Mitochondrial uncoupler BAM15 reverses diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice

Obesity is a health problem affecting more than 40% of US adults and 13% of the global population. Anti-obesity treatments including diet, exercise, surgery and pharmacotherapies have so far failed to reverse obesity incidence. Herein, we target obesity with a pharmacotherapeutic approach that decreases caloric efficiency by mitochondrial uncoupling. We show that a recently identified mitochondrial uncoupler BAM15 is orally bioavailable, increases nutrient oxidation, and decreases body fat mass without altering food intake, lean body mass, body temperature, or biochemical and haematological markers of toxicity. BAM15 decreases hepatic fat, decreases inflammatory lipids, and has strong antioxidant effects. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp studies show that BAM15 improves insulin sensitivity in multiple tissue types. Collectively, these data demonstrate that pharmacologic mitochondrial uncoupling with BAM15 has powerful anti-obesity and insulin sensitizing effects without compromising lean mass or affecting food intake.

[Methodical aspects of hygienic safety assessment of polymeric materials in contact with foodstuffs]

It was purposed new technique by capillary gas chromatography (GC) for the low level determination of monomer hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) in food simulants water from polymeric materials in contact with foodstuffs. Hexamethylenediamine, HN2-(CH2)6-NH2, is a monomer used in the manufacture of certain of polyamide plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs. Compound exhibits all the chemical properties of aliphatic amines, is an irritant, causing dermatitis, can accumulate in the body, the degree of human exposure to HMDA assigned to the 2nd class of hazard - the substance is highly dangerous. There was studied two methodological approaches pre-derivatization of compound for GC determination. The first approach involves conversion of the free diamine using ethyl chloroformate as derivatizing agent followed by analysis of the resulting diurethan by gas chromatography using a flame ionization and mass selective detection (HMDA was quantitated by selective ion monitoring at m/z 102, the lower detection limit of 1 ng). According to second methodological approach the water samples were mixed with sodium chloride and extracted with toluene, then derivatized with trifluoroacetic anhydride (60 min, 55 degrees C) to diamide, 1 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7,0) was add to remove excess derivatizing agent, followed by analysis of resulting diamide by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (lower limit value 0,01 ng). Conformation of HMDA levels is carried out by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HMDA was quantitated by selective ion monitoring at m/z 126, the lower limit value of 0,1 ng). The optimal pre-derivatization of the second approach for the determination of low levels of HMDA in the water extracts. The range of measured concentrations of 0,005-0,5 mg/dm3, recovery 88-101%, the total error of measurement is 16%, the relative standard deviation is 1,85%. The method was tested in the study of aqueous extracts of the 10 random samples intended for food purchased in the consumer market. Shows the corresponding output level hexamethylenediamine requirements for products of this type.

Eyelid dermatitis: contact allergy to 3-(dimethylamino)propylamine

We present the case of a 42-year-old woman with intractable eyelid dermatitis. Patch testing revealed sensitization to 3-(dimethylamino)propylamine (DMAPA). DMAPA is an important etiology of allergic contact dermatitis of the eyelids and face but is easily missed even with expanded-series patch testing. We also review the most common causative allergens in eyelid dermatitis cited in the literature over the past decade. DMAPA is a reagent used in the formation of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), a common additive to liquid soaps, shampoos, and other cleansing products because of its utility as a surfactant. Beginning in the 1980s, reports of allergy to CAPB surfaced in the literature. Ultimately, a majority of patch testing studies have shown that clinical allergy to CAPB-containing products actually reflects allergy to contaminant DMAPA in most cases. Amidoamine, another intermediate in the formation of CAPB, may also be implicated through a proposed mechanism of conversion to DMAPA in the skin. When patch-testing for eyelid and facial dermatitis, it is crucial to test with DMAPA directly, not just with CAPB; unlike commercial-grade CAPB, the CAPB in patch test kits is ultrapure and does not contain contaminant DMAPA.

