Biomedical subjects

Abraham Nyska

Publications and source records attributed to Abraham Nyska.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Mechanisms of exocrine pancreatic toxicity induced by oral treatment with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in female Harlan Sprague-Dawley Rats.

In previous 2-year studies of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) conducted by the National Toxicology Program on female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats, acinar-cell vacuolation, atrophy, inflammation, and arteritis developed at high incidence, and a rare occurrence of pancreatic acinar-cell adenomas and carcinomas was noted. In this investigation, we sought to identify the mechanism involved in the early formative stages of acinar-cell lesions. Pancreas from animals treated for 14 and 31 weeks with 100 ng TCDD/kg body weight or corn oil vehicle was examined immunohistochemically and/or morphometrically. Acinar-cell kinetics were analyzed using staining with hematoxylin and eosin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Expressions of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) were evaluated to assess direct effects of TCDD exposure. The cholecystokinin-A receptor (CCK-A receptor; CCKAR) and duodenal cholecystokinin 8 (CCK) revealed the associations of dioxin treatment with hormonal changes. Amylase localization showed acinar structural changes that could affect enzymatic production. Increased apoptotic activity in acinar cells occurred in 14- and 31-week-treated animals, with an increase in proliferative activity in the latter. Also in the latter, in the vacuolated acinar cells, CYP1A1 was overexpressed, and statistically significant decreases in expressions of AhR, CCKAR, and amylase occurred. The intensity of CCKAR expression increased in nonvacuolated acinar cells; a decrease in the size of CCK-positive epithelial cells occurred in duodenum. Our findings indicate that dioxin-induced acinar-cell lesions might be related to a direct effect of TCDD on the pancreas. Increase in CYP1A1 and decrease in CCKAR expressions in vacuolated acinar cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of pancreatic lesions. Changes in the expression of CYP or CCKAR may have induced the acinar-cell tumors by initiating proliferation.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2005

Ephedrine plus caffeine causes age-dependent cardiovascular responses in Fischer 344 rats.

Human consumption of ephedrine and caffeine in dietary supplements has been associated with a number of adverse effects including changes in the ECG, myocardial infarction, hyperthermia, and, in rare instances, death. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential mechanisms associated with the cardiotoxicity of combined ephedrine and caffeine ingestion. Seven- and fourteen-week-old Fischer 344 rats treated with ephedrine in combination with caffeine exhibited increases in heart rate (HR), temperature, and corrected QT interval. Of the 14-wk-old rats treated with 25 mg/kg ephedrine plus 30 mg/kg caffeine, 57% died within 3-5 h of treatment, whereas none of the similarly treated 7-wk-old rats nor any of the rats treated with vehicle died. One hour after treatment with this dose of ephedrine plus caffeine, 14-wk-old rats exhibited a larger increase in HR (as % increase over baseline) than 7-wk-old rats. Furthermore, the 14-wk-old rats that died had a higher HR and temperature than the 14-wk-old rats that lived. Histopathological studies suggested interstitial hemorrhage and myofiber necrosis in the 14-wk-old rats treated with the highest concentration of ephedrine and caffeine. This study showed enhanced susceptibility to ephedrine plus caffeine in 14-wk-old rats compared with 7-wk-old rats. The greater mortality in the 14-wk-old rats was associated with increases in body temperature, HR, and myocardial necrosis.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2005

Susceptibility of signal transducer and activator of transcription-1-deficient mice to pulmonary fibrogenesis.

The signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)-1 mediates growth arrest and apoptosis. We postulated that lung fibrosis characterized by excessive proliferation of lung fibroblasts would be enhanced in Stat1-deficient (Stat1-/-) mice. Two weeks after bleomycin aspiration (3 U/kg), Stat1-/- mice exhibited a more severe fibroproliferative response and significantly elevated total lung collagen compared to wild-type mice. Growth factors [epidermal growth factor (EGF) or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)] enhanced [3H]thymidine uptake in lung fibroblasts isolated from Stat1-/- mice compared to wild-type mice. Interferon (IFN)-gamma, which signals growth arrest via Stat1, inhibited EGF- or PDGF-stimulated mitogenesis in wild-type fibroblasts but enhanced [3H]thymidine uptake in Stat1-/- fibroblasts. Moreover, IFN-gamma treatment in the absence of growth factors induced a concentration-dependent increase in [3H]thymidine uptake in Stat1-/- but not wild-type fibroblasts. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK-1/2) phosphorylation in response to PDGF or EGF did not differ among Stat1-/- and wild-type fibroblasts. However, Stat3 phosphorylation induced by PDGF, EGF, or IFN-gamma increased twofold in Stat1-/- fibroblasts compared to wild-type fibroblasts. Our findings indicate that Stat1-/- mice are more susceptible to bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis than wild-type mice due to 1) enhanced fibroblast proliferation in response to growth factors (EGF and PDGF), 2) stimulation of fibroblast growth by a Stat1-independent IFN-gamma signaling pathway, and 3) increased activation of Stat3.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Extraskeletal osteosarcoma with cystic appearance in an aged Sprague-Dawley rat.

Extraskeletal osteosarcoma, arising spontaneously from the subcutis of the left abdomen and having a cystic appearance, was found in an untreated male Sprague-Dawley rat during a carcinogenicity study. At 76 weeks of age, the tumor mass had grown to 50 x 110 x 140 mm, and the animal exhibited severe anemia related to the complication of ulceration with hemorrhage. The tumor displayed irregular ossification at the walls of a cyst-like space filled with much yellowish fluid and necrotic cellular debris. Histopathologically, the tumor consisted of sheets of large, plump osteoblast-like cells, which produced broad irregular trabeculae of osteoid and calcified osseous tissue. Since extraskeletal osteosarcoma with a cystic appearance, has not been reported in animals, except for the telangiectatic type, our case shows an extremely rare type.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

PubMed2005

Classification of proliferative hepatocellular lesions in harlan sprague-dawley rats chronically exposed to dioxin-like compounds.

Over the years, the most appropriate classification scheme for nodular proliferative lesions of the hepatocyte has been heavily debated. In the most recent guidelines there appears to be a consensus for classifying these lesions as hepatocellular adenoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, or regenerative hyperplasia. Also, large foci of cellular alteration may appear somewhat nodular. Some nodular hepatocellular lesions from a group of 7 studies of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds conducted by the National Toxicology Program did not readily fit into these categories. Some of these lesions had morphologic features consistent with hyperplasia. However, there was not sufficient morphological or biological evidence to conclude that the entire response was regenerative. In other instances, these lesions had some features resembling adenoma, but contained a prominent component of biliary epithelium and/or oval cells. This component does not appear to be well described in the literature, and while its presence suggested a nodule to be nonneoplastic, this is inconclusive. This paper describes the morphology of these lesions, as well as the diagnostic approach taken in this series of studies.

Adenoma, Liver Cell↗

PubMed2005

Epididymal sperm granuloma induced by chronic administration of 2-methylimidazole in B6C3F1 mice.

Two-year mouse and rat bioassay studies of 2-methylimidazole (2-MI) conducted by the National Toxicology Program revealed that epididymal sperm granuloma(SG)s occurred only in male B6C3F1 mice in a dose-related manner. The present study characterized 2-MI-induced SGs in these epididymides. Groups of 50 male B6C3F1 mice were fed diets containing 0, 625, 1250, or 2500 ppm 2-MI for 105 weeks; the doses were equivalent to average daily doses of approximately 13, 40, or 130 mg/kg. Testes and epididymides were histopathologically reexamined. 2-Methylimidazole increased the incidence of epididymal SGs (0%, 0%, 6%, 12%, respectively). Histologically, most of the SGs exhibited rupture of epididymal ducts with focal aggregations of macrophages in interstitia. Lesions occurred in the proximal caput of the epididymis and/or efferent ducts, not in the corpus and cauda. In the testis, incidences of germinal epithelial atrophy (GEA) increased dose-relatedly (2%, 8%, 16%, 28%, respectively). All mice with epididymal SG developed testicular GEA. The grading scores of testicular GEA tended to be more severe in mice with SGs than those without. No epididymal SG or testicular GEA was observed in 6-month-interim-sacrificed mice. The results imply that 2-year treatment of B6C3F1 mice with 2-MI can induce epididymal SGs, primarily followed by more severe testicular GEA. The potential mechanism of SG induction by 2-MI is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Olfactory epithelial metaplasia and hyperplasia in female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats following chronic treatment with polychlorinated biphenyls.

