Urinary ascorbic acid--HPLC determination and application as a noninvasive biomarker of hepatic response

Dose-dependent toxicological effects in rats following a 90-day dietary exposure to PCB-156 include retinoid disruption

The toxicity of PCB-156 (2,3,3',4,4',5-hexachlorobiphenyl) was investigated in rats following subchronic dietary exposure. Groups of 10 male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were administered PCB-156 in the diet at 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 or 10 ppm for 90 days. Dose-dependent increases were detected for the liver, lung and kidney weights, as well as for the liver EROD, PROD and UDPGT enzyme activities and liver uroporphyrin concentration. Dose-dependent decreases were observed in final body weight, body weight gain, and thymus weight. Apolar retinoid concentrations were decreased in the liver and lungs and increased in the kidneys. Histopathological examination of the liver, thyroid, and thymus showed mild to moderate dose-related changes. A LOAEL of 0.01 ppm was established, based on reduced apolar liver retinoid concentration. Benchmark dose-modelling corroborated the sensitivity of liver retinoid endpoints. The lower confidence limits (BMDL) for a 5% decrease in apolar liver retinoid concentrations were 0.0009 and 0.0007 ppm, respectively, in males and females, corresponding to a daily dose of 0.06 μg PCB-156 per kg body weight. Organizing dose-response data for the individual hepatic endpoints along the PCB-156 dosing scale revealed a sequence of events compatible with a causal link between depletion of apolar retinoids and the other liver biochemistry and pathology findings. Taken together, data suggest that the retinoid endpoints should be further evaluated for a causal relationship to PCB-induced liver toxicity and that retinoid system endpoints are identified and characterized to support health risk assessment in the emerging research fields of endocrine disruption and mixture toxicology.

A Study of the Acid Lability and Acute Toxicity of Dimethoxymethane in Rats

The pH stability and acute oral toxicity of dimethoxymethane (DMM) in rats were studied. In in vitro studies, DMM was found to be stable in artificial gastric juice at pH 2.5 and above but readily hydrolyzed at pH 2 and below, with 1 mole of DMM producing approximately 1 mole of formaldehyde and 2 moles of methanol. DMM incubated in sealed, excised stomachs appeared to equilibrate with the external incubation fluid over a 24-hour period without significant hydrolysis. In the toxicity study, three groups of female rats ( n = 5) were administered, by gavage, phosphate-buffered saline (control), DMM (31 mmoles/kg body weight [bw]/day), or methanol (MeOH) (30 mmoles/kg bw/day), respectively, for 3 consecutive days and then sacrificed on day 5. Transient ataxia lasting about 30 minutes was observed in animals following DMM administration. Increased urine volume was observed in the DMM group at the end of days 4 and 5. Markedly elevated level of formic acid was present in the urine of the MeOH group at days 1, 2, and 3, but not in the DMM group. Urinary ascorbic acid levels were increased in the DMM group on days 1, 2 and 3, and returned to baseline level at days 4 and 5. Microscopic examination detected no abnormal histological changes in the liver and kidneys of MeOH-or DMM-treated animals. No treatment effects were observed on the following endpoints: organ weights (liver, heart, thymus, kidneys), serum corticosterone, serum chemistry profile, hematology, hepatic phase 1 and phase 2 mixed-function oxidase activities, hepatic and serum thiobarbituric acid, hepatic glutathione, urinary protein, and urinary N-acetylglucosaminidase activity. These observations suggested that hydrolysis of DMM in the stomach required a gastric acidity below pH 2.5. At higher pH, intact DMM readily penetrated the stomach and therefore likely reached the circulation and other body tissues. There was no significant hydrolysis of orally administered DMM, and the acute effects were limited to transient ataxia and biochemical responses in the liver.

Extraction and electrochemical detection of capsaicin and ascorbic acid from fresh chilli using ionic liquids

Capsaicin (flavour indicator) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C, freshness indicator) were simultaneously extracted from fresh chillies and quantified.

