Effect of exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid on hepatic antioxidants in mice

The present study was undertaken to evaluate hepatic antioxidants status in female mice after exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). A total number of 20 female mice were subjected to the study; out of them, 15 mice were treated with PFOA. PFOA solutions were prepared at 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/ml of deionized water and administered to the mice by gavage once daily for 3 weeks at a volume of 10 ml/kg. Controls (five mice) received an equivalent volume of deionized water. The results revealed significant increase in liver weight at dose of 5 (p < 0.01) and 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w., p < 0.01). Both hepatic total glutathione level and hepatic catalase activity were significantly increased (p < 0.01) at dose of 5 mg/kg b.w. On the other hand, hepatic glutathione reductase activity was significantly increased at dose of 10 mg/kg b.w. In this model system, PFOA administration was effective in inducing oxidative stress particularly reflected in the liver.