Spontaneous tumors in aging (C57BL/6N x C3H/HeN)F1 (B6C3F1) mice

Spontaneous tumors in untreated (C57BL/6N x C3H/HeN)F1 (B6C3F1) mice used as controls in carcinogenicity tests were recorded. In both sexes, the development of spontaneous tumors was age-related. In 244 male mice, the most common tumors were hyperplastic nodules of the liver, hepatocellular carcinomas, malignant lymphomas/leukemias, lung adenomas, and adenocarcinomas. In 246 female mice, the most common tumors were malignant lymphomas/leukemias, pituitary adenomas, neoplastic nodules of the liver, hepatocellular carcinomas, and lung adenomas. Hepatocellular carcinomas metastasized in 20.3% of the animals with these tumors. Few other tumors except malignant lymphomas and leukemias metastasized. Various tumors of other organs and/or tissues were found at low incidences.

Electrophysiological effects of maprotiline, a tetracyclic antidepressant agent, on isolated cardiac preparations

We studied the effects of maprotiline, a tetracyclic antidepressant agent, on transmembrane potentials recorded from papillary muscles of guinea pigs and sinoatrial nodes of rabbits, using standard microelectrode techniques. Maprotiline (10-100 microM) produced dose-dependent decreases in the maximum rate of rise (Vmax) and action potential duration in papillary muscles, while the resting potential (Em) was not significantly affected. Maprotiline also shifted the Vmax-Em relation to more negative potentials. The slow action potentials of papillary muscles elicited by high [K+]o were also depressed by the drug application. In sinoatrial node cells, maprotiline (above 10 microM) reduced heart rate, Vmax, and action potential amplitude, and increased the action potential duration at half-amplitude. The slope of the phase 4 depolarization was decelerated by the drug. These results suggest that maprotiline depresses not only the fast inward sodium current but also the slow inward calcium current, and that relatively high concentrations of maprotiline exert an inhibitory effect on the electrical activity of the fast- and slow-response fibers of the hearts.

Assessment of L-ascorbic acid requirement for prolonged survival in ODS rats and their susceptibility to urinary bladder carcinogenesis by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine

Assessment of L-ascorbic acid requirement for prolonged survival in ODS (genotype: od/od) rats and their susceptibility to urinary bladder carcinogenesis by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine (BBN) were examined. In ODS rats without L-ascorbic acid synthesizing ability, the 50 ppm dietary total ascorbic acid (TAA) was insufficient to survive for 4 weeks, the 250 ppm dietary TAA was sufficient to survive for 36 weeks. In examination of BBN treatment, ODS rats--although showing a lower availability of TAA than the heterozygotes (+/od) and normal (+/+) rats with L-ascorbic acid synthesizing ability--were equally susceptible to bladder carcinogenesis.

[One-year chronic dietary toxicity study of d.d-T80-prallethrin in rats]

d.d-T80-prallethrin, a pyrethroid insecticide for sanitary use, was administered to Crj : CD (Sprague Dawley) rats at concentrations of 120, 600 or 3,000 ppm in diet for one year to assess the chronic toxicity potential and the reversibility. The summarized results obtained are as follows: 1. Chronic toxicity study 3,000 ppm : Decreases in body weight gain, food consumption, and water intake were observed. Slight alopecia in the neck and/or back was noticed during the first and second weeks, but the animals were recovered thereafter. Slight anemic changes such as decreases in hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit value, MCV and MCH were observed in the females at 52 week. Blood biochemistry revealed increases in total cholesterol (in the males and females at 13, 26 and 52 weeks), phospholipid (in the males and females at 13, 26 and 52 weeks), albumin (in the males at 13 and 26 weeks, in the females at 52 week), total protein (in the males at 26 week, in the females at 52 week), A/G ratio (in the males at 13 week, in the females at 26 week), creatinine (in the males at 52 week), urea nitrogen (in the females at 52 week), GOT (in the males and females at 52 week) and GPT (in the males and females at 52 week), and decreases in triglyceride (in the females at 26 and 52 weeks) and alkaline phosphatase (in the males at 13 and 52 weeks). In urinalysis, an increase in bilirubin was observed in the males at 52 week. Gross-pathology revealed a lower incidence of accentuated lobular pattern of liver (in the males at 26 week) and a higher incidence of enlarged liver (in the males at 52 week). In organ weight, increases in liver (in the males and females at 26 and 52 weeks), kidney (in the males at 26 and 52 weeks) and thyroid weights (in the males at 26 and 52 weeks, in the females at 26 week), and decreases in spleen (in the females at 26 and 52 weeks) and adrenal weights (in the females at 52 week) were observed. Histopathological examination revealed a lower incidence of fatty metamorphosis in the liver of females at 52 week. 600 ppm: An increase in liver weight was observed in the males at 26 week. 120 ppm: No effect was observed. 2. Reversibility study Almost all the above chronic toxicities were reversible.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Catechol strongly enhances rat stomach carcinogenesis: a possible new environmental stomach carcinogen

