PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J S Bus

Publications and source records attributed to J S Bus.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Developmental toxicity studies in rats and rabbits on 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and its forms.

The potential for 2,4-D and its salts and esters to induce developmental toxicity was investigated in rats (8 studies) and rabbits (7 studies). Maternal toxicity associated with exposure was dependent on the dose level expressed as 2,4-D acid equivalents. The severity of the maternal effect was correlated to the 2,4-D acid-equivalent dose, with increasing dose levels that exceeded renal clearance causing increasingly more severe maternal effects. In both species, maternal body weight effects began to be manifested at dose levels of 30 mg 2,4-D acid equivalent/kg/day. At higher dose levels (50-75 mg/kg/day in rats and 75-90 mg/kg/day in rabbits), body weights and feed consumption were more severely affected. At dose levels > or =90 mg/kg/day in rats, clinical signs of toxicity (ataxia, muscular stiffness, and decreased motor activity) and mortality were noted. The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for maternal toxicity in both species across the family of 2,4-D salts and esters was approximately 10 mg/kg/day. Significantly decreased fetal body weights and increased fetal variations were seen in rats only at maternally toxic dose levels in excess of 90 mg/kg/day acid equivalent. At maternally toxic doses in rabbits, embryonal and fetal development were essentially unaffected. There were no effect on maternal reproductive measures such as litter size, resorption rates, or fetal body weights, and there was no evidence of teratogenic activity. In summary, equivalent toxicity of the salts and esters is consistent with rapid and complete metabolic conversion to 2,4-D acid. No adverse fetal effects were noted at dose levels that did not also produce evidence of maternal toxicity or exceed renal clearance of 2,4-D indicating that the developing rat and rabbit fetus were not uniquely sensitive to 2,4-D and its forms.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

Ames assays and unscheduled DNA synthesis assays on 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and its derivatives.

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and several of its derivatives (collectively known as 2,4-D) are herbicides used to control a wide variety of broadleaf and woody plants. The genetic toxicity in vitro of 2,4-D and seven of its salts and esters were examined by employing gene mutation in bacteria (Ames test) and induction of DNA damage and repair in rat hepatocytes. In addition, an in vivo unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) assay was performed on 2,4-D. There were no indications of genotoxic potential for 2,4-D acid, or any of its derivatives, in these assays. These results are consistent with the reported lack of carcinogenic potential for 2,4-D in both mice and rats.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

Evaluation of the genotoxicity of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and its derivatives in mammalian cell cultures.

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and its derivatives (collectively known as 2,4-D) are herbicides used to control a wide variety of broadleaf and woody plants. The genetic toxicity of an ester (2,4-D 2-butoxyethylester) and two salts (2,4-D isopropylamine and 2,4-D triisopropanolamine) was investigated in cultured mammalian cells. The end points used were the induction of chromosomal aberrations in primary cultures of rat lymphocytes and forward mutations at the HGPRT locus of Chinese hamster ovary cells. There was no evidence of genotoxicity for the test materials in the experimental systems used. These results were consistent with the general lack of genotoxic potential for 2,4-D in a number of other test systems.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

In vivo micronucleus assays on 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and its derivatives.

The potential for 2,4-D and seven of its salts and esters to induce cytogenetic abnormalities in mammalian cells in vivo was investigated in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test. All the test materials were administered to male and female mice by oral gavage and the frequencies of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MN-PCE) in the bone marrow were determined at intervals of 24, 48 and 72 h following dosing. There were no significant increases in the incidence of MN-PCE in the treated mice at any of the bone marrow sampling times. These results are consistent with the reported lack of in vitro genetic toxicity for these materials in various in vitro genotoxicity assays as well as the absence of carcinogenic potential for 2,4-D in both mice and rats.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

Mode of action considerations in the use of transgenic animals for mutagenicity and carcinogenicity evaluations.

Genetically altered rodent models can be useful in facilitating the extrapolation of results from animal carcinogenicity studies to human risk assessment by contributing mode of action data. Transgenic mutation models make it possible to analyze mutations in vivo in any tissue of interest. Validation studies using genotoxic and epigenetic carcinogens indicated a good correlation between mutation induction and the tumor target tissues and have provided data on mode of tumorigenic action. However, carcinogenesis is a complex process and mutation induction in a given tissue does not always lead to tumors in that tissue. Genetically altered animal models such as the p53 +/- mouse can be useful in differentiating genotoxic carcinogens from those operating by non-genotoxic mechanisms. An understanding of the tumor responses of these short-term alternative transgenic and knockout mice to epigenetic events such as tissue injury and enzyme induction at high maximum tolerated doses will eventually increase our level of confidence in these animal models for hazard evaluation and mechanistic studies.