Effects of three biodiesels and a low sulfur diesel in male rats--a pilot 4-week oral study

Because of the accessible and renewable nature of feedstock and the potential for the reduction of harmful combustion emissions and greenhouse gases, biodiesels have received increasing interest as an alternate fuel. Oral exposure to biodiesels is a concern because of contact during refuelling, accidental ingestion and exposure through ground water contamination. Although biodiesels from various feedstock are in use commercially and experimentally, very little is known about their potential adverse effects and no data is available on their potential for ground water contamination. A study was performed on male rats following oral treatment with experimental biodiesels (dissolved in corn oil) derived from canola oil (Bio-C), soy oil (Bio-S) and fish oil (Bio-F), at 500 mg/kg body weight/day, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. Separate groups of animals were treated with low sulfur diesel (LSD) for comparison purpose, and with corn oil alone to serve as control. The potential for ground water contamination by biodiesels was investigated by the preparation of water-accommodated fractions (WAF) followed by gas chromatographic analysis. WAF from Bio-F and Bio-S was found to have the highest level of dichloromethane extractable materials. Gas chromatographic analysis indicated that the extractable materials from biodiesels contained much higher proportion of C15-C30 materials than LSD. Increased liver weight was observed in animal treated with Bio-C, Bio-S and LSD and decreased thymus weight was found in those treated with Bio-S. Histopathological changes typical of male-rat specific hyaline-droplet nephropathy were detected in kidney tubules of animals treated with LSD, Bio-S and Bio-C. Mild adaptive changes were observed in thyroids of animals treated with LSD, Bio-S and Bio-F. Clinical chemical and biochemical changes were confined to Bio-S and LSD treated rats and included elevation in some hepatic phase-I and phase-II drug metabolizing enzymes and hepatic palmitoyl Co-A oxidase, and elevated urinary concentrations of ascorbic acid and albumin. At the given dose level of 500 mg/kg bw/day, the overall treatment-related effects of biodiesels and LSD are mild, and the severity of the treatment effects may be ranked as: LSD>Bio-S>Bio-C>Bio-F. Considered together with the presence of a higher level of water extractable materials, Bio-S may be more of a concern for potential human health than Bio-C and Bio-F in an oral exposure scenario. Further studies are needed to identify and characterize the constituents contributing to the treatment-related effects specific to these experimental biodiesels.

Short-term oral toxicity of butyl ether, ethyl hexyl ether, methyl heptyl ether and 1,6-dimethoxyhexane in male rats and the role of 2-methoxyacetic acid

A 4-week oral study was conducted in male rats to characterize and compare the toxicity of four aliphatic ethers (butyl ether, BE; ethyl hexyl ether, EHxE; methyl heptyl ether, MHpE; and 1,6-dimethoxyhexane, DMH) which have been proposed as high-cetane diesel additives. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (280+/-20 g) were divided into groups of seven animals each and were administered by gavage low (2mg/kg body weight), medium (20mg/kg) or high (200mg/kg) doses of BE, EHxE, or MHpE, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Another group of animals was administered DMH at 200mg/kg while the control group received the vehicle (corn oil at 1 ml/100g bw) only. At the end of the treatment period, relative testis weights and thymus weights were significantly decreased in the DMH group but not in animals receiving BE, EHxE, or MHpE. Microscopic examination revealed degeneration of the seminiferous tubules and reduction of sperm density in the epididymides in the DMH treatment group. Urinary creatine/creatinine ratio, a sensitive indicator of testicular damage, was markedly elevated in the DMH treated animals but not in those treated with BE, EHxE, or MHpE. In the bone marrow, DMH caused mild dyserythropoiesis and dysthrombopoiesis, while BE, EHxE, and MHpE produced mild increases in granulocytes and myelocyte/erythrocyte ratio. All four ethers at 200mg/kg caused mild histological changes in the thyroid but no significant modulation in the circulating thyroxin (T4) or triiodothyronine (T3) levels. All four ethers produced hepatic effects at 200mg/kg consisting of mild, adaptive histological changes, increased urinary ascorbic acid output, and elevation in the activities of one or more xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (benzyloxyresorufin-O-dealkylase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, glutathione-S-transferases). The level of 2-methoxyacetic acid (MAA), a known testicular and developmental toxin, was significantly increased in the urine and plasma of animals treated with DMH but not in those administered the high dose BE, EHxE, or MHpE. Amomg the individual rats treated with DMH, the MAA level appeared to correlate with the severity of toxicity such as testicular and thymic weights, and urinary creatine/creatinine ratio. It is concluded that BE, EHxE, and MHpE differed from DMH in that they did not produce testicular or thymic toxicity. All four ethers at high dose caused changes to the thyroid, liver and bone marrows that were mild and adaptive in nature. MAA appeared to be the proximal toxicant in DMH treated animals but the route by which DMH is metabolized to MAA remains to be elucidated.

