[Toxicological and hygienic assessment of nitrates in food products]

The toxicological and hygienic estimation of the contents of nitrates in the basic vegetable cultures (beet, carrots, potato etc.) is given. Is shown, that nitrates, contained in the increased amounts in the aforesaid cultures are not indifferent for human and animals organism. At a unbalanced diet of cattle use of forages with the increased contents of nitrates can result in occurrence them in livestock products. The hygienic regulation of permissible concentrations nitrates in some products should be carried out with an allowance fo structure of nutrition of the population, contents nitrates in drinking water, and also other factors capable to influence on formation of nitrate body burden on the population and to aggravate effect of nitrates action.

Partial protection by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors from nitroxyl-induced cytotoxity in thymocytes

Nitroxyl (NO(-)/HNO), has been proposed to be one of the NO(*)-derived cytotoxic species. Although the biological effect of nitroxyl is largely unknown, it has been reported to cause DNA breakage and cytotoxicity. We have therefore investigated whether NO(-)/HNO-induced DNA single-strand breakage activates the nuclear nick sensor enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and whether PARP activation affects the mode of NO(-)/HNO- induced cell death. NO(-)/HNO generated from Angeli's salt (AS, sodium trioxodinitrate) (0-300 microM) induced DNA single-strand breakage, PARP activation, and a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in murine thymocytes. AS-induced cell death was also accompanied by decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased secondary superoxide production. The cytotoxicity of AS, as measured by propidium iodide uptake, was abolished by electron acceptors potassium ferricyanide, TEMPOL, the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA-AM, and by PARP inhibitors 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) and PJ-34. The cytoprotective effect of 3-AB was paralleled by increased output of AS-induced apoptotic parameters such as phosphatidylserine exposure, caspase activation, and DNA fragmentation. No significant increase in tyrosine nitration could be observed in AS-treated thymocytes as opposed to peroxynitrite-treated cells, indicating that tyrosine nitration is not likely to contribute to NO(-)/HNO-induced cytotoxicity. Our results demonstrate that NO(-)/HNO-induced PARP activation shifts the default apoptotic cell death toward necrosis in thymocytes. However, as total PARP inhibition resulted only in 30% cytoprotection, PARP-independent mechanisms dominate NO(-)/HNO-induced cytotoxicity in thymocytes.

Differential expression of a stress-modulating gene, BRE, in the adrenal gland, in adrenal neoplasia, and in abnormal adrenal tissues

Genes that modulate the action of hormones and cytokines play a critical role in stress response, survival, and in growth and differentiation of cells. Many of these biological response modifiers are responsible for various pathological conditions, including inflammation, infection, cachexia, aging, genetic disorders, and cancer. We have previously identified a new gene, BRE, that is responsive to DNA damage and retinoic acid. Using multiple-tissue dot-blotting and Northern blotting, BRE was recently found to be strongly expressed in adrenal cortex and medulla, in testis, and in pancreas, whereas low expression was found in the thyroid, thymus, small intestine and stomach. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining indicated that BRE was strongly expressed in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex, which synthesizes and secretes the mineralocorticoid hormones. It is also highly expressed in the glial and neuronal cells of the brain and in the round spermatids, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells of the testis, all of which are associated with steroid hormones and/or TNF synthesis. However, BRE expression was downregulated in human adrenal adenoma and pheochromocytoma, whereas its expression was enhanced in abnormal adrenal tissues of rats chronically treated with nitrate or nitrite. These data, taken together, indicate that the expression of BRE is apparently associated with steroids and/or TNF production and the regulation of endocrine functions. BRE may play an important role in the endocrine and immune system, such as the cytokine-endocrine interaction of the adrenal gland.

Mutagenicity of cimetidine in nitrite-enriched human gastric juice

A mutagenic response was obtained in the Salmonella/microsome reversion test by preincubating sodium nitrite and cimetidine in human gastric juice from untreated individuals, or even by adding nitrite to gastric juice samples from patients receiving cimetidine. Both base-pair substitutions (strains TA1535 and TA100) and, though very weakly, also frameshift errors (TA1537, TA1538 and TA98) were induced by such reaction. Mutagenicity was not affected by S-9 mix containing rat liver homogenates, neither in the sense of activation nor of deactivation. The optimal reaction occurred at high equimolar concentrations of the two precursor compounds, under physiological pH and temperature conditions and within a short time of contact. Ascorbic acid was efficient in preventing the formation of mutagenic nitrosoderivative(s).

