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Archives of Toxicology (v.77, #5)

Dermal and inhalation acute toxic class methods: test procedures and biometric evaluations for the Globally Harmonized Classification System by H. G. Holzhütter; E. Genschow; W. Diener ✝; E. Schlede (pp. 243-254).

The acute toxic class (ATC) methods were developed for determining LD₅₀/LC₅₀ estimates of chemical substances with significantly fewer animals than needed when applying conventional LD₅₀/LC₅₀ tests. The ATC methods are sequential stepwise procedures with fixed starting doses/concentrations and a maximum of six animals used per dose/concentration. The numbers of dead/moribund animals determine whether further testing is necessary or whether the test is terminated. In recent years we have developed classification procedures for the oral, dermal and inhalation routes of administration by using biometric methods. The biometric approach assumes a probit model for the mortality probability of a single animal and assigns the chemical to that toxicity class for which the best concordance is achieved between the statistically expected and the observed numbers of dead/moribund animals at the various steps of the test procedure. In previous publications we have demonstrated the validity of the biometric ATC methods on the basis of data obtained for the oral ATC method in two-animal ring studies with 15 participants from six countries. Although the test procedures and biometric evaluations for the dermal and inhalation ATC methods have already been published, there was a need for an adaptation of the classification schemes to the starting doses/concentrations of the Globally Harmonized Classification System (GHS) recently adopted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Here we present the biometric evaluation of the dermal and inhalation ATC methods for the starting doses/concentrations of the GHS and of some other international classification systems still in use. We have developed new test procedures and decision rules for the dermal and inhalation ATC methods, which require significantly fewer animals to provide predictions of toxicity classes, that are equally good or even better than those achieved by using the conventional LD₅₀/LC₅₀ methods. In order to cope with rather narrow dose/concentration classes of the GHS we have, as in our previous publications, combined the outcome of all results that can be obtained during testing for the allocation to one of the defined toxicity classes of the GHS. Our results strongly recommend the deletion of the dermal LD₅₀ and the inhalation LC₅₀ test as regulatory tests and the adoption of the dermal and inhalation ATC methods as internationally accepted alternatives.

Keywords: Acute toxic class methods (dermal, inhalation) Globally Harmonized Classification System Biometric model Animal welfare Alternatives to LD50/LC50 tests

In vitro dermal penetration study of carbofuran, carbosulfan, and furathiocarb by Kwang-Hyeon Liu; Jeong-Han Kim (pp. 255-260).

In this study, the dermal penetration rate of carbofuran, carbosulfan, and furathiocarb has been measured with rat abdominal skin using the static diffusion cell. The technical grades of three compounds were applied at different doses on skin surface mounted in static diffusion cell and incubated at 32°C for 48 h with shaking. The same procedures were carried out with furathiocarb EC (emulsifiable concentrate) and WP (wettable powder). At regular intervals, the receptor fluid in cell was sampled and analyzed by HPLC. Only carbofuran was found in carbosulfan- or furathiocarb-treated samples, suggesting they converted into carbofuran while passing through the skin layer. The quantity of insecticide penetrating skin increased with time and applied dose. The skin penetration rate increased with the water solubility of insecticides. The dermal penetration rates of carbofuran, furathiocarb, and carbosulfan were determined as 1.05 µg/cm² per h (r ²=0.991), 0.46 µg/cm² per h (r ²=0.984) and 0.14 µg/cm² per h (r ²=0.967), respectively. There was no significant difference in rate of skin penetration between furathiocarb EC (1.42 µg/cm² per h, r ²=0.988) and WP (1.35 µg/cm² per h, r ²=0.982), while furathiocarb technical grade showed a lower skin penetration rate. In vitro models may be used to predict percutaneous absorption and are useful in selecting safer formulations for field application of pesticide.

Keywords: Penetration rate Skin Carbofuran Carbosulfan Furathiocarb

Contribution of CYP2E1 to N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone metabolism by Danuta Ligocka; Dominique Lison; Vincent Haufroid (pp. 261-266).