Effects of an ethanol-gasoline mixture: results of a 4-week inhalation study in rats

The inhalation toxicity of an ethanol-gasoline mixture was investigated in rats. Groups of 15 male and 15 female rats were exposed by inhalation to 6130 ppm ethanol, 500 ppm gasoline or a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline (by volume, 6130 ppm ethanol and 500 ppm gasoline), 6 h a day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Control rats of both genders received HEPA/charcoal-filtered room air. Ten males and ten females from each group were killed after 4 weeks of treatment and the remaining rats were exposed to filtered room air for an additional 4 weeks to determine the reversibility of toxic injuries. Female rats treated with the mixture showed growth suppression, which was reversed after 4 weeks of recovery. Increased kidney weight and elevated liver microsomal ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity, urinary ascorbic acid, hippuric acid and blood lymphocytes were observed and most of the effects were associated with gasoline exposure. Combined exposure to ethanol and gasoline appeared to exert an additive effect on growth suppression. Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract was observed only in the ethanol-gasoline mixture groups, and exposure to either ethanol and gasoline had no effect on the organ, suggesting that an irritating effect was produced when the two liquids were mixed. Morphology in the adrenal gland was characterized by vacuolation of the cortical area. Although histological changes were generally mild in male and female rats and were reversed after 4 weeks, the changes tended to be more severe in male rats. Brain biogenic amine levels were altered in ethanol- and gasoline-treated groups; their levels varied with respect to gender and brain region. Although no general interactions were observed in the brain neurotransmitters, gasoline appeared to suppress dopamine concentrations in the nucleus accumbens region co-exposed to ethanol. It was concluded that treatment with ethanol and gasoline, at the levels studied, produced mild, reversible biochemical hematological and histological effects, with some indications of interactions when they were co-administered.

Gender and sodium-ascorbate transporter isoforms determine ascorbate concentrations in mice

We evaluated the hypothesis that sodium-dependent vitamin C (ascorbate) transporters SVCT1 and SVCT2 (encoded by genes Slc23a1 and Slc23a2) regulate ascorbate concentrations in tissues of adult mice. Slc23a2+/- and Slc23a2+/+ mice were fed an ascorbate-free diet for 10-12 wk, and then segregated according to gender and genome, and were placed in groups of 3-4 in metabolic cages for 24-h urine collection. RT-PCR analysis showed that liver and kidney expressed mainly SVCT1, and brain, skeletal muscle, and spleen expressed predominantly SVCT2. Slc23a2+/- mice had low SVCT2 but normal SVCT1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, which did not differ between genders. Ascorbate concentrations were lower in Slc23a2+/- than Slc23a2+/+ mice in tissues where SVCT2 was the main isoform. Compared with males, females had lower ascorbate excretion and ascorbate:creatinine ratio in urine and had higher ascorbate concentrations in plasma and SVCT1-predominant tissues. SVCT2 contributed to a gender effect in spleen because males had higher spleen ascorbate concentration than females in wild-type but not in Slc23a2+/- mice. Hepatic gulonolactone oxidase mRNA and activity levels did not differ with genotype or gender, indicating no differences in ascorbate synthesis. We concluded that SVCT2 is a major determinant of ascorbate accumulation in tissues lacking SVCT1. The SVCT isoforms appear to function independently of one another because SVCT1 expression and ascorbate concentrations in SVCT1-predominant organs were not affected by SVCT2 deficiency. Additionally, lower ascorbate excretion in females may elevate the vitamin's concentrations in plasma and tissues expressing SVCT1 that, unlike SVCT2, is not saturated by plasma ascorbate concentrations.

