Effects of four bisphenolic antioxidants on lipid contents of rat liver.

Hepatic lipids were studied in Sprague-Dawley male rats given, 2,2'-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 4,4'-butylidenebis(3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) or 4,4'-methylenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol) at a level of 1.135 mmol% for 1 week. 4,4'-Butylidenebis(3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) induced fatty liver and increased triglyceride, diglyceride and cholesteryl-ester concentrations, 7.1-, 5.8- and 6.1-fold, respectively. Plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acids were markedly decreased. It would appear that the fatty liver resulted mainly from defective fat excretion from the liver. The other bisphenols produced a little change in liver lipids.