A clinical assessment of a patch test kit marketed to U.K. hairdressers for detecting hair dye allergy

BACKGROUND

In 2004 a U.K.-based company developed and marketed a patch test kit (Colourstart); Trichocare, Ridgmont, Beds, U.K.) for use by hairdressers. It is intended to assess whether clients have a 'problem with hair dye' and promotes itself as the 'only practical solution to sensitivity testing'. However, a patient presented with a hair dye reaction that had not been detected while using this patch test system.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the Colourstart system in the next seven consecutive patients presenting with a history of adverse reactions to hair dyes.

METHODS

The Colourstart system was tested in parallel with commercially available hair dye patch test reagents, where applicable.

RESULTS

Only three of seven patients allergic to p-phenylenediamine were detected using this system and one patient allergic to toluene-2,5-diamine sulphate was not detected using this system.

CONCLUSIONS

The results raise concerns about the sensitivity of this kit for consumer protection, but also wider questions about the regulation, use and interpretation of 'home diagnostic patch test kits' in general.

Alergia de contacto a 3-dimetilaminopopilamina y cocamidopropil betaína

It has been discovered that all individuals who are allergic to cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) are sensitized to 3-dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) and to amidoamine, molecules which are intermediaries in CAPB synthesis, and which persist as impurities in the material that is sold; the amounts vary, depending on the quality of the CAPB in the end product. We present three cases of allergic contact dermatitis to DMAPA. In all three cases, the skin tests for DMAPA were positive, while there was no reaction to CAPB. The current relevance of these tests was confirmed by the patients' re-exposure to the suspect products themselves, which contained CAPB. Contact allergy to CAPB is now infrequent, partly because of the increasing use of new non-irritating surfactants that have been introduced on the market in the last decade. However, cases of patients allergic to commercial CAPB who only react to DMAPA -and not to CAPB- when they are patch tested are still being reported. DMAPA itself, and other molecules like amidoamine, would be the true allergens, and some cases of CAPB allergy are therefore being overlooked because DMAPA is not always included in the cosmetics series. CAPB may no longer be necessary in patch tests, as DMAPA seems to be the principal allergenic fraction in this surfactant, and also because manufacturers of skin allergens currently prepare CAPB extracts that are so pure that they are no longer a good screening tool for contact allergy to commercial CAPB.

Efficacy, safety and reversibility of bisdiamine as a male contraceptive in cats

Bisdiamines have potential as a male contraceptive due to their ability to arrest spermatogenesis. The bisdiamine WIN 18,446, has proven safe and effective in grey wolves, domestic dogs, rats, and humans, but the unique drug metabolism of cats make extrapolation to felids inappropriate. This study used domestic cats to test the efficacy and safety of bisdiamines in felids. Five domestic cats were given 150mg/kg WIN 18,446, mixed in food daily from Day 0 to Day 76, and were monitored until Day 152. Cats were observed daily and weighed weekly. Physical exam, hematology, clinical chemistry and urinalysis were conducted on Days 0, 7, 14, 28, 76, and 152 of the trial. Serum testosterone concentrations were measured on Days 0, 75, and 152. Unilateral orchectomies were performed on Days 76 and 152, and testes evaluated by histopathology. Spermatogenic arrest occurred in all cats during the treatment period, but normal spermatogenesis was restored by Day 152. Serum testosterone concentrations were lower on Day 76 (2.62 +/- 2.5 ng/ml; P < 0.01) than Day 0 (7.3 +/- 1.0 ng/ml), but returned to pre-treatment concentrations in four of five cats by Day 152 (6.16 +/- 2.1 ng/ml; P >0.05). Clinical pathology parameters remained within reference ranges during the treatment period; however, urine calcium oxalate crystals were noted only during treatment in three cats. Bisdiamine (WIN 18,446) was a safe and effective contraceptive for male cats, but testosterone concentrations decreased during treatment.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidoamine, 3-(Dimethylamino)propylamine, and Oleamidopropyl Dimethylamine: Co-reactions or Cross-Reactions?