Short-term oral toxicity of gasohol in female rats

The systemic toxicity of gasohol (10% ethanol in gasoline by volume) in female rats following 4-week oral administration was studied. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (198+/-14 g) were divided into four groups of ten animals each. The low- and medium-dose groups received by gavage corn oil containing gasoline/ethanol at 16/1.8 and 160/18 (mg kg(-1) body weight), respectively, for 28 consecutive days. The high-dose animals were administered gasoline/ethanol at 1600/180 mg kg(-1) on the first day and the dose was reduced to 800/90 mg kg(-1) for the rest of the study period. Control animals received corn oil only. Urine was obtained from all rats after weeks 1, 2 and 4 for biochemical analysis. At termination of the study, kidneys of four rats from each group were examined by electron microscopy. Body weight gains, organ weights, tissue and organ histopathology, serum biochemistry, hematology, liver enzymes and biochemistry were determined in the remaining six animals of each group. No treatment-related changes were observed in the following endpoints: body weight gain or relative weights of the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen and thymus. A significant increase in pentoxyresorufin O-deethylase (PROD) and benzoylresorufin O-dealkylase (BROD) activities was detected in the high-dose animals, whereas ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity was unchanged. Treatment with gasohol did not produce any significant changes in hematology and serum clinical chemistry parameters. Biomarkers of oxidative stress such as serum and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and liver glutathione also were unaffected by treatments. Urinary ascorbic acid was elevated markedly in the medium- and high-dose groups following the first, second and fourth weeks of treatment. Urine hippuric acid was increased significantly in the high-dose groups. A dose-related increase in urinary aldehydes also was observed in animals after the first, second and fourth week of treatment. Interestingly, a separate 1-week dosing study revealed that the increase in urinary aldehydes was associated with gasoline and not with ethanol treatment. In the high-dose animals slight increases in urinary protein and N-acetylglucosaminidase activity were observed after week 1 but not after week 2 or week 4. No histopathological changes were detected in the liver, kidneys, stomach, brain, lungs or other tissues examined. Electron microscopic examination of the kidneys also did not reveal any abnormalities. It was concluded that short-term oral administration of gasoline/ethanol at 800/90 mg kg(-1) produced a biochemical response in the liver but no adverse effects in the kidneys and lungs. The biological significance of elevated urinary aldehydes at gasoline/ethanol concentrations of 160/18 mg kg(-1) and higher remains to be studied.

Mixture effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in rats

Concern of the toxic effects and bioaccumulation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and polychlorinated biphenyls in the environment continues to be a focus of research in persistent organochlorine contaminants. Groups of five adult female S.D. rats were administered by gavage 0, 2.5, 25, 250 or 1000 ng TCDD/kg body weight/day or TCDD in combination with a mixture of PCB congeners (PCBs) at 2 or 20 microg/kg b.w./day for a period of 28 days. Growth suppression, increased absolute and relative liver weights, and decreased thymic weight were observed in either the 1000 ng TCDD group alone, or the groups receiving a mixture of 1000 ng TCDD + 2 microg PCBs. The TCDD induced increases in liver and thymic weights were not altered by co-administration with PCBs, however, growth suppression appeared to be more pronounced in the group receiving 1000 ng TCDD + 2 microg PCBs than with TCDD alone. Treatment with TCDD at 250 ng and 1000 ng/kg resulted in a significant increase in hepatic microsomal methoxy resorufin-O-demethylase and ethoxy resorufin-O-deethylase activities which were antagonized by co-administration with PCBs. Similarly, effects of 250 ng TCDD on serum cholesterol and liver UDP glucuronosyl transferase activity and ascorbic acid were significantly reduced by co-administration with 20 microg PCBs. Other biochemical effects elicited by treatment with 1000 ng TCDD, but not affected by co-administration with PCBs include the following: increased serum albumin, decreased liver vitamin A, and increased kidney vitamin A and liver microsomal glutathione-S-transferase activity. While decreased hemoglobin, platelet, packed cell volume and red cell indices were observed in TCDD treated rats, no interactive effects were seen. The above results indicate that the mixture effects of PCBs and TCDD may be additive or antagonistic depending on the dose level and endpoints measured. For the purpose of predicting mixture effects, knowledge of mechanisms of action and toxicokinetics is required.

