were prepared according to a two step Ca++-free collagenase perfusion method. Codeine, morphine or norcodeine were incubated with hepatocytes at 37 degrees C for up to 90 min in the absence and presence of ethanol. The elimination rate constant (Kel) of codeine and morphine was reduced with approximately one-third and one-fourth, respectively, in the presence of 60 mM ethanol, whereas the presence of ethanol did not alter the Kel of norcodeine significantly. The inhibition of codeine metabolism was dose-dependent, extending from approximately 15% at 10 mM ethanol to 40 to 50% at 100 mM. A 3-fold increase in the ratio of morphine concentration (formed from codeine) to the amount of codeine metabolized was observed in the presence of ethanol as compared to control cells. The mean morphine concentration was 170% higher in the ethanol-treated suspensions than in the controls. The ratio of norcodeine concentration to codeine metabolized was unchanged. The inhibition of morphine metabolism was accompanied by a similar reduction of morphine-3-glucuronide formation. The accumulation of morphine observed in the cell medium in the presence of ethanol might be due to inhibition of other metabolic pathways from codeine, thus shunting to morphine formation, combined with the inhibitory effect of ethanol on morphine metabolism per se.

Organochlorines in wild mink (Mustela vison) from Norway.

Levels of PCBs, DDE, and HCB have been determined in wild mink caught in the Norwegian counties of Sogn and Fjordane, Rogaland, and Hedmark. No significant differences were founds in organochlorine levels in wild mink from these counties, and the average level, based on fat weight, in abdominal adipose tissue was about 1 ppm DDE, 0.1 ppm HCB and for PCB ranging from 1 to 15 ppm.

[Chlorinated hydrocarbons in sewage sludge from a plant in Oslo (author's transl)]. / Klorerte hydrokarboner i kloakkslam fra et renseanlegg i Oslo.

Samples of sewage sludge from a plant in Oslo were analysed by gaschromatography for persistent chlorinated hydrocarbons. Polychlorinated bifenyls (PCBs) were found in all samples. In 1972 the mean value was 0.9 +/- 0.24 ppm PCBs, while the corresponding value two years later was 0.3 +/- 0.14 ppm. It is suggested that the observed decrease is connected with the restrictions of industrial use of PCBs from 1973. The samples from 1974 were also analysed for phtalic acid esters. Residues of dimethyl-(DMP), diethyl-(DEP), dibutyl-(DBP) and diethylhexcyl-phtalate (DEHP) were found. Mean concentrations of DEHP and DBP were found to be 27 and 13 ppm respectively. The effect of the sludge treatment on PCBs was tested by comparing sewage coming into the plant with cleaned water leaving the plant. Between 50 and 85 percent of total PCBs remained in the water after the cleaning process. The total amount of PCBs in the sewage sludge per year was calculated to be about 2 kg.

Residues of DDT in a Norwegian fruitgrowing district two and four years after the termination of DDT usage.

This study describes the extent of DDT contamination in a typical fruit growing district in Norway two and four years after the DDT ban. Residues of DDT in man, dairy cows and soil were about five to one hundred times higher than in the control groups, while residues found in samples from the marine biota were the same or moderately higher (Figure 3). The residues of DDT in cows, gulls and parts of the marine samples showed a significant decrease from 1972 to 1974, while the level in soil was almost constant. The amount of DDE had increased considerably in 1974 for all the species except for the gull, although not to the same degree. The distribution of DDE, DDD and DDT in soil were almost constant during the two years of sampling.

[Residues of organochlorine insecticides and PCBs in some Norweigian foods (author's transl)]. / Rester av organiske klorinsekticider og PCB i noen norski kosumvarer

Oats, barley, wheat and rye, meat from sheep, pork, beef and chicken/broiler, boullion, margarine and cod roe were analysed by gas liquid chromatography for chlorimated insecticides and PCBs. Residues of PCBs, lindane, DDT and metabolites were found in only a few of the samples. Traces of dieldrin were observed in grain. Lidan was found in grain with the highest single value of 0.013 ppm and with the mean value of 0.008 ppm. DDT residues were found in 37 percent of all samples and the highest concentration were in chicken/broiler with mean value of 0.02 ppm. The values are calculated on wet weight basis.