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Biomedical subjects

G A Ansari

Publications and source records attributed to G A Ansari.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Nonoxidative metabolism of 2-butoxyethanol via fatty acid conjugation in Fischer 344 rats.

Nonoxidative metabolism of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (2-butoxyethanol or BE) via fatty acid conjugation was studied in the liver of Fischer 344 male rats following a single oral administration of 500 mg/kg body weight [ethyl-1,2-14C]BE (70 microCi/kg). Animals were killed 2 h after the treatment, hepatic lipids extracted, and the neutral lipids were separated using solid-phase extraction. The neutral lipid fraction was subjected to preparative thin-layer chromatography, and the esters corresponding to the relative flow of authentic fatty acid 2-butoxyethyl esters were recovered and analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using methanol-water (37:3, v/v) as solvent. Approximately 85% of the 14C label present in the ester fraction was coeluted at retention times corresponding to the different fatty acid 2-butoxyethyl ester standards. The radioactive fractions were analyzed by electron impact mass spectrometry. Molecular ion peaks and fragmentation patterns similar to that of 16:0, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2, and 20:4 fatty acid 2-butoxyethyl ester standards were detected in the corresponding radioactive HPLC fractions. Fatty acid ethyl ester synthase (FAEES), purified from the rat liver microsomal fraction, was also found to catalyze the formation of 18:1 fatty acid 2-butoxyethyl ester. These studies demonstrate that BE is metabolized nonoxidatively via conjugation with long-chain fatty acids, and the formation of these esters appears to be catalyzed by the enzyme(s) involved in fatty acid conjugation of xenobiotic alcohols. However, the biological significance of BE conjugation with fatty acids remains to be investigated.

Acyltransferases↗

Fatty acylation of the rat asialoglycoprotein receptor. The three subunits from active receptors contain covalently bound palmitate and stearate.

Rat hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGP-Rs) are hetero-oligomers composed of three homologous glycoprotein subunits, designated rat hepatic lectins (RHL) 1, 2, and 3. ASGP-Rs mediate the endocytosis and degradation of circulating glycoconjugates containing terminal N-acetylgalactosamine or galactose, including desialylated plasma glycoproteins. We have shown in permeable rat hepatocytes that the ligand binding activity of one subpopulation of receptors (designated State 2 ASGP-Rs) can be decreased or increased, respectively, by ATP and palmitoyl-CoA (Weigel, P. H., and Oka, J. A. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 27186-27190). We proposed that a reversible and cyclic acylation/deacylation process may regulate ASGP-R activity during endocytosis, receptor-ligand dissociation, and receptor recycling. In the accompanying paper (Zeng, F-Y., and Weigel, P. H. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 21388-21395), we show that the ligand binding activity of affinity-purified State 2 ASGP-Rs is decreased by treatment with hydroxylamine under mild conditions consistent with these ASGP-Rs being fatty acylated in vivo. In this study, we used a chemical method to determine the presence of covalently-bound fatty acids in individual ASGP-R subunits. The affinity-purified ASGP-R preparations were separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nonreducing conditions, and the gel slices containing individual RHL subunits were treated with alkali to release covalently bound fatty acids, which were subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography and confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Both stearic and palmitic acids were detected in all three receptor subunits. Pretreatment of ASGP-Rs with hydroxylamine before SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis reduced the content of both fatty acids by 66-80%, indicating that most of these fatty acids are attached to cysteine residues via thioester linkages. Furthermore, when freshly isolated hepatocytes were cultured in the presence of [3H]palmitate, all three RHL subunits in affinity-purified ASGP-Rs were metabolically labeled. We conclude that RHL1, RHL2, and RHL3 are modified by fatty acylation in intact cells.

