Pronamide: Human relevance of liver-mediated rat leydig cell tumors

Hepatic enzyme induction and its potential effect on thyroid hormone metabolism in the metamorphosing tadpole of Xenopus laevis (African clawed frog)

Hepatic enzyme induction, an inherent defense system against xenobiotics, is known to simultaneously affect endocrine system functions in mammals under specific conditions, particularly thyroid hormone (TH) regulation. While this phenomenon has been studied extensively, the pathway leading to this indirect thyroid effect in mammals has unclear applicability to amphibians, despite the importance of amphibian species in assessing thyroid-disruptive chemicals. Here, we investigated the effects of three well-known mammalian enzyme inducers-β-naphthoflavone (BNF), pregnenolone carbonitrile (PCN), and sodium phenobarbital (NaPB)-on the gene expression of phase-I and phase-II metabolizing enzymes in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. Waterborne exposure to BNF and PCN significantly induced the expression of both phase-I (cytochrome P450, CYP) and phase-II enzymes (UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, UGT and sulfotransferase, SULT), but in different patterns, while NaPB exposure induced CYP2B expression without affecting phase-II enzymes in tadpoles, in contrast to mammals. Furthermore, an ex vivo hepatic enzyme activity assay confirmed that BNF treatment significantly increased phase-II metabolic activity (glucuronidation and sulfation) toward TH. These results suggest the potential for certain mammalian enzyme inducers to influence TH clearance in X. laevis tadpoles. Our findings provide insights into the profiles of xenosensing activity and enzyme induction in amphibians, which can facilitate a better understanding of the mechanisms of indirect effects on the thyroid system via hepatic enzyme induction in nonmammalian species.

Myocardial matrix hydrogel acts as a reactive oxygen species scavenger and supports a proliferative microenvironment for cardiomyocytes

As the native regenerative potential of adult cardiac tissue is limited post-injury, stimulating endogenous repair mechanisms in the mammalian myocardium is a potential goal of regenerative medicine therapeutics. Injection of myocardial matrix hydrogels into the heart post-myocardial infarction (MI) has demonstrated increased cardiac muscle and promotion of pathways associated with cardiac development, suggesting potential promotion of cardiomyocyte turnover. In this study, the myocardial matrix hydrogel was shown to have native capability as an effective reactive oxygen species scavenger and protect against oxidative stress induced cell cycle inhibition in vitro. Encapsulation of cardiomyocytes demonstrated an enhanced turnover in in vitro studies, and in vivo assessments of myocardial matrix hydrogel treatment post-MI showed increased thymidine analog uptake in cardiomyocyte nuclei compared to saline controls. Overall, this study provides evidence that properties of the myocardial matrix material provide a microenvironment mitigating oxidative damage and supportive of cardiomyocytes undergoing DNA synthesis, toward possible DNA repair or cell cycle activation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Loss of adult mammalian cardiomyocyte turnover is influenced by shifts in oxidative damage, which represents a potential mechanism for improving restoration of cardiac muscle after myocardial infarction (MI). Injection of a myocardial matrix hydrogel into the heart post-MI previously demonstrated increased cardiac muscle and promotion of pathways associated with cardiac development, suggesting potential in promoting proliferation of cardiomyocytes. In this study, the myocardial matrix hydrogel was shown to protect cells from oxidative stress and increase proliferation in vitro. In a rat MI model, greater presence of tissue free thiol content spared from oxidative damage, lesser mitochondrial superoxide content, and increased thymidine analog uptake in cardiomyocytes was found in matrix injected animals compared to saline controls. Overall, this study provides evidence that properties of the myocardial matrix material provide a microenvironment supportive of cardiomyocytes undergoing DNA synthesis, toward possible DNA repair or cell cycle activation.