Decreased steroid hormone synthesis from inorganic nitrite and nitrate: studies in vitro and in vivo

Nitrites and nitrates are consumed nonchalantly in diet. Organic nitrates are also used as vasodilators in angina pectoris, but the therapy is associated with tolerance whose mechanism remains elusive. Previously, we found inorganic nitrate inhibited steroidogenesis in vitro. Because adrenocorticoids regulate water and electrolyte metabolism, tolerance may ensue from steroid deficiency. We have studied the effects of nitrite and nitrate on in vitro synthesis and in vivo blood levels of steroid hormones. In vitro, nitrite was more potent than nitrate in inhibiting human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-stimulated androgen synthesis by Mouse Leydig Tumor cells. At concentrations above 42 mM, nitrite completely inhibited androgen synthesis, and, unlike nitrate, the inhibition was irreversible by increasing hCG concentration. The cAMP production remained intact but reduced with both ions. The nitric oxide (NO) scavenger, 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxy-3-oxide (c-PTIO) significantly increased hCG- or cAMP-stimulated androgen synthesis in all buffers, suggesting that NO is a chemical species directly involved in the nitrite/nitrate-induced inhibition. This is further supported by c-PTIO countering the inhibitory action of methylene blue on androgen synthesis. Rats given distilled water containing 50 mg/L NaNO(2) or NaNO(3) for 4 weeks drank significantly less daily. At the end, their blood corticosterone and testosterone levels were significantly decreased. The adrenocortical histology showed bigger lipid droplets, which are pathogonomic of impaired steroidogenesis. Nitrite and nitrate are metabolized to NO, which binds heme in cytochrome P450 enzymes, thereby inhibiting steroidogenesis. Therapeutic nitrates likewise may decrease adrenal (and gonadal) steroidogenesis. Cortisol deficiency would impair water excretion causing volume expansion, and aldosterone deficiency would cause sodium loss and raised renin. Paradoxically, volume expansion without sodium retention and raised renin has all been reported in tolerance.

Acute exposure to the abused inhalant, isobutyl nitrite, reduced T cell responsiveness and spleen cellularity

Isobutyl nitrite is an inhalant abused principally by male homosexuals. We have reported that subchronic inhalation exposure (45 min/day for 14 days) to 900 ppm isobutyl nitrite was immunosuppressive. In the present study, the effects of acute exposure to the inhalant were examined. Mice were exposed in an inhalation chamber to 900 ppm isobutyl nitrite for 45 min. One day later, spleen cellularity was reduced by 39% without selectively depleting CD4(+) or CD8(+) cells. The numbers of peripheral blood leukocytes and peritoneal cells were also reduced. Following acute inhalation exposure, T cell proliferative responses stimulated with allogeneic cells or anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies were inhibited, while mitogen-induced responses were not affected. Purified T cells exposed to the inhalant also had compromised responses, suggesting a direct effect on T cells. However, the cumulative effects of multiple exposures were necessary to inhibit T-dependent antibody responses or T cell or macrophage cytotoxicity.

Nitrite-induced deamination and hypochlorite-induced oxidation of DNA in intact human respiratory tract epithelial cells

No modification of purine or pyrimidine bases was observed when isolated DNA was incubated with 1 mM nitrite at pH 7.4. However, exposure of human bronchial epithelial cells in culture medium at pH 7.4 to nitrite at concentrations of 100 microM or greater led to deamination of purine bases in cellular DNA. Deamination was more extensive in cells exposed to lower extracellular pH values and higher nitrite concentrations. Significant increases in the levels of xanthine and hypoxanthine, putative deamination products of guanine and adenine, respectively, were observed in DNA from nitrite-treated cells but no rise in any base oxidation products such as 8-hydroxyguanine. This pattern of damage suggests that exposure of cells to nitrite (even at pH 7.4) leads to intracellular generation of "reactive nitrogen species" capable of deaminating purines in DNA. In addition, significant DNA strand breakage occurred in nitrite-treated cells. The time course of base damage suggested that the repair of deaminated purine lesions in these cells is slow. By contrast, DNA isolated from cells exposed to hypochlorous acid (HOCl) has significant oxidation of pyrimidine bases and chlorination of cytosine but little oxidation of purines. Exposure of cells to both species (NO(2)(-) plus HOCl) potentiated the oxidative DNA base damage observed but decreased the extent of deamination. We hypothesize that this is due to the formation of nitryl chloride (NO(2)Cl) from reaction of HOCl with *NO(2)(-). The relevance of our observations to events in the stomach and respiratory tract, at sites of inflammation, and in ischemic tissues is discussed.