Catechol (CAS: 120-80-9) is present in the environment, being a major industrial chemical as well as a major phenolic component of cigarette smoke. Continuous oral treatment of rats with 0.8% catechol for 51 weeks after a single intragastric dose of 150 mg/kg of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine strongly enhanced both forestomach and glandular stomach carcinogenesis. In addition, and more importantly, catechol alone induced adenocarcinoma and adenomatous hyperplasia in the pyloric region of the glandular stomach. These results clearly indicate that this environmental contaminant merits classification as an enhancer of forestomach and glandular stomach carcinogenesis with complete carcinogenic potential for the glandular stomach. Its significance for gastric tumor development in man requires elucidation.

13-week subchronic toxicity study with morpholine oleic acid salt administered to B6C3F1 mice

The effect of subchronic administration of morpholine oleic acid salt (MOAS) was studied in B6C3F1 mice. The dose levels of MOAS used were 0%, 0.15%, 0.3%, 0.6%, 1.25%, and 2.5% in drinking water. Reduced weight gains were noted in both sexes in the 2.5% group as compared to controls, but reductions were not significant. Water consumption values showed a dose-related tendency for a decrease in both females and males. Urine analysis showed significant elevation of specific gravity in the males in the 0.6%, 1.25%, and 2.5% groups and the females in the 1.25% and 2.5% groups. Significant elevation of plasma urea nitrogen was observed in males of the 1.25% and 2.5% groups and in females of the 0.6%, 1.25%, and 2.5% groups. The relative weight of the kidneys showed a dose-dependent increase that was statistically significant for the 1.25% and 2.5% MOAS groups in both sexes. Except for cloudy swelling of the proximal tubules of the kidneys in mice on the 2.5% regimen, no treatment-related histopathological alterations were observed in organs of either sex.

Promotion by L-ascorbic acid of urinary bladder carcinogenesis in rats under conditions of increased urinary K ion concentration and pH

Dietary administration of 5% L-ascorbic acid plus 3% K2CO3 to male F344 rats clearly enhanced the development of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions of the urinary bladder initiated with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine. Promotion of carcinogenesis by L-ascorbic acid and K2CO3 was associated with changes in urinary parameters: elevation of pH, increased K+ concentration, and increase in total ascorbic acid.

Reciprocal modifying effects of isomeric forms of aminophenol on induction of neoplastic lesions in rat liver and kidney initiated by N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine

The effects of four isomeric forms of aminophenols, ortho-, meta-, para-aminophenol and acetaminophen (o-, m-, p-AP and AAP, respectively) on liver and kidney carcinogenesis initiated by N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine (EHEN) were tested. Rats were given 0.1% EHEN (in their drinking water for 2 weeks) and then diet containing these compounds at concentrations of 0.8% for 49 weeks. Administration of o-AP and AAP significantly decreased the number and area of preneoplastic foci staining immunohistochemically for glutathione S-transferase placental type (GST-P) per unit area of liver section as compared with the values for rats given EHEN alone. o-AP and AAP also significantly decreased the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. In contrast, p-AP and AAP significantly increased quantitative values for kidney preneoplastic lesions and renal cell adenoma. It is suggested that the cytotoxic effects of these chemicals preferentially suppressed the proliferation of preneoplastic liver cells, but stimulated the mitotic activity of preneoplastic tubular lesions in the kidney.