We present the case of a patient with facial dermatitis caused by sensitization to cocamidopropyl betaine. The patient also had positive patch-test reactions to cocamidoamine, 3-(dimethylamino)propylamine, and oleamidopropyl dimethylamine. The presence of 3-(dimethylamino)propylamine as an impurity in all of these substances can be hypothesized to explain these simultaneous reactions.

The role of 3-dimethylaminopropylamine and amidoamine in contact allergy to cocamidopropylbetaine

Since it has been found that all subjects with contact allergy to cocamidopropylbetaine (CAPB) have positive reactions to 3-dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA), and reports have appeared in literature of the sensitizing action of amidoamine in products containing CAPB, we aimed to verify the possibility that pure amidoamine may have a sensitizing role in subjects with positive reactions to CAPB. To this end, in 10 patients with contact allergy to a commercial CAPB, we tested DMAPA 1% aq. and a pure amidoamine in concentrations ranging from 0.5% aq. to 0.1% aq. The study showed that all patients with positive reactions to DMAPA reacted to amidoamine at 0.5% and 0.25% aq., while 4 of the 10 also had positive reactions to amidoamine at 0.1% aq. We consider that simultaneous allergic reaction to DMAPA and amidoamine represents cross-reactivity and hypothesize that DMAPA is in fact the true sensitizing substance, while amidoamine, which may in any case release DMAPA in vivo as a result of enzymatic hydrolysis, may favour the transepidermal penetration of the sensitizing agent. In addition, we advise that testing of CAPB be suspended, because, as suggested by chemico-structural analyses and demonstrated in vivo, when thoroughly purified, it no longer has a sensitizing action.

The ability of new non-competitive glutamate receptor blockers to weaken motor disorders in animals

The ability of mono- and dicationic phenylcyclohexyl derivatives, which are non-competitive glutamate antagonists, to prevent convulsions induced in mice by intragastric NMDA or kainate, to weaken catalepsy induced in rats by haloperidol and to exert their own influences of movement activity and behavior in animals was studied. The actions of study compounds were compared with those of the known NMDA antagonists memantine and dizocilpine. NMDA-induced convulsions were effectively prevented by both mono- and dications, while only dications were effective against kainate convulsions. Anticataleptic activity was significantly more marked in monocations, which lacked the ability to block non-NMDA receptors. Side effects on motor coordination were less marked with study compounds than with dizocilpine. Thus, the effects of phenylcyclohexyl derivatives in in vivo experimental models correlate with their anti-NMDA and anti-AMPA activity. They can be regarded as potential agents for treating parkinsonism and other motor disorders.

Clinical allergy to cocamidopropyl betaine: reactivity to cocamidopropylamine and lack of reactivity to 3-dimethylaminopropylamine

7 patients allergic to cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) were detected by positive patch test reactions to Tegobetaine L7TM. These patients were then asked to participate in further testing to its potential impurities, cocamidopropylamine and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA). 4 of the 7 patients were tested to purified CAPB and cocamidopropylamine, with 2 reacting to the purified betaine on allergy patch testing and 3 reacting to cocamidopropylamine 0.1%. At another date, 6 of the 7 were successfully recalled for testing to DMAPA in the presence of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or pure CAPB; 1/6 reacted to DMAPA in water, but only at very high concentrations, at least 3 orders of magnitude higher than that to which skin exposure would occur from use of products containing CAPB. Both SLS and CAPB increased the number of reactions recorded to high levels of DMAPA. However, positive reactions to much lower concentrations of DMAPA (>or=100 ppm) were found in only 1/6 subjects and then only in the presence of the irritant SLS. 0/6 reacted to pure CAPB alone. Taken together, these results suggest that DMAPA is unlikely to be an important contact allergen in CAPB of appropriate quality. They also confirm that CAPB of suitable purity, where levels of both cocamidopropylamine and DMAPA are minimized, is unlikely to trigger reactions in those ostensibly allergic to the material.

