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NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Salicylazosulfapyridine (CAS No. 599-79-1) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies).

Salicylazosulfapyridine is widely used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. It has been beneficial in the treatment of psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, and it has been used in veterinary medicine for the treatment of granulomatous colitis. Salicylazosulfapyridine was nominated for toxicity and carcinogenicity testing by the National Cancer Institute on the basis of its widespread use in humans and because it is a representative chemical from a class of aryl sulfonamides. Salicylazosulfapyridine is a suspect carcinogen because reductive cleavage of the azo linkage yields a p-amino aryl sulfonamide (sulfapyridine), and a related p-amino aryl sulfonamide (sulfamethoxazole) has been shown to produce thyroid neoplasms in rats. Toxicology and carcinogenicity studies were conducted in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice. Rats and mice were administered salicylazosulfapyridine (96% to 98% pure) in corn oil by gavage for 16 days, 13 weeks, or 2 years. The gavage route of administration was selected for these studies because it approximates the typical route of human exposure to the chemical. Genetic toxicology studies were conducted in vitro in Salmonella typhimurium and cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells and in vivo in rat and mouse bone marrow and mouse peripheral blood cells. 16-DAY STUDY IN RATS: Groups of five male and five female rats were administered 0, 675, 1,350, or 2,700 mg salicylazosulfapyridine/kg body weight in corn oil by gavage for 16 days excluding weekends. All rats survived to the end of the study. With the exception of the 675 mg/kg male group, the final mean body weights of all dosed groups of males and females were significantly lower than those of controls. Mean body weight gains of all dosed groups were less than those of controls. Clinical findings included ruffled fur and distended abdomens in male and female rats receiving 2,700 mg/kg. Hypothyroidism, evidenced by decreased serum triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations and increased thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations, occurred in 2,700 mg/kg male and female rats. The absolute and relative thymus weights of male rats receiving,350 or 2,700 mg/kg and female rats receiving 2,700 mg/kg were significantly lower than those of controls. At necropsy, all dosed rats had enlarged cecae/large intestines. Male rats receiving 1,350 mg/kg and male and female rats receiving 2,700 mg/kg had red, enlarged thyroid glands. Chemical-related microscopic lesions were present in the forestomach, thymus, thyroid gland, and pituitary gland. Minimal to mild hyperplasia of the forestomach mucosa was present in the 1,350 and 2,700 mg/kg male and female groups. Lymphoid depletion was observed in the thymus of three male and three female rats in the 2,700 mg/kg groups. Male and female rats receiving 1,350 and 2,700 mg/kg had thyroid gland follicular cell hyperplasia and an increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone producing cells in the pars distalis of the pituitary gland. 16-DAY STUDY IN MICE: Groups of five male and five female mice were administered 0, 675, 1,350, or 2,700 mg salicylazosulfapyridine/kg body weight in corn oil by gavage for 16 days excluding weekends. There were no chemical-related deaths, and final mean body weights of dosed mice were similar to those of controls. No chemical-related clinical findings were noted for male or female mice. There were no differences in triiodothyronine, thyroxine, or thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations between dosed and control mice. There were no biologically significant differences in absolute or relative organ weights between dosed and control male and female mice. At necropsy, male mice receiving 2,700 mg/kg had enlarged cecae/large intestines. There were no biologically significant histopathologic lesions attributed to salicylazosulfapyridine administration. 