Combined chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity studies of morpholine oleic acid salt in B6C3F1 mice

Morpholine oleic acid salt (MOAS) was administered to groups of 50 male and 50 female B6C3F1 mice in the drinking-water at levels of 0, 0.25 and 1.0%. Both sexes given 1.0% MOAS and females given 0.25% showed growth retardation. Significant increases in blood-urea nitrogen concentrations were only observed in the 1.0% male group. The incidence of squamous-cell hyperplasia of the forestomach epithelium was significantly higher in the males given 1.0% than in the controls. The male mice given 0.25% MOAS had a significantly reduced incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in comparison with the control group and this trend was indicated also in the 1.0% group. This experiment did not demonstrate any carcinogenic effect of MOAS in mice at levels up to 1.0% in the drinking-water.

Platelet glycoprotein IIb as a target antigen in two patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

We have investigated the target antigens recognized by anti-platelet antibodies in patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) using an immunoblot procedure which could electrically separate the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa complex into GPIIb and GPIIIa. Various platelet proteins, having molecular weights of 167, 160, 145, 135, 124, 102, 92 and 80 kD, were recognized by circulating antibodies in 11 of 40 ITP patients. We identified the 145 kD antigen band, seen in two ITP patients, as GPIIb using thrombasthenic platelets as a source of target antigens. In one patient the anti-GPIIb antibody reacted with autologous GPIIb. These studies provide direct evidence for the presence of autoantibodies against GPIIb in some ITP patients.

Determination of isofloxythepin in biological fluids by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A method for the determination of isofloxythepin in biological fluids by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is described. Isofloxythepin was readily converted into the trimethylsilyl ether by treatment with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide. This derivative was separated on a 5% OV-101 column and determined, employing newly prepared isofloxythepin-d7 as an internal standard. Clean-up of isofloxythepin in blood and urine was efficiently achieved by back-extraction with hexane or hexane-toluene (9:1) under acidic and basic conditions, while isofloxythepin glucuronide in biological fluids was isolated by ion-exchange chromatography on Dowex 50W-X4 resin. The detection limit of isofloxythepin by this method was 50 pg. The blood and urine levels of isofloxythepin after oral administration of the drug to dogs were monitored by the proposed method.

Pancreatic vagal nerve is receptive to somatostatin in rats

To investigate whether somatostatin, one of the pancreatic islet hormones, influences the afferent firing activity of the vagus innervating the pancreas and whether there is any relevant morphological basis for the electrophysiological event, cyclic somatostatin-14 was injected into the rat pancreatic artery. The somatostatin injection at a physiological (0.61 pmol) or a pharmacological (3.05 pmol) dose significantly increased the afferent firing discharge rate of the pancreatic vagus in rats anesthetized with urethan and chloralose. The present histological examination disclosed a glomuslike neurovascular body in the rat peripancreatic sinusoidal vein. The body included many small corpuscles, and the corpuscle contained a structure like the afferent nerve ending. The immunohistochemical study revealed that the structure preferentially bound exogenous somatostatin. These electrophysiological and histological findings suggest that the vagal pancreatic nerve is receptive to somatostatin and that there exists a local neural monitoring system for somatostatin secreted from the islets.

Influences of strain and diet on the promoting effects of sodium L-ascorbate in two-stage urinary bladder carcinogenesis in rats

The influences of strain and diet on the promoting effects of sodium L-ascorbate (SA) on two-stage urinary bladder carcinogenesis was investigated in male F344 and Lewis rats. Two kinds of commercial basal diets, Oriental MF and Clea CA-1, were used. Rats were given 0.05% N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine in their drinking water for 4 weeks and then basal diet with 5% SA or without SA for 32 weeks. Treatment with SA increased the induction of neoplastic lesions of the urinary bladder in rats initiated by 0.05% N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine. The promoting effect of SA for urinary bladder carcinogenesis was: F344 strain-Oriental MF diet greater than Lewis strain-Clea CA-1 diet greater than F344 strain-Clea CA-1 diet = Lewis stain-Oriental MF diet. In both strains or with both diets, SA-treatment increased the urinary pH and the concentrations of sodium ion and total ascorbic acid. These results demonstrate that strain and diet strongly influence susceptibility to the SA-promoting effects in rat urinary bladder carcinogenesis.