[Glutamate receptor antagonists attenuate experimental catalepsy in rats]

A long-term akinesia induced by haloperidol used as an experimental model of catalepsy helped to reveal that a dicationic derivatives adamantane (IEM-1754) and phenylcyclohexyl (IEM-1925) exerted different degrees of inhibition of the haloperidol effect: the IEM-1754 proved to be not inferior to the most effective NMDA antagonist MK-801. A relatively low potency of the IEM-1925 may be due to its obvious equal effects both on the NMDA and the AMPA receptor channels. A good correlation between the anticataleptic effects of the glutamate antagonists and the NMDA receptor blocking activity, were found. The AMPA receptor blockade might negatively affect the anticataleptic potency of the drugs under study.

Activation and cross-reactivity pattern of a new allergen in adhesive plaster

N,N'-disalicylidene-1,2-diaminopropane is a copper inhibitor present in some adhesive plasters, rubber products and gasoline. Upon contact with water it is hydrolyzed to salicylaldehyde and 1,2-diaminopropane. All patients in this study showed positive patch-test reactions to N,N'-disalicylidene-1,2-diaminopropane, and also to 1,2-diaminopropane and ethylenediamine. None reacted to salicylaldehyde. Patch testing with different N,N'-disalicylidene-derivatives showed localization of the amino groups in positions 1 and 2 to be a prerequisite of cross-reactivity to 1,2-diaminopropane and ethylenediamine. An extraction procedure and a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the analysis of adhesive plasters is described. Studies of the hydrolysis of the copper inhibitor at physiological pH showed rapid formation of 1,2-diaminopropane under biomimetic conditions.

Allergy to cocamidopropyl betaine may be due to amidoamine: a patch test and product use test study

Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) is an amphoteric surfactant commonly used in personal care products and surface cleaners. Patch testing with commercially-available CAPB has yielded occasional reactions indicative of allergic contact dermatitis. To determine if subjects with previous positive patch tests would react in provocative use tests of products containing CAPB, and to study various contaminants in commercial CAPB supplies for allergenicity in these subjects, 10 subjects previously positive to CAPB on patch testing used a hair shampoo, hand soap, and body wash containing CAPB for 1-6 weeks or until a reaction developed. Later, they were patch tested to 2 different purity grades of CAPB and 3 possible manufacturing contaminants (dimethylaminopropylamine, amidoamine, and sodium monochloroacetate). 7 of the 10 subjects developed dermatitis from 1 or more CAPB-containing products at some point during the study. 9 of the 10 use-test subjects were then patch tested, and 6 of these subjects showed a reaction to amidoamine (0.1% aq.). None reacted to dimethylaminopropylamine (0.1% pet.). 1 subject reacted to CAPB but not to amidoamine. In the follow-up patch testing with CAPB that was free of amidoamine, there were no positive reactions. Most subjects who were patch-test-positive showed a reaction when using CAPB-containing skin and hair care products. The chemical amidoamine, which is used in the synthesis of CAPB and which is a known contaminant of CAPB preparations, is likely to be the actual sensitizer in most cases rather than CAPB itself. The results do not rule out the possibility that CAPB itself may be an allergen in rare cases.

