Cell Phone Radiation Exposure Limits and Engineering Solutions

In the 1990s, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) restricted its risk assessment for human exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) in seven ways: (1) Inappropriate focus on heat, ignoring sub-thermal effects. (2) Reliance on exposure experiments performed over very short times. (3) Overlooking time/amplitude characteristics of RFR signals. (4) Ignoring carcinogenicity, hypersensitivity, and other health conditions connected with RFR. (5) Measuring cellphone Specific Absorption Rates (SAR) at arbitrary distances from the head. (6) Averaging SAR doses at volumetric/mass scales irrelevant to health. (7) Using unrealistic simulations for cell phone SAR estimations. Low-cost software and hardware modifications are proposed here for cellular phone RFR exposure mitigation: (1) inhibiting RFR emissions in contact with the body, (2) use of antenna patterns reducing the Percent of Power absorbed in the Head (PPHead) and body and increasing the Percent of Power Radiated for communications (PPR), and (3) automated protocol-based reductions of the number of RFR emissions, their duration, or integrated dose. These inexpensive measures do not fundamentally alter cell phone functions or communications quality. A health threat is scientifically documented at many levels and acknowledged by industries. Yet mitigation of RFR exposures to users does not appear as a priority with most cell phone manufacturers.

Concordance between sites of tumor development in humans and in experimental animals for 111 agents that are carcinogenic to humans

Since the inception of the IARC Monographs Programme in the early 1970s, this Programme has developed 119 Monograph Volumes on more than 1000 agents for which there exists some evidence of cancer risk to humans. Of these, 120 agents were found to meet the criteria for classification as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). Volume 100 of the IARC Monographs, compiled in 2008-2009 and published in 2012, provided a review and update of the 107 Group 1 agents identified as of 2009. These agents were divided into six broad categories: (I) pharmaceuticals; (II) biological agents; (III) arsenic, metals, fibers and dusts; (IV) radiation; (V) personal habits and indoor combustions; and (VI) chemical agents and related occupations. The Group I agents reviewed in Volume 100, as well as five additional Group 1 agents defined in subsequent Volumes of the Monographs, were used to assess the degree of concordance between sites where tumors originate in humans and experimental animals including mice, rats, hamsters, dogs, and non-human primates using an anatomically based tumor nomenclature system, representing 39 tumor sites and 14 organ and tissue systems. This evaluation identified 91 Group 1 agents with sufficient evidence (82 agents) or limited evidence (9 agents) of carcinogenicity in animals. The most common tumors observed in both humans and animals were those of the respiratory system including larynx, lung, and lower respiratory tract. In humans, respiratory system tumors were noted for 31 of the 111 distinct Group 1 carcinogens identified up to and including Volume 109 of the IARC Monographs, comprising predominantly 14 chemical agents and related occupations in category VI; seven arsenic, metals, fibers, and dusts in category III, and five personal habits and indoor combustions in category V. Subsequent to respiratory system tumors, those in lymphoid and hematopoietic tissues (26 agents), the urothelium (18 agents), and the upper aerodigestive tract (16 agents) were most often seen in humans, while tumors in digestive organs (19 agents), skin (18 agents), and connective tissues (17 agents) were frequently seen in animals. Exposures to radiation, particularly X- and γ-radiation, and tobacco smoke were associated with tumors at multiple sites in humans. Although the IARC Monographs did not emphasize tumor site concordance between animals and humans, substantial concordance was detected for several organ and tissue systems, even under the stringent criteria for sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity used by IARC. Of the 60 agents for which at least one tumor site was identified in both humans and animals, 52 (87%) exhibited tumors in at least one of the same organ and tissue systems in humans and animals. It should be noted that some caution is needed in interpreting concordance at sites where sample size is particularly small. Although perfect (100%) concordance was noted for agents that induce tumors of the mesothelium, only two Group 1 agents that met the criteria for inclusion in the concordance analysis caused tumors at this site. Although the present analysis demonstrates good concordance between animals and humans for many, but not all, tumor sites, limitations of available data may result in underestimation of concordance.

Commentary on the utility of the National Toxicology Program study on cell phone radiofrequency radiation data for assessing human health risks despite unfounded criticisms aimed at minimizing the findings of adverse health effects

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) conducted two-year studies of cell phone radiation in rats and mice exposed to CDMA- or GSM-modulated radiofrequency radiation (RFR) at exposure intensities in the brain of rats that were similar to or only slightly higher than potential, localized human exposures from cell phones held next to the head. This study was designed to test the (null) hypothesis that cell phone radiation at non-thermal exposure intensities could not cause adverse health effects, and to provide dose-response data for any detected toxic or carcinogenic effects. Partial findings released from that study showed significantly increased incidences and/or trends for gliomas and glial cell hyperplasias in the brain and schwannomas and Schwann cell hyperplasias in the heart of exposed male rats. These results, as well as the findings of significantly increased DNA damage (strand breaks) in the brains of exposed rats and mice, reduced pup birth weights when pregnant dams were exposed to GSM- or CDMA-modulated RFR, and the induction of cardiomyopathy of the right ventricle in male and female rats clearly demonstrate that the null hypothesis has been disproved. The NTP findings are most important because the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified RFR as a "possible human carcinogen" based largely on increased risks of gliomas and acoustic neuromas (which are Schwann cell tumors on the acoustic nerve) among long term users of cell phones. The concordance between rats and humans in cell type affected by RFR strengthens the animal-to-human association. This commentary addresses several unfounded criticisms about the design and results of the NTP study that have been promoted to minimize the utility of the experimental data on RFR for assessing human health risks. In contrast to those criticisms, an expert peer-review panel recently concluded that the NTP studies were well designed, and that the results demonstrated that both GSM- and CDMA-modulated RFR were carcinogenic to the heart (schwannomas) and brain (gliomas) of male rats.

Effect of cell phone radiofrequency radiation on body temperature in rodents: Pilot studies of the National Toxicology Program's reverberation chamber exposure system

Radiofrequency radiation (RFR) causes heating, which can lead to detrimental biological effects. To characterize the effects of RFR exposure on body temperature in relation to animal size and pregnancy, a series of short-term toxicity studies was conducted in a unique RFR exposure system. Young and old B6C3F1 mice and young, old, and pregnant Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) RFR (rats = 900 MHz, mice = 1,900 MHz) at specific absorption rates (SARs) up to 12 W/kg for approximately 9 h a day for 5 days. In general, fewer and less severe increases in body temperature were observed in young than in older rats. SAR-dependent increases in subcutaneous body temperatures were observed at exposures ≥6 W/kg in both modulations. Exposures of  ≥10 W/kg GSM or CDMA RFR induced excessive increases in body temperature, leading to mortality. There was also a significant increase in the number of resorptions in pregnant rats at 12 W/kg GSM RFR. In mice, only sporadic increases in body temperature were observed regardless of sex or age when exposed to GSM or CDMA RFR up to 12 W/kg. These results identified SARs at which measurable RFR-mediated thermal effects occur, and were used in the selection of exposures for subsequent toxicology and carcinogenicity studies. Bioelectromagnetics. 39:190-199, 2018. © 2018 The Authors. Bioelectromagnetics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Life-Time Dosimetric Assessment for Mice and Rats Exposed in Reverberation Chambers of the 2-Year NTP Cancer Bioassay Study on Cell Phone Radiation