Inhibition of Ca2+ inward current in rabbit sinoatrial node by bunazosin, an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist

The electrophysiological effects of bunazosin, a novel alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, were examined on isolated spontaneously beating sinoatrial node preparations of the rabbit by means of a double-microelectrode voltage clamp method. Bunazosin (above 10 microM) reduced the beating frequency, and the maximum rate of rise and the amplitude of action potentials. The slope of the diastolic depolarization (phase 4) was also decreased by the drug whereas the action potential duration at 50% repolarization was prolonged. Bunazosin decreased the slow inward current (Isi) and the time-dependent potassium outward current (IK). However, the major effect was the reduction of Isi. The results indicate that bunazosin, an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, depresses the action potential and automaticity of the sinoatrial node by inhibition of Ca channels.

Absence of promotion potential for calcium L-ascorbate, L-ascorbic dipalmitate, L-ascorbic stearate and erythorbic acid on rat urinary bladder carcinogenesis

The effects of treatment with calcium L-ascorbate, L-ascorbic dipalmitate, L-ascorbic stearate and erythorbic acid on two-stage urinary bladder carcinogenesis in F344 rats after initiation with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) were examined. Carcinogen was administered at a dose of 0.05% in drinking water for 4 weeks and thereafter the test chemicals were given as a 5% supplement in the diet for the following 32 weeks. No increase in the induction of preneoplastic lesions, papillomas or carcinomas was apparent and it was concluded that none of the test chemicals possess promoting activity for urinary bladder carcinogenesis.

Analysis of antigen involved in circulating immune complexes in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Circulating immune complexes (CIC) were frequently observed in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). To analyse the pathogenic role of CIC, we studied the correlation between the disease activity and the CIC level, and whether platelet antigens were involved in CIC from ITP sera. Elevated CIC levels, measured by Clq, anti-C3 and spermatozoa micro-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, were found in 37%, 54% and 52% of the patients, respectively. However, there were no significant correlations (r = -0.11, -0.03 and -0.04, respectively) between the platelet count and the CIC level. Platelet antigens in CIC were detected with rabbit anti-human platelet serum. The CIC from 18%, 25% and 25%, respectively, of ITP sera contained platelet antigens, but the CIC from only 3%, 9% and 6% of SLE sera and from 3%, 2% and 5% of the sera of alloimmunized patients, respectively, contained these antigens. There were significant correlations (r = 0.51, 0.80 and 0.65, respectively) between the amount of platelet antigens and the CIC level in ITP sera. However, there were no correlations (r = -0.26, -0.29 and 0.08, respectively) between the platelet count and the amount of platelet antigens in the CIC. We detected platelet antigens in CIC from ITP sera, but surmise that these CIC perhaps do not play an important role in platelet destruction.

Dose-dependent effects of butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene and ethoxyquin for promotion of bladder carcinogenesis in N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine-initiated, unilaterally ureter-ligated rats

Dose-dependent effects of 3 antioxidants, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA, 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5%), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, 1, 0.5 and 0.25%) and ethoxyquin (0.5, 0.25 and 0.125%) on the development of preneoplastic lesions in the bladder of N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN)-treated rats were investigated. Feeding of the antioxidants after pretreatment of 0.05% BBN commenced and unilateral ureteric ligation was combined at week 3 of the experiment. Surviving rats were killed at the end of week 24. BHA and BHT, but not ethoxyquin increased dose-dependently the incidence and number of preneoplastic lesions, papillary or nodular hyperplasia of the urinary bladder in rats treated with BBN. Particularly, the incidence and number of PN hyperplasia in rats treated with 2.0% BHA and 1.0% BHT were significantly higher than those of the control group. Thus, promoting activities of BHA and BHT, but not ethoxyquin for the urinary bladder were confirmed in this system of BBN-initiated, unilaterally ureter-ligated rats.

Increased circulating Ia-positive T cells in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Peripheral blood T cells from 40 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were analysed for the presence of surface Ia antigens using monoclonal antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence. The percentage of Ia-positive (Ia+) T cells was significantly increased in patients with ITP (6.8 +/- 2.9%, P less than 0.005) as compared with normal controls (2.3 +/- 0.9%). There was an inverse correlation between the percentages of Ia+ T cells and platelet counts (r = 0.58, P less than 0.005) and a positive correlation between the percentage of these cells and platelet-associated IgG (PAIgG) values (r = 0.55, P less than 0.01). The percentage of Ia+ T cells was found to decrease within two weeks during therapy with high dose gamma-globulin or corticosteroid. We have previously reported the presence of T cells bearing both helper/inducer (H/I) and suppressor/cytotoxic (S/C) phenotypes (double labelled cells, DLC) in patients with ITP and an inverse correlation between the percentages of DLC and their platelet counts. In the present study, we showed that a major part of Ia+ T cells had both H/I and S/C phenotypes. We also examined the correlation between Ia+ T cells and autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR). A defective AMLR was demonstrated in patients with ITP. Furthermore, an inverse correlation was found between the percentages of Ia+ T cells and the proliferative responses to AMLR (r = -0.49, P less than 0.01). These results suggest that increased circulating Ia+ T cells play a role in the abnormalities of the immunoregulatory system of ITP, especially in the regulation of autoantibody production.

[Evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of environmental chemicals]

Many carcinogens have been detected in our environment, and chemicals which have been shown to induce cancers in experimental animals have been largely eliminated. However, there are still many chemicals which have not been studied in rodent carcinogenicity tests. In this paper, we review the evaluation of carcinogenic risk of environmental chemicals to humans. Carcinogenic risk to humans is evaluated primarily in three different phases: carcinogenicity studies in animal experiments, in vitro short-term screening studies, and finally human epidemiological studies. There are 30 chemicals, processes or industries which have been subject to these three phases and determined to be carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Carcinogenic risk of chemicals should be evaluated quantitatively by their threshold doses, TD50 and virtually safe dose (VSD). Furthermore, the target organ of the carcinogen should also be taken into account, which has been emphasized by the demonstration of carcinogenicity of BHA in the forestomach of rats. Summational, synergistic, antagonistic and inhibitory effects of chemicals should also be discussed. It is important to establish a guideline for detecting and eliminating environmental carcinogens in order to prevent cancer in humans.

Changes in the urine and scanning electron microscopically observed appearance of the rat bladder following treatment with tumor promoters

Urine of rats treated with promoters of urinary bladder carcinogenesis was analyzed during weeks 8 to 24 of administration. The sodium salts of several chemicals, including ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, acid saccharin and o-phenylphenol increased the urinary pH and sodium ion concentration of the urine. In contrast, treatment with sodium hippurate did not cause elevation of urinary pH although it increased the sodium ion concentration in the urine. Butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and ethoxyquin did not affect the urinary pH or any electrolytes except for an increase of phosphorus in the urine of rats given BHT or ethoxyquin. Scanning electron microscopic examination showed that epithelial cells of the urinary bladder of rats given promoters of urinary bladder carcinogenesis had pleomorphic microvilli, short, uniform microvilli, and ropy or leafy microridges on their surfaces. Thus, for the class of promoters including the sodium salts of weak to moderate acids, the elevation of urinary pH and the increase of sodium ion concentration accompany the promoting activity, whereas these changes do not occur following administration of the antioxidant class of bladder tumor promoters.

[Concentrations of cefmenoxime in human bone marrow blood and osseous tissue]

One gram of cefmenoxime (CMX) was administered to each of 10 patients by a one shot intravenous injection at the beginning of surgery. At 30, 60, 90, 120 minutes after the administration, concentrations of CMX in venous blood, bone marrow blood and bone tissue were assayed by the agar-well method. CMX was smoothly transmigrated after the injection from venous blood to bone marrow blood and bone tissue, and effective concentrations higher than MIC80 values were maintained for several hours. CMX, therefore, appears to be a useful drug for the prophylaxis and the treatment of postoperative infections.

Promoting effects of various agents in rat urinary bladder carcinogenesis initiated by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine

The effects of various chemicals on the development of neoplastic lesions in the urinary bladder were investigated in male F344 rats given 0.05% N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) as an initiator in their drinking water for 4 weeks. The compounds tested, indomethacin, acemetacin, epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA), diphenyl, allopurinol and acetaminophen (AAP), were added to the diet or drinking water for 32 weeks, and all animals were killed at the end of week 36. Of the chemicals tested, only diphenyl significantly increased the incidences and average numbers (per 10 cm basement membrane) of papillary or nodular hyperplasias (PN hyperplasia), papillomas and carcinomas of the urinary bladder over those in animals treated with BBN alone. These findings show that diphenyl is a promoter of urinary bladder carcinogenesis in male F344 rats.

