Dietary medium chain fatty acid supplementation leads to reduced VLDL lipolysis and uptake rates in comparison to linoleic acid supplementation

Dietary medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) and linoleic acid follow different metabolic routes, and linoleic acid activates PPAR receptors. Both these mechanisms may modify lipoprotein and fatty acid metabolism after dietary intervention. Our objective was to investigate how dietary MCFA and linoleic acid supplementation and body fat distribution affect the fasting lipoprotein subclass profile, lipoprotein kinetics, and postprandial fatty acid kinetics. In a randomized double blind cross-over trial, 12 male subjects (age 51±7 years; BMI 28.5±0.8 kg/m²), were divided into 2 groups according to waist-hip ratio. They were supplemented with 60 grams/day MCFA (mainly C8:0, C10:0) or linoleic acid for three weeks, with a wash-out period of six weeks in between. Lipoprotein subclasses were measured using HPLC. Lipoprotein and fatty acid metabolism were studied using a combination of several stable isotope tracers. Lipoprotein and tracer data were analyzed using computational modeling. Lipoprotein subclass concentrations in the VLDL and LDL range were significantly higher after MCFA than after linoleic acid intervention. In addition, LDL subclass concentrations were higher in lower body obese individuals. Differences in VLDL metabolism were found to occur in lipoprotein lipolysis and uptake, not production; MCFAs were elongated intensively, in contrast to linoleic acid. Dietary MCFA supplementation led to a less favorable lipoprotein profile than linoleic acid supplementation. These differences were not due to elevated VLDL production, but rather to lower lipolysis and uptake rates.

Diagnostic markers based on a computational model of lipoprotein metabolism

Background

Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. Lipoprotein diagnostics, such as LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol, help to diagnose these diseases. Lipoprotein profile measurements could improve lipoprotein diagnostics, but interpretational complexity has limited their clinical application to date. We have previously developed a computational model called Particle Profiler to interpret lipoprotein profiles. In the current study we further developed and calibrated Particle Profiler using subjects with specific genetic conditions. We subsequently performed technical validation and worked at an initial indication of clinical usefulness starting from available data on lipoprotein concentrations and metabolic fluxes. Since the model outcomes cannot be measured directly, the only available technical validation was corroboration. For an initial indication of clinical usefulness, pooled lipoprotein metabolic flux data was available from subjects with various types of dyslipidemia. Therefore we investigated how well lipoprotein metabolic ratios derived from Particle Profiler distinguished reported dyslipidemic from normolipidemic subjects.

Results

We found that the model could fit a range of normolipidemic and dyslipidemic subjects from fifteen out of sixteen studies equally well, with an average 8.8% ± 5.0% fit error; only one study showed a larger fit error. As initial indication of clinical usefulness, we showed that one diagnostic marker based on VLDL metabolic ratios better distinguished dyslipidemic from normolipidemic subjects than triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, or LDL cholesterol. The VLDL metabolic ratios outperformed each of the classical diagnostics separately; they also added power of distinction when included in a multivariate logistic regression model on top of the classical diagnostics.

Conclusions

In this study we further developed, calibrated, and corroborated the Particle Profiler computational model using pooled lipoprotein metabolic flux data. From pooled lipoprotein metabolic flux data on dyslipidemic patients, we derived VLDL metabolic ratios that better distinguished normolipidemic from dyslipidemic subjects than standard diagnostics, including HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol. Since dyslipidemias are closely linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes type II development, lipoprotein metabolic ratios are candidate risk markers for these diseases. These ratios can in principle be obtained by applying Particle Profiler to a single lipoprotein profile measurement, which makes clinical application feasible.