13-WEEK STUDY IN RATS: Groups of 10 male and 10 female rats were administered 0, 84, 168.8, or 337.5 mg salicylazosulfapyridine/kg body weight in corn oil by gavage for 13 weeks. All rats survived to the end of the study. The finaludy. The final mean body weights of dosed male rats were similar to those of controls; the final mean body weights and body weight gains of dosed females were significantly lower than those of controls. No chemical-related clinical findings were noted in dosed male or female rats during the 13-week study. No significant differences in hematology or urinalysis parameters between control and dosed rats were observed. The absolute and relative right kidney weights of 337.5 mg/kg females were significantly greater than those of controls. At necropsy, some 337.5 mg/kg male rats had red, enlarged thyroid glands. Histopathologic changes were noted primarily in the thyroid gland and pituitary gland of males and females in the 337.5 mg/kg groups. The thyroid gland lesions observed were similar to those present in the 16-day study. Nine male rats receiving 168.8 mg/kg and ten male and seven female rats receiving.5 mg/kg had minimal but consistent changes in thyroid gland follicular cells. In the pituitary gland of 337.5 mg/kg males and females, the thyroid-stimulating hormone producing cells were enlarged and contained pale-staining cytoplasm and prominent Golgi complexes. Decreased serum triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations and increased thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration, similar to differences observed in the 16-day study, occurred in 337.5 mg/kg male rats; thyroid hormone concentrations were not affected in female rats. Sperm motility of all dosed groups of males was significantly lower than that of controls. Vaginal cytology parameters of dosed groups of females were similar to those of controls. 13-WEEK STUDY IN MICE: Groups of 10 male and 10 female mice were administered 0, 675, 1,350, or 2,700 mg salicylazosulfapyridine/kg body weight in corn oil by gavage for 13 weeks. All mice survived to the end of the study. The final mean body weights of dosed male and female mice were similar to those of controls. The mean body weight gains of 1,350 and 2,700 mg/kg male mice were less than that of controls. No chemical-related clinical findings were noted in dosed male or female mice during the 13-week study. There was minimal evidence of a responsive anemia in mice in the 13-week study. The anemia was probably related to a methemoglobinemia. There were minimal decreases in thyroxine concentration in all dosed groups of male and female mice in the -week study. There were, however, no differences in triiodothyronine and thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations between dosed and control animals. Absolute and relative liver weights of all groups of dosed male and female mice were significantly greater than those of controls. There were no chemical-related gross lesions. Microscopic evaluation of the liver revealed centrilobular hypertrophy in five 1,350 mg/kg and all 2,700 mg/kg male mice. The right cauda weight of the 1,350 mg/kg group and the right epididymis weights of all dose groups were significantly lower than those of controls. There was no evidence of chemical-related alteration in the vaginal cytology parameters of female mice. 2-YEAR STUDY IN RATS: Groups of 60 male and 60 female rats were administered 84, 168, or 337.5 mg salicylazosulfapyridine/kg body weight in corn oil by gavage for up to 105 weeks. Groups of 70 male and 60 female rats were administered the corn oil vehicle by gavage for up to 105 weeks. A stop-exposure group of 70 male rats was administered 337.5 mg/kg salicylazosulfapyridine in corn oil by gavage for 6 months, after which animals received the corn oil vehicle by gavage for the remainder of the 2-year study. Ten animals from the vehicle control male group and 10 animals from the 337.5 mg/kg stop-exposure group were evaluated at 6 months; animals from each core-study group were evaluated at 15 months. Survival, Body Weights, and Clinical Chemistry: Survival of 337.5 mg/kg male core-study rats was significantly lower than that of controls; survival of 84 and 168 mg/kg core-study males, all groups of dosed females, and the stop-exposure male group was similar to controls. Mean body weights of core-study males and stop-exposure males were similar to controls throughout the study. From week 45 to the end of the study, females in the 337.5 mg/kg group had mean body weights that were lower than those of controls. The serum thyroxine concentration in 337.5 mg/kg core-study males at study termination was minimally lower than that of controls; the serum thyroid-stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine, and reverse triiodothyronine concentrations of dosed males and females were similar to those of controls. Pathology Findings: Administration of salicylazosulfapyridine for 2 years was associated with transitional epithelial papilloma in the urinary bladder of male rats and may have been associated with transitional epithelial papilloma of the kidney and of the urinary bladder of female rats. Nonneoplastic effects in the urinary bladder and kidney of male and female rats and in the spleen of male rats were also observed. Dosed male and female rats had increased incidences of grossly and microscopically observed urinary bladder concretions (diagnosed grossly as calculi at necropsy); male and female rats that developed transitional epithelial papillomas of the urinary bladder had grossly observed concretions (calculi) in the urinary bladder at necropsy. The microscopic neoplastic and nonneoplastic urinary bladder and kidney effects observed in dosed male rats during the 2-year continuous study did not occur in dosed rats during the 2-year stop-exposure study, nor were there gross observations of concretions (calculi) at necropsy. The incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia in male and female rats were decreased. The thyroid gland hyperplasia seen in the -week study was not observed in the 2-year study, and there was no evidence of chemical-related thyroid gland follicular cell adenomas or carcinomas. 