PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H M Bolt

Publications and source records attributed to H M Bolt.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Inhalation pharmacokinetics based on gas uptake studies. VI. Comparative evaluation of ethylene oxide and butadiene monoxide as exhaled reactive metabolites of ethylene and 1,3-butadiene in rats.

When ethylene oxide or butadiene monoxide is added to the atmosphere of a closed inhalation chamber occupied by Sprague-Dawley rats, a first-order elimination pattern is observed. When either of these compounds is IP injected into rats which are subsequently placed in the closed chamber, the course of epoxide in the atmosphere follows Bateman exponential functions. From the experimental data, the kinetic parameters for distribution and metabolic elimination of ethylene oxide and butadiene monoxide can be derived. When ethylene or 1,3-butadiene was added to the closed exposure systems and kept at atmospheric concentrations which assured maximal metabolic turnover of the olefin (i.e., concentrations above 1,000 ppm ethylene or 1,500 ppm 1,3-butadiene), exhalation of the appropriate epoxide occurred and led finally to a constant (plateau) concentration of the reactive metabolite in the system's atmosphere. Although the initial time-course was different between butadiene monoxide and ethylene oxide (with a high initial increase of ethylene oxide and a subsequent decrease) an analysis at steady-state (plateau concentrations) revealed that only 29% of the amounts of both epoxides which in theory are formed as primary metabolites from the parent olefins are systematically available (i.e., distributed in the entire organism). The discrepancy is probably related to first pass elimination of the epoxide.

Animals↗

[N-Acetylcysteine as an antidote in accidental acrylonitrile poisoning].

Acute acrylonitrile intoxications are followed by loss of consciousness, convulsions, respiratory arrest, and may end fatally. Common cyanide antidotes have not proved to be effective. In previous animal experiments we could demonstrate that the cyanide antidotes show some protective effect only after oral acrylonitrile application. Only a minimal amount of inhaled acrylonitrile will be transformed into cyanide, in contrast to pharmacokinetics after oral intake. After acrylonitrile inhalation the toxic effect of the whole molecule ( cyanethylation ) is important, and sulfhydryl compounds show antidotal effects. Further animal experiments demonstrate the superior antidotal effects of N-acetyl-cysteine after acrylonitrile inhalation. Intravenous injection of N-acetyl-cysteine in high doses is recommended according to the treatment of paracetamol poisoning.

Acetylcysteine↗

The reduction of chromium (VI) to chromium (III) by glutathione: an intracellular redox pathway in the metabolism of the carcinogen chromate.

The capacity of glutathione (GSH) to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in vitro was investigated. The reaction was determined spectrophotometrically by following the absorption of Cr(VI) at 370 nm. At stoichiometric conditions (molar ratio Cr(VI)/GSH of 1:3) the reduction was strongly dependent on the solution's pH. It was much slower at pH 7.4 than at pH values below 5. An excess of GSH (100- or 1000-fold) accelerated the reaction. In any case, 3 GSH molecules were required to reduce 1 molecule of chromate. Incubation of human red blood cells (RBC) with an excess of Na2CrO4 (10 mM) decreased the GSH content of the cells to 10% of the original amount. This depletion of GSH was similar to that obtained when RBC were incubated with 62 mM diethylmaleate (DEM), a well known GSH depleting agent. Sephadex G-100 chromatography of lysates from human RBC incubated with radioactive chromate (51Cr(VI] showed a strong affinity of 51Cr for hemoglobin: 97% of the applied dose was bound to hemoglobin whilst only minor amounts of 51Cr were found in the low-molecular fractions. However, incubations of prepared lysates (as opposed to intact cells) with 10 mM Na2 51CrO4 markedly raised the chromium content of low-molecular fractions (probably GSH-Cr-complexes), probably indicative of a role of GSH in the intra-cellular reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III), the latter being regarded as the ultimately toxic species of this metal.

Chromates↗

Disposition of intratracheally administered chromium(III) and chromium(VI) in rabbits.

Intratracheal instillation of 51CrCl3 in anaesthetized rabbits resulted in partial absorption. In blood, the absorbed material was entirely confined to the plasma compartment. Only trace amounts were deposited in liver and kidney. By contrast, after similar application of Na(2)51CrO4 the bulk of blood radioactivity was present in erythrocytes. Substantial deposition occurred in liver and kidneys. It is concluded that Cr(VI) may enter the body unreduced via the lung and is partly deposited in cells over a prolonged period of time.

Animals↗

Olefinic hydrocarbons: a first risk estimate for ethene.

The exhalation of ethene oxide by rats exposed to ethene now allows a first estimate of the genotoxic risk of ethene on a pharmacokinetic basis. The distribution (Keq, Kst) of ethene oxide under conditions of inhalation of ethene oxide, or high levels of ethene and consideration of the saturation behaviour of metabolism of ethene lead to the conclusion that inhalation exposure of rats to 1000 ppm ethene or more would theoretically correspond to about 7.5 ppm ethene oxide exposure. Available carcinogenicity data for inhaled ethene oxide were utilized into a comparison of the genotoxic risks of low levels of ethene oxide and ethene. It has been shown that consideration of ethene as a "simple asphyxiant" is inappropriate. The new intended TLV of 1 ppm for ethene oxide would be consistent with a TLV of 100 ppm for ethene.

