Cellular targets in response to dioxin exposure

Dioxins are contaminants present in a variety of environmental media. The 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is biologically reactive at very low concentrations. This research is based on the use of innovative bioindicators able to evidence the exposure to TCDD by evaluating the biological effects on the embryonic development of the amphibious Xenopus laevis. TCDD exposure effects analyzed found that an Lc 50 value of 342 ng/l, TCDD concentrations up to 400 ng/l caused significative developmental delays. No significative teratogenic effects were found. X. laevis proved to be sensitive to the P-450 induction and alteration of glutathione levels at TCDD low doses (0.1–0.5 ng/l).