Some studies of the effects of aflatoxin B1 in vivo and in vitro on nucleic acid synthesis in rat and mouse

In vitro effect of aflatoxin B1 on rat liver macrophages (Kuffer cells)

The effect of aflatoxin B1 on the uptake and incorporation of [3H]leucine and [3H]uridine and on phagocytosis of latex particles was studied using cultures of rat liver macrophages (Kuffer cells). Aflatoxin B1 inhibited the incorporation of both isotopes, but inhibition of uridine incorporation was greater than that of leucine, suggesting that RNA synthesis was a major site of inhibition. Aflatoxin B1 also inhibited phagocytosis of latex particles in a time- and dose-dependent manner.

Toxicity of aflatoxin B1 in rat and mouse hepatocytes in vivo and in vitro

The reported LD50 for the adult, male Fisher rat is 1.2 mg aflatoxin B1/kg body weight (i.p.); we have found that male C57BL/6 mice survive single doses of aflatoxin B1 as high as 60 mg/kg (i.p.). We have demonstrated a 1000-fold greater LC50 of aflatoxin B1 for primary mouse liver cell cultures from C57BL/6 male mice (3 X 10(-5) M) than for primary liver cells from F344 male rats (3 X 10(-8) M). In 4 h of exposure to a non-toxic dose (1 X 10(-9) M) of [3H]aflatoxin B1, cultured rat liver cells accumulated up to 5-fold higher concentrations of 3H label than did mouse liver cells. The difference in cell-associated counts was due largely to higher levels of aflatoxin B1 metabolites bound to macromolecules in the rat cells.

In vivo and in vitro studies on the binding nature of terreic acid with macromolecules such as protein and nucleic acids

The binding of terreic acid to macromolecules such as nucleic acids and protein was examined. In vivo studies using [14C]terreic acid showed that radioactivity was incorporated into the protein and nucleic acid fractions of the liver mice. In vitro experiments with human serum showed that [14C]terreic acid bound to the albumin component and spectral studies indicated that terreic acid also combined with hepatic DNA.

Species-dependent effects of dietary lindane and/or zineb on the activation of aflatoxin B1 into mutagenic derivatives

Sprague-Dawley rats and Swiss mice were given diets containing lindane, 125 ppm, or zineb, 5200 ppm, or a mixture of both at the above-mentioned concentrations for 2 and 4 weeks. The effect of pesticide ingestion on the ability of liver S9 to metabolize aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) into mutagenic derivatives was tested by the Salmonella (TA100)/microsome test according to Ames. Control mouse-liver S9 was less efficient (13%) than the corresponding preparation from control rat liver. The ingestion of lindane produced a similar increase in the activities of both rat- (68%) and mouse-liver S9 (62%). Pretreatment with zineb inhibited (46%) rat-liver S9 but caused a marked increase (400%) in the activity of mouse-liver S9. Concomitant exposure to both pesticides showed that lindane released the inhibitory action of zineb on rat-liver S9 and reduced the stimulatory effect of zineb on mouse-liver S9. The inducing action of zineb in mice was a function of the dietary concentration of the pesticide. No effect was observed at dietary concentrations of zineb up to and including 500 ppm.

Sensitivity differences displayed by Drosophila melanogaster larvae of different ages to the toxic effects of growth on media containing aflatoxin B1

Using Drosophila melanogaster, the relative sensitivities of various larval stages to the toxic effects of growth on media supplemented with either 0.44 or 0.88 ppm aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were determined. Two strains of fruit flies were tested: strain A-11 which is relatively resistant to AFB1 induced toxicity, and strain A-9 which is quite sensitive. Eggs, mid-first, mid-second and early-, mid- and late-third instar larvae were transferred onto AFB1 media and allowed to complete larval and pupal development and eclose as adults. At the 0.44 ppm concentration, strain A-11 showed no effect, while only first instar larvae of strain A-9 showed significant mortality rates for first instar larvae, but the A-9 larvae die at higher rates than the A-11 larvae. In addition, second and third instar larvae of strain A-9 show significant mortality rates when grown at 0.88 ppm AFB1, while these stages are not affected in strain A-11.

The effect of vinyl chloride monomer, chloroethylene oxide and chloracetaldehyde on DNA synthesis in regenerating rat liver

Vinyl chloride monomer used in the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride is a chemical of increasing industrial importance but has recently been incriminated as a carcinogen, producing a mutagenic effect after being metabolized to active metabolites. The initial effect of vinyl chloride monomer and two of its presumed metabolites, chloracetaldehyde and chloroethylene oxide, on DNA synthesis was investigated in vivo in regenerating rat liver. The established control curve for the DNA synthesis rate after partial hepatectomy demonstrated two waves of synthetic activity at 21 and 30 h. Vinyl chloride, injected intravenously immediately on completion of the operation, depressed the first wave of DNA synthesis by 49.6%. The second peak of DNA synthetic activity was similar to that of the control. Chloracetaldehyde and chloroethylene oxide both produced similar effects on the first wave of DNA synthesis after partial hepatectomy, inhibiting the DNA synthesis rate by approx. 50%. After a regenerating period of 27 h, however, they produced very different effects, chloroethylene oxide raising the control DNA synthesis rate at 30 h by 49% while chloracetaldehyde tended to desynchronize the well-defined second peak of the control. The test compounds have been compared to literature reports of the inhibitory effects of various carcinogens on DNA synthesis.