In this paper, we present the detailed life-time dosimetry analysis for rodents exposed in the reverberation exposure system designed for the two-year cancer bioassay study conducted by the National Toxicology Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The study required the well-controlled and characterized exposure of individually housed, unrestrained mice at 1900 MHz and rats at 900 MHz, frequencies chosen to give best uniformity exposure of organs and tissues. The wbSAR, the peak spatial SAR and the organ specific SAR as well as the uncertainty and variation due to the exposure environment, differences in the growth rates, and animal posture were assessed. Compared to the wbSAR, the average exposure of the high-water-content tissues (blood, heart, lung) were higher by ~4 dB, while the low-loss tissues (bone and fat) were less by ~9 dB. The maximum uncertainty over the exposure period for the SAR was estimated to be <49% (k=2) for the rodents whereas the relative uncertainty between the group was <14% (k=1). The instantaneous variation (averaged over 1 min) was <13% (k=1), which is small compared to other long term exposure research projects. These detailed dosimetric results empowers comparison with other studies and provides a reference for studies of long-term biological effects of exposure of rodents to RF energy.

A Radio Frequency Radiation Exposure System for Rodents based on Reverberation Chambers

In this paper we present the novel design features, their technical implementation, and an evaluation of the radio Frequency (RF) exposure systems developed for the National Toxicology Program (NTP) of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) studies on the potential toxicity and carcinogenicity of 2nd and 3rd generation mobile-phone signals. The system requirements for this 2-year NTP cancer bioassay study were the tightly-controlled lifetime exposure of rodents (1568 rats and 1512 mice) to three power levels plus sham simulating typical daily, and higher, exposures of users of GSM and CDMA (IS95) signals. Reverberation chambers and animal housing were designed to allow extended exposure time per day for free-roaming individually-housed animals. The performance of the chamber was characterized in terms of homogeneity, stirred to unstirred energy, efficiency. The achieved homogeneity was 0.59 dB and 0.48 dB at 900 and 1900 MHz respectively. The temporal variation in the electric field strength was optimized to give similar characteristics to that of the power control of a phone in a real network using the two stirrers. Experimental dosimetry was performed to validate the SAR sensitivity and determine the SAR uniformity throughout the exposure volume; SAR uniformities of 0.46 dB and 0.40 dB, respectively, for rats and mice were achieved.

Chemically exacerbated chronic progressive nephropathy not associated with renal tubular tumor induction in rats: an evaluation based on 60 carcinogenicity studies by the national toxicology program

Chronic progressive nephropathy (CPN) is a common age-related degenerative-regenerative disease of the kidney that occurs in both sexes of most strains of rats. Recently, claims have been made that enhanced CPN is a mode of action for chemically induced kidney tumors in male rats and that renal tubular tumors (RTTs) induced by chemicals that concomitantly exacerbate CPN are not relevant for human cancer risk assessments. Although CPN is an observable histopathological lesion that may be modified by diet, the etiology of this disease and the mechanisms for its exacerbation by chemicals are unknown, and it fails to meet fundamental principles for defining carcinogenic modes of action and human relevance. Our comprehensive evaluation of possible relationships between exacerbated CPN and induction of RTTs in 58 carcinogenicity studies, conducted by the National Toxicology Program, in male and 11 studies in female F344 rats using 60 chemicals revealed widespread inconsistency in the claimed association. Because the proposed hypothesis lacks evidence of biological plausibility, and due to inconsistent relationships between exacerbated CPN and kidney tumor incidence in carcinogenicity studies in rats, dismissing the human relevance of kidney tumors induced by chemicals that also exacerbate CPN in rats would be wrong.

Lorenzo Tomatis and primary prevention of environmental cancer

The leading 20th century proponent for primary prevention of environmental cancer was Dr. Lorenzo Tomatis, the former Director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer and founder of the IARC Monographs program. This paper is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Tomatis--eminent scientist, scholar, teacher, humanitarian, and public health champion--and includes many perspectives that he promoted throughout his career, with original quotations from some of his scientific writings on primary prevention of environmental cancer. Any attempt by us to simply summarize his views would only detract from the power and logic of his language."Cancer still remains a mainly lethal disease. Primary prevention remains the most relevant approach to reduce mortality through a reduction in incidence".

Exposure to hexavalent chromium resulted in significantly higher tissue chromium burden compared with trivalent chromium following similar oral doses to male F344/N rats and female B6C3F1 mice

In National Toxicology Program 2-year studies, hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] administered in drinking water was clearly carcinogenic in male and female rats and mice, resulting in small intestine epithelial neoplasms in mice at a dose equivalent to or within an order of magnitude of human doses that could result from consumption of chromium-contaminated drinking water, assuming that dose scales by body weight(3/4) (body weight raised to the 3/4 power). In contrast, exposure to trivalent chromium [Cr(III)] at much higher concentrations may have been carcinogenic in male rats but was not carcinogenic in mice or female rats. As part of these studies, total chromium was measured in tissues and excreta of additional groups of male rats and female mice. These data were used to infer the uptake and distribution of Cr(VI) because Cr(VI) is reduced to Cr(III) in vivo, and no methods are available to speciate tissue chromium. Comparable external doses resulted in much higher tissue chromium concentrations following exposure to Cr(VI) compared with Cr(III), indicating that a portion of the Cr(VI) escaped gastric reduction and was distributed systemically. Linear or supralinear dose responses of total chromium in tissues were observed following exposure to Cr(VI), indicating that these exposures did not saturate gastric reduction capacity. When Cr(VI) exposure was normalized to ingested dose, chromium concentrations in the liver and glandular stomach were higher in mice, whereas kidney concentrations were higher in rats. In vitro studies demonstrated that Cr(VI), but not Cr(III), is a substrate of the sodium/sulfate cotransporter, providing a partial explanation for the greater absorption of Cr(VI).

