AbstractDiflubenzuron (DFB), a potent inhibitor of insect chitin synthesis, was administered to Swiss Webster mice in a 30‐day oral intubation study. Animal groups received either no treatment, vehicle control (Polyehylene glycol 400), or DFB suspensions at doses of 125, 500, and 2000 mg/kg body weight. Hepatic gluta thione S‐transferase activity as well as morphological characteristics were studied. DFB was shownn to elicit hepatocellular changes at all dose levels. The activities of three glutathione S‐transferases (S‐aryl, S‐aralkyl, and S‐epoxide) were all altered after DFB administration. Light microscopy revealed radial arrays of hepatocellular vacuolization between the portal and central vein areas. Electron‐microscopic examination, verified by morphometric analysis, revealed degenerativ changes as well as an increased volume density of the endoplas
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