2-YEAR STUDY IN MICE: Groups of 60 male and 60 female mice were administered 0, 675, 1,350, or 2,700 mg salicylazosulfapyridine/kg body weight in corn oil by gavage for up to 104 weeks. Ten animals from each group were evaluated at 15 months. Survival, Body Weights,and Clinical Chemistry: Survival of all the dosed groups of male and female mice was similar to that of controls. Mean body weights of 675 and 1,350 mg/kg male and female mice were similar to controls throughout the study. From week 12 to the end of the study, 2,700 mg/kg male mice had mean body weights that were lower than those of controls. From week 14 to the end of the study, the 2,700 mg/kg female mice had mean body weights that were lower than those of controls. There were no chemical-related differences in triiodothyronine, reverse triiodothyronine, thyroxine, or thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations between dosed and control mice at the 15-month evaluation. Pathology Findings: Exposure of mice to salicylazosulfapyridine in corn oil by gavage for 2 years was associated with increased incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms in males and females. Nonneoplastic effects in the liver and spleen were also observed in male and female mice. The incidences of forestomach squamous cell papilloma in females and forestomach hyperplasia in males and females were decreased. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY: Salicylazosulfapyridine was not mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA97, TA98, TA100, or TA1535, and it did not induce sister chromatid exchanges or chromosomal aberrations in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells. These in vitro assays were performed with and without S9 metabolic activation enzymes. Results from in vivo mouse bone marrow chromo somal aberration tests were uniformly negative, while results of micronucleus assays performed on male or female mice exposed to salicylazosulfapyridine for periods ranging from 3 days to weeks were positive. Micronucleus tests in male mice for shorter exposure times (1 to 2 days) yielded negative or very weakly positive results. A three-treatment (72-hour exposure time) micronucleus test performed in male rats yielded equivocal results. Overall, results of these in vivo assays indicate that salicylazosulfa pyridine is capable of inducing chromosomal damage, possibly in the form of aneuploidy, in mouse bone marrow cells after multiple administrations. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of these 2-year gavage studies, there was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of salicylazosulfapyridine in male and female F344/N rats based on increased incidences of neoplasms in the urinary tract. There was an increased incidence of transitional epithelial papilloma of the urinary bladder in males and a low incidence of rare transitional epithelial papillomas of the kidney and of the urinary bladder in females. There was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity of salicylazosulfapyridine in male and female B6C3F1 mice based on increased incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms. Increased incidences of nonneoplastic lesions of the urinary bladder and kidney in male and female rats and of the spleen in male rats were observed. Increased incidences of nonneoplastic lesions of the liver and spleen in male and female mice were observed. Decreased incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia in male and female rats were related to salicylazosulfapyridine administration. Decreased incidences of forestomach squamous cell papilloma in female mice and forestomach hyperplasia in male and female mice were related to salicylazosulfapyridine administration. Synonyms: 2-Hydroxy-5-[[4-[2-(pyridinylamino)sulfonyl]phenyl]azo]benzoic acid; 5-[p- (2-pyridylsulfamoyl)phenylazo]salicylic acid; sulfasalazine; salazosulfapyridine; 5-[4-(2-pyridylsulfamoyl)phenylazo]-2-hydroxybenzoic acid; 4-(pyridyl-2-amidosulfonyl)-3'-carboxy-4'-hydroxyazobenzene; sulphasalazine Trade names: Azopyrin, Azulfidine, Benzosulfa, Colo-Pleon, Reupirin, Salazopyrin

