2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin is a toxicant and an agonist of the aryl drocarbon receptor (AhR; ED₅₀ = 0.2 nmol/kg in a reporter assay using chicken embryos).¹ It also induces AhR ubiquitination and degradation in Hepa-1c1c7 hepatic cells when used at a concentration of 1 nM.² Oral administration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (0.1 mg/kg) increases mortality and induces severe liver necrosis, tmic atrop, and cell depletion in lymphoid organs in rats.³ It does not induce hepatomegaly or reduce tmus weight and lymphocyte number but does increase immune cell infiltration into the lungs in AhR knockout mice when administered at a dose of 2 mg/kg.⁴