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling of cyclohexane as a tool for integrating animal and human test data

This report describes a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for cyclohexane and its use in comparing internal doses in rats and volunteers following inhalation exposures. Parameters describing saturable metabolism of cyclohexane are measured in rats and used along with experimentally determined partition coefficients. The model is evaluated by comparing predicted blood and brain concentrations to data from studies in rats and then allometrically scaling the results to humans. Levels of cyclohexane in blood and exhaled air are measured in human volunteers and compared with model values. The model predicts that exposure of volunteers to cyclohexane at levels of 4100 mg/m(3) ( approximately 1200 ppm) will result in brain levels similar to those in rats exposed to 8000 mg/m(3) (the no-effect level for acute central nervous system effects). There are no acute central nervous system effects in humans exposed to 860 mg/m(3), consistent with model predictions that current occupational exposure levels for cyclohexane protect against acute central nervous system effects.

Developing computational model-based diagnostics to analyse clinical chemistry data

This article provides methodological and technical considerations to researchers starting to develop computational model-based diagnostics using clinical chemistry data. These models are of increasing importance, since novel metabolomics and proteomics measuring technologies are able to produce large amounts of data that are difficult to interpret at first sight, but have high diagnostic potential. Computational models aid interpretation and make the data accessible for clinical diagnosis. We discuss the issues that a modeller has to take into account during the design, construction and evaluation phases of model development. We use the example of Particle Profiler development, a model-based diagnostic tool for lipoprotein disorders, as a case study, to illustrate our considerations. The case study also offers techniques for efficient model formulation, model calculation, workflow structuring and quality control.

Nutritional systems biology modeling: from molecular mechanisms to physiology

The use of computational modeling and simulation has increased in many biological fields, but despite their potential these techniques are only marginally applied in nutritional sciences. Nevertheless, recent applications of modeling have been instrumental in answering important nutritional questions from the cellular up to the physiological levels. Capturing the complexity of today's important nutritional research questions poses a challenge for modeling to become truly integrative in the consideration and interpretation of experimental data at widely differing scales of space and time. In this review, we discuss a selection of available modeling approaches and applications relevant for nutrition. We then put these models into perspective by categorizing them according to their space and time domain. Through this categorization process, we identified a dearth of models that consider processes occurring between the microscopic and macroscopic scale. We propose a "middle-out" strategy to develop the required full-scale, multilevel computational models. Exhaustive and accurate phenotyping, the use of the virtual patient concept, and the development of biomarkers from "-omics" signatures are identified as key elements of a successful systems biology modeling approach in nutrition research--one that integrates physiological mechanisms and data at multiple space and time scales.

Improved cholesterol phenotype analysis by a model relating lipoprotein life cycle processes to particle size

Increased plasma cholesterol is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Lipoprotein particles transport both cholesterol and triglycerides through the blood. It is thought that the size distribution of these particles codetermines cardiovascular disease risk. New types of measurements can determine the concentration of many lipoprotein size-classes but exactly how each small class relates to disease risk is difficult to clear up. Because relating physiological process status to disease risk seems promising, we propose investigating how lipoprotein production, lipolysis, and uptake processes depend on particle size. To do this, we introduced a novel model framework (Particle Profiler) and evaluated its feasibility. The framework was tested using existing stable isotope flux data. The model framework implementation we present here reproduced the flux data and derived lipoprotein size pattern changes that corresponded to measured changes. It also sensitively indicated changes in lipoprotein metabolism between patient groups that are biologically plausible. Finally, the model was able to reproduce the cholesterol and triglyceride phenotype of known genetic diseases like familial hypercholesterolemia and familial hyperchylomicronemia. In the future, Particle Profiler can be applied for analyzing detailed lipoprotein size profile data and deriving rates of various lipolysis and uptake processes if an independent production estimate is given.

Use of physiologically based biokinetic (PBBK) modeling to study estragole bioactivation and detoxification in humans as compared with male rats