The National Toxicology Program recently completed a series of studies to evaluate the relative potency for toxicity and carcinogenicity of several polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons including dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) and polychlorinated biphenyls. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were administered by gavage for up to 2 years with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD); 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126); 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF); 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB153); a tertiary mixture of TCDD, PCB126, and PeCDF; a binary mixture of PCB126 and 153; or a binary mixture of PCB126 and 2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB118); control animals received corn oil-acetone vehicle (99:1) alone. Nasal epithelial changes were observed only in animals exposed for 2 years to the higher doses of the binary mixtures of PCB126 + PCB153 (1000 ng/kg and 1000 microg/kg) and PCB126 + PCB118 (216 and 360 ng TCDD equivalents/kg). In both studies, the changes were of the same nonneoplastic nature, localized to nasal sections II and III located, respectively, at the level of the incisive papilla anterior to the first palatial ridge (section II) and through the middle of the second molar teeth (section III). The changes consisted of hyperplasia of the respiratory epithelium (level II) and metaplasia of olfactory epithelium to respiratory epithelium with further hyperplasia of the metaplastic respiratory epithelium (levels II and III). Variable amounts of acute inflammatory exudate appeared within the lumen of the nasal cavity, overlying the affected epithelium. Occasionally, the inflammation eroded through the skull and into the adjacent olfactory bulbs.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2005

An investigation of the effects of late-onset dietary restriction on prostate cancer development in the TRAMP mouse.

In our previous work we showed that dietary restriction initiated at puberty reduced prostate cancer development in the TRAMP mouse model. The current study was conducted to ascertain whether a dietary restriction regime would similarly reduce lesion development if imposed once tumor development was well established. Male TRAMP mice were maintained on an ad libitum diet until 20 weeks of age when proliferative prostate lesions are clearly evident. Mice were then subjected to a 20% restriction in dietary calories compared to matched controls, which were continued on ad libitum feeding. Mice were sacrificed at 20, 24, 32, and 39 weeks of age and proliferative epithelial lesions of the prostate were assessed using an established grading scheme. In this study, although dietary restriction reduced mean sex pluck weight (prostate and seminal vesicles), and mean grade of epithelial proliferative lesions in the dorsal and lateral lobes of the prostate, the effect was not as pronounced as was the case with dietary restriction from puberty. There was no relationship between serum insulin like growth factor (IGF-1) and prostate lesion grade. Additionally, we also report the relationship between lobe specific lesion development and SV40 immunostaining and, the occurance of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in the ventral prostate and urethra of the TRAMP mouse. NETs stained with high specificity and sensitivity for the neuroendocrine markers, synaptophysin and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), less for serotonin, but not for chromogranin A. NETs did not stain for cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) nor androgen receptor (AR). SV40 positive tubulo-acinar tumors seen occasionally in the kidney, did not stain for synaptophysin nor NSE.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2005

Incidences of selected lesions in control female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats from two-year studies performed by the National Toxicology Program.

The NTP has a long history of using Fischer rats and has compiled a large database of incidences of lesions seen in control animals. Such a database is lacking for Harlan Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The intention of this paper is to report spontaneous lesions observed in female vehicle control Harlan SD rats, and to compare the incidence in 2 strains of rats (Fischer and Harlan SD) used in NTP studies. Female Harlan SD rats served as the test animals for a special series of 2-year studies. Male rats were not used in these studies. Complete histopathology was performed on all animals, and the pathology results underwent comprehensive NTP pathology peer review. The most commonly observed neoplasms in these female control Harlan SD rats were mammary gland fibroadenoma (71%), tumors of the pars distalis of the pituitary (41%) and thyroid gland C-cell tumors (30%). Female Fischer rats had incidences of 44% for mammary gland fibroadenomas, 34% for tumors of the pars distalis, and 16% for thyroid gland C-cell tumors. Fischer rats had a 15% incidence of clitoral gland tumors, while the Harlan SD rats had an incidence of < 1%. In contrast to Fischer F344 rats, the Harlan SD rats had a high incidence of squamous metaplasia of the uterus (44.2%). Squamous metaplasia is not a lesion commonly observed in NTP control Fischer rats. The Harlan SD rats had a very low incidence of mononuclear cell leukemia (0.5%), compared with an incidence of 24% in female Fischer rats.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Chemical-induced atrial thrombosis in NTP rodent studies.