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling of dibromoacetic acid in F344 rats

A novel physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model structure, which includes submodels for the common metabolites (glyoxylate (GXA) and oxalate (OXA)) that may be involved in the toxicity or carcinogenicity of dibromoacetic acid (DBA), has been developed. Particular attention is paid to the representation of hepatic metabolism, which is the primary elimination mechanism. DBA-induced suicide inhibition is modeled by irreversible covalent binding of the intermediate metabolite alpha-halocarboxymethylglutathione (alphaH1) to the glutathione-S-transferase zeta (GSTzeta) enzyme. We also present data illustrating the presence of a secondary non-GSTzeta metabolic pathway for DBA, but not dichloroacetic acid (DCA), that produces GXA. The model is calibrated with plasma and urine concentration data from DBA exposures in female F344 rats through intravenous (IV), oral gavage, and drinking water routes. Sensitivity analysis is performed to confirm identifiability of estimated parameters. Finally, model validation is performed with data sets not used during calibration. Given the structural similarity of dihaloacetates (DHAs), we hypothesize that the PBPK model presented here has the capacity to describe the kinetics of any member or mixture of members of this class in any species with the alteration of chemical-and species-specific parameters.

Hexavalent chromium is carcinogenic to F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice after chronic oral exposure

BACKGROUND

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a human carcinogen after inhalation exposure. Humans also ingest Cr(VI) from contaminated drinking water and soil; however, limited data exist on the oral toxicity and carcinogenicity of Cr(VI).

OBJECTIVE

We characterized the chronic oral toxicity and carcinogenicity of Cr(VI) in rodents.

METHODS

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) conducted 2-year drinking water studies of Cr(VI) (as sodium dichromate dihydrate) in male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice.

RESULTS

Cr(VI) exposure resulted in increased incidences of rare neoplasms of the squamous epithelium that lines the oral cavity (oral mucosa and tongue) in male and female rats, and of the epithelium lining the small intestine in male and female mice. Cr(VI) exposure did not affect survival but resulted in reduced mean body weights and water consumption, due at least in part to poor palatability of the dosed water. Cr(VI) exposure resulted in transient microcytic hypochromic anemia in rats and microcytosis in mice. Nonneoplastic lesions included diffuse epithelial hyperplasia in the duodenum and jejunum of mice and histiocytic cell infiltration in the duodenum, liver, and mesenteric and pancreatic lymph nodes of rats and mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Cr(VI) was carcinogenic after administration in drinking water to male and female rats and mice.

Developmental neurotoxicity of perfluorinated chemicals modeled in vitro

BACKGROUND

The widespread detection of perfluoroalkyl acids and their derivatives in wildlife and humans, and their entry into the immature brain, raise increasing concern about whether these agents might be developmental neurotoxicants.

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA), and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) in undifferentiated and differentiating PC12 cells, a neuronotypic line used to characterize neurotoxicity.

METHODS

We assessed inhibition of DNA synthesis, deficits in cell numbers and growth, oxidative stress, reduced cell viability, and shifts in differentiation toward or away from the dopamine (DA) and acetylcholine (ACh) neurotransmitter phenotypes.

RESULTS

In general, the rank order of adverse effects was PFOSA > PFOS > PFBS approximately PFOA. However, superimposed on this scheme, the various agents differed in their underlying mechanisms and specific outcomes. Notably, PFOS promoted differentiation into the ACh phenotype at the expense of the DA phenotype, PFBS suppressed differentiation of both phenotypes, PFOSA enhanced differentiation of both, and PFOA had little or no effect on phenotypic specification.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that all perfluorinated chemicals are not the same in their impact on neurodevelopment and that it is unlikely that there is one simple, shared mechanism by which they all produce their effects. Our results reinforce the potential for in vitro models to aid in the rapid and cost-effective screening for comparative effects among different chemicals in the same class and in relation to known developmental neurotoxicants.

Conflicting views on chemical carcinogenesis arising from the design and evaluation of rodent carcinogenicity studies

Conflicting views have been expressed frequently on assessments of human cancer risk of environmental agents based on animal carcinogenicity data; this is primarily because of uncertainties associated with extrapolations of toxicologic findings from studies in experimental animals to human circumstances. Underlying these uncertainties are issues related to how experiments are designed, how rigorously hypotheses are tested, and to what extent assertions extend beyond actual findings. National and international health agencies regard carcinogenicity findings in well-conducted experimental animal studies as evidence of potential carcinogenic risk to humans. Controversies arise when both positive and negative carcinogenicity data exist for a specific agent or when incomplete mechanistic data suggest a possible species difference in response. Issues of experimental design and evaluation that might contribute to disparate results are addressed in this article. To serve as reliable sources of data for the evaluation of the carcinogenic potential of environmental agents, experimental studies must include a) animal models that are sensitive to the end points under investigation; b) detailed characterization of the agent and the administered doses; c) challenging doses and durations of exposure (at least 2 years for rats and mice); d) sufficient numbers of animals per dose group to be capable of detecting a true effect; e) multiple dose groups to allow characterization of dose-response relationships, f) complete and peer-reviewed histopathologic evaluations; and g) pairwise comparisons and analyses of trends based on survival-adjusted tumor incidence. Pharmacokinetic models and mechanistic hypotheses may provide insights into the biological behavior of the agent; however, they must be adequately tested before being used to evaluate human cancer risk.

Toxicity and carcinogenicity of the water disinfection byproduct, dibromoacetic acid, in rats and mice

Dibromoacetic acid (DBA) is a water disinfection byproduct formed by the reaction of chlorine oxidizing compounds with natural organic matter in water containing bromide. Male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F(1) mice were exposed to DBA in drinking water for 2 weeks (N=5), 3 months (N=10), or 2 years (N=50). Concentrations of DBA in drinking water were 0, 125, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000mg/L in the 2-week and 3-month studies, and 0, 50, 500, and 1000mg/L in the 2-year studies. Toxic effects of DBA in the prechronic studies were detected in the liver (hepatocellular cytoplasmic vacuolization in rats and mice) and testes (delayed spermiation and atypical residual bodies in male rats and mice, and atrophy of the germinal epithelium in rats). In the 2-year studies, neoplasms were induced at multiple sites in rats and mice exposed to DBA; these included mononuclear cell leukemia and abdominal cavity mesothliomas in rats, and neoplasms of the liver (hepatocellular adenoma or carcinoma and hepatoblastoma) and lung (alveolar adenoma or carcinoma) in mice. The increase in incidence of hepatocellular neoplasms in male mice was significant even at the lowest exposure concentration of 50mg/L, which is equivalent to an average daily dose of approximately 4mg/kg. These studies provide critical information for future re-evaluations of health-based drinking water standards for haloacetic acids.

Evaluation of genetic alterations in cancer-related genes in lung and brain tumors from B6C3F1 mice exposed to 1,3-butadiene or chloroprene

1,3-Butadiene and chloroprene are multisite carcinogens in B6C3F1 mice with the strongest tumor response being the induction of lung neoplasms in females. Incidence of brain tumors in mice exposed to 1,3-butadiene was equivocal. This article reviews the efforts of our laboratory and others to uncover the mechanisms of butadiene and chloroprene induced lung and brain tumor responses in the B6C3F1 mouse. The formation of lung tumors by these chemicals involved mutations in the K-ras cancer gene and loss of heterozygosity in the region of K-ras on distal chromosome 6, while alterations in p53 and p16 were implicated in brain tumorigenesis.

