Evaluation of teratogenic potential of sodium sulfite in rats

The teratogenicity of sodium sulfite was examined in Wistar rats. The pregnant rats were fed diets containing 5, 2.5, 1.25, 0.63 or 0.32% of sodium sulfite heptahydrate(Na2SO3.7H2O) ad libitum from day 8 to 20 of pregnancy. Maternal toxicity, as evidenced by decreased body weight gain and decreased food consumption was observed at the 5% group, but no clinical signs of toxicity were observed. A significant reduction in the fetal body weight of both sexes was observed in all dose groups except 2.5% group. No significant differences in the numbers of live fetuses and intrauterine death (dead fetuses and resorptions) or sex ratios of fetuses were found between the sodium sulfite-treated and control groups. Fetal external, skeletal and internal malformations were not observed at any dose level. However, several types of skeletal and internal variations as well as delayed ossifications were observed in some groups treated with sodium sulfite, but the incidences were not significantly different from controls. Also, some fetuses with dilatation of the renal pelvis and the lateral ventricle were found in all groups except 1.25% group, but there was no dose-response. The live birth index and survival rate of offspring within 4 weeks and their body weight gain at 3 weeks after birth were not affected by sodium sulfite-treatment. In conclusion, sodium sulfite (0, 0.32, 0.63, 1.25, 2.5 or 5.0% as Na2SO3.7H2O) administered in the diet to Wistar rats during days 8-20 of pregnancy produced related signs of fetal toxicity but no evidence of teratogenicity.

Evaluation of the teratogenic potential of the rubber accelerator N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazylsulfenamide in rats

The teratogenicity of N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazylsulfenamide (CBS) was studied in Wistar rats. Pregnant rats were given CBS at a dosage of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 or 0.5% in the diet from Day 0 to Day 20 of pregnancy. Daily intakes of CBS were 0.7 mg kg-1 for the 0.001% group, 7.1 mg kg-1 for the 0.01% group, 69.6 mg kg-1 for the 0.1% group and 288.8 mg kg-1 for the 0.5% group. Maternal body weight gain during pregnancy in the 0.1 and 0.5% groups was significantly lowered. Food consumption during pregnancy in the CBS-treated groups, except for the 0.5% group, did not differ from that in the control group. Neither death nor clinical signs of toxicity were noted in the pregnant females of any group. Lowered weight in fetuses and the placentae were observed in the 0.5% group. There were no significant compound-related effects on the incidences of pre- and post-implantation losses and the number and ratio of live fetuses. Morphological examinations of the fetuses revealed no evidence of teratogenesis. It could be concluded that CBS possesses no adverse effects on the prenatal development of the offspring in rats at doses employed in the present study.

Dolichol kinase in rat sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane preparations

A dolichol kinase (EC 2.7.1.108) was found in sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane fractions from rat leg muscle. This enzyme specifically required CTP as a phosphoryl donor and relatively little activity was found in the absence of exogenous detergent-suspended dolichol. Unlike other reported dolichol kinases, the kinase from skeletal muscle was activated almost equally well by Ca2+, Zn2+, or Mg2+, but not Mn2+. No effect of calmodulin was seen. The kinase exhibited a single pH optimum at pH 7-8 in contrast to kinases from certain other tissues. Despite the low level of dolichol present in skeletal muscle, the kinase in the sarcoplasmic reticulum fraction had an activity comparable to that of microsomal preparations from tissues such as brain and liver, which may indicate that skeletal muscle has a high capacity for dolichol phosphorylation and protein glycosylation.

Teratology study of diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether in rats

The teratogenicity of diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether (DEGMBE) was studied in Wistar rats. The pregnant rats were fed a diet containing DEGMBE from day 0 through day 20 of pregnancy. The dietary concentrations of DEGMBE were 0, 0.04, 0.2 and 1% and the daily intakes of DEGMBE were 0, 25, 115 and 633 mg/kg, respectively. In the DEGMBE-treated groups, the maternal body weight gain during pregnancy was significantly reduced, but neither decrease in food consumption during pregnancy nor any clinical sign of toxicity was observed. No significant differences between the DEGMBE-treated groups and the control group were found in the pre- and postimplantation losses, the number of live fetuses per litter, the sex ratio of live fetuses, the fetal body weight and the placental weight. External, skeletal and internal examinations of the fetuses revealed no evidence of teratogenesis. In the postnatal development of the offspring from the dams given DEGMBE, a high survival rate and good growth of the offspring were noted. It could be concluded that DEGMBE has no adverse effects on the pre- and postnatal development of the offspring in rats.

