Jon M Battershill | PubMed Health

PubMed2005

Toxicogenomics: regulatory perspective on current position.

Published studies on the utility of toxicogenomic approaches (transcriptomics, proteomics and metabonomics) in screening for toxicological mechanisms and evaluation of dose response effects have been reviewed. The information supports the use of transcriptomics to screen for specific toxicological mechanisms for which there is an a priori hypothesis, although in some areas such as mutagenicity testing, toxicogenomics appear to have limited value for identifying mutagens. Data from such screening approaches cannot be used to exclude the possibility of toxicity. Targeted transcriptomics might be valuable for screening for specific mechanisms of toxicity considered to be irrelevant for assessing risk to humans, which would help to reduce the need for detailed testing of some chemicals. An integrated approach is suggested where data from more than one toxicogenomic approach could be used as an adjunct to conventional toxicology to assess dose-response in toxicological tests. An outline preliminary proposal for use by regulators is suggested although it is noted that more data are required before this could be formally used in a decision-making process.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Toxicological assessment of isomeric pesticides: a strategy for testing of chiral organophosphorus (OP) compounds for delayed polyneuropathy in a regulatory setting.

Many compounds, including some pesticides, contain structural centres of asymmetry, which convey the property of a type of stereoisomerism known as chirality. Such compounds can exist in two or more forms, depending on the number of chiral atoms and are termed stereoisomers or enantiomers. Stereoisomers of a particular compound can have different biological properties; one such of particular importance for toxicological evaluation, is the potential for differences in metabolic disposal of and binding of stereoisomers to molecular targets in the cell. The combination of differential metabolism of chiral organophosphorus (OP) pesticides and opposing stereoselectivity of inhibition of neuropathy target esterase (NTE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) can affect the value of the hen test, performed to OECD guidelines, in predicting the potential to cause organophosphate-induced delayed polyneuropathy (OPIDP) in humans. This is a mixed central and sensory and motor neuropathy. The experimental data on structural analogues of the pesticide methamidophos and the evidence for stereoselective OPIDP are reviewed and a model is given demonstrating how the properties of a chiral OP can result in the neuropathic potential not being detected by the standard hen test. A strategy for the assessment of a racemic mixture comprised of two OP enantiomers for the potential to induce OPIDP is outlined. The strategy uses information from structure activity relationships (SAR), in vitro tests and in vivo tests to allow risk assessment decisions to be made. It is suggested that the potential for stereoselective toxicity of pesticides should be routinely considered in regulatory assessments.

Animals↗