HepG2 cells have been used to study the possible cytotoxicity, the level of glutathione （GSH） and the activity of P450 enzymes after exposure to 5-OH-BDE-47 and 5-MeO-BDE-47. HepG2 cells proliferation was detected after 24 h, 48 h and 72 h exposure with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） test, GSH were measured after cells were treated with 5-OH/5-MeO-BDE47 as above mentioned doses for 24 h, P450 enzymes were tested after 48 h. After 72 h exposure to 5-OH-BDE-47 and 5-MeO-BDE-47, proliferation of HepG2 cells was inhibited. The content of GSH can be reduced by 5, 10, 20 μmol/L 5-OH-BDE-47 and only 20 μmol/L 5-MeO-BDE-47. Furthermore, PROD activity was induced by 5-OH-BDE-47 and 5-MeO-BDE-47 under all concentrations, and EROD activity was induced only under higher concentration (20 μmol/L) of 5-OH-BDE-47 and 5-MeO-BDE-47. Neither 5-OH-BDE47 nor 5-MeO-BDE-47 was capable of inducing MROD activity. These results show that both 5-OH-BDE-47 and 5-MeO-BDE-47 can inhibit HepG2 cells proliferation, reduce the level of GSH, and increase EROD and PROD activity.