Nitrite inhalants spontaneously liberate nitric oxide, which is not responsible for the immunotoxicity in C57BL/6 mice

Nitrite inhalant abuse has been correlated epidemiologically with HIV seropositivity and with Kaposi's sarcoma. Using a mouse model, we have shown that inhaled isobutyl nitrite caused anemia and severely depressed immunity. In the present study, we showed that both isobutyl and cyclohexyl nitrites in air liberated nitric oxide (NO). An immunotoxic dose of 900 ppm isobutyl nitrite liberated 115 ppm NO. Mice were exposed in an inhalation chamber to 115 ppm NO, 900 ppm isobutyl nitrite, or 900 ppm cyclohexyl nitrite for 45 min/day. Following a single exposure, NO did not affect peripheral blood cell counts, while isobutyl and cyclohexyl nitrites reduced cell numbers. After 14 daily exposures, isobutyl nitrite, but not cyclohexyl nitrite or NO, reduced peritoneal macrophage tumoricidal activity. The nitrite esters likely caused immunotoxicity by mechanisms other than NO release.

Increased tumor growth in mice exposed to inhaled isobutyl nitrite

Epidemiological studies have correlated the incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in AIDS with a history of abuse of nitrite inhalants. To determine if exposure to nitrite inhalants could alter tumor growth, syngeneic PYB6 tumor cells were injected into groups of mice. Exposure of these mice to inhaled isobutyl nitrite increased both the tumor incidence and the tumor growth rate by almost 4-fold. Following only five daily exposures to the inhalant, the induction of specific T cell mediated cytotoxicity was inhibited by 36%. Similar inhalation exposures inhibited the tumoricidal activity of activated macrophages by 86%. The data suggest that exposure to abuser levels of a nitrite inhalant compromised tumor surveillance mechanisms.

Effects of ammonium dinitramide on preimplantation embryos in Sprague-Dawley rats

Ammonium dinitramide (ADN) is a class 1.1 oxidizer that may be used in rocket propellants and explosives. Previous studies have shown that ADN is a female reproductive toxicant, causing implantation failure in Sprague-Dawley rats when it is administered during the preimplantation period of gestation. The purpose of this follow-up study was to identify the mechanism(s) associated with implantation failure following exposure to ADN. Mated female rats were treated with 2.0 grams per liter (g l-1) ADN in their drinking water for 24, 48, 72, or 96 h before preimplantation embryos were harvested from the oviducts or uterine horns. On gestation day 1 (GD-1), comparable numbers of morphologically normal two-cell embryos were harvested from the oviducts of the treatment and control groups. On GD-2, the development of the embryos harvested from the treated animals was either slowed or halted when compared to the control embryos. By GD-4, 98% of the embryos harvested from the control group had developed to the morula or blastocyst stage; these were collected from the uterine horns. On GD-4 in the treated group, 41% of the harvested embryos remained at the two- to six-cell stage and 59% were degenerate; 82% of these embryos were collected from the oviducts. These data suggest that the implantation failure seen in animals treated with ADN is due to embryolethality.

Immunomodulation by nitrite inhalants may predispose abusers to AIDS and Kaposi's sarcoma

Epidemiological studies indicating that nitrite inhalant abuse is a co-factor in HIV infection and in Kaposi's sarcoma are supported by recent experimental studies, described in this review. Inhalation exposure to the nitrites produce a nonspecific cytotoxicity, depleting many cells of the immune system. Apparently distinct from this cytotoxicity, inhalation of the nitrites impairs a variety of immune mechanisms, affecting both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. In addition, the inhalant-increased macrophage production of the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), can directly stimulate HIV replication and can also stimulate the growth of Kaposi's sarcoma cells. Thus, nitrite inhalants may impair immune resistance to infection and actively promote viral replication and tumor growth.

[Biological effects of acute external or internal irradiation of rats in the framework of nitrite intoxication]

The material presented provides evidence that high nitrite doses have a various effect under the condition of external or internal radiation. Thus, nitrite protector properties were observed in male rats exposed to external radiation using the LD50/30 while following 90Sr exposure male rats of the same age showed a higher sensitivity to the radionuclide. The nitrite combined with optimum carcinogenic 90Sr dose had a potentiating effect on both life-span shortening and increase in osteosarcoma rate in the animals.

Acute blood toxicity of the abused inhalant, cyclohexyl nitrite

Cyclohexyl nitrite is an abused nitrite inhalant. This is the first report of toxicity of cyclohexyl nitrite. Mice were exposed to 300-900 ppm cyclohexyl nitrite in an inhalation chamber for 45 min and then bled. Such treatment resulted in a 7-10% reduction in red blood cell counts, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels. Both blood leucocyte counts and spleen cellularity were reduced by 40%. Unlike isobutyl nitrite, subchronic treatment of mice with cyclohexyl nitrite did not impair macrophage tumoricidal activity or production of reactive nitrogen intermediates, but did modulate B and T cell mitogen responses. The data suggest that cyclohexyl nitrite had cytotoxic activity, comparable to that of isobutyl nitrite, which might be related to the anaemia reported in abusers. The immunomodulatory properties of cyclohexyl nitrite differed from those of isobutyl nitrite.

