β-BHC

β-BHC is an isomer of the organochlorine pesticide γ-lindane (Item No. 23952) that is a potential impurity found in commercial preparations of lindane.¹ It is estrogenic, inducing estrogen receptor α (ERα) and ERβ reporter gene expression in CHO cells expressing the human receptors with 20% relative effective concentration (REC₂₀) values of 3.5 and 1.1 μM, respectively.² In vitro, β-BHC induces apoptosis of rat Sertoli cells via production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), activation of caspases, and induction of expression of Fas ligand (FasL).³ It is a persistent organic pollutant and levels of total body β-BHC are negatively correlated to plasma testosterone levels in male polar bears.⁴

WARNING This product is not for human or veterinary use.

1. Nakajima, M. Biochemical toxicology of lindane and its analogs. J. Environ. Sci. Health B 18(1), 147-172 (1983).

2. Kojima, H., Katsura, E., Takeuchi, S., et al. Screening for estrogen and androgen receptor activities in 200 pesticides by in vitro reporter gene assays using Chinese hamster ovary cells. Environ. Health Perspect. 112(5), 524-531 (2004).

3. Shi, Y., Song, Y., Wang, Y., et al. β-Benzene hexachloride induces apoptosis of rat Sertoli cells through generation of reactive oxygen species and activation of JNKs and FasL. Environ. Toxicol. 26(2), 124-135 (2011).

4. Oskam, I.C., Ropstad, E., Dahl, E., et al. Organochlorines affect the major androgenic hormone, testosterone, in male polar bears (Ursus maritimus) at Svalbard. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health 66(22), 2119-2139 (2003).