Effect of timing of partial hepatectomy on the induction of preneoplastic liver foci in rats given hepatocarcinogens

Beginning 2 weeks after an intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN), rats were fed diet containing either 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF), 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (3'-Me-DAB), alpha-isomer of 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane (alpha-HCH), or phenobarbital (PB) for 6 weeks and subjected to partial hepatectomy (PH) after various periods of chemical administration. The effect of timing of PH was most apparent in rats fed 2-AAF. The size of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase positive foci was largest when PH was performed 1-3 weeks after the start of chemical feeding. Similar tendency was slightly observed with 3'-Me-DAB or alpha-HCH administration, but not with PB or basal diet feeding. Thus, the enhancing effect of PH on the induction of the preneoplastic liver foci was affected by the type of chemical and the timing of the operation.

Somatostatin-sensitive neural system in the liver

An intraportal bolus injection of cyclic somatostatin in a dose of 3.05 pmol significantly increased the vagal afferent discharge rate in the rat. The results indicate that somatostatin facilitates the vagal sensory nerve activity in the portal venous area. The present immunohistochemical examination of the rat hepatic neural system further disclosed the encapsulated corpuscles which showed intense staining for exogenous somatostatin. They were located beneath the endothelium of the large branches of the portal vein, protruded into the lumen and contained terminal nerve arborizations in the core.

Direct quantitation of activated C3 in human plasma with monoclonal anti-iC3b-C3d-neoantigen

We developed a microtiter solid-phase radioimmunoassay for quantitating C3 breakdown products (iC3b, C3dg, C3d) in human plasma with a unique monoclonal antibody specific for a neoantigen present on iC3b and C3d (MoAb 130). This monoclonal antibody reacts with a neoantigen which appears when C3b is converted to iC3b. The neoantigen is also present on the C3dg and C3d fragments derived from iC3b. The concentration of the neoantigen is elevated in the plasma of most patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus as compared to normal volunteers. Some patients with glomerulonephritis also had elevated concentration of the neoantigen in their plasma.

Sodium citrate: a promoter of bladder carcinogenesis

Dietary administration of 5% sodium citrate to male F344 rats clearly promoted the induction of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions of the bladder initiated with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine. Enhancement of tumorigenesis by sodium citrate was associated with changes in a number of urinary parameters: apparent elevation of pH; increase of sodium ion concentration; increase of crystalline MgNH4PO4. These results show that sodium citrate promotes bladder carcinogenesis.

Histologic and autoradiographic studies on the forestomach of hamsters treated with 2-tert-butylated hydroxyanisole, 3-tert-butylated hydroxyanisole, crude butylated hydroxyanisole, or butylated hydroxytoluene

The inductions of hyperplasia and neoplastic lesions in the forestomach of Syrian golden hamsters by 2-tert-butylated hydroxyanisole [(2-tert-BHA) CAS: 121-00-6], 3-tert-butylated hydroxyanisole [(3-tert-BHA) CAS: 88-32-4], crude butylated hydroxyanisole [(BHA) CAS: 25013-16-5], and butylated hydroxytoluene [(BHT) CAS: 128-37-0] were compared histopathologically and autoradiographically. In hamsters fed the 2-tert-BHA diet, severe hyperplasia developed from week 4, reaching a maximum level in week 16 of 0.56 cm/10 cm basement membrane (bm), and papillomatous lesions appeared in week 16 (0.13 cm/10 cm bm). In hamsters fed 3-tert-BHA or crude BHA, severe hyperplasia developed from week 1, which reached a maximum level in week 4 of 3.63 cm/10 cm bm with 3-tert-BHA and 5.10 cm/10 with crude BHA; it then decreased. Papillomatous lesions were found in week 3 in hamsters fed 3-tert-BHA and in week 4 in hamsters fed crude BHA; they increased to maximum levels in week 16 of 0.50 cm/10 cm bm with 3-tert-BHA and 0.29 cm/10 cm bm with crude BHA. Mild hyperplasia occurred slightly more often in hamsters fed the BHT diet than in the control group. BHT induced no severe hyperplasia and papillomatous lesions. Changes in the labeling index of the forestomach epithelium paralleled the histologic changes, except in hamsters fed the BHT diet in which no significant increase in the labeling index was observed throughout the experiment. These data suggest that the tumorigenic action of crude BHA on hamster forestomach is largely due to 3-tert-BHA and that BHT does not induce forestomach tumors in hamsters.