Effects of a selective and a nonselective muscarinic cholinergic antagonist on heart rate and intestinal motility in dogs

The effects of methoctramine, a cardioselective muscarinic cholinergic antagonist, on heart rate and small intestinal motor activity were compared to those of the nonselective competitive muscarinic antagonist, atropine. Methoctramine or atropine, 6, 10, 30, 60 micrograms/kg, or sterile isotonic saline, was administered intravenously to six conscious dogs in cross-over studies. Methoctramine administration caused dose-dependent tachycardia without affecting intestinal motility, while atropine administration caused dose-dependent tachycardia accompanied by significant reductions in small intestinal motility. Additionally, methoctramine did not inhibit intestinal smooth muscle contractile activity initiated by the muscarinic agonist bethanechol, while atropine inhibited bethanechol-induced contractile activity in a dose-dependent manner. Calculated, dosages of methoctramine and atropine required to produce a 50% increase in heart rate over baseline were 35.1 +/- 5.3 and 39.5 +/- 6.2 micrograms/kg, respectively. This dosage of atropine caused a 93 +/- 13.9% reduction in intestinal motility. These findings suggest that selective muscarinic antagonists may be useful drugs for those veterinary patients in which nonselective muscarinic antagonists have the potential to produce untoward effects on intestinal motility.

Contact allergy to impurities in surfactants: amount, chemical structure and carrier effect in reactions to 3-dimethylaminopropylamine

Since finding that all subjects with contact allergy to cocamidopropylbetaine give positive reactions to 3-dimethylaminopropylamine (DMPA), we wished to verify whether sensitization to other industrially-used tensioactives might also be due to content of DMPA as an impurity. We also investigated the possible "carrier action" that tensioactives might exert on minimal quantities of DMPA. Finally, we analyzed the relationship between the structure of DMPA and other chemically-correlated molecules and their sensitizing potential, with particular reference to the structure of alkylamidopropylbetaines. For this purpose, in 34 patients with contact allergy to DMPA, we tested: (i) DMPA in concentrations below the threshold limit in water and in different tensioactives; (ii) substances that employ DMPA as a reagent in their synthesis; (iii) substances similar to DMPA as regards chemically reactive groups. The study showed that: (i) DMPA remains as a quantitatively detectable impurity in all tensioactives employing it in their synthesis; (ii) some common anionic (SLES) and non-ionic (polysorbate 20) tensioactives enhance the risk of sensitization from very low doses of DMPA, presumably due to a "carrier effect;" (iii) the sensitizing chemical structures in DMPA and related molecules are the primary amine and the tertiary (dimethyl-substituted) amine groups, when separated by either 2 or 3 carbon atoms; (iv) no sensitizing action can be attributed to the functional groups present in alkylamidopropylbetaine molecules.

3-Dimethylaminopropylamine: a key substance in contact allergy to cocamidopropylbetaine?

In the past year, 1200 consecutive eczematous patients were tested with cocamidopropylbetaine 1% aq. Contact allergy was evinced in 46 subjects (3.8%), while irritant reactions (slight erythema only) were observed in 15 cases (1.25%). 30 out of 46 patients with allergic reactions were subsequently tested with the substances used in the synthesis of cocamidopropylbetaine, together with a sample of cocamidopropylbetaine declared by the supplier to possess a greater purity. In all 30 subjects, positive reactions were obtained to 3-dimethylaminopropylamine (DMPA) 1% aq., while the cocamidopropylbetaine defined of purer grade, at 0.5% and 1% aq., gave positive reactions in 10% and 53% of cases, respectively. These results suggest that the DMPA present at various levels as an impurity in the commercial product is responsible for cocamidopropylbetaine allergy. Owing to the inconsistency of positive reactions to cocamidopropylbetaine of variable purity, and to the consistency of positive reactions to DMPA, it seems likely that these reactions may also be connected with the presence in the product, defined of purer grade, of unknown amounts of DMPA as impurity. Structural similarities between the 2 molecules cannot be considered in this case, because the DMPA structure is radically changed in its transformation to the betaine structure. Further experiments with other molecules related to the above structures are in hand.

Tetralogy of Fallot, truncus arteriosus, abnormal myocardial architecture and anomalies of the aortic arch system induced by bis-diamine in rat fetuses

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to analyze the relation between anomalies of the heart and aortic arch arteries in near-term rat fetuses exposed to the chemical bis-diamine.

BACKGROUND

Bis-diamine is known to induce cardiovascular anomalies.