Journal Article↗

Cholestyramine-induced inhibition of salicylazosulfapyridine (sulfasalazine) metabolism by rat intestinal microflora.

The effect of multiple oral administration of the hypocholesterolemic agent cholestyramine (a strongly basic anion-exchange resin) on the metabolism of salicylazosulfapyridine by microflora present in the colon and cecum was assessed in conventional rats by following the time course of salicylazosulfapyridine and its metabolites in the urine and feces. The intestinal metabolism of salicylazosulfapyridine (a single 100 mg/kg oral dose), which involves reduction of the azo linkage by bacterial azo reductases and the liberation of sulfapyridine and 5-aminosalicylic acid (potential active metabolites of the drug), was markedly inhibited by the resin (250 mg/kg oral doses at -2, +2 and +6 hours), resulting in an enhanced fecal excretion of intact salicylazosulfapyridine. The existence of a rank-order correlation between the in vitro binding of salicylazosulfapyridine, sulfapyridine and 5-aminosalicylic acid to the resin and their fecal excretion pattern in resin-treated animals suggests that a direct cholestyramine-salicylazosulfapyridine interaction occurred within the intestinal tract and that in the bound state, the azo bond of the drug was inaccessible to bacterial azo reductases. These findings suggest that chronic oral administration of cholestyramine to patients with ulcerative colitis who are receiving salicylazosulfapyridine could result in a significant reduction in the absorption and metabolism of the drug and hence, in its therapeutic efficacy.

Aminosalicylic Acids↗

Hypersensitivity to salicylazosulfapyridine: renal and hepatic toxic reactions.

Salicylazosulfapyridine has been used for a number of years as therapy for ulcerative colitis. Reported toxicities are usually minor. This case report represents an acute allergic reaction to the drug. Characterized by fever, rash, eosinophilia, nephritis, and hepatitis. Resolution occurred with discontinuation of salicylazosulfapyridine. Although similar reactions have been reported with the antimicrobial sulfonamides, none has been fully described with salicylazosulfapyridine, a combination of a sulfonamide and salicylate.

Adult↗

Human jejunal brush border folate conjugase. Characteristics and inhibition by salicylazosulfapyridine.

Human jejunal brush border folate conjugase (EC 3.4.22.-) was partially purified and characterized. Three drugs known to be associated with clinical folate deficiency were tested for inhibition of the partially purified enzyme. Using jejunal mucosa from obese patients undergoing intestinal bypass surgery, brush border folate conjugase was purified 50-80-fold by centrifugation, Triton X-100 solubilization and DEAE-Sephadex and Sephacryl S-200 chromatography. Using synthetic pteroyldiglutamyl[14C]glutamate as substrate, the enzyme was found to have a pH optimum of 6.5 and an apparent Km of 1.6 micro M. Incubation of the enzyme with synthetic pteroyl[14C]glutamylhexaglutamate resulted in a spectrum of shorter-chain 14C-labeled pteroylglutamates at 60 min. Pteroyl[14C]glutamate was the major product at 120 min, with quantitative recovery of free glutamate in the incubation medium. Salicylazosulfapyridine was a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme (Ki = 0.13 mM), while ethanol, diphenylhydantoin and salicylazosulfapyridine metabolites had no effect. These data suggest that brush border folate conjugase is an exopeptidase which progressively hydrolyzes glutamyl units from pteroylpolyglutamate, leaving pteroylmonoglutamate as the folate form available for intestinal transport. Inhibition of brush border folate conjugase by salicylazosulfapyridine provides a mechanism for folate malabsorption and deficiency in chronic users of this drug.

Carboxypeptidases↗

Sulfapyridine appearance in plasma after salicylazosulfapyridine. Another simple measure of intestinal transit.

The appearance of sulfapyridine in plasma after oral administration of salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) was evaluated as a method for defining arrival time in the cecum, an index of small bowel transit. After direct instillation of SASP and lactulose into the cecum, the appearances of their metabolites (sulfapyridine in plasma and hydrogen in breath) were rapid (1-10 min) and simultaneous. When a mixture of SASP and lactulose was taken by mouth, times of the respective "signals" varied among individuals from 40 to 180 min (n = 8) but were correlated within individuals. Salicylazosulfapyridine transit times from duodenum to cecum were also very similar to simultaneous measurements of transit by scintigraphic monitoring of technetium 99m. Timing of the sulfapyridine signal corresponded to the arrival of 5%-13% of technetium 99m DTPA in the cecum. Exemplifying the use of this new technique, simultaneous administration of lactulose into the stomach and SASP into the duodenum yielded consistently longer stomach-to-cecum than duodenum-to-cecum transits, attributable to the delay caused by gastric emptying. Therapeutic doses of morphine delayed small bowel transit of SASP. Transit of SASP offers a second marker technique for the cecal arrival of the "head" of a bolus; the approach may be useful as an inexpensive, noninvasive measurement of transit.