Genetic alterations in brain tumors following 1,3-butadiene exposure in B6C3F1 mice

The nervous system of the B6C3F1 mouse has rarely been a target for chemical carcinogenesis in the National Toxicology Program (NTP) bioassays. However, 6 malignant gliomas and 2 neuroblastomas were observed in B6C3F1 mice exposed to 625 ppm 1,3-butadiene (NTP technical reports 288 and 434). These mouse brain tumors were evaluated with regard to the profile of genetic alterations that are observed in human brain tumors. Alterations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene were common. Missense mutations were observed in 3/6 malignant gliomas and 2/2 neuroblastomas and were associated with loss of heterozygosity. Most of the mutations occurred in exons 5-8 of the p53 gene and were G-->A transitions, and did not involve CpG sites. Loss of heterozygosity at the Ink4a/Arf gene locus was observed in 5/5 malignant gliomas and 1/1 neuroblastoma, while the PTEN(phosphatase and tensin homologue) gene locus was unaffected by deletions. One of 2 neuroblastomas had a mutation in codon 61 of H-ras, while H-ras mutations were not observed in the malignant gliomas examined. Only 1 brain tumor has been reported from control mice of over 500 NTP studies. This malignant glioma showed no evidence of alterations in the p53 gene or K- and H-ras mutations. It is likely that the specific genetic alterations observed were induced or selected for by 1,3-butadiene treatment that contributed to the development of mouse brain tumors. The observed findings are similar in part to the genetic alterations reported in human brain tumors.

ADaubertMotion: A Legal Strategy to Exclude Essential Scientific Evidence in Toxic Tort Litigation

In the US Supreme Court's Daubert v Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc decision, federal judges were directed to examine the scientific method underlying expert evidence and admit that which is scientifically reliable and relevant. However, if a judge does not have adequate training or experience in dealing with scientific uncertainty, understand the full value or limit of currently used methodologies, or recognize hidden assumptions, misrepresentations of scientific data, or the strengths of scientific inferences, he or she may reach an incorrect decision on the reliability and relevance of evidence linking environmental factors to human disease. This could lead to the unfair exclusion of valid scientific evidence, particularly that which is essential to a plaintiff's case in toxic tort litigation.

Carcinogenicity and mechanistic insights on the behavior of epoxides and epoxide-forming chemicals

Many epoxides and their precursors are high production volume chemicals that have major uses in the polymer industry and as intermediates in the manufacture of other chemicals. Several of these chemicals were demonstrated to be carcinogenic in laboratory animal studies conducted by the Ramazzini Foundation (e.g., vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile, styrene, styrene oxide, and benzene) and by the National Toxicology Program (e.g., ethylene oxide, 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, chloroprene, acrylonitrile, glycidol, and benzene). The most common sites of tumor induction were lung, liver, harderian gland, and circulatory system in mice; Zymbal's gland and brain in rats; and mammary gland and forestomach in both species. Differences in cancer outcome among studies of epoxide chemicals may be related to differences in study design (e.g., dose, duration, and route of exposure; observation period; animal strains), as well as biological factors affecting target organ dosimetry of the DNA-reactive epoxide (toxicokinetics) and tissue response (toxicodynamics). N7-Alkylguanine, N1-alkyladenine, and cyclic etheno adducts, as well as K-ras and p53 mutations, have been detected in animals and/or workers exposed to several of these chemicals. The classifications of these chemical carcinogens by IARC and NTP are based on animal and human data and results of mechanistic studies. Reducing occupational and environmental exposures to these chemicals will certainly reduce human cancer risks.

Biochemical origins of the non-monotonic receptor-mediated dose-response

A mathematical model was created to examine how xenobiotic ligands that bind to nuclear receptor proteins may affect transcriptional activation of hormone-regulated genes. The model included binding of the natural ligand (e.g. hormone) and xenobiotic ligands to the receptor, binding of the liganded receptor to receptor-specific DNA response sequences, binding of co-activator or co-repressor proteins (Rp) to the resulting complex, and the consequent transcriptional rate relative to that in the absence of the xenobiotic agent. The model predicted that the xenobiotic could act as a pure agonist, a pure antagonist, or a mixed agonist whose dose-response curve exhibits a local maximum. The response to the agent depends on the affinity of the liganded receptor-DNA complex for binding additional transcription factors (e.g. co-activator proteins). An inverted U-shaped dose-response occurred when basal levels of the natural ligand did not saturate receptor binding sites and the affinity for co-activator is weaker when the xenobiotic ligand is bound to the receptor than when the endogenous ligand is bound. The dose-response curve shape was not dependent on the affinity of the receptor for the xenobiotic agent; alteration of this value merely shifted the curve along the concentration axis. The amount of receptor, the density of DNA response sequences, and the affinity of the DNA-bound receptor for Rp determine the amplitude of the computed response with little overall change in curve shape. This model indicates that a non-monotonic dose-response is a plausible outcome for xenobiotic agents that activate nuclear receptors in the same manner as natural ligands.

Pharmacokinetics of sodium nitrite-induced methemoglobinemia in the rat

A biologically based mathematical model was created to characterize time and dose-dependent relationships between exposure to nitrite and induction of methemoglobinemia. The model includes mass action equations for processes known to occur: oral absorption of nitrite, elimination from the plasma, partitioning between plasma and erythrocytes, binding of nitrite to hemoglobin and methemoglobin, and the free radical chain reaction for hemoglobin oxidation. The model also includes Michaelis-Menten kinetics for methemoglobin reductase-catalyzed regeneration of hemoglobin. Body weight-scaled rate constants for absorption (k(a)) and elimination (k(e)), the effective erythrocyte/plasma partition coefficient (P), and the apparent K(m) for methemoglobin reductase were the only parameters estimated by formal optimization to reproduce the observed time course data. Time courses of plasma nitrite concentrations and blood levels of hemoglobin and methemoglobin in male and female rats that had received single intravenous or oral doses of sodium nitrite were measured. Peak plasma levels of nitrite were achieved in both sexes approximately 30 min after oral exposure, and peak methemoglobin levels were achieved after 100 min. The model predicts that 10% of the hemoglobin is oxidized to the ferric form after oral doses of 15.9 mg/kg in male rats and 11.0 mg/kg in female rats and after intravenous doses of 8.9 and 7.1 mg/kg in male and female rats, respectively. The t(1/2) for recovery from methemoglobinemia was 60 to 120 min depending on dose and route of administration. A sensitivity analysis of the model was performed to identify to which parameters the predictions of the model were most sensitive and guide attempts to simplify the model. Replacement of the V(max) of methemoglobin reductase with a value representative of humans predicted a 10% methemoglobinemia following an intravenous dose of 5.8 mg/kg, in close agreement with an observed value of 5.7 mg/kg for humans.