Acylation↗

Hematopoietic toxicity of linoleic acid anilide: importance of aniline.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of hydrolysis products of linoleic acid anilide (LAA), i.e., aniline and linoleic acid (LA), in the toxicity to the hemopoietic system, especially to the spleen. To achieve this, the parent compound (LAA) and its putative hydrolysis products, i.e., aniline or linoleic acid (LA), were given to male SD rats at equimolar doses (0.7 mmol/kg) in 0.25 ml mineral oil by gavage, daily, for 14 days. The controls received equal volumes of vehicle only. Five animals from each group were euthanized at Days 1, 7, and 28 following the last dose. At all time points, spleen weights increased in the LAA- and aniline-treated rats, but spleen to body weight ratios were increased only at Days 1 and 7 in these groups. No changes were observed in the LA-treated rats at any time point. RBC counts were decreased in the LAA and aniline groups at Days 1 and 7, whereas hemoglobin content was decreased by 20 and 13% in the LAA- and aniline-treated rats, respectively, only at Day 1. Methemoglobin content in the LAA and aniline groups also increased by 76 and 101%, respectively, at Day 1. Serum transaminases (AST and ALT) decreased in the LAA, aniline, and LA groups but the decreases were more consistent in the LA group. Serum IgA increased in the LAA and aniline groups only at Day 1. Splenic iron content was increased 381, 486, and 51% in the LAA-treated rats and 474, 491, and 58% in the aniline-treated rats at Days 1, 7, and 28, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anilides↗

Increased endobiotic fatty acid methyl esters following exposure to methanol.

Human exposure to methanol is likely to increase in the future due to its proposed use as an alternate automobile fuel. Since alcohols are known to esterify the fatty acids in the body and some of those esterified esters are toxic, we studied the formation of fatty acid esters of methanol in Long-Evans male rats given a single oral dose of 3.5 g/kg body weight of methanol in saline. Animals given an equal volume of saline served as control. Three rats were euthanized at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hr following the treatment. Fatty acid methyl esters, extracted from whole blood, liver, pancreas, and brown fat were separated by thin-layer chromatography and quantitated by gas chromatography (GC). Their identity was then confirmed by GC-mass spectrometry. Average levels as high as 596, 5293, 2239, 1106, 9665, 7728, 562, and 2792 micrograms/g (wet weight basis) of 14:0, 16:0, 16:1, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2, 18:3, and 20:4 fatty acid methyl esters, respectively, were found in the pancreas of methanol-treated rats. The average concentration of total fatty acid methyl esters was computed to be 4513, 29594, 22871, 18956, 17014, and 9702 micrograms/g in the pancreas compared to 1.9, 25.4, 36.8, 18.5, 18.9, and 14.2 micrograms/g in the liver at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hr, respectively, following methanol exposure. On dry lipid weight basis, the levels were significantly higher again in pancreas followed by brown fat and liver. In whole blood, only low levels of 16:0, 18:0, and 20:4 fatty acid methyl esters could be detected at all time points. The highest concentration of total fatty acid methyl esters in the pancreas, liver, and brown fat was detected at 1, 3, and 24 hr, respectively. Most of the fatty acid methyl esters found in the liver and pancreas decreased after 6 hr of methanol exposure. The fatty acid methyl esters of higher concentrations were 16:0 in the whole blood, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2, and 20:4 in liver, 18:1, and 18:2 in pancreas and 16:0, 18:1, and 18:2 in brown fat. These fatty acid methyl esters were also detected in the tissues of control rats indicating their endogenous formation. Significant increase in methylation of the fatty acids during methanol exposure, as found in this study, may serve as a defense mechanism for preventing available methanol from oxidative metabolism to render toxicity. However, the biological significance of these fatty acid methyl esters is yet to be understood.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

Iron-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver is accompanied by preferential induction of glutathione S-transferase 8-8 isozyme.

Since previous studies from this laboratory have suggested that glutathione S-transferase (GST) 8-8 of rat belongs to a distinct subgroup of GST isozymes which may be involved in the detoxification of the products of lipid peroxidation (Zimniak et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269, 992-1000, 1994), during the present studies we examined the effect of iron-induced lipid peroxidation on the expression of GST 8-8 in rat liver. Rats treated with 100 mg/kg body wt iron showed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation in liver. This was accompanied by a concomitant increase in the expression of GST 8-8 in liver as observed in isoelectrophoretic analysis of rat liver GSTs, and an increase in GST activity toward 4-HNE, a toxic product of lipid peroxidation toward which GST 8-8 displays high specific activity. Western blot studies using polyclonal antibodies specifically recognizing GST 8-8 also indicated that, among the GST isozymes of rat liver, GST 8-8 was preferentially induced upon iron treatment. These findings were further confirmed by purifying and quantitating GST 8-8 protein from the controls and iron-treated rats. Significant differences in the specific activities of GST 8-8 purified from the controls and iron-treated rats were observed, indicating that more than one GST isozyme related to GST 8-8 may be present in rat liver. This observation is consistent with the observed heterogeneity in mouse mGSTA4-4 which is an ortholog of rat GST 8-8. Iron treatment also caused significant increase in GSH levels probably because of de novo synthesis as indicated by an increase in gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase activity. The results of these studies suggest that GST 8-8, and possibly other related GST isozymes, may play an important role in defense mechanisms against lipid peroxidation.