Animals↗

Single-dose and chronic dietary neurotoxicity screening studies on 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in rats.

Forms of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (collectively known as 2,4-D) are herbicides used to control a wide variety of broadleaf and woody plants. Single-dose acute and 1-year chronic neurotoxicity screening studies in male and female Fischer 344 rats (10/sex/dose) were conducted on 2,4-D according to the U.S. EPA 1991 guidelines. The studies emphasized a Functional Observational Battery (which included grip performance and hindlimb splay tests), automated motor activity testing, and comprehensive neurohistopathology of perfused tissues. Dosages were up to 250 mg/kg by gavage for the single-dose study, and up to 150 mg/kg/day in the diet for 52 weeks in the repeated-dose study. In the acute study, gavage with 250 mg/kg test material caused slight transient gait and coordination changes and clearly decreased motor activity at the time of maximal effect on the day of treatment (day 1). Mild locomotor effects occurred in one mid-dose rat (75 mg/kg), on Day 1 only. No gait, coordination, or motor activity effects were noted by day 8. In the chronic study, the only finding of neurotoxicologic significance was retinal degeneration in females in the high-dose group (150 mg/kg/day). Body weights of both sexes were slightly less than controls in the mid-dose group, and 10% less than controls in the high-dose group. In summary, the findings of these studies indicated a mild, transient locomotor effect from high-level acute exposure, and retinal degeneration in female rats from high-level chronic exposure. Based on the results from these two studies, the no-observed-adverse-effect level for acute neurotoxicity was 15 mg/kg/day and for chronic neurotoxicity was 75 mg/kg/day.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

Comparative subchronic and chronic dietary toxicity studies on 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, amine, and ester in the dog.

Forms of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) are herbicides used in the control of a wide variety of broadleaf and woody plants. Subchronic toxicity studies in dogs were conducted on three forms of 2,4-D: the parent form, 2,4-D acid (ACID); 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (DMA); and 2,4-D 2-ethylhexyl ester (2-EHE). The three studies were designed to allow for comparison of the toxicity of the three forms. Doses in the subchronic studies, on an acid equivalent basis, were 0, 0.5 (ACID only), 1.0, 3.75, and 7.5 mg/kg/day. Treatment related findings in the three studies included reductions in body weight gain, and food consumption, and minor increases in blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and alanine aminotransferase. The data from the three subchronic studies demonstrated the comparable toxicity of ACID, DMA, and 2-EHE and support a subchronic no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 1.0 mg/kg/day for all three forms. Due to the similarity in toxicity of the three forms of 2,4-D, a 1-year chronic toxicity study was performed on the parent ACID to fully characterize the potential toxicity of 2,4-D in the dog. ACID was well tolerated at doses of 0, 1.0, 5.0, and 7.5 mg/kg/day. The clinical pathology alterations were similar to those seen in the subchronic studies and were not progressive. The histopathology alterations observed were not severe in nature and the no observed effect level in the chronic study was determined to be 1.0 mg/kg/day. There was no indication of any immunotoxic or oncogenic response in the studies. In conclusion, the findings of these studies indicate comparable toxicity among representative forms of 2,4-D and their generally low toxicity following subchronic and chronic dietary exposure in the dog.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

Comparative subchronic studies on 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, amine, and ester in rats.

Forms of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (collectively known as 2,4-D) are herbicides used to control a wide variety of broadleaf and woody plants. Subchronic toxicity studies in rats were conducted on three forms of 2,4-D: the parent form, 2,4-D acid; 2,4-D dimethylamine salt (DMA); and 2,4-D 2-ethylhexyl ester (2-EHE). Doses in the subchronic studies (on an acid equivalent basis) were 0, 1, 15, 100, and 300 mg/kg/day. Major treatment related findings in the three studies included decreases in red cell mass, decreases in T3 and T4 levels, decreases in ovary and testes weights, increases in liver, kidney, and thyroid weights, and cataracts and retinal degeneration (high-dose females). These data demonstrated the comparable toxicities of 2,4-D acid, DMA, and 2-EHE and support a subchronic no-observed-effect level of 15 mg/kg/day for all three forms. In summary, the findings of these studies indicate comparable low subchronic toxicity potentials among representative forms of 2,4-D.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

Chronic dietary toxicity/oncogenicity studies on 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in rodents.