The extent of bioactivation of the herbal constituent estragole to its ultimate carcinogenic metabolite 1′-sulfooxyestragole depends on the relative levels of bioactivation and detoxification pathways. The present study investigated the kinetics of the metabolic reactions of both estragole and its proximate carcinogenic metabolite 1′-hydroxyestragole in humans in incubations with relevant tissue fractions. Based on the kinetic data obtained a physiologically based biokinetic (PBBK) model for estragole in human was defined to predict the relative extent of bioactivation and detoxification at different dose levels of estragole. The outcomes of the model were subsequently compared with those previously predicted by a PBBK model for estragole in male rat to evaluate the occurrence of species differences in metabolic activation. The results obtained reveal that formation of 1′-oxoestragole, which represents a minor metabolic route for 1′-hydroxyestragole in rat, is the main detoxification pathway of 1′-hydroxyestragole in humans. Due to a high level of this 1′-hydroxyestragole oxidation pathway in human liver, the predicted species differences in formation of 1′-sulfooxyestragole remain relatively low, with the predicted formation of 1′-sulfooxyestragole being twofold higher in human compared with male rat, even though the formation of its precursor 1′-hydroxyestragole was predicted to be fourfold higher in human. Overall, it is concluded that in spite of significant differences in the relative extent of different metabolic pathways between human and male rat there is a minor influence of species differences on the ultimate overall bioactivation of estragole to 1′-sulfooxyestragole.

Transcriptomics analysis of interactive effects of benzene, trichloroethylene and methyl mercury within binary and ternary mixtures on the liver and kidney following subchronic exposure in the rat

The present research aimed to study the interaction of three chemicals, methyl mercury, benzene and trichloroethylene, on mRNA expression alterations in rat liver and kidney measured by microarray analysis. These compounds were selected based on presumed different modes of action. The chemicals were administered daily for 14 days at the Lowest-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level (LOAEL) or at a two- or threefold lower concentration individually or in binary or ternary mixtures. The compounds had strong antagonistic effects on each other's gene expression changes, which included several genes encoding Phase I and II metabolizing enzymes. On the other hand, the mixtures affected the expression of "novel" genes that were not or little affected by the individual compounds. The three compounds exhibited a synergistic interaction on gene expression changes at the LOAEL in the liver and both at the sub-LOAEL and LOAEL in the kidney. Many of the genes induced by mixtures but not by single compounds, such as Id2, Nr2f6, Tnfrsf1a, Ccng1, Mdm2 and Nfkb1 in the liver, are known to affect cellular proliferation, apoptosis and tissue-specific function. This indicates a shift from compound specific response on exposure to individual compounds to a more generic stress response to mixtures. Most of the effects on cell viability as concluded from transcriptomics were not detected by classical toxicological endpoints illustrating the benefit of increased sensitivity of assessing gene expression profiling. These results emphasize the benefit of applying toxicogenomics in mixture interaction studies, which yields biomarkers for joint toxicity and eventually can result in an interaction model for most known toxicants.

Model studies for evaluating the neurobehavioral effects of complex hydrocarbon solvents

As part of a project designed to develop a framework for extrapolating acute central nervous system (CNS) effects of hydrocarbon solvents in animals to humans, experimental studies were conducted in rats and human volunteers in which acute CNS effects were measured and toxicokinetic data were collected. A complex hydrocarbon solvent, white spirit (WS) was used as a model solvent and two marker compounds for WS, 1,2,4-trimethyl benzene (TMB) and n-decane (NDEC), were analyzed to characterize internal exposure after WS inhalation. Toxicokinetic data on blood and brain concentrations of the two marker compounds in the rat, together with in vitro partition coefficients were used to develop physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models for TMB and NDEC. The rat models were then allometrically scaled to obtain models for inhalatory exposure for man. The human models were validated with blood and alveolar air kinetics of TMB and NDEC, measured in human volunteers. Using these models, it was predicted that external exposures to WS in the range of 344-771mg/m(3) would produce brain concentrations similar to those in rats exposed to 600mg/m(3) WS, the no effect level (NOEL) for acute CNS effects. Assuming similar brain concentration-effect relations for humans and rats, the NOEL for acute CNS effects in humans should be in this range. The prediction was consistent with data from a human volunteer study in which the only statistically significant finding was a small change in the simple reaction time test following 4h exposure to approximately 570mg/m(3) WS. Thus, the data indicated that the results of animal studies could be used to predict a no effect level for acute CNS depression in humans, consistent with the framework described above.

