Quantitative Characterization of Population-Wide Tissue- and Metabolite-Specific Variability in Perchloroethylene Toxicokinetics in Male Mice

Quantification of interindividual variability is a continuing challenge in risk assessment, particularly for compounds with complex metabolism and multi-organ toxicity. Toxicokinetic variability for perchloroethylene (perc) was previously characterized across 3 mouse strains and in 1 mouse strain with various degrees of liver steatosis. To further characterize the role of genetic variability in toxicokinetics of perc, we applied Bayesian population physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to the data on perc and metabolites in blood/plasma and tissues of male mice from 45 inbred strains from the Collaborative Cross (CC) mouse population. After identifying the most influential PBPK parameters based on global sensitivity analysis, we fit the model with a hierarchical Bayesian population analysis using Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation. We found that the data from 3 commonly used strains were not representative of the full range of variability in perc and metabolite blood/plasma and tissue concentrations across the CC population. Using interstrain variability as a surrogate for human interindividual variability, we calculated dose-dependent, chemical-, and tissue-specific toxicokinetic variability factors (TKVFs) as candidate science-based replacements for the default uncertainty factor for human toxicokinetic variability of 100.5. We found that toxicokinetic variability factors for glutathione conjugation metabolites of perc showed the greatest variability, often exceeding the default, whereas those for oxidative metabolites and perc itself were generally less than the default. Overall, we demonstrate how a combination of a population-based mouse model such as the CC with Bayesian population PBPK modeling can reduce uncertainty in human toxicokinetic variability and increase accuracy and precision in quantitative risk assessment.

Toluene inhalation exposure for 13 weeks causes persistent changes in electroretinograms of Long-Evans rats

Studies of humans chronically exposed to volatile organic solvents have reported impaired visual functions, including low contrast sensitivity and reduced color discrimination. These reports, however, lacked confirmation from controlled laboratory experiments. To address this question experimentally, we examined visual function by recording visual evoked potentials (VEP) and/or electroretinograms (ERG) from four sets of rats exposed repeatedly to toluene. In addition, eyes of the rats were examined with an ophthalmoscope and some of the retinal tissues were evaluated for rod and M-cone photoreceptor immunohistochemistry. The first study examined rats following exposure to 0, 10, 100 or 1000ppm toluene by inhalation (6hr/d, 5d/wk) for 13 weeks. One week after the termination of exposure, the rats were implanted with chronically indwelling electrodes and the following week pattern-elicited VEPs were recorded. VEP amplitudes were not significantly changed by toluene exposure. Four to five weeks after completion of exposure, rats were dark-adapted overnight, anesthetized, and several sets of electroretinograms (ERG) were recorded. In dark-adapted ERGs recorded over a 5-log (cd-s/m(2)) range of flash luminance, b-wave amplitudes were significantly reduced at high stimulus luminance values in rats previously exposed to 1000ppm toluene. A second set of rats, exposed concurrently with the first set, was tested approximately one year after the termination of 13 weeks of exposure to toluene. Again, dark-adapted ERG b-wave amplitudes were reduced at high stimulus luminance values in rats previously exposed to 1000ppm toluene. A third set of rats was exposed to the same concentrations of toluene for only 4 weeks, and a fourth set of rats exposed to 0 or 1000ppm toluene for 4 weeks were tested approximately 1year after the completion of exposure. No statistically significant reductions of ERG b-wave amplitude were observed in either set of rats exposed for 4 weeks. No significant changes were observed in ERG a-wave amplitude or latency, b-wave latency, UV- or green-flicker ERGs, or in photopic flash ERGs. There were no changes in the density of rod or M-cone photoreceptors. The ERG b-wave reflects the firing patterns of on-bipolar cells. The reductions of b-wave amplitude after 13 weeks of exposure and persisting for 1year suggest that alterations may have occurred in the inner nuclear layer of the retina, where the bipolar cells reside, or the outer or inner plexiform layers where the bipolar cells make synaptic connections. These data provide experimental evidence that repeated exposure to toluene may lead to subtle persistent changes in visual function. The fact that toluene affected ERGs, but not VEPs, suggests that elements in the rat retina may be more sensitive to organic solvent exposure than the rat visual cortex.

Retinal and visual system: occupational and environmental toxicology

Occupational chemical exposure often results in sensory systems alterations that occur without other clinical signs or symptoms. Approximately 3000 chemicals are toxic to the retina and central visual system. Their dysfunction can have immediate, long-term, and delayed effects on mental health, physical health, and performance and lead to increased occupational injuries. The aims of this chapter are fourfold. First, provide references on retinal/visual system structure, function, and assessment techniques. Second, discuss the retinal features that make it especially vulnerable to toxic chemicals. Third, review the clinical and corresponding experimental data regarding retinal/visual system deficits produced by occupational toxicants: organic solvents (carbon disulfide, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, styrene, toluene, and mixtures) and metals (inorganic lead, methyl mercury, and mercury vapor). Fourth, discuss occupational and environmental toxicants as risk factors for late-onset retinal diseases and degeneration. Overall, the toxicants altered color vision, rod- and/or cone-mediated electroretinograms, visual fields, spatial contrast sensitivity, and/or retinal thickness. The findings elucidate the importance of conducting multimodal noninvasive clinical, electrophysiologic, imaging and vision testing to monitor toxicant-exposed workers for possible retinal/visual system alterations. Finally, since the retina is a window into the brain, an increased awareness and understanding of retinal/visual system dysfunction should provide additional insight into acquired neurodegenerative disorders.