Forms of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (collectively known as 2,4-D) are herbicides used to control a wide variety of broadleaf and woody plants. Doses in the 2-year chronic/oncogenicity rat study were 0, 5, 75, and 150 mg/kg/day. The chronic toxicity paralleled subchronic findings, and a NOEL of 5 mg/kg/day was established. A slight increase in astrocytomas observed (in males only) at 45 mg/kg/day in a previously conducted chronic rat study was not confirmed in the present study at the high dose of 150 mg/kg/ day. Doses in the 2-year mouse oncogenicity studies were 0, 5, 150, and 300 mg/kg/day for females and 0, 5, 62.5, and 125 mg/ kg/day for males. No oncogenic effect was noted in the study. In summary, the findings of these studies indicate low chronic toxicity of 2,4-D and the lack of oncogenic response to 2,4-D following chronic dietary exposure of 2,4-D in the rat and mouse.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

Dose-dependent metabolism and dose setting in chronic studies.

Because of the expense involved in conducting chronic studies, limited numbers of animals and dose groups are used. This has given rise to the practice of including as one of the dose groups the "Maximum Tolerated Dose" (MTD). This dose is operationally defined as the highest dose which can be administered to animals without adversely affecting their survival through effects other than cancer. Since many detoxification systems in animals are capacity-limited, they frequently become saturated in MTD studies. This may lead to difficulties in interpreting the results of MTD studies, particularly when it is necessary to estimate the hazard for human populations whose exposure is typically much lower than the MTD. For this reason, it is important to characterize the dose-dependency of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (pharmacokinetics) of test substances prior to the initiation of a chronic study. This provides a basis for determining the number and spacing of doses to be used in a chronic study. If the appropriate information is collected it may also be possible to develop a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model which facilitates extrapolation of the toxicity results between different species and routes of administration as well as between high and low doses. For instance, methylene chloride and vinyl chloride are predominantly metabolized by saturable oxidative pathway(s) at low exposure concentrations. In each case, the oxidative pathway saturates at exposures much lower than the MTD. Knowledge of the pharmacokinetic behavior of these substances provided a basis for appropriately interpreting the chronic studies which have been conducted with these materials.

Animals↗

Effects of methyl ethyl ketone pretreatment on hepatic mixed-function oxidase activity and on in vivo metabolism of n-hexane.

1. Male Fischer-344 rats were given methyl ethyl ketone (MEK; 1.87 ml/kg), a potentiator of the neurotoxicity of n-hexane, by gavage for 4 days prior to a single inhalation exposure to n-hexane (1000 ppm). 2. Samples of blood, liver, testis and sciatic nerve were obtained and analysed for n-hexane, MEK and their metabolites by g.l.c.-mass spectrometry. 3. Pretreatment with MEK increased the concentrations of 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD; the proximal neurotoxin) in blood, sciatic nerve and testis relative to concentrations in the tissues in sham-treated controls. 4. Concentrations of 2,5-dimethylfuran, a metabolite of 2,5-HD, were increased in all four tissues tested. 5. After 1-7 days treatment with MEK, the activity of 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase was increased (up to 500%), but benzphetamine N-demethylase activity was virtually unaffected. 6. Hence, the potentiating effects of MEK on the neurotoxicity of n-hexane appear to arise, at least in part, from the activating effects of MEK on selected microsomal enzymes responsible for n-hexane activation.

Animals↗

2,2,4-Trimethylpentane-induced nephrotoxicity. I. Metabolic disposition of TMP in male and female Fischer 344 rats.