Development of a QSAR for worst case estimates of acute toxicity of chemically reactive compounds

Future EU legislations enforce a fast hazard and risk assessment of thousands of existing chemicals. If conducted by means of present data requirements, this assessment will use a huge number of test animals and will be neither cost nor time effective. The purpose of the current research was to develop methods to increase the acceptability of in vitro data for classification and labelling regarding acute toxicity. For this purpose, a large existing database containing in vitro and in vivo data was analysed. For more than 300 compounds in the database, relations between in vitro cytotoxicity and rat or mouse intravenous and oral in vivo LD50 values were re-evaluated and the possibilities for definition of mechanism based chemical subclasses were investigated. A high in vitro-in vivo correlation was found for chemicals classified as irritants. This can be explained by a shared unspecific cytotoxicity of these compounds which will act as the predominant mode of action for both endpoints, irritation and acute toxicity. For this subclass, which covered almost 40% of all compounds in the database, the LD50 values after intravenous dosing could be predicted with high accuracy. A somewhat lower accuracy was found for the prediction of oral LD50 values based on in vitro cytotoxicity data. Based on this successful correlation, a classification and labelling scheme was developed, that includes a hazard based definition of the applicability domain (irritants) and a prediction of the labelling of compounds for their acute iv and oral toxicity. The scheme was tested by an external validation.

An in vitro and in silico study on the flavonoid-mediated modulation of the transport of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) through Caco-2 monolayers

The present study describes the effect of different flavonoids on the absorption of the pro-carcinogen PhIP through Caco-2 monolayers and the development of an in silico model describing this process taking into account passive diffusion and active transport of PhIP. Various flavonoids stimulated the apical to basolateral PhIP transport. Using the in silico model for flavone, kaempferol and chrysoeriol, the apparent Ki value for inhibition of the active transport to the apical side was estimated to be below 53 muM and for morin, robinetin and taxifolin between 164 and 268 microM. For myricetin, luteolin, naringenin and quercetin, the apparent Ki values were determined more accurately and amounted to 37.3, 12.2, 11.7 and 5.6 microM respectively. Additional experiments revealed that the apical to basolateral PhIP transport was also increased in the presence of a typical BCRP or MRP inhibitor with apparent Ki values in the same range as those of the flavonoids. This observation together with the fact that flavonoids are known to be inhibitors of MRPs and BCRP, corroborates that inhibition of these apical membrane transporters is involved in the flavonoid-mediated increased apical to basolateral PhIP transport. Based on the apparent Ki values obtained, it is concluded that the flavonols, at the levels present in the regular Western diet, are capable of stimulating the transport of PhIP through Caco-2 monolayers from the apical to the basolateral compartment. This points to flavonoid-mediated stimulation of the bioavailability of PhIP and, thus, a possible adverse effect of these supposed beneficial food ingredients.

Predicted serum folate concentrations based on in vitro studies and kinetic modeling are consistent with measured folate concentrations in humans

The nutritional quality of new functional or fortified food products depends on the bioavailability of the nutrient(s) in the human body. Bioavailability is often determined in human intervention studies by measurements of plasma or serum profiles over a certain time period. These studies are time and cost consuming and often appear to lack an optimal study design, leading to follow-up intervention trials. Therefore, an alternative approach is needed that will optimize the development of new products. This study describes an approach to predict human serum concentrations after the consumption of (fortified) food products. The concept is based on the integration of in vitro results with kinetic modeling. As a case study, human serum folate concentrations were predicted after the consumption of folate-fortified milk products for 4 wk. Oral bioavailability was investigated using a step-wise approach in which luminal bioaccessibility and intestinal absorption were independently evaluated. Subsequently, these in vitro data were integrated in a kinetic mathematical (in silico) model to predict serum folate concentrations after the intake of a single dose and during long-term consumption. This approach was evaluated in comparison to a human intervention study in which folic acid-fortified milk products were tested for their effect on serum folate concentrations. A high predictive quality of this alternative in vitro/in silico approach was demonstrated. Finally, this methodology was applied to predict serum folate concentrations after intake of different fortified milk products for 4 wk, showing its benefits for the development of new nutritional products.