The involvement of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) in the metabolism of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) was studied with three experimental approaches: in the rat, in vitro in human microsomes, and in human volunteers. NMP was administered dermally (40 mg/kg) to OFA rats to examine the influence of CYP2E1 inhibition (5 mg/kg diethyldithiocarbamate, DETC, 30 min before) and CYP2E1 induction (after 4 days of fasting). The main NMP metabolite 5-hydroxy-N-methylpyrrolidone (5HNMP) in the urine fractions collected during the following 48 h was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. CYP2E1 inhibition led to a statistically significant retardation of 5HNMP excretion in urinary fractions collected during the first 12 h. In the group of fasted rats, a two-fold increase of CYP2E1 activity was observed in comparison with the control group. During the first 6 h after dermal administration of NMP to fasted rats, about 33% of the dose was excreted in urine versus 22% in controls. In vitro, NMP (15 mM) was incubated (up to120 min) with human liver microsomes and the formation of 5HNMP followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with V _max of 1.1 nmol/min per mg protein and K _m of 2.4 mM. The formation of 5HNMP was inhibited by 35% in the presence of a monoclonal antibody against CYP2E1, but not by CYP1A2 antibody. In a dermal application experiment, 12 humans volunteers were exposed by means of a dermal patch to 300 mg NMP; five urine fractions were collected during the 48 h following the onset of application in order to measure the major metabolites 5HNMP and 2-hydroxymethylsuccinimide (2HMSI). Before NMP application, a blood sample was collected for the quantification of CYP2E1 mRNA in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). The mean dermal absorption of NMP was 67.9%. The highest amount of 5HNMP was excreted in urine in the fraction collected between 6–12 h (12.6% of dose), while 2HMSI peaked in fractions 12–24 h and 36–48 h (3.3 and 3.2% of dose, respectively). A significant relationship was found between CYP2E1 mRNA content in PBLs and the amount of both the metabolites excreted in urine within 24 h (r ²=0.54, P<0.01). It is concluded that CYP2E1 is involved in the first steps of NMP metabolism in the rat and, to a lesser extent, in humans. Since large variations in CYP2E1 activity exist in the human population (at least 5-fold range), it seems justified to take into account the activity of this enzyme in an individual for an accurate interpretation of biological monitoring of exposure to NMP when relying on 5HNMP and/or 2HMSI determination in urine.

Keywords: N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone 5-Hydroxy-N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone 2-Hydroxy-N-methylsuccinimide Cytochrome P450 2E1 Biological monitoring

Suppression of erythropoietin gene expression by cadmium depends on inhibition of HIF-1, not stimulation of GATA-2 by Naoshi Obara; Shigehiko Imagawa; Yoko Nakano; Norio Suzuki; Masayuki Yamamoto; Toshiro Nagasawa (pp. 267-273).

Long-term exposure of rats to cadmium (Cd) resulted in a marked suppression of erythropoietin (Epo) mRNA expression in the kidneys and the development of severe anemia. A recent report revealed that Cd inhibited hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) binding activity and Epo mRNA expression and protein production. However, Epo gene expression is also regulated by transcription factor GATA-2, which binds to the GATA binding site of the Epo promoter. To elucidate the mechanism of suppression of Epo by Cd, the effect of Cd on GATA-2 function was studied. Epo promoter/enhancer luciferase constructs, one with the wild-type promoter and another with a promoter with a mutant GATA site, were transfected into Hep3B cells. No significant difference in Epo promoter activity in these two types of cells was observed in the presence of Cd. The binding activity of GATA-2 was not affected by Cd. This study showed that Cd inhibited HIF-1 binding activity and Epo promoter activity, and then suppressed Epo protein production. Inhibition of Epo gene expression by Cd depends on suppression of HIF-1 binding activity, not on alteration of GATA function.

Keywords: Erythropoietin Cadmium GATA Transcriptional regulation Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α

Development of a high-performance reporter plasmid for detection of chemicals with androgenic activity by Masahiro Takeyoshi; Naoko Kuga; Kanji Yamasaki (pp. 274-279).