2,2,4-Trimethylpentane (TMP), a component of unleaded gasoline, causes nephrotoxicity in male, but not in female, rats. In the present study, male and female Fischer 344 rats were treated with a single oral dose of [14C]TMP (4.4 mmol/kg; 2 microCi/mmol). Radiolabeled material in kidney, liver, and plasma was determined at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hr after dosing. Maximum concentration of TMP-derived radioactivity in kidney, liver, and plasma of male rats was found after 12 hr (1252, 1000, and 403 nmol eq/g, respectively), whereas those measured in females were found after 8 hr (577, 1163, and 317 nmol eq/g, respectively). A selective retention of the TMP-derived radiolabel in the kidneys of male rats was noted when peak tissue concentration was expressed as a percentage of administered dose. Kidney concentrations of TMP-derived radiolabel increased in a nonlinear, but dose-dependent, manner; the kidney to plasma ratio was greater at low doses than at higher doses. Increased retention of radiolabel material in the kidney was associated with a significant increase in renal concentration of the male-rat-specific protein, alpha 2u-globulin, 24 and 48 hr after TMP administration. Total radioactivity collected in urine 48 hr after TMP administration was similar in males and females (32 and 31% of dose). Identification and quantitation of the urinary metabolites of TMP showed that both male and female rats metabolize TMP via the same pathway and at a similar rate. Female rats, however, excreted more conjugates of 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentanol in urine than males. 2,4,4-Trimethyl-2-pentanol was the major metabolite present in the male rat kidney, but was absent in the female rat kidney. The renal retention of 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentanol appears to account for the delayed clearance observed in the disposition of [14C]TMP-derived radiolabel. Based on the concomitant accumulations in renal alpha 2u-globulin concentration and renal 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentanol concentration, an association is speculated between these two components. The male-rat-specific accumulation of 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentanol may therefore reflect the accumulation of a "metabolite-alpha 2u-globulin" complex. This may be relevant to the male-rat-specific nephrotoxicity produced by TMP.

Alpha-Globulins↗

2,2,4-Trimethylpentane-induced nephrotoxicity. II. The reversible binding of a TMP metabolite to a renal protein fraction containing alpha 2u-globulin.

Trimethylpentane (TMP) produces nephrotoxicity in male but not in female rats. The toxicity is characterized by an increase in protein droplets in proximal convoluted tubular cells and an increase in the renal concentration of the male-rat-specific protein alpha 2u-globulin. Subcellular fractionation of the kidneys from male rats 24 hr after [3H]TMP administration showed that about 60% of the radiolabeled material was localized in the 116,000g supernatant. Column chromatography of this supernatant resolved the radioactivity into two components; one, which contained about 26% of the radiolabel, coeluted with alpha 2u-globulin and cross-reacted with an antibody specific for alpha 2u-globulin. The remaining component eluted in the low-molecular-weight range (less than 1000 Da) and was assumed to be TMP metabolites. Radiolabel from [3H]TMP in male rat urine also resolved into two components with about 0.1% of the radiolabel in urine coeluting with the alpha 2u-globulin-containing fraction. Radiolabel from TMP in male rat liver 116,000g supernatant and plasma and in female rat kidney 116,000g supernatant eluted as a single component in the low-molecular-weight range. Dialysis (1000-Da cutoff) of male kidney 116,000g supernatant led to a loss of the low-molecular-weight components, but nondialyzable radiolabel (about 20%) still coeluted with the alpha 2u-globulin after gel chromatography. Dialysis against 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate led to a loss of both the low- and high-molecular-weight radioactive material. These results suggested that the high-molecular-weight radioactive material was formed by the reversible binding of a radioactive component of TMP to a male-rat-specific protein. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of an ethyl acetate extract of the alpha 2u-globulin-containing fractions of TMP-treated male rat kidney 116,000g supernatant identified 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentanol as the only bound metabolite to alpha 2u-globulin. These studies provide the first evidence for a reversible binding between a metabolite of TMP and a male-rat-specific protein in the kidney and thus provide important insight delineating a potential mechanism of hydrocarbon-induced hyaline-droplet nephropathy.

Alpha-Globulins↗

Perspectives on the mechanism of action of the splenic toxicity of aniline and structurally-related compounds.