Chlorinated volatile organic compounds (Cl-VOCs) in environment - sources, potential human health impacts, and current remediation technologies

Chlorinated volatile organic compounds (Cl-VOCs), including polychloromethanes, polychloroethanes and polychloroethylenes, are widely used as solvents, degreasing agents and a variety of commercial products. These compounds belong to a group of ubiquitous contaminants that can be found in contaminated soil, air and any kind of fluvial mediums such as groundwater, rivers and lakes. This review presents a summary of the research concerning the production levels and sources of Cl-VOCs, their potential impacts on human health as well as state-of-the-art remediation technologies. Important sources of Cl-VOCs principally include the emissions from industrial processes, the consumption of Cl-VOC-containing products, the disinfection process, as well as improper storage and disposal methods. Human exposure to Cl-VOCs can occur through different routes, including ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact. The toxicological impacts of these compounds have been carefully assessed, and the results demonstrate the potential associations of cancer incidence with exposure to Cl-VOCs. Most Cl-VOCs thus have been listed as priority pollutants by the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) of China, Environmental Protection Agency of the U.S. (U.S. EPA) and European Commission (EC), and are under close monitor and strict control. Yet, more efforts will be put into the epidemiological studies for the risk of human exposure to Cl-VOCs and the exposure level measurements in contaminated sites in the future. State-of-the-art remediation technologies for Cl-VOCs employ non-destructive methods and destructive methods (e.g. thermal incineration, phytoremediation, biodegradation, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and reductive dechlorination), whose advantages, drawbacks and future developments are thoroughly discussed in the later sections.

Human health effects of tetrachloroethylene: key findings and scientific issues

BACKGROUND

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed a toxicological review of tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene, PCE) in February 2012 in support of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS).

OBJECTIVES

We reviewed key findings and scientific issues regarding the human health effects of PCE described in the U.S. EPA's Toxicological Review of Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene).

METHODS

The updated assessment of PCE synthesized and characterized a substantial database of epidemiological, experimental animal, and mechanistic studies. Key scientific issues were addressed through modeling of PCE toxicokinetics, synthesis of evidence from neurological studies, and analyses of toxicokinetic, mechanistic, and other factors (tumor latency, severity, and background rate) in interpreting experimental animal cancer findings. Considerations in evaluating epidemiological studies included the quality (e.g., specificity) of the exposure assessment methods and other essential design features, and the potential for alternative explanations for observed associations (e.g., bias or confounding).

DISCUSSION

Toxicokinetic modeling aided in characterizing the complex metabolism and multiple metabolites that contribute to PCE toxicity. The exposure assessment approach-a key evaluation factor for epidemiological studies of bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma-provided suggestive evidence of carcinogenicity. Bioassay data provided conclusive evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals. Neurotoxicity was identified as a sensitive noncancer health effect, occurring at low exposures: a conclusion supported by multiple studies. Evidence was integrated from human, experimental animal, and mechanistic data sets in assessing adverse health effects of PCE.

CONCLUSIONS

PCE is likely to be carcinogenic to humans. Neurotoxicity is a sensitive adverse health effect of PCE.

Electroretinogram and visual-evoked potential assessment of retinal and central visual function in a rat ocular hypertension model of glaucoma

PURPOSE/AIM

The aim of the study was to investigate the long-term functional changes that may occur in the retina and visual cortex in a rat ocular hypertension (OHT) model of glaucoma, used in our lab for treatment studies, using electroretinogram (ERG) and visual-evoked potential (VEP) cortical recordings in order to test the hypothesis that experimental glaucoma has differential retinal and central effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Experimental glaucoma was induced unilaterally in Dark Agouti rats using hypertonic saline injection into the episcleral veins. After 3, 8, 16 and 26 weeks, ERGs and VEPs were recorded under scotopic conditions using brief full-field white flashes (10 μcd s m(-2) to 10.4 cd s m(-2)) and under photopic conditions using a rod-adapting background and white light flashes (0.13-10.4 cd s m(-2)).

RESULTS

At 16 and 26 weeks after OHT induction, there was a significant reduction in the amplitudes of the a- (50% and 30% of unoperated eye values, respectively) and b-waves (55% and 40%, respectively) of the scotopic ERG and the b-waves of the photopic ERG (55% and 45%, respectively) in the glaucomatous eyes. However, no significant changes in the VEPs simultaneously recorded over the visual cortex were seen at any of the time points.

CONCLUSIONS

The reductions in ERG amplitudes suggest that this model of glaucoma not only causes retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration but also degeneration of the outer retinal cells, and this was confirmed by histology showing a reduction in the outer retinal layers in the glaucomatous eyes. Cortical VEPs did not show detrimental effects suggesting that the retinal damage in this model was not extensive enough to be detected with the VEP methods used or that there could be central compensation in this model of glaucoma.

