Hong-I Chen, Tzong-Cherng Chi, Shun-Yao Ko, Yi-Chiang Hsu, I-Hsuan Lin, Ann Chen, Saou-Hsing Liou, Chien-Feng Li

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Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Department of Pathology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan.
Department of Pathology, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
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Abstract: 4,4’-Methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA) is a probable human carcinogen. Few studies have been performed regarding the genotoxicity of MBCOA, and the MBOCA metabolic pathway is not fully understood. We treated four-week-old ICR male mice weighing 25 - 30 g with MBOCA and observed the effects of MBOCA on the internal organs. It can be concluded that MBOCA is a carcinogen and also affects gene regulation. Oral or topical administration of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg MBOCA resulted in 56% - 81% of mice showing unusual inflammation, degeneration, and dysplasia in kidney, liver, stomach, intestine and urinary bladder based on histology. Furthermore, we investigated the association between oxidative DNA damage and MBOCA exposure by measuring plasma level of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). The results showed that the MBOCA-treated mice had significantly higher 8-OHdG levels than the control mice. This study confirms that MBOCA is potentially carcinogenic and highly toxic to both animals and humans.

Keywords: 4, 4’-Methylenebis(2-chloroaniline), MBOCA, Transitional Cell Carcinoma of Bladder, Oxidative DNA Damage, 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)

Cite this paper: Chen, H. , Chi, T. , Ko, S. , Hsu, Y. , Lin, I. , Chen, A. , Liou, S. and Li, C. (2014) 4,4’-Methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA) May Be Highly Toxic and a Carcinogen Based on an Experimental Study with Mice. Advances in Biological Chemistry, 4, 203-213. doi: 10.4236/abc.2014.43025.

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