Use of computational toxicology (CompTox) tools to predict in vivo toxicity for risk assessment

Computational Toxicology tools were used to predict toxicity for three pesticides: propyzamide (PZ), carbaryl (CB) and chlorpyrifos (CPF). The tools used included: a) ToxCast/Tox21 assays (AC₅₀ s μM: concentration 50% maximum activity); b) in vitro-to-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) using ToxCast/Tox21 AC₅₀s to predict administered equivalent doses (AED: mg/kg/d) to compare to known in vivo Lowest-Observed-Effect-Level (LOEL)/Benchmark Dose (BMD); c) high throughput toxicokinetics population based (HTTK-Pop) using AC₅₀s for endpoints associated with the mode of action (MOA) to predict age-adjusted AED for comparison with in vivo LOEL/BMDs. ToxCast/Tox21 active-hit-calls for each chemical were predictive of targets associated with each MOA, however, assays directly relevant to the MOAs for each chemical were limited. IVIVE AEDs were predictive of in vivo LOEL/BMD₁₀s for all three pesticides. HTTK-Pop was predictive of in vivo LOEL/BMD₁₀s for PZ and CPF but not for CB after human age adjustments 11-15 (PZ) and 6-10 (CB) or 6-10 and 11-20 (CPF) corresponding to treated rat ages (in vivo endpoints). The predictions of computational tools are useful for risk assessment to identify targets in chemical MOAs and to support in vivo endpoints. Data can also aid is decisions about the need for further studies.

The effects on the endocrine system under hepatotoxicity induction by phenobarbital and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in intact juvenile male rats

Phenobarbital (PB) and Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), an anti-epileptic drug and a plasticizer used in flexible polyvinylchloride formulations, respectively, are well-known typical hepatotoxicants. This study investigated the effects of PB (100 mg/kg/day) or DEHP (500 mg/kg/day) on the endocrine system in intact juvenile/peripubertal male rats exposed for 31 days beginning on postnatal day 23. Slight hormone level changes, histopathological changes in thyroid gland or induction of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase in liver were observed in both the PB and DEHP groups. One of the assumed mechanisms inducing thyroid effects is predictable to be secondary changes based on the enhancement in thyroid hormone metabolism via the induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes. No reproductive system-related changes in organ weights, histopathology, and sexual maturation were observed in both groups. Lower testosterone level was observed in the PB group. CYP2B and CYP3A, which are involved in testosterone metabolism, were induced in liver of the PB group. There was no change of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in testis of both groups. Lower testosterone level in the PB-treated male rats was attributed to an indirect, hepatotoxicity-associated effect on the reproductive system and not to direct effects on testis such as the antiandrogenic activity and the inhibition of steroidogenesis. These results did not indicate that PB or DEHP exposure affects the endocrine system directly.

Distinguishing between endocrine disruption and non-specific effects on endocrine systems

The endocrine system is responsible for growth, development, maintaining homeostasis and for the control of many physiological processes. Due to the integral nature of its signaling pathways, it can be difficult to distinguish endocrine-mediated adverse effects from transient fluctuations, adaptive/compensatory responses, or adverse effects on the endocrine system that are caused by mechanisms outside the endocrine system. This is particularly true in toxicological studies that require generation of effects through the use of Maximum Tolerated Doses (or Concentrations). Endocrine-mediated adverse effects are those that occur as a consequence of the interaction of a chemical with a specific molecular component of the endocrine system, for example, a hormone receptor. Non-endocrine-mediated adverse effects on the endocrine system are those that occur by other mechanisms. For example, systemic toxicity, which perturbs homeostasis and affects the general well-being of an organism, can affect endocrine signaling. Some organs/tissues can be affected by both endocrine and non-endocrine signals, which must be distinguished. This paper examines in vitro and in vivo endocrine endpoints that can be altered by non-endocrine processes. It recommends an evaluation of these issues in the assessment of effects for the determination of endocrine disrupting properties of chemicals. This underscores the importance of using a formal weight of evidence (WoE) process to evaluate potential endocrine activity.