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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Animal Metabolism-Agricultural Chemicals Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #116072
Title: EFFECT OF CLENBUTEROL ON FAT STORES OF DIOXINS AND FURANS IN RATS.

Author
item Shappell, Nancy
item Billey, Lloyd
item FEIL, VERNON - RETIRED, USDA ARS

Submitted to: Organohalogen Compounds
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2001
Publication Date: 9/9/2001
Citation: Shappell, N.W., Billey, L.O., Feil, V.J. 2001. Effect of clenbuterol on fat stores of dioxins and furans in rats. Organohalogen Compounds. 53:460-463.

Interpretive Summary: Dioxins and furans are persistent pollutants that result from incineration of chlorinated products. These pollutants accumulate in the food chain, posing a risk to humans through the consumption of tainted livestock. To date, no method of decontamination exists, and contaminated carcasses must be burned (at great expense)in special incinerators fitted to prevent further pollutant production. This study investigates the potential use of a leanness enhancing agent, clenbuterol, as a means of reducing dioxin and furan body stores by reducing body fat (the predominant site of accumulation). In order to mimic the situation of contaminated animals, rats were given feed with or without dioxins and furans for 10 days, followed by a 16 day treatment of feed with or without clenbuterol. Animals were killed at the end of this period, and weights of various organs and tissues were measured. Fat was analyzed for dioxins and furans. Similar to literature reports, clenbuterol reduced body fat by 28% and increased muscle mass by 25%. While the concentration of dioxins and furans per gram of fat was slightly increased after clenbuterol treatment, the total amount of dioxins and furans remaining in the fat was reduced approximately 30%. The toxicity of contaminants remaining in the fat of both dioxin/furan-treated and untreated animals was reduced 44% and 22%, respectively, by clenbuterol treatment. If these results can be repeated in food animals, clenbuterol may be effective as a tool in decreasing dioxin/furan contamination in livestock.

Technical Abstract: Dioxins and furans are persistent pollutants that accumulate in the food chain, posing a risk to humans through consumption of tainted livestock. Clenbuterol, a leanness enhancing agent, was tested for usefulness in reducing dioxin and furan body stores by reducing body fat (the predominant site of accumulation). In order to mimic the situation of contaminated animals, rats were given feed with or without a mixture of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (0.6-2.7ng/d PCDD/Fs)for 10 days, followed by a 16 day treatment of feed with or without clenbuterol (2mg/kg feed). Animals were killed at the end of this period and weights of various organs and tissues were measured. Fat was analyzed for PCDD/Fs. Similar to literature reports, clenbuterol reduced body fat by 28% and increased muscle mass by 25%. While the concentration of PCDD/Fs per gram of fat was slightly increased after clenbuterol treatment, the total amount of dioxins and furans remaining in the fat was reduced approximately 30%. The toxicity of contaminants remaining in the fat of both PCDD/Fs treated and untreated animals was reduced 44% and 22%, respectively, by clenbuterol treatment. If these results can be repeated in food animals, clenbuterol may be effective as a tool in decreasing dioxin/furan contamination in livestock.