Inhibition of two rat hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes by a carcinogenic N-nitrosated pesticide: N-nitrosocarbaryl

Amphibian micronucleus test(s): a simple and reliable method for evaluating in vivo genotoxic effects of freshwater pollutants and radiations. Initial assessment

A micronucleus test was developed using larvae from two urodele amphibians (Pleurodeles waltl and Ambystoma mexicanum) and an anuran (Xenopus laevis). The methods for maintenance of adults, egg laying, and rearing the larvae are described, and the conditions required for optimal response are given for each of these species. The tests are carried out during a period of intense erythropoiesis when red blood cells are actively dividing in circulating blood. The micronuclei are observed on blood smears. The genotoxic effects of X-rays were evaluated at 12 different doses over a range of 6-1200 rad. All doses, even the very low dose of 6 rad, gave positive results. The test substances were added to the water in which the larvae were reared, and the results obtained after treatment for 12 days and/or 8 days with 47 different chemical compounds are listed. Detailed results are given as the lowest concentration producing a positive response or the highest concentration producing a negative response. The reliability of the test system using the newt is now well established, while the tests using the other two amphibian species are still under evaluation. Integration of this test in a test battery for quality control of water would aid the evaluation of risks to human health, as well as the protection of aquatic ecosystems.

Lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes: influence of carcinogenic N-nitrosocarbaryl

The reactivities of carbaryl, N-methyl 1-naphthylcarbamate insecticide and its N-nitrosated derivative carcinogenic, N-nitrosocarbaryl, were investigated on the microsomal hepatic lipid peroxidation and NADPH-dependent reductase activities. The in vivo treatment by N-nitrosocarbaryl produced a reduction in lipoperoxidative degradation induced in vitro by NADPH with regard to the formation of malonaldehyde and conjugated dienes. Carbaryl, its precursor did not affect lipid peroxidation under the same in vivo conditions. Moreover, following administration of the 2 compounds, the activities of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase as well as NADPH-neotetrazolium reductase were significantly decreased by N-nitrosocarbaryl but not influenced by carbaryl. Correspondingly, in vitro studies were performed; different action patterns of the 2 tested xenobiotics were also noted after treatment of rat liver microsomes in vitro by carbaryl and N-nitrosocarbaryl especially in their ability to cope with microsomal oxygen activation. N-Nitrosocarbaryl proved to have a potent inhibitor concentration effect on NADPH-dependent chemiluminescence response in vitro; carbaryl was virtually ineffective on this parameter. No significant difference appeared in the affinity of N-nitrosocarbaryl and carbaryl for the microsomal phospholipids. From the in vitro explorations, it was suggested that carcinogenic N-nitrosocarbaryl may be involved in the inhibition mechanism of microsomal lipid peroxidation through decreases in both NADPH-dependent reductase activities and superoxide generation.

Interaction of carbaryl and N-nitrosocarbaryl with microsomal monooxygenase activities

The in vitro interactions of carbaryl and carcinogenic N-nitrosocarbaryl with rat liver microsomal monooxygenase activities are compared. The inhibitory effect of the nitroso-compound is demonstrated to be non-competitive on aminopyrine N-demethylase, p-nitroanisole O-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase. The nature of the inhibition induced by the parent amide is found to be competitive on aminopyrine N-demethylase and p-nitroanisole O-demethylase. Correspondingly, in vitro studies of the metabolism of the two compounds were carried out: they both yield formaldehyde. Moreover, N-nitrosocarbaryl is denitrosated through a NO-cytochrome P-450 complex during microsomal metabolism. The toxic effects and biological activities of the two compounds are discussed on the basis of data of metabolic studies and different patterns of enzyme inhibition.

Micronuclei in red blood cells of the newt Pleurodeles waltl Michah: induction with X-rays and chemicals

Pleurodeles waltl, a typical long-tailed amphibian (Urodela) is proposed as a new animal for genetic toxicological studies. X-Rays and various clastogenic substances cause the formation of clearly visible micronuclei in the red blood cells (RBC). The proportion of cells with micronuclei was determined from blood smears of larvae after irradiation or after having been kept in water containing the substances to be studied. A dose-effect curve was established for X-irradiation. The 6 following substances were tested by this method: benzo[alpha]pyrene, carbaryl, N-nitrosocarbaryl, aziridine, caffeine and formaldehyde. Formaldehyde was the only substance tested that did not bring about formation of micronuclei in the RBCs. The results were compared with data already obtained by other methods of toxicology. This method should allow a cytogenetic test to be developed for the detection of clastogenic substances in aqueous media.

Distribution of radioactivity following oral administration of carcinogenic 14CH3-labelled nitrosocarbaryl in the rat

After a single intragastric administration of 14C-labelled carcinogenic nitrosocarbaryl, a nitrosated pesticide, the distribution of radioactivity was investigated in the blood and a number of organs in male rats. The animals received 0.25 mg/kg of labelled nitrosamine and were killed following administration at timed intervals between 0.5 h and 24 h. Our results show that the greatest amount of the 14CH3--group was associated with the forestomach, tumor-susceptible tissue; the level of radioactivity is noteworthy but less important in the glandular stomach. There are also sites of radioactivity accumulation mainly in the liver. Moreover, [14C]nitrosocarbaryl was revealed in the blood suggesting that nitrosamine itself rapidly (0.5 h) crosses the intestinal barrier and in a significant quantity (13%). These facts constitute a potential carcinogenic risk.