A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for inhalation and intravenous administration of naphthalene in rats and mice

A diffusion limited physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for rats and mice was developed to characterize the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of naphthalene after inhalation exposure. This model includes compartments for arterial and venous blood, lung, liver, kidney, fat, and other organs. Primary sites for naphthalene metabolism to naphthalene oxide are the lung and the liver. The data used to create this model were generated from National Toxicology Program inhalation and iv studies on naphthalene and consisted of blood time-course data of the parent compound in both rats and mice. To examine the basis for possible interspecies differences in response to naphthalene, the model was extended to describe the distribution and metabolism of naphthalene oxide and the depletion and resynthesis of glutathione. After testing several alternative models, the one presented in this paper shows the best fit to the data with the fewest assumptions possible. The model indicates that tissue dosimetry of the parent compound alone does not explain why this chemical was carcinogenic to the female mouse lung but not to the rat lung. The species difference may be due to a combination of higher levels of naphthalene oxide in the mouse lung and a greater susceptibility of the mouse lung to epoxide-induced carcinogenesis. However, conclusions regarding which metabolite(s) may be responsible for the lung toxicity could not be reached.

Comparative carcinogenicity of 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, and chloroprene in rats and mice

1,3-Butadiene, isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene), and chloroprene (2-chloro-1,3-butadiene) are high-production-volume chemicals used mainly in the manufacture of synthetic rubber. Inhalation studies have demonstrated multiple organ tumorigenic effects with each of these chemicals in mice and rats. Sites of tumor induction by these epoxide-forming chemicals were compared to each other and to ethylene oxide, a chemical classified by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as carcinogenic to humans. For this group of chemicals, there are substantial species differences in sites of neoplasia; neoplasia of the mammary gland is the only common tumorigenic effect in rats and mice. Within each species, there are several common sites of tumor induction; these include the hematopoietic system, circulatory system, lung, liver, forestomach, Harderian gland, and mammary gland in mice, and the mammary gland and possibly the brain, thyroid, testis, and kidney in rats. For studies in which individual animal data were available, mortality-adjusted tumor rates were calculated, and estimates were made of the shape of the exposure-response curves and ED10 values (i.e. exposure concentrations associated with an excess risk of 10% at each tumor site). Most tumorigenic effects reported here were consistent with linear or supralinear models. For chloroprene and butadiene, the most potent response was for the induction of lung neoplasms in female mice, with ED10 values of 0.3 ppm. Based on animal cancer data, isoprene and chloroprene are listed in the NTP's Report on Carcinogens (RoC) as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. Butadiene is listed in the RoC as known to be a human carcinogen 'based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in humans, including epidemiological and mechanistic information', with support from experimental studies in laboratory animals. Epidemiology data for isoprene and chloroprene are not considered adequate to evaluate the potential carcinogenicity of these agents in humans.

Point mutations of K-ras and H-ras genes in forestomach neoplasms from control B6C3F1 mice and following exposure to 1,3-butadiene, isoprene or chloroprene for up to 2-years

1,3 Butadiene (BD), isoprene (IP) and chloroprene (CP) are structural analogs. There were significantly increased incidences of forestomach neoplasms in B6C3F1 mice exposed to BD, IP or CP by inhalation for up to 2-years. The present study was designed to characterize genetic alterations in K- and H-ras proto-oncogenes in a total of 52 spontaneous and chemically induced forestomach neoplasms. ras mutations were identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism, single strand conformational polymorphism analysis, and cycle sequencing of PCR-amplified DNA isolated from paraffin-embedded forestomach neoplasms. A higher frequency of K- and H-ras mutations was identified in BD-, IP- and CP-induced forestomach neoplasms (83, 70 and 57%, respectively, or combined 31/41, 76%) when compared to spontaneous forestomach neoplasms (4/11, 36%). Also a high frequency of H-ras codon 61 CAA-->CTA transversions (10/41, 24%) was detected in chemically induced forestomach neoplasms, but none were present in the spontaneous forestomach neoplasms examined. Furthermore, an increased frequency (treated 13/41, 32% versus untreated 1/11, 9%) of GGC-->CGC transversion at K-ras codon 13 was seen in BD-, and IP-induced forestomach neoplasms, similar to the predominant K-ras mutation pattern observed in BD-induced mouse lung neoplasms. These data suggest that the epoxide intermediates of the structurally related chemicals (BD, IP, and CP) may cause DNA damage in K-ras and H-ras proto-oncogenes of B6C3F1 mice following inhalation exposure and that mutational activation of these genes may be critical events in the pathogenesis of forestomach neoplasms induced in the B6C3F1 mouse.

Physiological modeling of butadiene disposition in mice and rats

The earliest physiological models of 1,3-butadiene disposition reproduced uptake of the gas from closed chambers but over-predicted steady-state circulating concentrations of the mutagenic intermediates 1,2-epoxybut-3-ene and 1,2:3,4-diepoxybutane. A preliminary model based on the observation of a transient complex between cytochrome P450 and microsomal epoxide hydrolase on the endoplasmic reticulum membrane reproduced the blood epoxide concentrations as well as the chamber uptake data. This model was enhanced by the addition of equations for the production and detoxication of 3,4-epoxybutane-1,2-diol in the liver, lungs, and kidneys. The model includes flow-restricted delivery of butadiene and its metabolites to compartments for lungs, liver, fat, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, other rapidly perfused tissues, and other slowly perfused tissues. Blood was distributed among compartments for arterial, venous, and tissue capillary spaces. Channeling of the three bound epoxides to epoxide hydrolase and their release from the endoplasmic reticulum are competing processes in this model. Parameters were estimated to fit data for chamber uptake of butadiene and epoxybutene, steady-state blood concentrations of epoxybutene and diepoxybutane, and the fractions of the inhaled dose of butadiene that appears as various excreted metabolites. The optimal values of the apparent K(m)s of membrane-bound epoxides for epoxide hydrolase were only 5% of the values for the cytosolic substrate, consistent with the observation of a transient complex between epoxide hydrolase and the cytochrome P450 that produces the epoxide. This proximity effect corresponds to the notion that epoxides produced in situ have privileged access to epoxide hydrolase. The model also predicts considerable accumulation of epoxybutanediol, in agreement with the observation that most of the DNA adducts in animals exposed to butadiene arise from this metabolite.

Is peroxisome proliferation an obligatory precursor step in the carcinogenicity of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)?