Teratology study of Tween 60 in rats

The teratogenicity of Tween 60 was studied in Wistar rats. Pregnant rats were given Tween 60 at a dose of 0, 0.1, 1.0 or 10% in the diet from day 7 to day 14 of pregnancy. Daily intakes of Tween 60 were 99 mg/kg for the 0.1% group, 960 mg/kg for the 1.0% group and 7693 mg/kg for the 10% group. No change induced by Tween 60 was detected in the number, sex ratio and body weight of live fetuses. External, skeletal and internal examinations of the fetuses revealed no evidence of teratogenesis. It could be concluded that Tween 60 has no harmful effects on the prenatal development of the rat offspring at doses employed in the present study.

[A cylindrical thermistor probe for experiments on suppositories in rabbits]

A cylindrical thermistor probe with a rubber disk stopper, which is beneficial for inserting a suppository into the rectum of rabbits without removal of the probe from the rectum, was developed. It is possible to measure body temperature continuously by using this probe in an experiment to assess the effects of a suppository on the body temperature of rabbits. After insertion of a suppository, leakage of the melted suppository from the rectum was not observed. No differences between this thermistor probe and an ordinary thermistor probe in the ability of the probe to detect the febrile response of rabbits injected with a bacterial pyrogen were observed. From these results, it could be concluded that this newly improved cylindrical thermistor probe is suitable for studying the effect of suppositories on the body temperature of rabbits.

Malformations in rat fetuses induced by trypan blue

Malformations of fetuses obtained from Wistar rat dams treated with trypan blue during gestation were studied. Fetuses were examined on day 20 of gestation. One hundred and twenty-seven fetuses showed abnormalities of the external features, skeleton and internal organs, separately or in combination. External malformations were found in 108 fetuses. The most frequent external malformation was anomaly of tail. Spina bifida, club foot, exencephaly and anal atresia were also observed frequently. Skeletal malformations were detected in 48 fetuses. Deformity of vertebrae in the lumbar, sacral and/or caudal regions was found in 46 fetuses. Internal malformations were observed in 27 fetuses. Anomaly of heart and/or great vessels, hydrocephaly and micro- or anophthalmia were observed frequently. About 90% of the fetuses with skeletal malformations also showed some external malformations. In contrast, about 48% of the fetuses with internal malformations also had some external malformations. These results suggest that, for teratological study, internal examination is more important in detecting malformations of fetuses than skeletal examination.

[Thermistor probe for testing an antipyretic suppository in rabbits]

The thermistor probe for estimating the effects of an antipyretic suppository after its administration into the rectum of the rabbit was studied. A thermistor probe with three rubber disk stoppers was confirmed to be able to prevent the leakage of drugs from the rectum of a rabbit restrained in a neck stock. By using this newly devised thermistor probe or the usual thermistor probe without a stopper, the febrile response was determined in rabbits injected with bacterial pyrogen. There was no difference in the ability to detect rectal temperature between the two thermistor probes. From these results, it could be concluded that this newly devised thermistor prove was useful in studying the effects of antipyretic suppositories in rabbits.

Antipyretic mechanism of indomethacin in rabbits

The mechanism of the antipyretic effect of indomethacin (IM) on fever induced by bacterial pyrogen (LPS, 0.2 microgram/kg, i.v.), leukocytic pyrogen (LP, 2 ml/kg, i.v.) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP, 20 mg/kg, i.m.) in male adult rabbits was studied. In plasma, the biological half lives of IM in normal and LPS-injected rabbits were estimated to be 24 and 21 min in the early phase and 72 and 51 min in the late phase, respectively. A potent antipyretic effect was observed with intravenous injection of IM in LPS- and LP-induced fevers, but not in DNP-induced fever. The antipyretic effect was also observed with intracisternal injection of indomethacin at doses of 0.025 and 0.013 mg/kg. The activity of endogenous pyrogen in serum after LPS injection was not suppressed by the injection of IM (10 mg/kg, i.v.). The production of LP by leukocytes in vitro was not inhibited by IM (10 micrograms/ml). In our previous report, it was ascertained that the rectal temperature of normal rabbits remained unchanged after intravenous injection of IM. These results suggest that indomethacin may inhibit only the pyretic processes in the central nervous system.

