Effects of acute lindane intoxication and thyroid hormone administration in relation to nuclear factor-kappaB activation, tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression, and Kupffer cell function in the rat.

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) DNA binding, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) expression, and parameters related to liver oxidative stress and Kupffer cell function were assessed in control rats and in animals given 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) (0.1 mg T3/kg) and/or lindane (50 mg/kg; 4 h after T3). Liver NF-kappaB DNA binding and serum TNF-alpha levels were enhanced by the combined T3-lindane administration after 16-22 h, effects that were lower than those elicited by the separate treatments and coincided with increased hepatic TNF-alpha mRNA levels. Thyroid calorigenesis occurred independently of lindane, whereas T3, lindane and T3-lindane groups showed liver glutathione (GSH) depletion, with higher protein carbonyl levels in lindane and T3-lindane groups. Carbon-induced O2 consumption/carbon uptake ratios were not altered by T3 or lindane compared to controls, whereas combined T3-lindane administration elicited a 92% diminution with enhancement in the sinusoidal efflux of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). In conclusion, depression of T3- or lindane-induced liver NF-kappaB activation and TNF-alpha expression occurred after their combined treatment, effects that correlate with the impairment of the respiratory burst activity of Kupffer cells and exacerbation of liver injury.