Association between consumption of cruciferous vegetables and condiments and excretion in urine of isothiocyanate mercapturic acids

A high intake of cruciferous vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. This protective effect has been linked to isothiocyanates, enzymatic hydrolysis products of glucosinolates. In this study, the metabolic fate of glucosinolates and isothiocyanates after ingestion of 19 different cruciferous vegetables was studied in three male subjects. After the consumption of 13 cruciferous vegetables (glucosinolate content, 0.01-0.94 mmol/kg) and six condiments (isothiocyanate content, 0.06-49.3 mmol/kg), eight different isothiocyanate mercapturic acids were determined in urine samples. Excretion levels after the consumption of raw vegetables and condiments were higher (bioavailability, 8.2-113%) as compared to cooked vegetables (bioavailability, 1.8-43%), but the excretion rate was similar (t1/2=2.1-3.9 h). Isothiocyanates in urine remain longer at a nonzero level after the consumption of glucosinolates from cooked vegetables, as compared to raw vegetables and condiments, and maximal levels in urine were reached about 4 h later. Isothiocyanate mercapturic acids can be used as a biomarker to reflect the active dose of isothiocyanates absorbed.

Prediction of in vivo embryotoxic effect levels with a combination of in vitro studies and PBPK modelling

The new EU legislations for chemicals (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals, REACH) and cosmetics (Seventh Amendment) stimulate the acceptance of in vitro and in silico approaches to test chemicals for their potential to cause reproductive effects. In the current study seven compounds with known in vivo developmental effects were tested in the embryonic stem cell test (EST). The EST correctly classified 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate, retinoic acid, 2-ethoxyacetic acid and 2-methoxyacetic acid for their in vivo embryotoxic potential. The toxicity of 2-methoxyethanol and 2-ethoxyethanol was underestimated due to a lack of metabolic capacity in the EST. This study further investigated the possibility to use in silico techniques to extrapolate in vitro effect concentrations determined in the EST to in vivo exposure levels. This approach was evaluated by comparing in silico predicted in vivo effect levels with effect levels measured in rodents. The in vivo effect levels of 2-methoxyethanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, methotrexate and retinoic acid were correctly predicted with in silico modelling. Contrary, in vivo embryotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil was overestimated following this approach. It is concluded that a combination of in vitro and in silico techniques appears to be a promising alternative test method for risk assessment of embryotoxic compounds.

Neurobehavioural evaluation and kinetics of inhalation of constant or fluctuating toluene concentrations in human volunteers

The health risks of inhalation exposure to volatile organic solvents may not only depend on the total external dose, but also on the pattern of exposure. It has been suggested that exposure to regularly occurring peak concentrations may have a stronger impact on the brain than constant exposure at the same average level. Recent animal experimental studies conducted in our laboratory using relatively high concentrations of toluene have shown different effects on discrimination performance and motor activity during and after exposure, depending on the exposure scenario. Relevance of these findings for man was evaluated in a volunteer study in which 11 healthy men (age 20-49 years) were exposed by inhalation for 4h to either a constant concentration of 40ppm toluene or to three 30-min exposure peaks at 110ppm during this 4h period. Selected tests from the Neurobehavioural Evaluation System (NES) were performed repeatedly during and after exposure. Blood concentrations of toluene as well as urinary o-cresol excretion were measured at relevant time points. The results show that toluene concentration in blood increased during constant exposure and fluctuated during occupationally relevant peak exposures. Presumably, brain concentrations showed similar qualitative patterns. No clear changes were observed on neurobehavioural measures of motor performance, attention, perceptual coding and memory, or on measures of mood and affect. The exposure conditions do not seem to induce significant acute changes in central nervous system function similar to those observed at much higher concentrations in animals, although a statistical correlation was found between one motor performance test (Finger Tapping Test with alternating hands) and blood toluene concentrations. Urinary o-cresol excretion appeared to be significantly higher during the first 2h after exposure.