Biochemical effects of chloral hydrate on male rats following 7-day drinking water exposure

The biochemical and toxicological effects of chloral hydrate were investigated. Four groups (n = 7 per group) of male Sprague-Dawley rats (161-170 g) were administered chloral hydrate in drinking water at concentrations of 20, 200 or 2000 ppm for 7 days. The control group received phosphate-buffered water only. There were no treatment-related changes in the body weight gains, relative weights of major organs or haematological parameters. Trichloroacetic acid was significantly (P < 0.05) elevated in the serum of high-dose animals (7.75 +/- 5.14 mg dl(-1), mean +/- SD). In the high-dose animals there was a 36% increase in protein level in the liver homogenates but not in the corresponding 9000 g supernatants. Concurrently, there was a threefold increase in the activity of the hepatic peroxisomal enzyme palmitoyl CoA oxidase (PCO). A prominent change was the dose-related suppression in hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity observed in all treatment groups, with the decrease ranging from 15% at 20 ppm to 68% at 2000 ppm. There were no significant decreases in the activity of hepatic enzymes ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), benzyloxyresorufin O-dealkylase (BROD) and UDP-glucuronosyl-transferase (UDPGT). In the high-dose group there was a 30% increase in hepatic glutathione-S transferase (GST) activity, accompanied by a 13% increase in glutathione (GSH). Significant effects on lipids were observed in the liver of the high-dose animals, with a 15% decrease in hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride levels. There were no treatment-related changes in serum chemistry parameters, including cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Although in vitro assays showed chloral hydrate to be an inhibitor of serum pseudocholinesterase activity, with a 50% inhibition concentration (ic(50)( of approximately 0.7 mM at 5 mM butyrylthiocholine, no decrease in serum pseudocholinesterase activity was found in the treated animals. It was concluded that the liver is the target organ for chloral hydrate, with suppression of ALDH as the most sensitive endpoint followed by alteration in the GSH level and GST activity. Changes observed in the high-dose animals, such as increased peroxisomal PCO activity in the liver and perturbation of lipid homeostasis in the liver and blood, were likely to be associated with trichloracetic acid, the major metabolite of chloral hydrate.

Bone tissue composition, dimensions and strength in female rats given an increased dietary level of vitamin A or exposed to 3,3',4, 4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) alone or in combination with vitamin C

In previous studies we have described structural and functional changes in rat bone tissue caused by 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126). Some of the effects caused by PCB126 resemble those found in vitamin C-deficient rats, as well as those found in rats with a high dietary intake of vitamin A. The present investigation was designed to determine if these PCB126-induced changes could be inhibited by addition of vitamin C to the drinking water and if they could be evoked by vitamin A administration. Five groups of female rats were used in this study, which lasted for 12 weeks. Three of the groups were exposed to PCB126 (total dose 320 microgram/kg, bw), either alone or in combination with vitamin C added to the drinking water (1 and 10 g/l, respectively). One group was given feed with increased level of vitamin A (600000 U/kg pellet) and the fifth group served as controls. Using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), it was found that PCB126 increased trabecular density and cortical thickness, but reduced the trabecular area. Furthermore, maximum torque and stiffness of the humerus during torsional testing and serum osteocalcin levels were reduced by PCB126. Of the PCB126 induced effects observed, addition of vitamin C only inhibited the reduction of serum osteocalcin. Like PCB126 vitamin A supplementation increased the inorganic content and the bone density and also reduced the trabecular area and polar moment of inertia but did not increase the cortical thickness or reduce maximum torque, stiffness or serum osteocalcin level. Apparently, the effects induced by PCB126 are not mediated either via decreased vitamin C level or increased vitamin A level.

Effects of subchronic exposure of rats to dichloramine and trichloramine in drinking water

The subchronic toxicity of 0.2-200 ppm dichloramine and 0.2-90 ppm trichloramine in the drinking water of rats was investigated using biochemical, hematological, and histopathological parameters. Animals in the highest dose groups consumed 5-15% less fluid than controls with no significant decrease in body weight gain. No clinical signs of toxicity were observed in either case. Both males and females dosed with 90 ppm trichloramine had significantly increased relative kidney/body weights and the females had increased hepatic glutathione S-transferase and UPD-glucuronosyltransferase activities. No significant changes were detected in other xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes or in serum biochemistry, urine biochemistry, or hematology. Both dichloramine and trichloramine induced minimal to mild adaptive histopathological changes in thyroids and kidneys of animals of both sexes. Dichloramine, but not trichloramine, was associated with histological changes in the gastric cardia characterized by epithelial hyperplasia at concentrations of 2 ppm and above in the males and 200 ppm in the females. This study indicates that dichloramine produced mild histological effects at drinking water concentrations of >0.2 ppm in males (0.019 mg/kg/day) and >2 ppm in females (0.26 mg/kg/day) while trichloramine produced biochemical and mild histological effects at levels of >2 ppm both in males (0.23 mg/kg/day) and in females (0.29 mg/kg/day).