Adult↗

Salicylazosulfapyridine and male infertility.

Recently, several reports have suggested that salicylazosulfapyridine causes a reduction in semen quality in patients with ulcerative colitis. After withdrawal of the drug pregnancies have been reported. The aim of this report is to offer additional data to the discussion on the deleterious effect of salicylazosulfapyridine on semen quality. Two case reports are presented with a review of the literature.

Adult↗

Reversible toxic effect of salicylazosulfapyridine on semen quality.

The semen qualities of six patients with salicylazosulfapyridine-treated chronic ulcerative colitis are discussed. Over-all poor parameters were observed during the treatment period. Reduced motility and a shift in morphology were the most significant abnormalities in the specimens. A characteristic megalo cell type occurred in the morphology with a frequency of 3% to 8%. In three patients when no medical contraindication existed, discontinuation of the drug resulted in a dramatic improvement in the semen quality, and all three reported pregnancies within the ensuing 3 months. A possible reversible toxic effect of salicylazosulfapyridine on semen quality is discussed.

Colitis, Ulcerative↗

[Comparison of salicylazosulfapyridine bioavailability following oral and rectal administration in patients with ulcerative colitis].

Salicylazosulfapyridine--a drug commonly used in the ulcerative colitis--is effective following both oral and rectal administration. Pharmacokinetics of the drug given per rectum (in the form of suppositories) has not been investigated so far. The present study aims at comparing bioavailability of salicylazosulfapyridine following oral and rectal administration to patients with the ulcerative colitis and healthy volunteers. It was found, that following rectal administration the drug is not so readily absorbed as in oral dosage form. No sulfapyridine and 5-aminosalicylic acid have been detected in blood serum, when the drug was given in the form of rectal suppositories. Clinical stage of the disease did not affect absorption of both unchanged drug and its metabolites. Due to the fact, that the drug is active locally, rectal suppositories seem a therapeutical alternative in patients only with lesions localized in the rectum.

Administration, Oral↗

Hemolysis during salicylazosulfapyridine therapy.

In 36 unselected patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease taking 4.5-6 gm. salicylazosulfapyridine per day the incidence of hemolysis and its relation to the serum level of salicylazosulfapyridine (Salazopyrin, Azulfidline, SASP), free sulfapyridine (SP) and acetyl sulfapyridine (ac-SP) was investigated. In 19 patients hemolysis was present. Serum levels of free SP were significantly higher in these patients (P less than 0.001). All patients with a serum SP level higher than 37 microgram./ml. had hemolysis as compared to only four of 21 patients with a serum SP level below 37 microgram./ml. Four patients had evidence of hemolytic anemia. In these patients the serum SP level was higher than 55 microgram./ml. Eighteen of the 19 patients with hemolysis were slow acetylators while six of the 17 patients without hemolysis belonged to the slow acetylator phenotype.

Adolescent↗

High-speed liquid chromatographic analysis of sulfasalazine (salicylazosulfapyridine).

A high-speed liquid chromatographic method for analysis of sulfasalazine (salicylazosulfapyridine) in bulk powder and tablet dosage form is presented. Analysis is accomplished with a reverse-phase partition column and 10% 2-propanol in pH 7.7 phosphate buffer as the mobile phase. The method of analysis utilizes a simple, one-step, solubilization procedure with dimethylformamide, addition of an internal standard, and chromatography. The method is specific for sulfasalazine in the presence of starting materials, degradation products, or by-products from its manufacture.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Inhibition of neutral proteases from polymorphonuclear (PMN) neutrophils by salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP).

Cytochemical methods were used to demonstrate the inhibitory effect of salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) on the activity of neutral proteases produced by neutrophilic granulocytes (PMN proteases). The SASP metabolites (5-aminosalicylic acid and sulfapyridine), produced by splitting of SASP by bacteria in the colon, did not inhibit the activity of PMN proteases. Paradoxically, sulfapyridine intensified PMN protease activity. A similar effect however could not be demonstrated for 5-aminosalicylic acid.

Adult↗

Indomethacin-induced intestinal ulcers in rats: effects of salicylazosulfapyridine and dexamethasone.