Modeling the in vitro intrinsic clearance of the slowly metabolized compound tolbutamide determined in sandwich-cultured rat hepatocytes

An alternative approach is introduced in determining the in vitro intrinsic clearance of slowly metabolized compounds. The longterm sandwich rat hepatocyte culture was exploited, allowing for sufficient substrate depletion to obtain a reliable clearance estimation; in its physiology, it resembles the in vivo liver, thus allowing in vivo extrapolation of the in vitro clearance value. Substrate depletion of tolbutamide and the formation of its metabolites hydroxytolbutamide and carboxytolbutamide were measured in the medium and sandwich layer. Depletion data from the medium were fitted to a mathematical model incorporating system-dependent parameters (diffusion, protein binding, and partitioning) to calculate the hepatocytes' intrinsic clearance. Based on the decrease of the parent compound in the medium, a specific intrinsic clearance value, i.e., clearance per unit of volume of hepatocytes, of 0.085 min(-1) was fitted. This value was in accordance with in vivo and in vitro values from the literature. The model was verified with substrate depletion data from the sandwich layer. Data on metabolite formation showed an incomplete mass balance. A radiochemical experiment revealed the presence of three additional metabolites. These metabolites were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectometry. One was identified as p-tolysulfonylurea. The structure of the other two needs to be elucidated. After the addition of these compounds to the metabolic pattern, the mass balance was completed. The in vitro clearance value was incorporated in a physiologically based pharmacokinetic literature model of tolbutamide that accurately describes the plasma concentration. The approach used in this study successfully predicts the intrinsic clearance of tolbutamide. In addition, the sandwich rat hepatocyte culture also proves to be useful in the identification of metabolic pathways.

Toxicology of chemical mixtures: a challenging quest along empirical sciences

This paper describes the "quest" of our institute trying to assess the toxicology of chemical mixtures. In this overview, we will discuss some critical developments in hazard identification and risk assessment of chemical mixtures during these past 15 years. We will stand still at empirical and mechanistic modeling. "Empirical" means that only information on doses or concentrations and effects is available in addition to an often empirically selected quantitative dose-response relationship. Empirical models have played a dominant role in the last decade to identify health and safety characteristics of chemical mixtures. Many of these models are based on the work of pioneers in mixture toxicology who defined three basic types of action for combinations of chemicals: simple similar action, simple dissimilar action and interaction. Nowadays, empirical models are mainly based on response-surface analysis and make use of advanced statistical designs. However, possible interactions between components in a mixture can also be given in terms of mechanistic models. In terms of "mechanistic" (or biological) understanding, interactions between compounds may occur in the kinetic phase (processes of uptake, distribution, metabolism and excretion) or in the dynamic phase (effects of chemicals on the receptor, cellular target or organ). A biological phenomenon such as competitive agonism as described for mixtures of drugs (biotransformation enzymes) or sensory irritants (nerve receptors) can accurately predict the effect of any of these mixtures. Thus, far mechanistic and empirical analyses of interactions are usually unrelated. It is one of the future challenges for mixtures research to combine information from both approaches. Also, our current biology-based models have their limitations, since they cannot integrate every relevant biological mechanism. In this respect, mechanistic modeling of mixtures may benefit from the developments coming from the arena of molecular biology (toxicogenomics) which offers an in-depth analysis of several involved enzymatic pathways in parallel through the use of a systems biology approach. This was illustrated with mixtures of food additives known to affect the liver. Key to further maturation of mixture toxicology is collaboration of experimental toxicologists, biomathematicians, biologists, pharmacologists, model developers, molecular biologists and bioinformaticians to ensure parallel and coordinated research in this challenging area of toxicology. For this reason, the next sequel will be even more challenging and exciting to that first 15 years of empirical testing.

Safety evaluation of chemical mixtures and combinations of chemical and non-chemical stressors

Recent developments in hazard identification and risk assessment of chemical mixtures are reviewed. Empirical, descriptive approaches to study and characterize the toxicity of mixtures have dominated during the past two decades, but an increasing number of mechanistic approaches have made their entry into mixture toxicology. A series of empirical studies with simple chemical mixtures in rats is described in some detail because of the important lessons from this work. The development of regulatory guidelines for the toxicological evaluation of chemical mixtures is discussed briefly. Current issues in mixture toxicology include the adverse health effects of ambient air pollution; the application of such modern, sophisticated methodologies as genomics, bioinformatics, and physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling; and databases for mixture toxicity. Finally, the state of the art of our knowledge on the potential adverse health effects of combined exposures to chemicals and non-chemical stressors (noise, heat/cold, microorganisms, immobilization, restraint, or transportation), research initiatives in these fields, and the development of an indicator for the cumulative health impact of multiple environmental exposures are discussed.