Inhalation toxicity of methanol/gasoline in rats: effects of 13-week exposure

The subchronic inhalation toxicity of a methanol/gasoline blend (85% methanol, 15% gasoline, v/v) was studied in rats. Sprague Dawley rats (10 animals per group) of both sexes were exposed to vapours of methanol/gasoline at 50/3, 500/30 and 5000/300ppm for 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 13 weeks. Control animals inhaled filtered room air only. Control recovery and high dose recovery groups were also included which inhaled room air for an extra 4 weeks following the treatment period. No clinical signs of toxicity were observed in the treatment group and their growth curves were not significantly different from the control. Except for decreased forelimb grip strength in high dose females, no treatment-related neurobehavioural effects (4-6 hours post inhalation) were observed using screening tests which included cage-side observations, righting reflex, open field activities, and forelimb and hindlimb grip strength. At necropsy, the organ to body weight ratios for the liver, spleen, testes, thymus and lungs were not significantly different from the control group. There were no treatment-related effects in the hematological endpoints and no elevation in serum formate levels. Minimal serum biochemical changes were observed with the only treatment-related change being the decreased creatinine in the females. A dose-related increase in urinary ascorbic acid was detected in males after 2, 4 and 8 weeks of exposure, but not after the 12th week, and in females only at week-2. Increased urinary albumin was observed in treated males starting at the lowest dose and at all exposure periods, but not in females. A treatment-related increase in urinary beta 2-microglobulin was detected in males at week-2 only. Except for mild to moderate mucous cell metaplasia in nasal septum B, which occurred more often and with a slightly higher degree of severity in the low dose groups of both sexes, and presence of a minimal degree of interstitial lymphocyte infiltration in the prostate glands in the high dose males. No other significant microscopic changes were observed in the tissues of treated animals. Based on the marked increase in urinary ascorbic acid and albumin in the high dose males and the decreased forelimb grip strength in the high dose females, we concluded that the no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of methanol/gasoline vapour is 500/30 ppm.

The subchronic toxicity of acridine in the rat

The subchronic toxicity of acridine was investigated in rats following dietary exposure at 0, 1, 10, 100 and 500 ppm for 13 weeks. The growth rate and food consumption were not affected by treatment and no clinical signs of toxicity were observed. There was a slight but significant decrease in spleen weight, both in absolute terms and as a percent of body weight, in the 500 ppm males and a slight increase in absolute thymus weight in the females of the same dose group. Both hepatic ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase (PROD) activities were slightly, but significantly, elevated in females in the 500 ppm dose group. No haematological or other biochemical changes were observed. Females also displayed dose-related increases in inorganic phosphate and uric acid levels. Treatment-related histopathological changes were seen in the thyroid, liver and kidney and included hepatic anisokaryosis and vesiculation of nuclei and glomerular adhesions, reticulin sclerosis and nuclear pyknosis in the kidney. Residue data showed a dose-dependent accumulation of acridine in liver, kidney and adipose with the highest concentration being found in the fat of the 500 ppm dose group. Based on these data, the no observable adverse effect level of acridine was judged to be 100 ppm or 12 mg/kg bw/day.

Subchronic toxicity of 2,2',3,3',4,4'-hexachlorobiphenyl in rats

The subchronic toxicity of 2,2',3,3',4,4'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 128) was investigated in rats following dietary exposure at 0, 0.05, 0.5, 5, or 50 ppm for 13 wk. The growth rate was not affected by treatment and no apparent clinical signs of toxicity were observed. There was a significant increase in liver weight in the 50 ppm females. The liver ethoxyresorufin deethylase (EROD) activity was increased by five- and fourfold in the highest dose males and females, respectively, while aminopyrine demethylase (ADPM) activity was significantly increased only in the highest dose females. Liver vitamin A was significantly reduced in the highest dose females. No other biochemical or hematological effects were observed. Treatment-related histopathological changes were seen in the thyroid and liver, and to a lesser extent in the bone marrow and thymus. Residue data showed a dose-dependent accumulation of PCB 128 in the following tissues: fat, liver, kidney, brain, spleen, and serum, with the highest concentration being found in fat followed by liver and kidney. Based on these data, the no-observable-adverse-effect level of PCB 128 was judged to be 0.5 ppm in diet or 42 micrograms/kg body weight.