Estimated rate of fatal automobile accidents attributable to acute solvent exposure at low inhaled concentrations

Acute solvent exposures may contribute to automobile accidents because they increase reaction time and decrease attention, in addition to impairing other behaviors. These effects resemble those of ethanol consumption, both with respect to behavioral effects and neurological mechanisms. These observations, along with the extensive data on the relationship between ethanol consumption and fatal automobile accidents, suggested a way to estimate the probability of fatal automobile accidents from solvent inhalation. The problem can be approached using the logic of the algebraic transitive postulate of equality: if A=B and B=C, then A=C. We first calculated a function describing the internal doses of solvent vapors that cause the same magnitude of behavioral impairment as ingestion of ethanol (A=B). Next, we fit a function to data from the literature describing the probability of fatal car crashes for a given internal dose of ethanol (B=C). Finally, we used these two functions to generate a third function to estimate the probability of a fatal car crash for any internal dose of organic solvent vapor (A=C). This latter function showed quantitatively (1) that the likelihood of a fatal car crash is increased by acute exposure to organic solvent vapors at concentrations less than 1.0 ppm, and (2) that this likelihood is similar in magnitude to the probability of developing leukemia from exposure to benzene. This approach could also be applied to other potentially adverse consequences of acute exposure to solvents (e.g., nonfatal car crashes, property damage, and workplace accidents), if appropriate data were available.

Development and evaluation of a harmonized physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for perchloroethylene toxicokinetics in mice, rats, and humans

This article reports on the development of a "harmonized" PBPK model for the toxicokinetics of perchloroethylene (tetrachloroethylene or perc) in mice, rats, and humans that includes both oxidation and glutathione (GSH) conjugation of perc, the internal kinetics of the oxidative metabolite trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and the urinary excretion kinetics of the GSH conjugation metabolites N-Acetylated trichlorovinyl cysteine and dichloroacetic acid. The model utilizes a wider range of in vitro and in vivo data than any previous analysis alone, with in vitro data used for initial, or "baseline," parameter estimates, and in vivo datasets separated into those used for "calibration" and those used for "evaluation." Parameter calibration utilizes a limited Bayesian analysis involving flat priors and making inferences only using posterior modes obtained via Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). As expected, the major route of elimination of absorbed perc is predicted to be exhalation as parent compound, with metabolism accounting for less than 20% of intake except in the case of mice exposed orally, in which metabolism is predicted to be slightly over 50% at lower exposures. In all three species, the concentration of perc in blood, the extent of perc oxidation, and the amount of TCA production is well-estimated, with residual uncertainties of ~2-fold. However, the resulting range of estimates for the amount of GSH conjugation is quite wide in humans (~3000-fold) and mice (~60-fold). While even high-end estimates of GSH conjugation in mice are lower than estimates of oxidation, in humans the estimated rates range from much lower to much higher than rates for perc oxidation. It is unclear to what extent this range reflects uncertainty, variability, or a combination. Importantly, by separating total perc metabolism into separate oxidative and conjugative pathways, an approach also recommended in a recent National Research Council review, this analysis reconciles the disparity between those previously published PBPK models that concluded low perc metabolism in humans and those that predicted high perc metabolism in humans. In essence, both conclusions are consistent with the data if augmented with some additional qualifications: in humans, oxidative metabolism is low, while GSH conjugation metabolism may be high or low, with uncertainty and/or interindividual variability spanning three orders of magnitude. More direct data on the internal kinetics of perc GSH conjugation, such as trichlorovinyl glutathione or tricholorvinyl cysteine in blood and/or tissues, would be needed to better characterize the uncertainty and variability in GSH conjugation in humans.

Phospholipidosis in Neurons Caused by Posaconazole, without Evidence for Functional Neurologic Effects

The azole antifungal drug posaconazole caused phospholipidosis in neurons of the central nervous system, dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord, and myenteric plexus in chronic toxicity studies in dogs. The time of onset, light and electron microscopic features, neurologic and electrophysiologic effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems, and potential for regression were investigated in a series of studies with a duration of up to one year. Nuclei of the medulla oblongata were the prominently affected areas of the brain. Neurons contained cytoplasmic vacuoles with concentrically whorled plasma membrane-like material (i.e., multilamellar bodies) morphologically identical to that commonly caused in other tissues by cationic amphiphilic drugs. Some axons in the brain and spinal cord were swollen and contained granular eosinophilic, electron-dense lysosomes. There were no features suggesting degeneration or necrosis of neurons or any associated elements of nervous tissue. The earliest and most consistent onset was in neurons of dorsal root ganglia. The observed neural phospholipidosis did not result in any alteration in the amplitude or latency of the auditory, visual, or somatosensory evoked potentials. The histopathologic changes did not progress or regress within the three-month postdose period. The results indicate that phospholipidosis can be induced in central and peripheral neurons of dogs by administration of posaconazole, but this change is not associated with functional effects in the systems evaluated.