Aniline and several structurally-related aromatic amines produce spleen tumours in rats given high doses of compound in 2-year bioassay studies. Evaluation of the pathogenesis of the splenic lesions and characterization of the disposition of radiolabelled aniline in animals suggests that the spleen tumours may be a secondary response resulting from chemically-mediated erythrocyte toxicity. It is proposed that compound-derived toxicity to erythrocytes results in scavenging of damaged red blood cells by the spleen, initiating a series of events which may contribute to the development of spleen tumours. These events potentially include (i) specific accumulation of the parent compound or toxic metabolite(s) carried to the spleen by erythrocytes; (ii) deposition of erythrocytic debris, particularly iron, which may catalyse tissue-damaging free-radical reactions; and (iii) induction of splenic hyperplasia resulting from erythrocyte overload. Linkage of the splenic tumorigenicity of these aromatic amines to an initial toxic event in the erythrocyte suggests that the carcinogenicity of such compounds may be determined by a definable threshold dose, i.e. the events leading to the carcinogenicity are not initiated until the capacity of the red blood cell to cope with the toxic insult is exceeded.

Aniline Compounds↗

Role of testicular versus epididymal toxicity in the induction of cytotoxic damage in Fischer-344 rat sperm by methyl chloride.

Exposure of male Fischer-344 (F-344) rats to methyl chloride (MeCl) results in testicular and epididymal toxicity and the induction of both pre- and postimplantation embryonic loss; the preimplantation loss is caused by cytotoxic damage to sperm that leads to failure of fertilization (Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 1986; 86:124-130). The present study examined whether the cytotoxicity of MeCl to sperm is due to the testicular or epididymal toxicity of MeCl. Groups of 18 males were exposed to 3000 ppm MeCl 6 h/day for 5 days, with and without concurrent treatment with the anti-inflammatory agent 3-amino-1-[m-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-pyrazoline (BW755C; 10 mg/kg, i.p. 1 h pre- and postexposure); BW755C was used to inhibit the epididymal toxicity of MeCl. Control groups were untreated or injected as described above with BW755C. Six males from each group were killed weekly for 3 weeks. Toxic effects of MeCl on the testis were demonstrated by decreased relative organ weight (week 3), testicular histopathology (weeks 1-3) and decreased daily sperm production (weeks 1-3); these effects were not prevented by BW755C. In both the MeCl and the MeCl + BW755C treatment groups, tubules devoid of sperm were observed in regions 4 and 5 of the epididymis at week 2, and in regions 6A and 6B at week 3. Sperm were present in the vas deferens of both groups at week 3 in decreased numbers and had decreased motility and more frequent morphologic abnormalities compared to untreated controls. In conjunction with known epididymal transit times for F-344 rat sperm, these data indicate that the induction of preimplantation loss by MeCl at weeks 2 and 3 postexposure is likely to result from cytotoxic effects on sperm located in the testes at the time of exposure.

Animals↗

Site-specific renal cytotoxicity and cell proliferation in male rats exposed to petroleum hydrocarbons.

The pathologic significance of intracytoplasmic protein droplet accumulation within renal tubular epithelial cells induced experimentally in male rats after exposure to various environmental chemicals, such as unleaded gasoline (UG), is poorly understood. 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane (TMP), a component of UG, also is a potent inducer of protein droplets in male rats. This study documents a strong correlation between protein droplet accumulation, single cell necrosis, and regeneration of the male F344 rat nephron during a 3-week exposure regimen to a wide dose range of inhaled UG or gavaged TMP covering several orders of magnitude (2 to 2000 ppm of UG and 0.2 to 50 mg/kg of TMP, respectively). Autoradiographic analyses of various segments of the nephron were conducted after continuous administration of [methyl-3H]thymidine via osmotic pumps implanted during the last week of UG or TMP exposure. The P2 segment of the proximal tubule of control rats from both experiments had a higher rate of cell turnover (approximately 11%) than the adjacent P1 (approximately 2%) or P3 segments (approximately 3%). The P2 segment of rats exposed to UG or TMP responded with additional dose-related (up to 6-fold) increases in cell turnover. The extent and localization of cell proliferation closely paralleled the extent and severity of accumulation of crystalloid protein droplets and single cell necrosis. Biochemical and immunohistochemical studies have shown that protein droplets in male, but not female rats, consist primarily of alpha-2u-globulin, a low molecular weight protein synthesized by the liver under androgenic control. Increased cell turnover in the P2 segment of male rats may be related to altered catabolism of alpha-2u-globulin. This accelerated cell proliferation may be an essential factor in the development of renal cancer in male rats exposed to UG or other volatile hydrocarbons.

Animals↗