Animals↗

Metabolism of genotoxic agents: halogenated compounds.

Most halogenated compounds showing genotoxicity do not themselves react with macromolecules but are transformed to reactive metabolites. In order to explain the widely different genotoxicities of halogenated ethylenes, the 'optimum stability' theory of epoxides has been developed recently. An epoxide must be reactive to alkylate DNA, but stable enough to reach the target from the place of its formation. Also, pharmacokinetic aspects are important in accounting for differences in genotoxicities of closely related compounds; examples are provided. Reactive metabolites may bind to proteins, to lipids and coenzymes, and to DNA, but binding to targets other than DNA is far more common than DNA alkylation. An example is provided by investigations on 2,2'-dichlorodiethyl ether from which chloroacetaldehyde is formed. In contrast to vinyl chloride, which generates chloroethylene oxide (chlorooxirane) as well as chloroacetaldehyde, this compound leads to extensive covalent protein binding of metabolites, but not to DNA binding.

Alkylating Agents↗

Covalent protein binding of vinyl chloride metabolites during co-incubation of freshly isolated hepatocytes and hepatic sinusoidal cells of rats.

Proteins of isolated rat hepatic sinusoidal cells incubated with 14C-vinyl chloride, rat liver microsomes and an NADPH-regenerating system were alkylated by vinyl chloride metabolites formed by microsomes. This suggests that reactive vinyl chloride metabolites can penetrate sinusoidal cells. Protein alkylation in isolated hepatic sinusoidal cells was higher when these were co-incubated with isolated hepatocytes, indicating that reactive vinyl chloride metabolites formed by hepatocytes are stable enough to diffuse out of hepatocytes into sinusoidal cells. Glutathione added to the incubation medium inhibited the covalent protein binding of vinyl chloride metabolites in sinusoidal cells as well as in hepatocytes incubated separately and deleted the increased protein binding in sinusoidal cells co-incubated with hepatocytes. The data indicate that glutathione present in the incubation medium traps reactive vinyl chloride metabolites formed by hepatocytes which otherwise would react with cell constituents of sinusoidal cells. If similar conditions exist in vivo, the alkylation of DNA of liver endothelial cells by vinyl chloride metabolites formed in hepatocytes is possible. This would explain the induction of hemangioendotheliomas of the liver by vinyl chloride.

Alkylation↗

Inhalation pharmacokinetics based on gas uptake studies. IV. The endogenous production of volatile compounds.

A pharmacokinetic description of production, distribution and metabolism of endogenous volatile compounds is presented. This description uses the "gas uptake model" of a closed recirculated atmosphere in which experimental animals are exposed. As an example, the production rates of acetone, under different conditions of stimulation by xenobiotics, are calculated from published experimental data. The theoretical descriptions may serve as a basis for treating the problem of hydrocarbon exhalation in toxicological experiments with compounds eliciting lipid peroxidation.

Acetone↗

Quantitative evaluation of ethane and n-pentane as indicators of lipid peroxidation in vivo.

The use of exhalation of ethane and n-pentane in experimental animals as parameters of lipid peroxidation led to an examination of pharmacokinetics of both compounds in rats. When rats were exposed, in a closed desiccator jar chamber, to a wide range of ethane concentrations, linear elimination pharmacokinetics were observed. n-Pentane, when concentrations higher than 100 ppm were applied, displayed saturation kinetics. These were formally explained by action of two competing metabolizing pathways or enzymes. Application of preexisting models could describe exhalation of both ethane and n-pentane by untreated control rats. Stimulation of lipid peroxidation by ferrous ions or by carbon tetrachloride resulted in dissimilar quantitative behaviours of ethane and n-pentane. Ethane production rates were enhanced after application of both compounds. Because of relatively slow metabolic eliminations this led to markedly elevated concentrations of ethane in the gas phase of the system. Pentane production rates were simultaneously enhanced. However, difficulties in interpretation arise because of rapid metabolic elimination of n-pentane. Compounds that diminish pentane metabolism are shown to evoke higher pentane concentrations in the system than compounds which only enhance the pentane production rate. Determinations of ethane exhalation should provide a more favourable parameter of lipid peroxidation than exhalation of pentane.

Animals↗

Biological activation of 1,3-butadiene to vinyl oxirane by rat liver microsomes and expiration of the reactive metabolite by exposed rats.