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), a peroxisome proliferator, has been listed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and by the National Toxicology Program as a possible or reasonably anticipated human carcinogen because it induces dose-related increases in liver tumors in both sexes of rats and mice. Recently, the suggestion has been advanced that DEHP should be considered unlikely to be a human carcinogen because it is claimed that the carcinogenic effects of this agent in rodents are due to peroxisome proliferation and that humans are nonresponsive to this process. An IARC working group recently downgraded DEHP to "not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans" because they concluded that DEHP produces liver tumors in rats and mice by a mechanism involving peroxisome proliferation, which they considered to be not relevant to humans. The literature review presented in this commentary reveals that, although our knowledge of the mechanism of peroxisome proliferation has advanced greatly over the past 10 years, our understanding of the mechanism(s) of carcinogenicty of peroxisome proliferators remains incomplete. Most important is that published studies have not established peroxisome proliferation per se as an obligatory pathway in the carcinogenicity of DEHP. No epidemiologic studies have been reported on the potential carcinogenicity of DEHP, and cancer epidemiologic studies of hypolipidemic fibrate drugs (peroxisome proliferators) are inconclusive. Most of the pleiotropic effects of peroxisome proliferators are mediated by the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR), a ligand-activated transcription factor that is expressed at lower levels in humans than in rats and mice. In spite of this species difference in PPAR expression, hypolipidemic fibrates have been shown to induce hypolipidemia in humans and to modulate gene expression (e.g., genes regulating lipid homeostasis) in human hepatocytes by PPAR activation. Thus, humans are responsive to agents that induce peroxisome proliferation in rats and mice. Because peroxisome proliferators can affect multiple signaling pathways by transcriptional activation of PPAR-regulated genes, it is likely that alterations in specific regulated pathways (e.g., suppression of apoptosis, protooncogene expression) are involved in tumor induction by peroxisome proliferators. In addition, because DEHP also induces biological effects that occur independently of peroxisome proliferation (e.g., morphologic cell transformation and decreased levels of gap junction intercellular communication), it is possible that some of these responses also contribute to the carcinogenicity of this chemical. Last, species differences in tissue expression of PPARs indicate that it may not be appropriate to expect exact site correspondence for potential PPAR-mediated effects induced by peroxisome proliferators in animals and humans. Because peroxisome proliferation has not been established as an obligatory step in the carcinogenicity of DEHP, the contention that DEHP poses no carcinogenic risk to humans because of species differences in peroxisome proliferation should be viewed as an unvalidated hypothesis.

Alleged misconceptions' distort perceptions of environmental cancer risks

In a series of papers, Ames and colleagues allege that the scientific and public health communities have perpetuated a series of 'misconceptions' that resulted in inaccurate identification of chemicals that pose potential human cancer risks, and misguided cancer prevention strategies and regulatory policies. They conclude that exposures to industrial and synthetic chemicals represent negligible cancer risks and that animal studies have little or no scientific value for assessing human risks. Their conclusions are based on flawed and untested assumptions. For instance, they claim that synthetic residues on food can be ignored because 99.99% of pesticides humans eat are natural, chemicals in plants are pesticides, and their potential to cause cancer equals that of synthetic pesticides. Similarly, Ames does not offer any convincing scientific evidence to justify discrediting bioassays for identifying human carcinogens. Ironically, their arguments center on a ranking procedure that relies on the same experimental data and extrapolation methods they criticize as being unreliable for evaluating cancer risks. We address their inconsistencies and flaws, and present scientific facts and our perspectives surrounding Ames' nine alleged misconceptions. Our conclusions agree with the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the National Toxicology Program, and other respected scientific organizations: in the absence of human data, animal studies are the most definitive for assessing human cancer risks. Animal data should not be ignored, and precautions should be taken to lessen human exposures. Dismissing animal carcinogenicity findings would lead to human cancer cases as the only means of demonstrating carcinogenicity of environmental agents. This is unacceptable public health policy.

The privileged access model of 1,3-butadiene disposition

In previous attempts to model disposition of 1,3-butadiene in mice and rats, parameter values for 1,2-epoxybut-3-ene metabolism were optimized to reproduce elimination of this gas from closed chambers. However, each of these models predicted much higher concentrations of circulating epoxybutene than were subsequently measured in animals exposed to butadiene. To account for this discrepancy, a previous physiologically based pharmacokinetic model of butadiene disposition was modified to describe a transient complex between cytochrome P450 and epoxide hydrolase on the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. In this model the epoxide products are directly transferred from the P450 to the epoxide hydrolase in competition with release of products into the cytosol. The model includes flow-restricted delivery of butadiene and epoxides to gastrointestinal tract, liver, lung, kidney, fat, other rapidly perfused tissues, and other slowly perfused tissues. Blood was distributed among compartments for arterial, venous, and capillary spaces. Oxidation of butadiene and epoxybutene and hydrolysis and glutathione conjugation of epoxides were included in liver, lung, and kidney. The model reproduces observed uptake of butadiene and epoxybutene from closed chambers by mice and rats and steady-state concentrations of butadiene, epoxybutene, and 1,2;3,4-diepoxybutane concentrations in blood of mice and rats exposed by nose only. Successful replication of these observations indicates that the proposed privileged access of epoxides formed in situ to epoxide hydrolase is a plausible mechanistic representation for the metabolic clearance of epoxide-forming chemicals.

Mutations of ras protooncogenes and p53 tumor suppressor gene in cardiac hemangiosarcomas from B6C3F1 mice exposed to 1,3-butadiene for 2 years

1,3-Butadiene is a multisite carcinogen in rodents. Incidences of cardiac hemangiosarcomas were significantly increased in male and female B6C3F1 mice that inhaled 1,3-butadiene (BD) for 2 years. Eleven BD-induced cardiac hemangiosarcomas were examined for genetic alterations in ras protooncogenes and in the p53 tumor suppressor gene. Nine of 11 (82%) BD-induced hemangiosarcomas had K-ras mutations and 5 of 11 (46%) had H-ras mutations. All of the K-ras mutations were G-->C transversions (GGC-->CGC) at codon 13; this pattern is consistent with reported results in BD-induced lung neoplasms and lymphomas. Both K-ras codon 13 CGC mutations and H-ras codon 61 CGA mutations were detected in 5 of 9 (56%) hemangiosarcomas. The 11 hemangiosarcomas stained positive for p53 protein by immunohistochemistry and were analyzed for p53 mutations using cycle sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified DNA isolated from paraffin-embedded sections. Mutations in exons 5 to 8 of the p53 gene were identified in 5 of 11 (46%) hemangiosarcomas, and all of these were from the 200- or 625-ppm exposure groups that also had K-ras codon 13 CGC mutations. Our data indicate that K-ras, H-ras, and p53 mutations in these hemangiosarcomas most likely occurred as a result of the genotoxic effects of BD and that these mutations may play a role in the pathogenesis of BD-induced cardiac hemangiosarcomas in the B6C3F1 mouse.