Effects of subchronic exposure of monochloramine in drinking water on male rats

A subchronic rat study with paired-water control was conducted to resolve the question of whether monochloramine at 200 ppm in drinking water can cause reduced body weight gain and other changes observed in earlier investigations. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (93 +/- 5 g) were divided into three groups of 10 rats each: the treatment group was fed drinking water containing 200 ppm monochloramine, the control group was fed bicarbonate-buffered water ad libitum, and the paired-water control rats were given a daily volume of bicarbonate-buffered water equal to that consumed by the monochloramine treatment group. Compared to the control group, rats in the treatment group consumed an average of 42% less fluid and 16% less food over the 13-week treatment period and had 15-20% lower final body weight gain. Similar degrees of reduction in food consumption and body weight gain were observed in the paired-water rats. A decreased liver to body weight ratio occurred in the treatment and paired-water groups. Increased inorganic phosphate, albumin, total protein, and urea nitrogen were detected in sera from both the treatment group and the paired-water groups. The paired-water animals had lower levels of white blood cells and lymphocytes, while the paired-water and monochloramine-treated groups had reduced monocyte counts. Except for a slightly increased response to Con A observed in splenic lymphocytes of the monochloramine-treated rats (versus the paired-water), no significant changes were found in mitogen responsiveness to T cell, B cell, and B plus T cell mitogens or in splenic natural killer (NK) cell activities. There were no significant changes in serum levels of IgG, IgA, and IgM. The following biochemical parameters showed no significant variations among the three groups: serum thyroxin, liver phase I (PROD, EROD, and MROD) and phase II (UDPGT and GST) drug-metabolizing enzyme activities; serum and liver thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS); bronchoalveolar lavage fluid protein and N-acetylgluosaminidase (NAGA) activity; and urinary ascorbic acid, protein, and NAGA activity. Histopathological examination revealed minimal to mild adaptive changes in the liver of the paired-water and monochloramine-treated rats and in the thyroid of the monochloramine-treated animals. No treatment-related cytological changes were found in red cells and bone marrow. The results indicate that the reduced body weight gain and the minor biochemical, hematological, immunological, and histopathological changes associated with subchronic exposure to 200 ppm monochloramine in drinking water (equivalent to an intake of 21.6 mg/kg/day) were largely related to the reduced water intake and food consumption and not caused by monochloramine.

Effects of tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol on the rat following short-term oral exposure

The systemic toxicity of tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol (TCPM) was studied in male and female rats following 4 weeks dietary exposure dosed at 1, 10 and 100 ppm. An increased spleen to body weight ratio was observed in males at 10 and 100 ppm and in females at 100 ppm. An increased liver to body weight ratio was detected in both sexes at 100 ppm. Dose-related increases in hepatic Phase-I (AH, APDM, EROD and PROD) and Phase-II (UDPGT, GST) enzyme activities were observed generally at 10 and 100 ppm, with the elevation in PROD activity being the most marked. Increased urinary ascorbic acid was detected in both males and females after 1 week of treatment at 100 ppm and after 4 weeks of treatment at 10 and 100 ppm. At 10 and 100 ppm, elevated % lymphocytes were found in males, and higher white blood cell and lymphocyte counts were observed in females. In the liver, mild to moderate cytoplasmic changes consistent with proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum were present in rats of both sexes at 10 and 100 ppm, and increased number of hepatocytes undergoing apoptosis were observed in male rats at 100 ppm. Mild splenic changes consisting of sinus hyperplasia in males and females at 100 ppm and mantle zone atrophy in males at 100 ppm were also observed. It was concluded that TCPM at a dietary concentration of 10 ppm (equivalent to 1.2 mg/kg/day) produced systemic changes in rats that included various hepatic effects, increased splenic weight, and modulations in white blood cells and lymphocyte counts.