Antipyretic effect of indomethacin suppository in rabbits

We have designed a thermistor rectal probe thermometer for measuring the antipyretic activity of suppositories. Using this thermistor probe, we tested the antipyretic effect of an indomethacin suppository in comparison with oral and intravenous administrations in rabbits (male, 2.5-2.9 kg). The rectal temperature of normal rabbits remained unchanged after rectal and intravenous administration of indomethacin, 25 mg/body and 10 mg/kg, respectively. The antipyretic effect was tested in febrile rabbits injected with bacterial pyrogen, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 0.2 microgram/kg (i.v.). The dose-dependent antipyretic activities were observed in febrile rabbits administered with indomethacin by rectal (6.3-23.7 mg/body), intravenous (2.5-10 mg/kg) and oral (2.5-20 mg/kg) routes. When indomethacin was administered simultaneously or 1 h after LPS, the most potent antipyretic effect was observed in the case of rectal administration and the weakest effect was observed in that of oral administration. These data indicate that the rectal administration of drugs can produce a potent antipyretic activity, not inferior to that of the intravenous injection.

[Studies on the pharmacological bases of fetal toxicity of drugs (VII). Enhancement effect of bacterial pyrogen on the fetal toxicity of salicylic acid]

We reported previously that the acute and fetal toxicities of aspirin (ASA) were enhanced by bacterial endotoxin (LPS). In order to clarify the mechanism of the enhancement by LPS, the effects of LPS on the toxicities of salicylic acid (SA), the main metabolite of ASA, were investigated in rats. The following results were obtained: 1) The acute toxicity of SA was significantly potentiated by LPS in male rats. The LD50 of SA with LPS was about one third of that of SA alone. 2) The increase of maternal body weight was inhibited significantly after administration of SA (383 mg/kg, p.o.) with LPS (20 micrograms/kg, i.v.), but not after administration of SA alone. 3) The fetal toxicity of SA including fetal death, resorption, growth retardation and skeletal variations was slightly observed in the dam receiving a single dose of SA on the 15th day of pregnancy, but it was markedly increased by LPS (20 micrograms/kg, i.v.). 4) The half-life period of SA in plasma was increased significantly by the co-administration of LPS in male rats after administration of ASA or SA. All of these phenomena in the rats given SA closely resembled the phenomena previously reported in the rats given ASA. These results suggest that SA might play a main role in the acute and fetal toxicities of ASA, and one of the mechanism of the enhancement effect by LPS on ASA-induced fetal toxicity might be related to the increase of SA concentration in the fetus.

[Studies on the pharmacological bases of fetal toxicity of drugs. (VI) Teratogenic effects of trypan blue and related compounds in rats]

The teratogenicity of trypan blue and its related compounds was studied in Wistar rats and the following results were obtained: 1) o-Tolidine, 1-amino-8-naphthol-3, 6-disulfonic acid or 1-nitronaphthalene-3, 6-disulfonic acid was injected subcutaneously on day 7 of pregnancy (sperm = day 0). No fetotoxicity was observed in any group. 2) The main fractions, blue fraction (blue fr.) and red fraction (red fr.), were separated from commercial trypan blue (C-TB) by silica gel column chromatography. C-TB, blue fr. or red fr. was injected into pregnant rats subcutaneously on day 7 of pregnancy. The incidence of malformed fetuses after injection of blue fr. was higher than that of C-TB, and the types of malformations induced by C-TB and blue fr. were similar. However, no fetotoxicity was detected after injection of red fr. 3) Blue fr. or red fr. was injected into the exocoelom on day 11 of pregnancy. The incidence of malformed fetuses in the group injected with blue fr. (2.5 micrograms/embryo) was 39%, and the types of malformations were abnormal tail and vertebrae, which were also observed after injection of C-TB or blue fr. into pregnant rats. No significant teratogenic effect was observed after injection of red fr. From these data, it was concluded that the teratogenic effect of C-TB might be due to the blue fr., but not the red fr.