Aldehydes↗

Trichloroethene-induced autoimmune response in female MRL +/+ mice.

Trichloroethene (TCE) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and scleroderma in humans. However, experimental studies have not been conducted to establish the role of TCE in causing autoimmunity and/or SLE. To clarify the role of TCE in autoimmune responses, subchronic studies were carried out in female autoimmune prone mice (MRL +/+). Three groups of mice (5 weeks old) received intraperitoneal injections of 10 mmol/kg of TCE, 0.2 mmol/kg of dichloroacetyl chloride (DCAC) (one of the metabolites of TCE with strong acylating property), or an equal volume (100 microliters) of corn oil alone (controls). Animals were dosed every 4th day for 6 weeks and euthanized 24 hr following the last dose. Sera and major tissues were collected and analyzed. Spleen weights in the TCE and DCAC groups increased 36% with a similar pattern of change in the spleen-to-body weight ratios. Serum IgG in the TCE and DCAC groups increased 45 and 322%, respectively. Using specific ELISA assays for mice, autoimmune antibodies were detected in the sera of TCE- and DCAC-treated mice in the following patterns: for anti-nuclear antibodies; controls, 0/4; TCE, 4/4; DCAC, 3/5; for anti-ssDNA antibodies; controls, 0/4; TCE, 2/4; DCAC, 5/5; for anti-cardiolipin antibodies; controls, 0/4; TCE, 0/4; DCAC, 3/5. An ELISA developed for the measurement of DCAC-specific antibodies using conjugated DCAC-albumin as an antigen showed the following pattern: for controls, 0/4; TCE, 0/4; DCAC, 5/5. These results suggest that TCE and its metabolite, DCAC, induce and/or accelerate autoimmune responses in female MRL +/+ mice. The greater responses induced by DCAC at a dose 50 times lower than TCE suggests that this metabolite may be important in the mechanisms leading to TCE-induced autoimmunity.

Animals↗

Fatty acid conjugates of xenobiotics.

In this review, we discuss the formation and toxicity of fatty acid conjugates of xenobiotics. Conjugates formed in vivo and in vitro and those detected as contaminants are reviewed. Due to the lipophilic nature of these conjugates, they may accumulate in various body organs and cause toxic manifestations. In vivo formation of these fatty acid conjugates appears to be catalyzed by enzyme(s). Fatty acid ethyl esters are the most widely studied esters and have been implicated in the onset or pathogenesis of myocardial and pancreatic diseases in alcoholics. In experimental animals, studies on 2-chloroethyl linoleate, palmitoylpentachlorophenol and oleoyl and linoleoyl anilides clearly indicate that lipid conjugates of xenobiotics are involved in target organ toxicity. These findings warrant further detailed studies to isolate and identify other fatty acid conjugates and to evaluate their toxicity. Thorough toxicokinetic and metabolic studies are also needed to identify putative toxic agents. Identifying these agents could help in understanding the mechanism of pathogenesis associated with lipid conjugation. Finally fatty acid conjugates of drugs (prodrugs), have been shown to have increased half-lives and long-lasting dose-response. Thus these conjugates may be useful for enhancing the therapeutic potential of drugs and should be explored further.

Animals↗

Erythrocyte-aniline interaction leads to their accumulation and iron deposition in rat spleen.