METHODS

Bis-diamine was given orally to normal pregnant rats, and the 65 fetuses were examined under a dissecting microscope after formalin fixation.

RESULTS

There were 26 rat fetuses (40%) with a ventricular septal defect in the perimembranous portion, of which 14 (22%) had tetralogy of Fallot, 4 (6%) had truncus arteriosus and 8 (12%) had a relatively small defect with no other major anomalies. In 44 fetuses (68%) the middle latitudinal muscle bundle of the ventricular septum was continuous with the right ventricular free wall. There were, isolated or in association, a double- or right aortic arch in 6 fetuses (9%), aberrant subclavian arteries in 9 (14%), right ductus arteriosus in 12 (18%) and agenetic ductus in 4 (6%). The cross-sectional area of the ductus, as corrected by that of the aortic isthmus, was abnormally small in 47 rats (72%). The rat fetuses with a septal defect or abnormal myocardial architecture, or both, usually had a small ductus; it was very small or absent in those fetuses with tetralogy of Fallot. Of the four fetuses with truncus arteriosus, two had a vestigial vasculature on the truncus root and three had a rudimentary infundibulum.

CONCLUSIONS

The cardinal defect may be the anomalous and reduced development of the sixth arch arteries, which by imposing pressure overload on the fetal right ventricle, may have led to either or both the persistence of ventricular septal defect as a vent or the formation of myocardial architecture favorable for the generation of pressure in the right ventricle.

Occupational asthma caused by a hardener containing an aliphatic and a cycloaliphatic diamine

An otherwise healthy 44-yr-old man experienced a serious attack of bronchial obstruction after working with resins and hardeners, releasing fumes of a mixture of an alipathic and a cycloaliphatic diamine hardener. Eight hours after deliberate challenge with the hardener a large increase of airway resistance was found. Seventy-two hours after challenge, eosinophilia in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid together with a decrease of peripheral eosinophils was seen. After cessation of contact with this hardener, no more acute episodes occurred, although maintenance treatment with a topical corticosteroid and a beta 2-agonist remained necessary. A BAL performed 1 yr later showed a normal cell distribution. The results suggest that these aliphatic and cycloaliphatic diamine hardeners may be occupational hazards. Eosinophil inflammation may play a causal role.

Detoxification of an aliphatic amine by N-acetylation: experimental and clinical studies

Incubation of serum serpin (alpha-1-antitrypsin) with 5 mM 1,6-diaminohexane causes significant loss of heterozygotic inhibitor activity. While serpin genes have several alleles, the enzyme complex that acetylates the amine to render it suitable for excretion has primarily two phenotype populations, i.e. slow and fast N-acetylators. This study shows that diacetyl-1,6-diaminohexane does not cause in vitro loss of serpin activity, and that all regional cases (eleven in all) referred to us during one year with a diagnosis of occupational organic diisocyanate asthma were slow acetylators except one who presented a marginally fast reaction type.

Assessment of renal toxicity by urinary enzymes in patients receiving chemotherapy with 8-methyl-8-acetylenic-putrescine

Renal toxicity was assessed in 19 patients receiving methyl acetylenic putrescine (MAP), an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase. Patients received 250 mg t.d.s. for up to 13 weeks. This dose effectively inhibited the target enzyme, as shown by elevations in decarboxylated S-adenosyl methionine levels. No significant nephrotoxicity was observed in these patients as determined by plasma urea, creatinine and creatinine clearance measurements, although minor elevations of the urinary enzymes lactate dehydrogenase, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminopeptidase were observed. As this could represent sub-clinical renal damage, caution should be exercised when using MAP in combination with other cytotoxic drugs.