Dose-response analyses of experimental cancer data

Dose-response analysis provides a powerful tool to determine causality from experimental cancer data, estimate low-dose risk, and evaluate mechanistic hypotheses. However, the interpretation of cancer dose-response data can be influenced by how the dose and response terms are characterized. Using the poly-3 quantal response method to adjust for the extensive and early development of lethal lymphomas in butadiene-exposed mice provided a means of obtaining a better representation of dose-response relationships for late-developing tumors induced by this chemical. Fitting a Weibull model to survival-adjusted tumor data for chloroprene and butadiene indicated similar carcinogenic potencies for these chemicals in mice. In conjunction with the rodent toxicity and carcinogenicity studies conducted by the National Toxicology Program, toxicokinetic studies are performed to characterize relationships between exposure and tissue concentrations of parent compound and metabolites. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model (PBPK) of butadiene dosimetry indicated that differences in carcinogenic response between rats and mice are not simply due to differences in tissue concentrations of epoxybutene, a mutagenic metabolic intermediate. Thus, factors beyond tissue dosimetry of this metabolite must be important in butadiene-induced carcinogenesis. A PBPK model for isoprene indicated that blood concentrations of isoprene epoxides are a better indicator of kidney cancer risk than are measurements of isoprene-exposure concentrations. An evaluation of dose-response relationships for cytotoxicity, regenerative hyperplasia, and tumor induction by trihalomethanes indicates that for this family of chemicals, cell proliferation is not a reliable predictor of tumor response.

Examination of low-incidence brain tumor responses in F344 rats following chemical exposures in National Toxicology Program carcinogenicity studies

Neoplasms in the brain are uncommon in control Fischer 344 (F344) rats; they occur at a rate of less than 1% in 2-yr toxicity/carcinogenicity studies. Furthermore, only 10 of nearly 500 studies conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) showed any evidence of chemically related neoplastic effects in the brain. Generally, the brain tumor responses were considered equivocal, because the characteristics of potential neurocarcinogenic agents (such as statistically significant increased incidences, decreased latency and/or survival, and demonstration of dose-response relationships) were not observed. A thorough examination, including comparisons with a well-established historical database, is often critical in evaluating rare brain tumors. Chemicals that gave equivocal evidence of brain tumor responses were generally associated with carcinogenicity at other sites, and many chemicals were mutagenic when incubated with metabolic activating enzymes. Other factors that were supportive of the theory that marginal increases in brain tumor incidence were related to chemical exposure were that (a) some of the tumors were malignant, (b) no brain neoplasms were observed in concurrent controls from some studies, and/or (c) brain tumors were also seen following exposure to structurally related chemicals. In 2-yr studies in F344 rats (studies conducted by the NTP), equivocal evidence of carcinogenicity was observed for the following 9 chemicals: isoprene, bromoethane, chloroethane, 3,3'-dimethylbenzidine dihydrochloride, 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine dihydrochloride, furosemide, C.I. direct blue 15, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, and 1-H-benzotriazole. Glycidol was the only chemical evaluated by the NTP with which there was clear evidence of brain tumor induction in F344 rats. Clarification of the potential neurocarcinogenic risks of chemicals that produce equivocal evidence of a brain tumor response in conventional 2-yr rodent studies may be aided by the use of transgenic mouse models that exhibit genetic alterations that reflect those present in human brain tumors as well as by the use of in utero exposures.

A physiological model for ligand-induced accumulation of alpha 2u globulin in male rat kidney: roles of protein synthesis and lysosomal degradation in the renal dosimetry of 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentanol

A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was constructed for the disposition of 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentanol (TMP-2-OH) in male rats and its induction of accumulation of renal alpha2u-globulin (alpha2u). The model included diffusion-restricted delivery of TMP-2-OH to compartments representing liver, lung, fat, kidney, GI tract, aggregated rapidly perfused tissues, and aggregated slowly perfused tissues. Metabolism by oxidation and glucuronidation was included for liver and kidneys. Rates of hepatic alpha2u production and resorption by renal proximal tubules were taken from the literature. Degradation of liganded alpha2u by renal lysosomal cathepsins was modeled with a Km value corresponding to the measured 30% reduction in proteolytic efficiency and with free and bound forms of alpha2u competing for access to the enzymes. Increased pinocytotic uptake of alpha2u into the kidney induces cathepsin activity. A model that ascribed renal alpha2u accumulation solely to reduced lysosomal proteolysis failed to reproduce the observed accumulation. The model could reproduce experimental observations if a transient increase in hepatic synthesis of alpha2u, stimulated by the presence of liganded alpha2u in the blood, and accelerated secretion of the protein from the liver were assumed. This model reproduces time course data of blood and kidney TMP-2-OH and renal alpha2u concentrations, suggesting that renal accumulation of alpha2u is not simply a consequence of reduced proteolytic degradation but may also involve a transient increase in hepatic alpha2u production. The model predicts increased delivery of TMP-2-OH to the kidney and consequent increased renal production of potentially toxic TMP-2-OH metabolites than would be the case if no alpha2u were present. Induced lysosomal activity and increased production of toxic metabolites may both contribute to the nephrotoxicity observed in male rats exposed to an alpha2u ligand or its precursor.

Introduction--workshop on characterizing the effects of endocrine disruptors on human health at environmental exposure levels

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Multiple organ carcinogenicity of inhaled chloroprene (2-chloro-1,3-butadiene) in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice and comparison of dose-response with 1,3-butadiene in mice

Chloroprene (2-chloro-1,3-butadiene) is a high production chemical used almost exclusively in the production of polychloroprene (neoprene) elastomer. Because of its structural similarity to 1,3-butadiene, a trans-species carcinogen, inhalation studies were performed with chloroprene to evaluate its carcinogenic potential in rats and mice. Groups of 50 male and female F344/N rats and 50 male and female B6C3F1 mice were exposed to 0, 12.8, 32 or 80 p.p.m. chloroprene (6 h/day, 5 days/week) for 2 years. Under these conditions, chloroprene was carcinogenic to the oral cavity, thyroid gland, lung, kidney and mammary gland of rats, and to the lung, circulatory system (hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas), Harderian gland, kidney, forestomach, liver, mammary gland, skin, mesentery and Zymbal's gland of mice. Survival adjusted tumor rates in mice were fit to a Weibull model for estimation of the shape of the dose-response curves, estimation of ED10 values (the estimated exposure concentration associated with an increased cancer risk of 10%) and comparison of these parameters with those for 1,3-butadiene. Butadiene has been identified as a potent carcinogen in mice and has been associated with increased risk of lymphatic and hematopoietic cancer in exposed workers. Shape parameter values for most of the neoplastic effects of chloroprene and 1,3-butadiene were consistent with linear or supralinear responses in the area near the lowest tested exposures. The most potent carcinogenic effect of 1,3-butadiene was the induction of lung neoplasms in female mice, which had an ED10 value of 0.3 p.p.m. Since the ED10 value for that same response in chloroprene exposed mice was also 0.3 p.p.m., we conclude that the carcinogenic potency of chloroprene in mice is similar to that of 1,3-butadiene. Cancer potency of chloroprene is greater in the mouse lung than in the rat lung, but greater in the rat kidney than in the mouse kidney and nearly equivalent in the mammary gland of each species.