Toxicity of 2,4,4'-trichlorobiphenyl in rats following 90-day dietary exposure

The toxicity of 2,4,4'-trichlorobiphenyl (PCB 28) was investigated in rats after a 90-d dietary exposure. Groups of 10 male and 10 female weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were administered PCB 28 in the diet at 0, 0.05, 0.50, 5.0, or 50.0 ppm for 13 wk. Growth rate and food consumption were not affected by treatment, and no clinical signs of toxicity were observed. Mottled liver was noted in both control and PCB-treated males, but was found with increased incidence in the highest treatment group. Increased urinary ascorbic acid and hepatic microsomal ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity were observed in the 50.0 ppm group of both sexes. The vitamin A content in liver, lung, and kidney was not significantly affected by treatment. Analysis of brain biogenic amines showed a decreased dopamine concentration in the substantia nigra region of female rats receiving 0.5 ppm PCB 28 and higher doses. Female rats appeared to be more sensitive than males to the neurochemical effects of PCB 28. Dose-dependent histologic changes were observed in the thyroid and liver, with biologically significant changes occurring at 5.0 ppm and above. Based on these data, the no observable-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for this PCB congener was considered to be 0.5 ppm in diet or 36 micrograms/kg body weight/d.

Subchronic toxicity of a medium-chain chlorinated paraffin in the rat

Groups of ten male and female weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diet containing 0, 5, 50, 500 or 5000 ppm of a medium-chain chlorinated paraffin (C14-17, 52% chlorination) for a period of 13 weeks. Increased relative liver weight was observed at 500 and 5000 ppm in females and at 5000 ppm in males. Relative kidney weight was increased at 5000 ppm in both sexes. Serum cholesterol was increased in the females in a dose-related manner starting at 50 ppm. At 5000 ppm, animals of both sexes had elevated hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity while only females showed increased aminopyrine N-demethylase activity. Increased urinary N-acetylglucosaminidase activity occurred at 5000 ppm in females. Increased urinary ascorbic acid excretion monitored at week 12 and a decreased hepatic vitamin A level were detected in females receiving the 500 ppm diet and male and female rats at 5000 ppm. Mild, adaptive histopathological changes were detected in the liver of rats of both sexes at 500 and 5000 ppm, and in the thyroid of males and females starting at 500 and 50 ppm respectively. Minimal changes were observed in the kidney proximal tubules of male rats fed the 5000 ppm diet and in the inner medulla tubules of female rats fed the 500 and 5000 ppm diets. These data indicate that the medium-chain chlorinated paraffin produces biochemical and histological changes at dietary levels of greater than or = 50 ppm in females and greater than or = 500 ppm in males.

Short-term inhalation toxicity of methanol, gasoline, and methanol/gasoline in the rat

Four- to five-week-old male and female Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to vapors of methanol (2500 ppm), gasoline (3200 ppm), and methanol/gasoline (2500/3200 ppm, 570/3200 ppm) six hours per day, five days per week for four weeks. Control animals were exposed to filtered room air only. Depression in body weight gain and reduced food consumption were observed in male rats, and increased relative liver weight was detected in rats of both sexes exposed to gasoline or methanol/gasoline mixtures. Rats of both sexes exposed to methanol/gasoline mixtures had increased relative kidney weight and females exposed to gasoline and methanol/gasoline mixtures had increased kidney weight. Decreased serum glucose and cholesterol were detected in male rats exposed to gasoline and methanol/gasoline mixtures. Decreased hemoglobin was observed in females inhaling vapors of gasoline and methanol/gasoline at 570/3200 ppm. Urine from rats inhaling gasoline or methanol/gasoline mixtures had up to a fourfold increase in hippuric acid, a biomarker of exposure to the toluene constituent of gasoline, and up to a sixfold elevation in ascorbic acid, a noninvasive biomarker of hepatic response. Hepatic mixed-function oxidase (aniline hydroxylase, aminopyrine N-demethylase and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase) activities and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity were elevated in rats exposed to gasoline and methanol/gasoline mixtures. Histopathological changes were confined to very mild changes in the nasal passages and in the uterus, where decreased incidence or absence of mucosal and myometrial eosinophilia was observed in females inhaling gasoline and methanol/gasoline at 570/3200 ppm. It was concluded that gasoline was largely responsible for the adverse effects, the most significant of which included depression in weight gain in the males, increased liver weight and hepatic microsomal enzyme activities in both sexes, and suppression of uterine eosinophilia. No apparent interactive effects between methanol and gasoline were observed.