Promoting effect of trisodium nitrilotriacetate monohydrate on urinary bladder carcinogenesis in rats

The promoting effect of trisodium nitrilotriacetate monohydrate (Na3NTA X H2O) on two-stage urinary bladder carcinogenesis in F344 rats initiated with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) at levels of 0.01 and 0.05% was investigated. Administration of 2.0% Na3NTA X H2O significantly increased both the incidence and the number per 10 cm of basement membrane of preneoplastic lesions and papillomas of the urinary bladder in rats pretreated with 0.05% BBN. This result shows that Na3NTA X H2O has weak promoting activity in urinary bladder carcinogenesis.

Platelet-associated complement in chronic ITP

Chronic ITP is due to antibody-induced destruction of platelets by the reticuloendothelial (RE) system. The role of complement in this process is unclear. We measured platelet-associated complement (PAC) components C3, C3bi, C4 and C9 in 16 patients with chronic ITP, in two of these patients prior to and after splenectomy. Competitive solid-phase radioimmunoassays using monoclonal antibody (anti-C3d, anti-C3bi neoantigen or anti-C9) or affinity-purified heterologous antibody (anti-C4) were used. Mean values (+/- SD) of normal subjects (ng/10(7) plts) were: PAC3d 17.6 +/- 6.8; PAC3bi 11.6 +/- 2.3; PAC4 1.6 +/- 0.5; PAC9 9.9 +/- 2.6. Significantly elevated (greater than 2 SD) PAC3, PAC3bi, PAC4 and PAC9 levels occurred in 12/16, 11/14, 10/14 and 5/9 chronic ITP patients. The PAC3, PAC3bi and PAC9 values correlated inversely with the patients' platelet counts (P less than 0.001); PAC4 levels did not. A positive correlation was also noted between PAC3, PAC3bi and PAC9 while PAC4 values showed no correlation. Two patients with preoperative elevation of all four PAC proteins showed normalization of PAC3, PAC3bi and PAC9 values after a splenectomy-induced remission; PAC4 levels remained elevated for up to 5 months after surgery. We conclude that in vivo C activation occurs in most chronic ITP patients with binding of C3 and C9 to the platelet surface. This in vivo C activation may promote more efficient phagocytosis (C3b) and possibly platelet lysis (C5-9) in some ITP patients.

T-cell abnormalities in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: the presence of OKT4+8+ cells

40 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were studied for T-cell abnormalities using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (McAbs). These patients showed a tendency to have a decreased OKT4+:OKT8+ ratio compared with normal subjects and a significant increase was observed in OKT10-positive cells in ITP patients. Further analyses were made utilizing McAbs of different subclasses in combination (BMA040 mouse IgG1 McAb, helper/inducer T and BMA081 mouse IgG2 McAb, suppressor/cytotoxic T). An increased proportion of cells reactive with both BMA040 and BMA081 McAbs (double-labelled cells) was demonstrated in patients with ITP compared with the normal controls. Furthermore, there was an inverse correlation between the proportion of "double-labelled cells" and the platelet counts. These data suggest that abnormalities of the T-cell subsets in the peripheral blood may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ITP.

Inhibitory potential of acetaminophen and o-, m-, p- aminophenols for development of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase-positive liver cell foci in rats pretreated with diethylnitrosamine

The inhibitory potential of treatment with acetaminophen (AAP) and 3 different isometric forms of monoaminophenols (o-, m-, p-AP) for the development of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase-positive (gamma-GT+) liver cell foci was examined in an in vivo short-term assay system. Rats were initially given a single intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and fed test compounds from week 2 until they were killed at week 6, all rats being subjected to two-thirds partial hepatectomy at week 3. All 4 compounds exerted obvious inhibition of the development of gamma-GT foci with both number and area (mm2) being reduced. AAP proved the most potent agent whereas dose-related inhibitory potential was observed within the 2 doses of p-AP treated.