High frequency of codon 61 K-ras A-->T transversions in lung and Harderian gland neoplasms of B6C3F1 mice exposed to chloroprene (2-chloro-1,3-butadiene) for 2 years, and comparisons with the structurally related chemicals isoprene and 1,3-butadiene

Chloroprene is the 2-chloro analog of 1,3-butadiene, a potent carcinogen in laboratory animals. Following 2 years of inhalation exposure to 12.8, 32 or 80 p.p.m. chloroprene, increased incidences of lung and Harderian gland (HG) neoplasms were observed in B6C3F1 mice at all exposure concentrations. The present study was designed to characterize genetic alterations in the K- and H-ras proto-oncogenes in chloroprene-induced lung and HG neoplasms. K-ras mutations were detected in 80% of chloroprene-induced lung neoplasms (37/46) compared with only 30% in spontaneous lung neoplasms (25/82). Both K- and H-ras codon 61 A-->T transversions were identified in 100% of HG neoplasms (27/27) compared with a frequency of 56% (15/27) in spontaneous HG neoplasms. The predominant mutation in chloroprene-induced lung and HG neoplasms was an A-->T transversion at K-ras codon 61. This mutation has not been detected in spontaneous lung tumors of B6C3F1 mice and was identified in only 7% of spontaneous HG neoplasms. In lung neoplasms, greater percentages (80 and 71%) of A-->T transversions were observed at the lower exposures (12.8 and 32 p.p.m.), respectively, compared with 18% at the high exposure. In HG neoplasms, the percentage of A-->T transversions was the same at all exposure concentrations. The chloroprene-induced ras mutation spectra was similar to that seen with isoprene, where the predominant base change was an A-->T transversion at K-ras codon 61. This differed from 1,3-butadiene, where K-ras codon 13 G-->C transitions and H-ras codon 61 A-->G transitions were the predominant mutations. The major finding of K-ras A-->T transversions in lung and Harderian gland neoplasms suggests that this mutation may be important for tumor induction by this class of carcinogens.

The U.S. federal framework for research on endocrine disruptors and an analysis of research programs supported during fiscal year 1996

The potential health and ecological effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals has become a high visibility environmental issue. The 1990s have witnessed a growing concern, both on the part of the scientific community and the public, that environmental chemicals may be causing widespread effects in humans and in a variety of fish and wildlife species. This growing concern led the Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) of the National Science and Technology Council to identify the endocrine disruptor issue as a major research initiative in early 1995 and subsequently establish an ad hoc Working Group on Endocrine Disruptors. The objectives of the working group are to 1) develop a planning framework for federal research related to human and ecological health effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals; 2) conduct an inventory of ongoing federal research programs; and 3) identify research gaps and develop a coordinated interagency plan to address priority research needs. This communication summarizes the activities of the federal government in defining a common framework for planning an endocrine disruptor research program and in assessing the status of the current effort. After developing the research framework and compiling an inventory of active research projects supported by the federal government in fiscal year 1996, the CENR working group evaluated the current federal effort by comparing the ongoing activities with the research needs identified in the framework. The analysis showed that the federal government supports considerable research on human health effects, ecological effects, and exposure assessment, with a predominance of activity occurring under human health effects. The analysis also indicates that studies on reproductive development and carcinogenesis are more prevalent than studies on neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity, that mammals (mostly laboratory animals) are the main species under study, and that chlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls are the most commonly studied chemical classes. Comparison of the inventory with the research needs should allow identification of underrepresented research areas in need of attention.

Regenerative hyperplasia is not required for liver tumor induction in female B6C3F1 mice exposed to trihalomethanes

Chloroform (TCM), a water disinfection by-product, induced liver tumors in female mice when administered by gavage in corn oil but not when given in drinking water at comparable daily doses. Because short-term studies showed that the gavage doses also induced liver toxicity, it has been suggested that the liver tumor response occurs secondary to cytotoxicity and consequent regenerative hyperplasia induced by oxidative metabolism of TCM to the toxic dihalocarbonyl intermediate. This study compares dose-response relationships of gavage-administered chlorinated/brominated trihalomethanes for hepatotoxicity, replicative DNA synthesis, and hepatocarcinogenicity in female B6C3F1 mice. The liver tumor data were obtained from previously published studies. Because bromine is a better leaving group than chlorine, metabolism of bromodichloromethane (BDCM) should produce the same intermediates as would be formed from TCM. Hence, the toxicity and carcinogenicity of BDCM was expected to be qualitatively similar to that of TCM. Dose responses for liver weight, serum sorbitol dehydrogenase and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, hepatocyte degeneration, and hepatocyte labeling index (LI, a measure of replicative DNA synthesis) in female mice were similar following 3 weeks of gavage administration (once per day, 5 days per week) with TCM, BDCM, or chlorodibromomethane (CDBM). Fits of composite data for these trihalomethanes to a Hill equation model revealed sigmoidal dose responses for ALT activity and hepatocyte LI and a nearly linear low-dose response for liver tumor incidence. For this family of chemicals, the mouse liver tumor response was not associated with an elevated hepatocyte LI at doses of approximately 1 mmol/kg or less. High incidences of liver tumors were observed with BDCM and CDBM at doses that had a marginal effect or no effect on the hepatocyte LI. Thus, the carcinogenic effects of trihalomethanes are not simply a consequence of cytotoxicity and regenerative hyperplasia. The possible contributions from other activation pathways, including GSH conjugation and reductive metabolism, need to be considered in assessments of the carcinogenicity of the trihalomethanes.

Purpose and guidelines for toxicokinetic studies within the National Toxicology Program

Toxicokinetic studies undertaken within the National Toxicology Program are intended to aid the design of toxicology and carcinogenicity studies, help interpret the results of toxicology and carcinogenicity studies with respect to the relationship between toxic effects and external exposure, and define the parameters of dose, distribution, metabolism, and elimination that can be used in human risk assessment. Descriptions of two study designs presented here represent the possible extremes in approaches to toxicokinetic studies. The comprehensive approach is geared toward the development of physiology based pharmacokinetic models that relate external exposure to target organ dosimetry and addresses the questions: Is the chemical absorbed? How is the chemical metabolized? Where are the chemical and/or metabolites distributed in the body? What are the elimination rate and route of the chemical? What is the effect of dose on absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination? The minimal study design is more limited in scope than the comprehensive design and addresses primarily the issues of absorption, distribution, and elimination of the parent chemical. Study protocols for most chemicals lie somewhere between these two extreme approaches. An increased understanding of the relationships between external exposure, target organ dosimetry, and adverse effects should provide greater confidence in making low-dose extrapolations of human risk. This paper focuses on the collection of data from animal toxicokinetic studies. The construction of comparable models to characterize target organ dosimetry in exposed humans would certainly require the use of human parameter values obtained from human tissue samples and volunteers.