Characteristics of inflammatory bowel diseases have been hypothesized to resemble those of the syndrome of intestinal ulceration induced in the rat by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds. However, no systematic studies have been undertaken to examine this possibility. Therefore, we have studied the influence of some pharmacological agents, such as steroids and salicylazosulfapyridine (SAS), which are clinically useful in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, and to review published data on other pharmacological approaches commonly used for the therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases that have been shown to counteract indomethacin-induced intestinal toxicity. Orally administered SAS 100 to 800 mg/kg or dexamethasone 0.05 to 0.1 mg/kg exerted dose-related, anti-ulcer activity, with ED50 values and 95% confidence limits of 145 (95-222) mg/kg SAS and 0.184 (0.152-0.224) mg/kg dexamethasone. Other treatments, including cholestyramine, low-residue diets and antibiotics have also been reported to ameliorate clinical and experimental intestinal diseases. The clinical significance of present findings has been discussed.

Animals↗

A case of salicylazosulfapyridine (Salazopyrin)-induced acute pancreatitis with positive lymphocyte stimulation test (LST).

A case of acute pancreatitis induced by salicylazosulfapyridine (Salazopyrin, SASP) was reported. A 33-year-old man with ulcerative colitis was given SASP. Five weeks later, P-type serum amylase was found to be elevated. The amylase/creatinine clearance ratio (ACCR) and serum lipase were also elevated. There were neither subjective symptoms nor abnormal ultrasound findings in the pancrease. Lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) to SASP was positive. Asymptomatic pancreatitis by SASP was suspected and SASP administration was halted. Afterwards the abnormal data became normal. Readministration of SASP because of relapse caused an episode of pancreatitis similar to the first occasion. LST was negative before SASP intake and became positive after intake. Desensitization to SASP was unsuccessful. LST was negative before attempting desensitization and became positive when the dosage of SASP increased to 100 mg daily. This is the second case of acute pancreatitis reported to be induced by SASP and this is the first case in which LST to SASP was described. To our knowledge, this is also the first case in which a positive LST was described in drug-induced pancreatitis. This case provides evidence for the role of delayed type hypersensitivity in the etiopathogenesis of SASP allergy and of dose-independent drug-induced pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗

Induction of kinetochore positive and negative micronuclei in mouse bone marrow cells by salicylazosulfapyridine and sulfapyridine.

Salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) and its major metabolite sulfapyridine (SP) have been shown to induce chromosomal damage in vivo. Both chemicals were tested in the micronucleus (MN)/kinetochore (KC) staining test to gain insight into the question of whether chromosomal breakage, aneuploidy-inducing events, or both were important to the observed production of MN in bone marrow cells of mice. In this test, both SASP and SP were shown to be strong inducers of kinetochore positive (KC+) MN. Although small increases in kinetochore negative (KC-) MN were also observed in SP treated mice, as well as in mice receiving the highest dose of SASP tested, the results suggest that both chemicals induce predominantly aneuploidogenic type damage.

Administration, Oral↗

Kinetic phenotypic diagnosis of N-acetylation polymorphism in patients based on ratio of urinary metabolites of salicylazosulfapyridine.

We found that N-acetylation polymorphism can be evaluated from the disposition kinetics of sulfapyridine (SP) and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) and their acetylated metabolites generated by N-acetyltransferase (NAT2) after oral administration of salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP). In 126 Japanese subjects, the homozygote of NAT2*4 was the most frequent (40%), followed by heterozygotes of NAT2*4 and mutant genes (28% NAT2*4/*6A, 15% NAT2*4/*7B, and 2% NAT2*4/*5B). Combinations of mutant genes accounted for 16%. When the relationship between the molar ratio of N-acetyl-SP (Ac-SP)/SP or N-acetyl-5-ASA(Ac-5-ASA)/5-ASA in serum and five genotypes of polymorphic NAT2* was examined in patients who received multiple doses of SASP, the molar ratios of Ac-SP/SP, rather than Ac-5-ASA/5-ASA tended to decrease according to the classification of genotype. We calculated the pharmacokinetic parameters in healthy subjects with various genotypes of polymorphic NAT2* after a single p.o. administration of SASP, according to a model of the SP metabolic pathways. The molar ratios of Ac-SP/SP in serum and urine were simulated using these parameters, and the molar ratio of Ac-SP/SP in urine at 4 days after the first administration could be categorized into ranges that were specific to various NAT2* genotypes. Thus, we were able to predict the N-acetylation polymorphic genotypes of patients by measuring the molar ratio of Ac-SP/SP in urine, after administration of SASP.