Serum immunosuppressive acidic protein in adult T-cell leukaemia (ATL)

The availability of serum immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) as a marker of subtypes of adult T-cell leukaemia (ATL) was examined. Serum IAP levels were measured in 34 patients with ATL (18 typical, 9 atypical and 7 smoldering), 7 healthy carriers of ATLA antibody and 53 healthy controls. The mean value of serum IAP was significantly higher in patients with typical ATL (897.8 +/- 502.4 micrograms/ml) than in those with atypical ATL (426.7 +/- 106.6 micrograms/l), smoldering ATL (310.0 +/- 51.3 micrograms/ml), healthy carriers of ATLA antibody (302.9 +/- 39.5 micrograms/ml) and normal controls (350.5 +/- 73.2 micrograms/ml). Serial determinations of IAP revealed that the level was correlated with the clinical course in patients with ATL; there was a difference in the prognosis of patients with high and normal levels of IAP (P less than 0.05). Thus, routine measurement of serum IAP seems useful in differentiating typical, atypical and smoldering ATL and also in evaluating the prognosis of patients.

[Studies on antigen highly associated with human bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma--enzyme-linked immuno-absorbent assay]

Insoluble extracts of human bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma were solubilized by desoxycholate. After fractionation, the soluble extracts were used to prepare antisera in guinea pigs. These antisera, after being highly absorbed with homogenates of several normal organ, serum and carcinoembryonic antigen, were reactive only with squamous cell carcinoma. There was no reactivity to fetal lung, normal adult organs or other cancers.

Pathological analysis of the carcinogenicity of sodium o-phenylphenate and o-phenylphenol

Potential carcinogenicity and promoting effects of sodium o-phenylphenate (OPP-Na) in two-stage urinary bladder carcinogenesis were shown in male F344 rats pretreated with 0.01% N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN). However, o-phenylphenol (OPP) did not enhance the occurrence of urinary bladder lesions in rats pretreated with BBN. Scanning electron microscopy of OPP-Na-treated animals demonstrated a dose-dependent production of pleomorphic microvilli on the luminal surface of bladder superficial cells, whereas these were not observed with OPP. These results give some support to the conclusion that OPP-Na may be carcinogenic in the urinary bladder of male rats.

[Studies on an antigen strongly associated with human bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma (1)--studies by immuno-diffusion method]

Insoluble extracts of human squamous cell carcinoma were solubilized by desoxycholate. The soluble extracts, after partial purification, were used to prepare antisera in guinea pigs. These antisera which were absorbed with insoluble extracts of lung, liver, kidney, spleen, carcinoembryonic antigen and non-specific cross-reacting antigen were commonly detected in all of the 7 squamous cell carcinomas. These antisera failed to reacted with adult organ extract, fetal organ homogenates or extracts from tumors of other histologic types by the methods of immuno-diffusion technique.

Ball-and-socket ankle joint: anatomical and kinematic analysis of the hindfoot

Ten feet in eight children with ball-and-socket ankle joint (BSA-J) are reported with discussion of associated anomalies, kinematic analysis of the hindfoot motion, and talocalcaneal malalignment in the apparent valgus deformities. BSA-J is considered to be a common congenital condition associated with other anomalies in the foot or lower extremities. Even though BSA-J seems to have unusual side-to-side motion at the ankle joint, it does not occur in patients without subtalar fusion. Moreover, apparently valgus feet are responsible for talocalcaneal malalignment, not for lateral unstable motion at the ankle.

Modification of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea initiated carcinogenesis in the rat by subsequent treatment with antioxidants, phenobarbital and ethinyl estradiol

The modifying effects of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), sodium L-ascorbate (SA), phenobarbital (PB) and ethinyl estradiol (EE) were studied by their administration to F344 rats subsequent to initiation with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), a wide-spectrum carcinogen inducing tumors in many organs. Rats were initially given 4 doses of MNU (50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally within a 2-week period and then placed on a diet containing BHA (1%), SA (5%), PB (0.05%) or EE (0.001%) for 23 weeks prior to killing. Since the experiment was based on a whole body concept of carcinogenesis, all major organs were examined histologically and histochemically for any preneoplastic lesions. BHA enhanced forestomach and urinary bladder carcinogenesis as did SA also for the urinary bladder, whereas PB enhanced the induction of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase positive (gamma-GT+) foci in the liver and also the incidence of thyroid carcinoma and forestomach carcinoma. In contrast, EE inhibited the induction of thyroid tumors, malignant lymphoma or leukemia. Thus these compounds, when given after initiation of many organs by a single carcinogen, exert an influence on the site of tumor development by, as yet unknown, organotropic modifying effects.