Studies on the pharmacological bases of fetal toxicity of drugs (IV). Effect of endotoxin and starvation on serum protein binding of salicylic acid in pregnant rats

Our previous paper reported that the fetotoxic effects of aspirin (ASA) were enhanced by bacterial endotoxin (LPS), and the effects of ASA were attributed to its major metabolite, salicylic acid (SA), as indicated by high SA concentrations in fetus and placenta. In order to clarify the mechanisms of the enhancement by LPS, serum total protein, albumin and free fatty acid (FFA) levels and SA-binding capacity of serum protein were investigated in pregnant rats. The following results were obtained: 1) FFA levels increased steadily after day 16 of pregnancy, and SA-binding capacity of serum protein decreased gradually after day 18, as the pregnancy proceeded to full term. 2) LPS injection decreased total protein and albumin levels in normal and starved rats on day 15 of pregnancy. 3) Starvation and/or LPS injection potentiated the increase of FFA level and reduced significantly SA-binding capacity of serum protein in the rats on day 15 of pregnancy. 4) Serum protein showing low SA-binding capacity from LPS-treated rats recovered normal SA-binding capacity when FFA was removed from serum protein by charcoal treatment. These data suggested the decrease of the SA-protein binding in serum by the increased level of FFA, an inhibitor of the binding, and the decreased level of albumin as a possible mechanism for the potentiation of the fetotoxicities of ASA by LPS.

[Studies on the Dutch rabbit for pyrogen test]

A study was conducted on Dutch rabbits to examine their applicability for the pyrogen test in comparison with the Japanese white rabbit which, conventionally, has been mainly used for the test in Japan. The following results were obtained. Adult Dutch rabbits, so small as to weight only about 60% of average adult weight of the Japanese white, showed a food consumption as low as 40% of that in the latter. None in the Dutch rabbit group suffered dislocation of the hip-joint during restraint on a neck stock while it was frequently encountered among Japanese white rabbits. The body temperature during restraint was unstable in infantile Dutch rabbits (7-8 weeks old)(, but stable in the young (14 weeks old) and in the adult (20-47 weeks old). Adult Dutch rabbits exhibited greater febrile responses to intravenously injected bacterial pyrogen (LPS) than infantile and young Dutch rabbits and adult Japanese white rabbits. A good linear regression was observed between the dose of LPS (0.01-0.1 microgram/kg, iv) and the febrile response in adult Dutch rabbits as well as in adult Japanese white rabbits. From these data, it is concluded that the Dutch rabbit has an advantage over the Japanese white for the pyrogen test in respect of febrile responsiveness and cost of rearing.

[Studies on the pharmacological bases of fetal toxicity of drugs. (I). Relation of fetal toxicity and tissue concentration of acetylsalicylic acid with pyrogen in pregnant rats]

The mechanism for the enhancing effect of pyrogen (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) on the fetal toxicity of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) was studied in pregnant rats. The lethality of ASA was significantly enhanced by LPS in male rats. The fetal toxicity of ASA including fetal death, resorption, growth retardation, and skeletal anomalies (wavy rib and asymmetry of sternebra) was slightly observed in the dams that received a single dose of ASA (125 to 500 mg/kg, p.o.) on the 15th day of gestation, but it was markedly increased by LPS (20 micrograms/kg, i.v.). The enhancement of the toxicity of ASA by LPS was also observed in the maternal body weight gain until term. The plasma concentrations of ASA and salicylic acid (SA), the major metabolite of ASA, were increased by LPS. The tissue concentrations of SA were also increased in the following order: placenta, brain, fetus, uterus, liver and kidney. The ATP levels of placenta and fetus were not influenced by ASA alone, but markedly decreased by both LPS and ASA.

Cardiovascular effect of "peritoneal dialysate-depressor-I", a short-active hypotensive phospholipid in dog peritoneal dialysate