Cardiac thrombosis, one of the causes of sudden death throughout the world, plays a principal role in several cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction and stroke in humans. Data from studies of induction of chemical thrombosis in rodents help to identify substances in our environment that may contribute to cardiac thrombosis. Results for more than 500 chemicals tested in rodents in 2-year bioassays have been published as Technical Reports of the National Toxicology Program (NTP) http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/index. We evaluated atrial thrombosis induced by these chemical exposures and compared it to similarly induced lesions reported in the literature. Spontaneous rates of cardiac thrombosis were determined for control Fischer 344 rats and B6C3F1 mice: 0% in rats and mice in 90-day studies and, in 2-year studies, 0.7% in both genders of mice, 4% in male rats, and 1% in female rats. Incidences of atrial thrombosis were increased in high-dosed groups involving 13 compounds (incidence rate: 20-100%): 2-butoxyethanol, C.I. Direct Blue 15, bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane, diazoaminobenzene, diethanolamine, 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine dihydrochloride, hexachloroethane, isobutene, methyleugenol, oxazepam, C.I. Pigment Red 23, C.I. Acid Red 114, and 4,4'-thiobis(6-t-butyl-m-cresol). The main localization of spontaneously occurring and chemically induced thromboses occurred in the left atrium. The literature survey suggested that chemical-induced atrial thrombosis might be closely related to myocardial injury, endothelial injury, circulatory stasis, hypercoagulability, and impaired atrial mechanical activity, such as atrial fibrillation, which could cause stasis of blood within the left atrial appendage, contributing to left atrial thrombosis. Supplementary data referenced in this paper are not printed in this issue of Toxicologic Pathology. They are available as downloadable files at http://taylorandfrancis.metapress.com/openurl.asp?genre=journal&issn=0192-6233. To access them, click on the issue link for 33(5), then select this article. A download option appears at the bottom of this abstract. In order to access the full article online, you must either have an individual subscription or a member subscription accessed through www.toxpath.org.

Alkenes↗

PubMed2005

2-Butoxyethanol female-rat model of hemolysis and disseminated thrombosis: X-ray characterization of osteonecrosis and growth-plate suppression.

We recently proposed a chemically induced rat model for human hemolytic disorders associated with thrombosis. The objective of the present investigation was to apply a noninvasive, high-magnification X-ray analysis, the Faxitron radiography system, to characterize the protracted bone damage associated with this 2-butoxyethanol model and to validate it by histopathology. Groups of female Fischer 344 rats were given 0, 250, or 300 mg of 2-butoxyethanol/kg body weight daily for 4 consecutive days. Groups were then sacrificed 2 hours or 26 days after the final treatment. The treated animals displayed a darkened purple-red discoloration on the distal tail. Histopathological evaluation, including phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin staining of animals sacrificed 2 hours after the final treatment, revealed disseminated thrombosis and infarction in multiple organs, including bones. The Faxitron MX-20 specimen radiography system was used to image selected bones of rats sacrificed 26 days posttreatment. Premature thinning of the growth plate occurred in the calcaneus, lumbar and coccygeal vertebrae, femur, and ilium of the treated animals. Areas of decreased radiographic densities were seen in the diaphysis of the femur of all treated animals. The bones were then examined histologically and showed a range of changes, including loss or damage to growth plates and necrosis of cortical bone. No thrombi were seen in the animals sacrificed at 30 days, but bone and growth plate changes consistent with prior ischemia were noted. The Faxitron proved to be an excellent noninvasive tool that can be used in future studies with this animal model to examine treatment modalities for the chronic effects of human thrombotic disorders.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Dose-additive carcinogenicity of a defined mixture of "dioxin-like compounds".