Effects of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species induced by ammonium dinitramide decomposition in aqueous solutions of deoxyribose nucleic acid

Ammonium dinitramide (ADN), a potential rocket fuel, decomposes in water forming NO2. The chemistry of this ADN-released NO2 in oxygenated biological systems is complex both in the number of potential chemical species and in the number of parallel and consecutive reactions that can theoretically occur. High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) studies revealed ADN fragmented deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA). Damage to DNA standard solutions was caused by at least two major pathways, one arising from reactions of NO2 with oxygen and one arising from a reaction with superoxide (O2-.). The radical species generated when ADN is incubated with standard solutions of DNA, pH 7.5, in the presence of the spin trap agent n-tert-butyl-alpha-nitrone (PBN) was compared with the PBN-radical adducts generated in the presence of ADN and O2-. or of ADN and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The ADN-induced PBN radical adducts increased linearly over the 90-minute study period. The values of peak intensity in the presence of O2-. and in the presence of H2O2, were 828% and 7.08%, respectively, of the ADN-induced radicals alone. The synergistic effect of ADN with O2- may provide an understanding of the sensitivity of the rat blastocyst to aDN at the preimplantation stage of development and the lack of toxicity in in vivo studies in tissues high in catalase.

Nitrite-induced adrenal effects in rats and the consequences for the no-observed-effect level

In a previous subchronic oral toxicity study with potassium nitrite, hypertrophy of the adrenal zona glomerulosa was observed for all nitrite levels examined including the lowest level of 100 mg/litre. This present study was carried out, therefore, to establish a no-observed-effect level (NOEL) for nitrite. Groups of 10 male and 10 female 6-wk-old Wistar rats received KNO2 at levels of 12.5, 25, 50, 100 or 3000 mg/litre or NaNO2 at levels of 81 or 2432 mg/litre in the drinking water for 13 wk. The nitrite content of the drinking water in the latter two groups was equal to that of the 100 and 3000 mg KNO2/litre groups, respectively. Potassium and sodium concentrations were equalized in the corresponding test groups with KCl and NaCl, respectively. General health, behaviour and survival were not affected by the ingestion of nitrite. Body weight and food and liquid intake were slightly decreased in the 3000 mg KNO2/litre and 2432 mg NaNo2/litre groups for both sexes. Methaemoglobin concentration was significantly elevated in rats of both high-dose nitrite groups in wk 4 and 12, while slight increases in a number of red blood cell variables occurred with 3000 mg KNO2/litre in females in wk 12. Relative kidney weights were increased in both high-dose nitrite groups. In wk 4, plasma aldosterone and corticosterone levels were slightly decreased in males with 2432 mg NaNO2/litre and plasma corticosterone in females with 3000 mg KNO2/litre but not in wk 13. Systolic blood pressure was not affected by nitrite. Microscopic examination revealed slight hypertrophy of the adrenal zona glomerulosa in animals of the 100 and 3000 mg KNO2/litre and of the 81 and 2432 mg NaNO2/litre groups, the incidence and degree being dose related. The results obtained with 100 and 3000 mg KNO2/litre in the drinking water were comparable with those found at the same levels in the previous 90-day study. The effects with sodium nitrite were similar to those observed with potassium nitrite. The biological significance of the adrenal zona glomerulosa hypertrophy is discussed. It is concluded that the NOEL of KNO2 is 50 mg/litre in the drinking water, equivalent to about 5 mg/kg body weight/day.

Acute toxicity of firefighting chemical formulations to four life stages of fathead minnow

Laboratory studies were conducted with four early life stages of fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, to determine the acute toxicity of five firefighting chemical formulations in standardized soft and hard water. Egg, fry, 30-day posthatch, and 60-day posthatch life stages were tested with three fire retardants (Fire-Trol GTS-R, Fire-Trol LCG-R, and Phos-Chek D75-F) and two fire-suppressant foams (Phos-Chek WD-881 and Ansul Silv-Ex). Fry were generally the most sensitive life stage tested, whereas the eggs were the least sensitive life stage. Formulation toxicity was greater in hard water than in soft water for all life stages tested. Fire-suppressant foams were more toxic than the fire retardants. The 96-hr LC50s derived for fathead minnows were rank ordered from the most toxic to the least toxic formulation as follows: Phos-Chek WD-881 (13-32 mg/liter) > Silv-Ex (19-32 mg/liter) > Fire-Trol GTS-R (135-787 mg/liter) > Phos-Chek D75-F (168-2250 mg/liter) > Fire-Trol LCG-R (519-6705 mg/liter) (ranges are the lowest and highest 96-hr LC50 for each formulation).