When 1,3-butadiene is incubated with rat liver microsomes and NADPH both enantiomers of vinyl oxirane are formed, the amount of epoxide being dependent on incubation time, microsomal protein, and substrate concentration. Inhibition by SKF 525 A or dithiocarb as well as induction by pretreatment with phenobarbital or 20-methylcholanthrene suggest participation of cytochrome P-450 in this reaction. The amount of epoxide is enhanced by addition of 1,1,1-trichloropropene oxide and reduced by glutathione, especially in the presence of hepatic cytosol. When rats are exposed to 1,3-butadiene in a closed chamber (conditions of maximal metabolism) vinyl oxirane is exhaled and can be quantitatively determined from the gas phase. The concurrent exhalation of acetone is consistent with the idea of biologic action of a reactive metabolite.

Acetone↗

Rat liver microsomal transformation of ethene to oxirane in vitro.

Rat liver microsomal monooxygenases transform ethene to oxirane. Compared with 1,3-butadiene, which is metabolized to vinyl oxirane, this transformation proceeds more slowly. Also, oxirane has a distinctly lower alkylating potency than vinyloxirane towards the test reagent (p-nitrobenzyl)-pyridine. This may suggest a lower toxicity of ethene, compared with butadiene.

Alkylation↗

Evidence of chloroethylene oxide being the reactive metabolite of vinyl chloride towards DNA: comparative studies with 2,2'-dichlorodiethylether.

The roles of chloroethylene oxide (CEO) and chloroacetaldehyde (CAA) in carcinogenicity of vinyl chloride (VC) have been studied by comparing biological effects of VC exposure with those of 2,2'-dichlorodiethylether (bis(chloroethyl)ether, BCEE) as a metabolic precursor of CAA. Biological end-points investigated were covalent protein binding, nucleic acid (RNA and DNA) alkylation and the potency of the two chemicals to induce preneoplastic ATPase-deficient foci in rat liver. After exposure of rats to [1-14C]BCEE, BCEE derived radioactivity was bound to liver proteins. Analysis of hydrolysates of liver RNA and DNA gave no indication for the formation of either 7-N-(2-oxoethyl)guanine, 1,N6-ethenoadenine or 3,N4-ethenocytosine residues within the nucleic acids. After application of VC, BCEE or chloroethanol [CE), also a precursor of CAA) to young rats, only animals exposed to VC developed preneoplastic hepatocellular ATPase-deficient foci. From these investigations it is concluded, that CEO (which is not formed during metabolism of BCEE and CE), not CAA, is the ultimate carcinogenic principle in VC carcinogenicity.

Animals↗

Irreversible binding of acrylonitrile to nucleic acids.

1. [2,3-14C]Acrylonitrile was incubated with rat-liver microsomes, NADPH and either DNA, RNA or bovine serum albumin. Irreversible binding occurred to the macromolecular targets. Binding was lower when incubations were performed without microsomes. 2. Most of the 14C bound to DNA, RNA or polynucleotides (poly-A, poly-C, poly-G, poly-U) after incubation of [2,3-14C]acrylonitrile with rat-liver microsomes and 'conventional' re-isolation of the nucleic acids was removed from the macromolecular target when subsequently chromatographed on hydroxyapatite. 3. Radioactivity attached to DNA after prolonged non-enzymic incubations with [2,3-14C]acrylonitrile was also removed from the DNA by chromatography on hydroxyapatite. 4. When [2,3-14C]acrylonitrile was administered to rats (i.p.), incorporation of 14C into the natural bases of hepatic RNA was observed. In contrast with previous experiments with [1,2-14C]vinyl chloride, no radioactive [1-N6]etheno-adenine could be detected in RNA. 5. After administration of [2,3-14C]acrylonitrile to rats, hepatic DNA was isolated and hydrolysed by a modified enzymic procedure. Chromatography on PEI-cellulose showed two 14C peaks which did not co-chromatograph with any known standard. The amount of 14C in these presumed alkylation products was too low to allow chemical identification. 6. It is concluded that acrylonitrile, either itself or its metabolites, can alkylate nucleic acids. However, the extent of irreversible nucleic-acid binding is quantitatively much less than that observed with vinyl halides.

Acrylonitrile↗

Increased acetone exhalation induced by metabolites of halogenated C1 and C2 compounds.

Rats were exposed, in a closed desiccator jar chamber, to concentrations of various halogenated C1 and C2 compounds at which the metabolizing capacities were saturated (Vmax conditions). Within the exposure period of 50 h concentrations of the xenobiotic and of exhaled acetone were monitored in the gas phase of the system. The quantitative extent of acetone exhalation was dependent on the individual compound examined. Acetone exhalation was stimulated in presence of vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, vinyl fluoride, vinylidene fluoride, cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and 1,1,2-trichloroethane. No stimulation of acetone exhalation occurred with 1,1,1-trichloroethane and with the reference hydrocarbon n-hexane. Also, acetone exhalation was evoked by infusions of either fluoroacetate or chloroacetate, two anticipated or proven metabolites of some haloethylenes; the infusion rates of which were based on calculations of the metabolic rates of vinylidene fluoride and of vinyl chloride, respectively.

Acetone↗