Acetylation↗

Mechanistic studies on genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of salicylazosulfapyridine an anti-inflammatory medicine.

Salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP), which has been in clinical use for over 50 years, was reported by the National Toxicology Program to increase rat (F344 strain) urinary bladder and mouse (B6C3F1 hybrid) liver tumours under ad libitum (AL) feeding conditions, while under a feed restriction (FR) regimen, these tumours were not increased. The present investigations were undertaken to assess the implications of these results for the safety of SASP in humans. SASP and its 2 major metabolites, 5-aminosalicylic acid (ASA) and sulfapyridine (SP) were tested for in vivo induction of micronuclei in mouse bone marrow cells with or without prefolic treatment and for in vivo formation of DNA adducts in rat and mouse liver and urinary bladder. None exhibited mutagenicity or DNA reactivity. SASP and SP have induced sister chromatid exchanges and micronuclei (MN) in cultured human lymphocytes in the absence of liver activation enzymes and in B6C3F1 mice (but not in rats) MN in bone marrow and peripheral RBC. Treatment with folate reduces the frequency of MN. Perhaps the short (28 days) RBC lifespan in mouse underlies the sensitivity of this species. Thus, SASP without folate supplementation is an aneuploidogen. In a 2-year study in AL fed SASP-treated (high dose 337.5 mg/kg) rats, urinary pH was increased and urinary specific gravity was reduced at 60 weeks. At the end, this SASP group showed urothelial hyperplasia and papillomas in the urinary bladders of male rats primarily. In the FR high dose SASP group, the hyperplasia was reduced from 82% to 14%. At the end of 2 years, the incidence of multi-organ leukemia was reduced in both AL and FR high dose SASP groups. Thus, SASP caused intraluminal bladder changes in the rat (especially males) consisting of chronic urothelial stimulation, concretions, hyperplasia which resulted in neoplasia. In the mouse, because of species differences in liver ratios (mouse > rat) and, increasing (3 times higher) liver perfusion in the mouse, compared to the rat, there was hepatocellular toxicity and resulting preneoplasia and neoplasia within 2 years. These findings occurred in all AL SASP groups (flat curve without dose response); but were reduced under FR conditions. In this species, the multiorgan lymphoma incidence was reduced in both AL and FR high dose SASP groups. Thus, SASP and its major metabolites are not genotoxic. Folate deficiency associated with SASP administration is probably responsible for aneuploidy in lymphocytes and erythrocytes. SASP does not induce neoplasia directly in either livers, urinary bladders or other organs. Accordingly, SASP is judged to pose no carcinogenic risk to humans.

Aminosalicylic Acids↗

Evaluation of the mutagenicity of the anti-inflammatory drug salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP).

Salicylazosulfapyridine, commonly known as sulfasalazine or SASP, is an anti-inflammatory drug that is widely used in the treatment of diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Increases in sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and micronuclei (MN) frequencies have been reported in lymphocytes of patients maintained on SASP therapy for up to 21 months. We have tested SASP for its ability to induce chromosome aberrations (ABS) and SCE in cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, ABS in mouse bone marrow cells, and MN in erythrocytes from both bone marrow and peripheral blood of mice. In vitro assays for ABS and SCE were negative. In vivo, SASP administered by single gavage at doses up to 1000 mg/kg did not increase ABS in bone marrow cells of male B6C3F1 mice; however, increases in MN were observed in the peripheral blood erythrocytes of male and female B6C3F1 mice administered 675, 1350 or 2700 mg/kg SASP by gavage for 90 days. Weak but significant dose-related increases in MN were also observed in the bone marrow cells of male B6C3F1 mice administered 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg SASP for 3 days. These positive findings in mice support the role of SASP in the induction of MN and SCE in humans, and suggest the need for further evaluation of possible adverse human health effects associated with SASP therapy.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