A number of chemicals are present in the environment, and some synthetic chemicals may disrupt endocrine function of wild animals and humans. An effective procedure to screen chemicals for endocrine modulating activity has been needed to ensure the safety of chemicals, and the reporter gene assay technique may provide a powerful tool for screening endocrine-disrupting chemicals. We have developed a high-performance reporter plasmid that can trigger high androgen-dependent induction with high selectivity by using mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) androgen-responsive elements and a partial fragment of the rat α_2u-globulin promoter region. This new type plasmid can induce higher transcriptional activation than a commercial PGV-P-based construct bearing the SV40 promoter fragment, and the basal induction level of this plasmid is much lower than that of the PGV-P-based construct. Moreover, only androgen derivatives could selectively induce a high response in the reporter gene assay with the new reporter plasmid. This new type of reporter plasmid, ARE-AUG-Luc+, should be of value in endocrine research and in screening to identify endocrine-modulating chemicals.

Keywords: Androgen α2u-Globulin Promoter Endocrine Reporter gene

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induces oxidative stress in the epididymis and epididymal sperm of adult rats by C. Latchoumycandane; K. C. Chitra; P. P. Mathur (pp. 280-284).

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is one of the most potent environmental contaminants, which has been shown to induce oxidative stress in testis and epididymal sperm of rats. However, the nature and mechanism of action of TCDD on the epididymis is not clear. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether induction of oxidative stress in epididymal sperm was direct effect of TCDD on epididymis. In the present studies, TCDD (0.1, 1.0 and 10 µg/kg body weight per day) was administered orally to rats for 4 days. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment the animals were killed using anesthetic ether. Both epididymides were dissected out and epididymal sperm were collected by cutting the epididymides into small pieces in Ham's F-12 medium at 35°C. The epididymal sperm and caput, corpus and cauda epididymides were homogenized and used for biochemical studies. Epididymal sperm counts did not decrease in the rats treated with TCDD. Administration of TCDD increased the production of reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide while the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase were found to be decreased in the epididymal sperm as well as in cauda epididymides. Lipid peroxidation also increased in the epididymal sperm and in the various regions of the epididymides after exposure to TCDD. The results indicated that TCDD induces oxidative stress in the epididymis and epididymal sperm by decreasing the antioxidant enzymes through induction of reactive oxygen species. Thus, the adverse effects of TCDD on the epididymal sperm were due to direct effect of TCDD on epididymis.

Keywords: 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) Oxidative stress Sperm Epididymis Lipid peroxidation

Protective effects of glutathione on 5-fluorouracil-induced myelosuppression in mice by Seiji Kojima; Katsumi Takaba; Naoya Kimoto; Tsuyoshi Takeda; Masakazu Kakuni; Masato Mizutani; Kazuo Suzuki; Hitoshi Sato; Takuji Hara (pp. 285-290).

The protective effects of glutathione (GSH) administration on myelosuppression induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were investigated in female BALB/c mice. Animals were allocated to four groups (16 mice/group). GSH was given orally at a dose of 800 mg/kg to groups 3 and 4 for 21 consecutive days (day 0 to day 20). 5-FU was repeatedly administered at a dose of 40 mg/kg to groups 2 and 3 for 1 week (day 7 to day 13) by gavage. Group 3 served as a combined treatment group and group 1 as a non-treated control group. The total observation period was 3 weeks. Body weight was measured once a week. A decrease in body weight due to 5-FU treatment was observed in groups 2 and 3 on day 14. Although the body weight in group 2 had not increased by 1-week after cessation of 5-FU treatment, the value in group 3 markedly recovered. Hematology, total nucleated myelocyte count and histopathology of bone marrow were carried out on day 14 and day 21. In groups 2 and 3, these examinations showed thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, reticulocytopenia and myelosuppression on day 14. However, platelets and bone marrow were less affected in group 3 than in group 2. On day 21, the thrombocytopenia in groups 2 and 3 was resolved. The myelosuppression, leukopenia and reticulocytopenia resolved in group 3, but not in group 2. Although simple microcytic anemia occurred delayed on day 21, it was less severe in group 3 than in group 2. Therefore, GSH may have preventive effects against 5-FU-induced hematopoietic toxicity, and accelerate recovery after cessation of 5-FU treatment.

Keywords: Glutathione 5-Fluorouracil Myelosuppression Mice

High-dose clastogenic activity of aniline in the rat bone marrow and its relationship to the carcinogenicity in the spleen of rats by Ernst M. Bomhard (pp. 291-297).