Cardiovascular action of "peritoneal dialysate-depressor-I" (PD.D-I), a short-acting hypotensive phospholipid occurring in dog peritoneal dialysate, was investigated. With an intravenous injection of PD.D-I into an anaesthetized rat, a sharp fall of arterial blood pressure was observed and the effects were dose dependent. The maximum hypotensive effect was about 60 mmHg and the minimum effective dose was approximately 35 micrograms/kg. Neither tachyphylaxis nor sensitization was observed. Even in conscious rats PD.D-I elicited hypotensive responses, though the effect was much weaker than that produced in anaesthetized rats. In spinal rats the hypotensive effects were also observed. In the tests on rats reserpinized or pretreated with antimuscarinic, antihistaminic, beta-adrenergic-blocking and ganglionic-blocking agents, the depressor effect of PD.D-I was not affected. PD.D-I elicited also hypotensive responses in anaesthetized cats, rabbits and guinea pigs in the same degree as those in anaesthetized rats. The relaxation of the peripheral blood vessels was observed in the test on perfused rabbit ear. The depressor factor showed no smooth muscle stimulating activity in isolated guinea pig ileum preparations. Judging from these findings, the hypotensive effect of PD.D-I is not ascribable to the central, sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system but possibly to direct action on the peripheral vascular system.

Occurrence of short-duration hypotensive phospholipid from dog peritoneal dialysate

From the total lipid fraction of dog peritoneal dialysate after freeze drying and extraction, a hypotensive phospholipid was isolated through silicic acid, cellulose, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography in a pure grade; it showed a single spot on TLC. The purified hypotensive factor, designated as Peritoneal Dialysate Depressor-I, elicited potent depressor responses in anesthetized rats, and its threshold dose was approximately 35 microgram/kg. The material resisted proteases and 15-hydroxyprostanoate oxidoreductase. In mobility on TLC, the hypotensive factor was distinuishable from water-soluble hypotensive substances and also from depressor lipids. Judging from its behavior on TLC and column chromatography during the purification procedure, the hypotensive factor seems to be a choline-containing phospholipid and shows the general characteristics of hysolecithin, except for its potent hypotensive activity, and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein on TLC. The molar ratio of phosphorusurated ones such as stearic and palmitic acids.

Action of depressor-I, a hypotensive phospholipid from bovine brain, on systemic and arterial blood pressures of various species

Effects of "Depressor-I" (D-I), a new hypotensive phospholipid obtained from bovine brain lipid fraction, on systemic arterial blood pressure were investigated. The hypotensive activity of D-I in urethane anaesthetized rats was dose dependent and tachyphylaxis and/or sensitization were not observed. Increments of the respiration and the heart rate were observed with sharp falls in blood pressures following intravenous administration of D-I, in simultaneous recordings in anaesthetized rats. D-I elicited hypotension in all species of animals examined, and the sensitivities to D-I were much the same, however, there were two types in patterns of duration on responses and the durations were also dose dependent. D-I exhibited depressor-responses even in conscious rats, though responses were much smaller compared with those seen in anaesthetized rats. In a comparison of anaesthetic agents in rats, the highest hypotensive activity of D-I was observed with pentobarbital anaesthesia, a moderate response was seen with alpha-chloralose and the least response was seen with urethane. In spinal rats or those pretreated with reserpine or antagonists, such as atropine, diphenhydramine, propranolol and hexamethonium, D-I also elicited hypotension. These results suggest that "Depressor-I" does not elicit the depressor action via the stimulation of the central and the autonomic nervous systems but rather by a direct action on peripheral blood vessels.

[Studies on absorption and metabolism of drugs in febrile animals. (III). Antipyretic effect of acetylsalicyclic acid and aminopyrine and their plasma concentrations in febrile rabbits induced with lipopolysaccharide (author's transl)]

The present investigation was an attempt to clarify the mechanism of combined effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and aminopyrine (AMI) in febrile rabbits as induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, the possible synergic effect of both agents was studied in relation to the plasma concentration. In febrile rabbits, the plasma concentration of ASA (500 mg/kg, p.o.) was a higher level than in the control, but the concentration of salicylic acid (SA), the metabolite of ASA, was similar to that in the control. The plasma concentration of AMI (100 mg/kg, p.o.) in febrile rabbits was lower than in the control. A dose-dependent antipyretic effect was seen in the successive doses from 125 to 500 mg/kg of ASA, and a similar tendency was also observed in AMI from 25 to 100 mg/kg. To observe the synergic effect of ASA and AMI, we prepared the following three combinations: I (ASA/AMI; 125 plus 75 mg/kg), II (ASA/AMI; 250 plus 50 mg/kg) and III (ASA/AMI; 375 plus 25 mg/kg). Plasma concentrations of ASA, SA and AMI were measured after oral administration of the preparations and these concentrations were lower than in the separate administration of ASA ans AMI. The antipyretic effect of the three preparations was weaker than the expected value, respectively.