Use of the dioxin toxic equivalency factor (TEF) approach in human risk assessments assumes that the combined effects of dioxin-like compounds in a mixture can be predicted based on a potency-adjusted dose-additive combination of constituents of the mixture. In this study, we evaluated the TEF approach in experimental 2-year rodent cancer bioassays with female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats receiving 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 3,3 ,4,4 ,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB-126), 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF), or a mixture of the three compounds. Statistically based dose-response modeling indicated that the shape of the dose-response curves for hepatic, lung, and oral mucosal neoplasms was the same in studies of the three individual chemicals and the mixture. In addition, the dose response for the mixture could be predicted from a combination of the potency-adjusted doses of the individual compounds. Finally, we showed that use of the current World Health Organization dioxin TEF values adequately predicted the increased incidence of liver tumors (hepatocellular adenoma and cholangiocarcinoma) induced by exposure to the mixture. These data support the use of the TEF approach for dioxin cancer risk assessments.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Characterization of spontaneous and chemically induced cardiac lesions in rodent model systems: the national toxicology program experience.

Induction of heart disease can be related to exposure to a number of agents, including environmental chemicals. Studies with laboratory rodents are commonly used to identify cardiotoxic agents and to investigate mechanisms of toxicity. This study was conducted to characterize spontaneous and chemically-induced rodent heart lesions. A retrospective light-microscopic evaluation was performed on the hearts of F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice from National Toxicology Program studies of six chemicals in which chemically-induced myocardial toxicity was present: oxymetholone, monochloroacetic acid, 3,3'-4,4'- tetrachoroazoxybenzene, diethanolamine, urethane, and methyl bromide. Two myocardial lesions were observed: cardiomyopathy (multifocal myofiber degeneration that could occur spontaneously or as a treatment effect) and degeneration (diffuse myofiber degeneration that was clearly related to treatment). Oxymetholone produced cardiotoxicity that was apparent as an increase in the incidence and average severity of cardiomyopathy. The remaining five chemicals produced degeneration, which appeared morphologically similar with each of the chemicals. Based on available information concerning possible mechanisms by which each of these chemicals may induce cardiotoxicity, this evaluation indicated it may be possible to place the chemicals into two main categories: (1) those that primarily affected the coronary vasculature with secondary effects on the myocardium (oxymetholone), and (2) those that had a direct toxic effect on the myocardial cells (the remaining five chemicals). Beyond this, however, light-microscopic findings did not indicate any specific mechanisms. Additional morphologic evaluations, such as electron microscopy or special histochemical or immunostains, may help identify specific subcellular sites of toxic damage, which in turn can indicate appropriate types of molecular mechanistic studies.

Acetates↗

PubMed2005

Ischemic brain damage after ketamine and xylazine treatment in a young laboratory monkey (Macaca fascicularis).

After a 4-year-old female laboratory cynomolgus monkey manifested neurological abnormalities, including tetanic spasm, after intramuscular injection of 20 mg/kg ketamine, we administered 2 mg/kg xylazine in an attempt to control the seizure. However, the animal continued to display opisthotonus, nystagmus, and symptomatic epilepsia. Analysis of blood chemistry revealed a dramatically increased creatine phosphokinase level. Abnormal histopathological findings included acute neuronal necrosis or glial reaction or both in the cerebral cortex, nucleus lentiformis, hippocampus, cerebellar cortex and nucleus, and medulla oblongata; severe myocardial hemorrhagic necrosis; and hepatic subcapsular hematoma. Although the mechanism of this neuronal damage has not been clarified, it may be attributable to an ischemic condition in the brain, probably due to temporal cardiac arrest or hemorrhagic change in the liver and heart, with subsequent decreased blood pressure, after ketamine and/or xylazine treatment. Because both drugs often are used as general anesthetics in veterinary medicine, attention should be paid to this rare case with neural damage.

Anesthesia↗

PubMed2004

Acute hemorrhagic myocardial necrosis and sudden death of rats exposed to a combination of ephedrine and caffeine.