To clarify the question of clastogenicity of aniline in rats two studies were performed: a bone marrow micronucleus test and a bone marrow metaphase test. In the micronucleus test aniline (as aniline hydrochloride) was administered to groups of seven male PVG rats at single oral doses of 0, 300, 400, or 500 mg/kg body weight. Bone marrow was obtained 24 and 48 h after oral treatment. Smears of bone marrow were stained with acridine orange and erythrocytes were examined for the presence of micronuclei. Animals receiving cyclophosphamide (1×7.5 mg/kg) served as positive controls. Clinical signs observed in animals dosed at 300 mg/kg and above included cyanosis, light brown coloured urine and cold to touch. Small, but statistically significant and dose-related increases in the incidence of micronulei over the vehicle control values were observed at the 24-h sampling time only. Cyclophosphamide induced a significant and comparably much higher increase in micronuclei than aniline. In the bone marrow metaphase test aniline (as aniline hydrochloride) was administered to groups of seven male PVG rats at single oral dose levels of 0, 300, 400, or 500 mg/kg body weight. Bone marrow was sampled 18 and 30 h after dosing. A group treated with cyclophosphamide (1×40 mg/kg) served as positive control. A small increase in the percentage of aberrant cells above solvent control values was recorded in one rat at 400 mg/kg and four rats at 500 mg/kg at the 18-h sampling time only. The positive control cyclophosphamide induced a much higher rate of aberrant cells in all animals. Several lines of evidences are presented against a causal relationship between the clastogenic activity in male PVG rats at 400 and 500 mg/kg and the carcinogenicity in the spleen of Fischer 344 rats starting at 30 mg/kg in males. Among these are the dose-response relationship of the tumour incidence, the close correlation between degree of spleen damage and tumour induction, the lack of carcinogenic effects in mice even at higher dose levels, or in rats at dose levels inducing only slight haematotoxicity and spleen toxicity, and the available data on the mode of action of other chemicals inducing spleen tumours.

Keywords: Genotoxicity Aniline hydrochloride Haematotoxicity Oxidative stress Non-genotoxic carcinogenicity

Effects of the mycotoxin ochratoxin A in a bacterial and a mammalian in vitro mutagenicity test system by Wolfram Föllmann; Stefanie Lucas (pp. 298-304).

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin produced by several Aspergillus and Penicillium species, is a worldwide contaminant of food and feedstuffs. It is nephrotoxic, immunosuppressive and carcinogenic in several animal species. The mechanism by which OTA acts is not fully understood up to now. Here, OTA was evaluated for mutagenicity in the Salmonella typhimurium assay (Ames assay) and in the HPRT assay with V79 hamster fibroblasts. In the bacterial assay using the strains TA 98, TA 100, TA 1535, TA 1538, TA 102 and TA 104, OTA was not mutagenic at a concentration range from 0.01 to 500 µM in the presence and absence of an external metabolising enzyme system (rat liver S9 enzyme mix). In V79 fibroblasts, cytotoxicity of OTA was estimated with the neutral red uptake assay. An IC₅₀ of 11.6 µM was found in the absence and an IC₅₀ of 6.4 µM in the presence of S9 mix. In the subsequent HPRT (hypoxanthine-guanine-phosphoribosyl-transferase) assay with V79 cells the negative result of the bacterial assay was confirmed using OTA in concentrations from 0.1 to 100 µM. In order to obtain converted OTA metabolites from viable, metabolically competent cells, a preincubation of primary cultured rat hepatocytes with 0.016 to 0.8 µM OTA was performed. The resulting culture medium, which contained OTA metabolites, was tested in both mutagenicity assays. Again, no mutagenic effect was detected either in the bacterial or in the mammalian test assay. In accordance with several literature data, the present results imply that OTA does not act as direct mutagen. Additionally, the OTA metabolites derived from cultured rat hepatocytes or rat liver S9 mix, also, do not have a mutagenic potency in the test systems used.

Keywords: Mycotoxin Ochratoxin A Mutagenicity Salmonella typhimurium HPRT assay Metabolic activation

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Archives of Toxicology (v.77, #5)