In order to understand the splenic toxicity of aniline in rats, early interaction of aniline with erythrocytes and its subsequent deposition and covalent binding to macromolecules in target (spleen) and nontarget (liver) organs have been studied. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were given 1 or 3 doses of 1 mmol/kg [14C]aniline hydrochloride (1 dose/d) by gavage and euthanized 24 h after the treatment. Among blood components, maximum radioactivity was found to be associated with red blood cells (RBCs). After 3 doses, there was 112, 79, and 67% increase in the radioactivity in the whole blood, RBCs, and hemolysate, respectively, in comparison to 1 dose. In comparison to RBCs, plasma had only 40 and 16% radioactivity after the administration of 1 and 3 doses, respectively. Spleen homogenate at 1 dose had one-third of the radioactivity in the TCA precipitate, which increased to 40% at 3 doses, while the total radioactivity increased 256% over 1 dose. Liver, which had almost double the radioactivity on a per gram tissue basis compared to the spleen at one dose, did not show any appreciable increase in the radioactivity at three doses. However, radioactivity in the TCA precipitate of liver homogenate increased by 92% after 3 doses. The iron content of the spleen in rats given 3 doses of [14C]aniline increased by 85% compared to the rats given just 1 dose. The iron content of liver did not show any change at three doses. These data thus demonstrate a dose-dependent binding and accumulation of radioactivity in erythrocytes and spleen. These interactions, along with parallel increases in the iron content of the spleen, could be critical in the splenic toxicity of anilines.

Aniline Compounds↗

Rapid plasma clearance of albumin-acrolein adduct in rats.

Protein adducts are used as markers of chemical exposure. Determination of the clearance rate of these adducts from the blood circulation will provide the time frame for their measurement. Radioactive albumin was prepared biosynthetically by repeated intraperitoneal injections of L-[4,5-3H]lysine to a rat. After an affinity purification, an aliquot of this native [3H-lysine]albumin was adducted with 5 mM acrolein. Both the native albumin (A-treated group) and the albumin-acrolein adduct (AAA-treated group) were intravenously injected to separate groups of rats, and the clearance of radioactivity from the plasma was measured as a function of time. At the end of the experiment (33 h after the injection), radioactivity in the whole plasma, and in homogenates of liver, kidney and spleen and their trichloroacetic acid(TCA)-soluble and -insoluble fractions in both A- and AAA-treated groups, was measured. The results, at the initial 11 h after the injection, showed that the radioactivity was cleared from the circulating plasma more rapidly in the AAA-treated group (32% of the injected radioactivity remained) than the A-treated group (52%). At 33 h after the injection, 22% of the injected radioactivity remained in the plasma in the AAA-treated group as compared to 32% in the A-treated group. The whole homogenates of liver and kidney and their corresponding TCA-soluble fractions showed higher radioactivity in the AAA-treated group as compared to the A-treated group. However, the TCA-insoluble fractions from livers and kidneys of the AAA-treated group showed lower radioactivity as compared to the A-treated group. These results indicated that the albumin-acrolein adduct was removed more rapidly from the circulation than the native albumin, and degraded more rapidly by the liver and kidney. There was no preferential removal or degradation of the adducted albumin by the spleen.

Acrolein↗

Interactions of glutathione S-transferase-pi with ethacrynic acid and its glutathione conjugate.

Ethacrynic acid, a diuretic drug known to be an inhibitor of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), has been shown to enhance the cytotoxicity of the alkylating agent class of chemotherapeutic drugs in cultured cancer cells resistant to alkylating agents. This action of ethacrynic acid is presumably mediated by inhibition of GSTs which are implicated in detoxification of alkylating agents. In addition to being an inhibitor of GSTs, ethacrynic acid also interacts with GSTs as a substrate for conjugation with GSH to yield an ethacrynic acid-GSH conjugate. This conjugate is formed both enzymatically and non-enzymatically and itself is a GST inhibitor. Since ethacrynic acid-GSH conjugate is itself likely to be able to mediate reversal of alkylating agents through GST inhibition, we have synthesized and purified the ethacrynic acid-GSH conjugate, studied the kinetics of inhibition of human lung pi-class GST by ethacrynic acid and the conjugate, and compared the kinetics of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic formation of the conjugate using an HPLC method. Results of our studies showed that the ethacrynic acid-GSH conjugate was a more potent inhibitor of human lung GST-pi than ethacrynic acid (Ki = 1.5 vs. 11.5 microM, respectively) and that their mechanisms for GST inhibition were distinct (competitive and non-competitive, respectively). Comparison of enzymatic and non-enzymatic rates of conjugate formation in vitro indicated that GST-pi catalyzed a rapid conjugation of ethacrynic acid with GSH at a concentration of ethacrynic acid an order of magnitude above that required to nearly completely inhibit GST catalyzed conjugation of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. However, because of the rapid non-enzymatic reaction, and the inhibition of GST-pi with the accumulation of the conjugate in the reaction mixture, the overall quantity of the conjugate formed after 150 min was nearly identical in the presence or absence of GST-pi. Results of these studies suggest that inhibition of GSTs by ethacrynic acid-GSH conjugate may be the main mechanism through which ethacrynic acid reverses alkylating agent resistance.