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates and products from polyamine degradation are Babesiacidal in vitro

Products released from activated macrophages have been demonstrated to have microbicidal activity against a variety of microorganisms. Reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) and reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI) have been shown to affect the induction of degenerate (crisis) forms of Plasmodium spp. Polyamines are degraded into acrolein which has also been shown to be toxic to Plasmodium spp. We have investigated the possibility that these products act similarly with Babesia bovis. Crisis forms of B. bovis developed in erythrocyte cultures after the introduction of supernatants containing ROI, RNI, and acrolein. Xanthine degradation by xanthine oxidase leads to the formation of superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals. The degradation in the presence of B. bovis was toxic to the parasite. The toxicity was partially reversed by the addition of the ROI scavenger catalase. However, H2O2 added directly had little effect, suggesting a role for the other ROI products. Spermine degradation by polyamine oxidase and direct addition of acrolein was toxic in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, spontaneous generation of nitric oxide from sodium nitroprusside or S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine was also toxic in a dose-dependent manner. These data lead us to suggest a role for activated macrophages in the primary immune response against B. bovis.

Leukopenia and altered hematopoietic activity in mice exposed to the abused inhalant, isobutyl nitrite

Isobutyl nitrite is representative of a group of inhalants abused primarily by male homosexuals; abuse of this drug may be a risk factor for AIDS or Kaposi's sarcoma. Using a 14-day exposure regimen, we previously reported that inhaled isobutyl nitrite was immunotoxic to mice, severely compromising T-dependent antibody responses and cytotoxic T cell and macrophage tumoricidal activity. In addition, exposure to the inhalant dramatically reduced spleen cellularity. A single 45-minute inhalation exposure produced anemia in mice. In the present study, we examined the effects of subchronic exposure to the drug on peripheral blood cellularity and hematopoietic activity. Mice were exposed to 900 ppm isobutyl nitrite in an inhalation chamber for 45 minutes/day for 14 days. One day after the final exposure, the number of peripheral blood leukocytes was reduced by 32%; however, the number of erythrocytes was increased by 7%. This was accompanied by an apparent shift from myelopoiesis to erythropoiesis. The numbers of bone marrow and spleen burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E) were increased about two-fold, while the numbers of colony-forming units-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) were decreased by about half. Bone marrow stromal cells also had reductions in the production of myeloid colony-stimulating activity after subchronic exposure to the inhalant. In addition, the numbers of hematopoietic stem cells, colony-forming units-spleen (CFU-S), were reduced in both bone marrow and spleen. Peripheral blood erythrocyte and leukocyte counts returned to normal levels by 7 days after the final exposure, as did the number of BFU-E. The number of CFU-GM remained depressed, however, even after 7 days of recovery. These data suggest that repeated exposures nonspecifically depleted cells and that erythropoiesis was stimulated, apparently at the expense of myelopoiesis.

[Nitrite formation and nitrosation potential of heterotrophic biological denitrification of drinking water in laboratory conditions]

In a laboratory construction for heterotrophic biological denitrification of drinking water treatment, the formation of nitrite, the potency of nitrosation and the genotoxic activity were tested. Parameter as nitrate concentration, the water flow rate in the system, nitrite and morpholine addition and the pH-value were checked. For testing the potency of nitrosation and formation of nitrite in the reactor we took morpholine, a fast nitrosing amine. The results show for the break down rate of nitrate, there is no influence of the initial nitrate concentration (80-195 mg/L), the nitrite addition (5-20 mg/L) and the water flow rate (45-100 min) in the system. pH-values below 5.5 showed a little break down rate of nitrate. There was no correlation between the starting point of nitrate concentration and the formation of nitrite, although there was a positive correlation between the length of stay and the formation of nitrite. Nitrite concentrations of 5 mg/L with morpholine concentrations of 5 and 10 mg/L didn't show detectable formation of nitrosomorpholine. The analyses of different watertests in the construction didn't show significant results for DNA damage by the sister-chromatid exchange (SCE). The results of the Salmonella microsome assay (tester strain TA1535) didn't show any mutagenic effects relating to the potency of nitrosation. According to our experiments the potency of generalising nitrosamides or nitrosamines by drinking water denitrification seems to be low. There is no final assessment of detriment to health by denitrifying drinking water.