The use of in vitro metabolic parameters and physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to explore the risk assessment of trichloroethylene

A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model has been developed for trichloroethylene (1,1,2-trichloroethene, TRI) for rat and humans, based on in vitro metabolic parameters. These were obtained using individual cytochrome P450 and glutathione S-transferase enzymes. The main enzymes involved both for rats and humans are CYP2E1 and the μ- and π-class glutathione S-transferases. Validation experiments were performed in order to test the predictive value of the enzyme kinetic parameters to describe 'whole-body' disposition. Male Wistar rats were dosed orally or intravenously with different doses of trichloroethylene. Obtained exhaled radioactivity, excreted radioactivity in urine, and obtained blood concentration-time curves of trichloroethylene for all dosing groups were compared to predictions from the PBPK model. Subsequently, using the scaling factor derived from the rat experiments predictions were made for the extreme cases to be expected in humans, based on interindividual variations of the key enzymes involved. On comparing these predictions with literature data a very close match was found. This illustrates the potential application of in vitro metabolic parameters in risk assessment, through the use of PBPK modeling as a tool to understand and predict in vivo data. From a hypothetical 8 h exposure scenario to 35 ppm trichloroethylene in rats and humans, and assuming that the glutathione S-transferase pathway is responsible for the toxicity of trichloroethylene, it was concluded that humans are less sensitive for trichloroethylene toxicity than rats.

Prediction of isoprene diepoxide levels in vivo in mouse, rat and man using enzyme kinetic data in vitro and physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modelling

The present study was designed to explain the differences in isoprene toxicity between mouse and rat based on the liver concentrations of the assumed toxic metabolite isoprene diepoxide. In addition, extrapolation to the human situation was attempted. For this purpose, enzyme kinetic parameters K(m) and V(max) were determined in vitro in mouse, rat and human liver microsomes/cytosol for the cytochrome P450-mediated formation of isoprene mono- and diepoxides, epoxide hydrolase mediated hydrolysis of isoprene mono- and diepoxides, and the glutathione S-transferases mediated conjugation of isoprene monoepoxides. Subsequently, the kinetic parameters were incorporated into a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model, and species differences regarding isoprene diepoxide levels were forecasted. Almost similar isoprene diepoxide liver and lung concentrations were predicted in mouse and rat, while predicted levels in humans were about 20-fold lower. However, when interindividual variation in enzyme activity was introduced in the human model, the levels of isoprene diepoxide changed considerably. It was forecasted that in individuals having both an extensive oxidation by cytochrome P450 and a low detoxification by epoxide hydrolase, isoprene diepoxide concentrations in the liver increased to similar concentrations as predicted for the mouse. However, the interpretation of the latter finding for human risk assessment is ambiguous since species differences between mouse and rat regarding isoprene toxicity could not be explained by the predicted isoprene diepoxide concentrations. We assume that other metabolites than isoprene diepoxide or different carcinogenic response might play a key role in determining the extent of isoprene toxicity. In order to confirm this, in vivo experiments are required in which isoprene epoxide concentrations will be established in rats and mice.

1-octanol/water distribution coefficient of oxolinic acid: influence of pH and its relation to the interaction with dissolved organic carbon

The distribution of oxolinic acid (OA) between 1-octanol and buffers at a broad range of pH values was studied and found to decrease with increasing pH. The distribution coefficient to dissolved organic carbon (DOC), log DDOC, was estimated and compared with an experimentally derived log DDOC, showing the experimental value to be almost three orders of magnitude higher. Because only the neutral molecule is assumed to distribute to 1-octanol, the interaction with DOC is considered to be electrostatic in character.