Developmental toxicity of N,N1-bis(dichloroacetyl)-1,8-octamethylene diamine: effects of in utero exposure on the postnatal murine immune system

Oral gavage of pregnant C57BL/6J mice with N,N1-bis(dichloroacetyl)-1,8-octamethylene diamine on day 10 of gestation alters the morphology of a primary lymphoid organ, i.e., thymus, of the offspring when observed at 36 days of postnatal life. Thymuses obtained from the experimental offspring exhibited an overall reduction in size and cortical hypoplasia. Morphology of the spleen, a secondary lymphoid organ, is also affected in the offspring obtained from dams treated with this compound on day 10 of gestation. Spleens exhibited diffusely distributed white pulp areas compared to the distinctly nodular appearance in control spleens. Furthermore, it has been shown for the first time that prenatal administration of N,N1-bis(dichloroacetyl)-1,8-octamethylene diamine on day 12 of gestation alters the functional responsiveness of splenocytes obtained from the offspring of treated dams to a variety of mitogens when examined at 3, 5, 9 and 16 weeks of postnatal life. Administration of the compound prenatally on day 12 of gestation did not alter the postnatal morphological appearance of either thymus or spleen.

Reactogenicity of a malaria merozoite antigen in Aotus monkeys compared with the effects caused by two new adjuvants, CP-20,961 and [B30]-MDP

Six Aotus trivirgatus monkeys were included in a clinical study to compare the adverse reactions caused by a Plasmodium falciparum antigen and 2 adjuvants, a lipoidal amine, CP-20,961, and a muramyl dipeptide derivative, [B30]-MDP. Two monkeys were given 2 intramuscular injections, 3 weeks apart, of 1 of these vaccine components. Both the antigen and the two adjuvants caused local and general reactions as well as hematological and biochemical changes. Except for an up to 60% rise in leukocyte count, the antigen caused reactions least, followed by [B30]-MDP. CP-20,961 evoked more vigorous reactions and changes, but none of them reached such an extent that it would contraindicate its potential use in forthcoming vaccine studies. We conclude that both adjuvants are to be considered as relatively safe when combined with an appropriate P. falciparum antigen.

Perinatal death and respiratory apparatus dysgenesis due to a bis (dichloroacetyl) diamine

N, N1-bis (dichloroacetyl) diamine 1, 8-octomethylenediamine (WIN 18,446) is an experimental drug which was first investigated as a male contraceptive. It is soluble in lipid solvents but not in water. The administration of 1,200 to 1,600 mg/kg to pregnant rats on the tenth day of gestation produced multiorgan fetal malformations. Smaller doses, 400 to 800 mg/kg, especially if divided over 2 or 3 days, caused perinatal death. Thus, 60 to 100% of offspring of rats given WIN 18,446 on the tenth and 11th days of gestation died at birth or within 4 days (Taleporos et al., 78). The present study investigated such deaths. At doses of 200 mg/kg on day 10 or 50 mg/kg on days 10 and 11, 67% of offspring had defective or absent diaphragms, 48% had tracheobronchiomegaly with cystic lungs, and 67% had pleural hemorrhage. At doses of 100 mg/kg given on 1 day or 25 mg/kg each day for 2 days, 50% had tracheobronchiomegaly with cystic lungs and rudimentary acini. At lower doses (18.8 mg/kg X 2 or 12.4 mg/kg X 3), a majority of fetal lungs had rudimentary acini, thick septa, few capillaries, and wide cuffs of perivascular connective tissue. Thus, a chemical given during organogenesis produced dysgenesis of the respiratory apparatus. Varying the dose produced malformed lungs with persistently deficient acini which model such human lung faults as tracheobronchiomegaly (Mournier-Kuhn Syndrome; Mounier-Kuhn, '32), bronchiolar dysplasia (Wilson-Mikity Syndrome), and perinatal death with acinar failure resembling neonatal hyaline membrane disease.