Alkylating Agents↗

Subchronic toxicity of aniline hydrochloride in rats.

Hematological, biochemical and histopathological responses of subchronic exposure to aniline hydrochloride (AH) have been investigated in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given 600 ppm of AH in drinking water while the control rats received tap water only. Five rats from each group were sacrificed at 30, 60, and 90 days of treatment. Organ-to-body weight ratio for spleen in the AH-treated rats was 56, 61, and 53% higher than controls at days 30, 60, and 90, respectively. Liver showed a biphasic pattern for this ratio, a decrease at 30 days and then an increase at 60 days. Among other organs, testes showed a significant decrease in this ratio at 60 days. Hematological analysis showed 65% increase in WBC counts at 30 days in the AH-treated rats, whereas, no changes were recorded at later time points. Erythrocyte counts in the AH-treated rats showed very significant decreases at all the time points, whereas, hemoglobin and hematocrit decreased at 30 and 90 days of treatment. Mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin increased in the AH-treated rats at 60 and 90 days of treatment. Methemoglobin content showed significant increases of 89, 59 and 45% at days 30, 60, and 90, respectively. Among serum immunoglobulins, IgA in the AH-treated groups showed 24 and 51% increases at days 60 and 90, respectively. Analysis of splenic lymphocyte subpopulation showed a decrease in the T-helper (CD4+/CD8-) sub-set at 90 days whereas, other subpopulations were not affected. Aniline hydroxylase activity in the liver microsomes of the AH-treated rats was significantly higher at 60 days of treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aniline Compounds↗

Methylene dianiline: acute toxicity and effects on biliary function.

4,4'-Methylene dianiline (4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, DAPM), which is used in the polymer industry, causes hepatobiliary damage in exposed humans. Our objectives were to characterize the acute toxicity of DAPM in liver, particularly on secretion of biliary constituents and on biliary epithelial cell gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity. Biliary cannulas were positioned in Sprague-Dawley male rats under pentobarbital anesthesia. After 1 hr of control bile collection, each rat was given 250 mg DAPM/kg (50 mg/ml) po in 35% ethanol or 35% ethanol only; bile was collected for a further 4 hr. Groups of rats were also examined for liver injury and biliary function at 8 and 24 hr after DAPM. Four hours after DAPM administration, main bile duct cells were severely damaged with minimal damage to peripheral bile ductule cells. Focal periportal hepatocellular necrosis and extensive cytolysis of cortical thymocytes occurred by 24 hr. Serum indicators of liver injury were elevated by 4 hr and continued to rise through 24 hr. By 4 hr, biliary protein concentration was increased 4-fold while concentrations of biliary bile salt, bilirubin, and glutathione were decreased by approximately 80, 50, and 200%, respectively. DAPM also induced a striking effect on biliary glucose with an approximately 20-fold increase. Histochemical staining of main bile duct GGT was absent by 8 hr after DAPM. Bile flow was diminished by 40% at 4 hr; three of five rats had no bile flow by 8 hr and none had any bile flow by 24 hr. These results indicate that DAPM rapidly diminishes bile flow and alters the secretion of biliary constituents and is highly injurious to biliary epithelial cells.

Administration, Oral↗

Methylamine metabolism to formaldehyde by vascular semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase.

The capacity of the vascular enzyme, semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO), to metabolize methylamine to the potentially toxic product, formaldehyde, was tested using rat aortic homogenates and purified porcine aortic SSAO. Formaldehyde production in incubations of enzyme source with methylamine (1 mM) was detected by high performance liquid chromatography and product was confirmed by desorption chemical ionization mass spectrometry (DCI-MS). Inhibitor studies using the specific SSAO inhibitor semicarbazide and the monoamine oxidase inhibitor pargyline indicate that SSAO is responsible for metabolism of methylamine to formaldehyde. These results suggest the possibility that elevated methylamine found in several pathologic states (such as uremia and diabetes mellitus), or generated from exogenous sources, could result in overproduction of formaldehyde in tissues with high SSAO activity, especially blood vessels.

Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)↗

Covalent binding of ethylene dibromide and its metabolites to albumin.

The present study was undertaken to determine covalent binding of [1,2-14C]ethylene dibromide (EDB) to albumin under in vivo and in vitro conditions. For the in vivo covalent binding, 25 mg/kg body weight of [1,2-14C]EDB was given daily to male rats for 12 consecutive days and the animals were sacrificed at 24 h following the last dose. Blood was withdrawn from inferior vena cava in heparinized tubes and plasma was separated, dialyzed against ice-cold 10 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and then subjected to size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography (SE-HPLC). A major radioactive peak eluted at an elution volume corresponding to 65,000 dalton molecular mass was found to be associated to albumin at a level of 0.14 nmol equivalent EDB/mg protein. For the in vitro covalent binding, human plasma or purified albumin was incubated with [1,2-14C]EDB in the presence of phenobarbital-treated rat liver microsomes and NADPH-generating system for 2 h at 37 degrees C. The 100,000 x g supernatant of the incubation mixture was dialyzed extensively and analyzed as described for the in vivo studies. Approximately 0.28 nmol equivalent EDB/mg protein was found to be associated to albumin (about 2-fold higher than the in vivo binding). Binding of 14C-label to albumin under in vivo and in vitro conditions was further supported by the affinity chromatography of albumin fraction isolated by SE-HPLC. Reversed-phase HPLC analysis of pronase digest of the albumin obtained from in vitro studies indicated formation of several amino acid adducts of EDB and/or its metabolites. Structure elucidation of such amino acid adducts will be helpful in developing a relatively non-invasive method of measuring the EDB exposure.

Administration, Oral↗

A community-based epidemiologic study of health sequelae of exposure to hydrofluoric acid.

An accident at an oil refinery in Texas City, Texas, released around 40,000 lb of hydrogen fluoride, exposing the community to the highly toxic and corrosive substance. A population-based epidemiologic study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the accident on the health of the community. Exposure assessment was done using a multipronged approach through a door-to-door survey of 10,811 individuals. A symptom survey resulting in 1994 completed interviews was conducted with a stratified random sample selected from the exposure study database. The sampling was balanced with respect to age, gender, and predisposition across the three ordinal exposure categories. The results show a strong dose relationship (P < 10(-4)) between the exposure and symptoms reported following the accident and 2 years later, most notably breathing and eye symptoms. However, substantial improvement in health was reported over the 2-year period regardless of the level of exposure. Problems of recall bias and behavioral sensitization are considered and it is recognized that the study may have overestimated the effect. It is also recognized that the study may not have completely unraveled the relative importance of exposure and host response in health outcome, since the two were probably conflated in the exposure measure. Nevertheless, the independence of predisposition and reported level of exposure, the magnitude of effect and its consistency, the unmistakable dose response, the large sample size, and the mutual corroboration of various findings make it difficult to dismiss the interpretation that the hydrofluoric acid exposure indeed caused health problems in the community that continued for at least 2 years after the accident.

Accidents, Occupational↗

Toxic response of linoleic acid anilide in female rats.

The toxicity of linoleic acid anilide (LAA) and heated linoleic acid anilide (HLAA) was studied in female rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were given 250 mg/kg of LAA or HLAA in mineral oil, by gavage, on alternate days for two weeks. Control rats received an equal volume of mineral oil. The animals were sacrificed at day 1, 7 and 28 following the last dose. Organ-to-body weight ratio was increased for spleen in both LAA and HLAA treated rats at day 1. Lung, kidney and brain showed increases in this ratio at some time point, whereas, thymus in the HLAA group showed a decrease at day 28. Among blood parameters, red blood cells and hemoglobin content decreased in both LAA and HLAA treated groups at day 1 and in the LAA group at day 7. Serum IgA levels increased throughout the study in both treatment groups and were more pronounced in HLAA treated rats. Splenic T-helper lymphocyte numbers decreased in the HLAA group at day 1, whereas, other cell types were not affected. The changes observed in female rats are comparable to our previous findings in male rats and relatively minor in relation to sex differences. These results further support that hemopoietic system is an early target of fatty acid anilide toxicity.

Anilides↗