Plasmodium falciparum merozoite vaccination in Aotus monkeys recovered spontaneously from P. falciparum infection: a clinical study

6 Aotus trivirgatus monkeys, which had all spontaneously recovered from an experimentally induced Plasmodium falciparum infection, were included in a clinical study concentrating on possible adverse reactions caused by a vaccine using late schizonts and merozoites as an antigen a synthetic compound, CP-20,961, as an adjuvant. Two monkeys in the study were vaccinated once, 2 twice, 1 received adjuvant alone and 1 served as a saline control. Local and general inflammatory reactions as indicated by local oedema, induration, femoral lymphadenopathy, fever and leukocytosis, were observed in all vaccinated animals and in the one monkey after the second adjuvant injection. Serum albumin and transaminase enzyme levels increased in all animals whereas plasma fibrinogen, protamine sulfate and ethanol gelation titers rose only inthe vaccinated monkeys. A transient increase of alkaline phosphatase and erythrocyte sedimentation rate was noticed in half of them. We conclude that this type of malaria vaccine causes moderate adverse reactions in Aotus but they are transitory and seem not to lead to permanent damage.

Studies on mutagenic and carcinogenic N-substituted aryl compounds: cosmetics and drugs

We aimed our studies toward gaining an understanding of some of the reactions and pathways involved in the metabolism and activation of the aromatic diamines used in hair dyes and of phenacetin used in analgesic mixtures. Comparison of the data obtained from human and animal tissues established that animal tissues can serve as suitable models for evaluation of the activity of these compounds in humans.

Evaluation and control of a respiratory exposure to 3-(dimethylamino) propylamine

In 1974 a study was undertaken to assess the symptoms and pulmonary function of a group of 25 workers who were exposed to an epoxy resin system in the mold room of a ski manufacturing plant. The amine 3-dimethylamino propylamine (3-DMAPA) was the only volatilized substance. Assemblers, the sub-group with the highest breathing zone exposure to 3-DMAPA (0.9 ppm), had the highest prevalence of symptoms and a significant decrease in lung function over the workshift. Extensive improvements in local ventilation reduced the average breathing zone exposure to nearly one-seventh of the 1974 concentration. A 1977 cross-sectional study showed that at this level there was a marked reduction in symptoms and the expiratory function of assemblers no longer decreased over the workshift. Longitudianl comparison of the lung function of workers exposed more than two years showed evidence of a decrease from 1975 to 1977, but none from 1977 to 1978.

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis to isophorone diamine (IPD) used as an epoxy resin hardener

Three patients employed in the manufacture of plastic tennis rackets developed allergic contact dermatitis to isophorone diamine (IPD), an epoxy resin hardener, and concomitantly to epoxy resin. Patch tests were positive to IPD at 1, 2 and 5% in olive oil and to IPD at 1, 2 and 5% in ethanol. Investigations were conducted in control subjects to confirm the allergic nature of reactions. A review of the literature about IPD and related compounds is presented.

Contact dermatitis in black patients

Black patients readily acquire allergic contact dermatitis from such contactants as paraphenylenediamine, nickel, chromates, and mercaptobenzothiazole. Such dermatitis is often complicated by hyperpigmentation and lichenification unless treated early anf vigorously with systemic corticosteroids. Patch testing is reliable on black skin. In addition, acne veneate (pomade acne, Vaselinoderma), which is characterized by noninflammatory acneiform lesions, is very common in black persons. Finally, the old wives' tale that blacks do not get poison ivy may be laid to rest, along with the popular notion that Indians chewed poison ivy leaves in order to prevent poison ivy dermatitis. Several years ago, I interviewed an Indian Chief on a western reservation and inquired whether, to his knowledge, Indians did ever chew poison ivy leaves. The chief's immediate answer was, "You white men must be crazy to think that we would be that foolish!".

Suppression of reactions to certain cosmetics

Reactions to hair dyes and bleaches may be "suppressed" with corticosteroids and antihistamines. Reactions to nail polish may be prevented by a "drying" or "polymerizing" technique. Sensitization to certain perfume ingredients may be inhibited by a "quenching" phenomenon.