Because of possible side effects of herbal medicines containing ephedrine and guarana-derived caffeine, including increased risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and sudden death, the Food and Drug Administration recently banned the sale of ephedra-containing products, specifically over-the-counter dietary supplements. We report cardiac in 7- and 14-week-old male F344 rats exposed by gavage to ephedrine(25 mg/kg) and caffeine (30 mg/kg) administered in combination for one or two days. The ephedrine-caffeine dosage was approximately 12- and 1.4-fold, respectively, above average human exposure, based on a mg/m2 body surface-area comparison. Several (5/7) of the exposed 14-week-old rats died or were sacrificed in extremis 4-5 h after the first dosing. In these hearts, changes were observed chiefly in the interventricular septum but also left and right ventricular walls. Massive interstitial hemorrhage, with degeneration of myofibers, occurred at the subendocardial myocardium of the left ventricle and interventricular septum. Immunostaining for cleaved caspase-3 and hyperphosphorylated H2A.X, a histone variant that becomes hyperphosphorylated during apoptosis, indicated multifocal generalized positive staining of degenerating myofibers and fragmenting nuclei, respectively. The Barbeito-Lopez trichrome stain revealed generalized patchy yellow myofibers consistent with degeneration and/or coagulative necrosis. In ephedrine-caffeine-treated animals terminated after the second dosing, foci of myocardial degeneration and necrosis were already infiltrated by mixed inflammatory cells. The myocardial necrosis may occur secondarily to intense diffuse vasoconstriction of the coronary arterial system with decreased myocardial perfusion. Our work shows the direct relationship between combined ephedrine and caffeine exposure and cardiac pathology.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2004

Gingival carcinogenicity in female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats following two-year oral treatment with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and dioxin-like compounds.

We evaluated gingival toxicities induced by chronic exposure of female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats to dioxin and dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) and compared them to similarly induced oral lesions reported in the literature. This investigation represents part of an ongoing initiative of the National Toxicology Program to determine the relative potency of chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity of polychlorinated dioxins, furans, and biphenyls. For two years, animals were administered by gavage 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD); 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126); 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF); 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB153); a tertiary mixture of TCDD, PCB126, and PeCDF; a binary mixture of PCB126 and 153; or a binary mixture of PCB126 and 2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB118); control animals received corn oil-acetone vehicle (99:1) alone. A full complement of tissues, including the palate with teeth, was examined microscopically. In the groups treated with TCDD and the mixtures of TCDD, PCB126, and PeCDF; PCB126 and 153; and PCB126 and 118, the incidences of gingival squamous hyperplasia increased significantly. Moreover, in the groups treated with TCDD, PCB126, and the mixture of PCB126 and 153, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the oral cavity increased significantly. This investigation constitutes the first report documenting that chronic administration of dioxin-like PCBs can induce gingival SCC in rats. These results indicate that dioxin and DLCs target the gingiva of the oral cavity, in particular the junctional epithelium of molars.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2004

Reduced sulfur mustard-induced skin toxicity in cyclooxygenase-2 knockout and celecoxib-treated mice.

Sulfur mustard (SM), a potent vesicant and chemical warfare agent, induces tissue damage involving an inflammatory response, including vasodilatation, polymorphonuclear infiltration, production of inflammatory mediators, and cyclooxygenase activity. To evaluate the role of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1, COX-2) in sulfur mustard-induced skin toxicity, we applied the agent to the ears of wildtype (WT) and COX-1- and COX-2-deficient mice. In the latter, ear swelling 24 and 48 h after exposure was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by 55% and 30%, respectively, compared to WT. Quantitative histopathology revealed no epidermal ulceration in COX-2-deficient mice but some degree of severity in WT. COX-2-deficient mice showed significant reductions (P < 0.05) in severity of epidermal necrosis (29%), acute inflammation (42%), and hemorrhage (25%), compared to the WT mice. COX-1 deficiency resulted in significant exacerbation (P < 0.05) in severity of some parameters, including increases of 4.6- and 1.2-fold in epidermal ulceration and epidermal necrosis, respectively, compared to WT. Postexposure treatment of normal male ICR mice with the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib resulted in significant reductions of 27% (P < 0.05) and 28% (P < 0.01) in ear swelling at intervals of 40 and 60 min between exposure and treatment, respectively. Histopathological evaluation revealed significant reductions (P < 0.05) in subepidermal microblister formation (73%) and dermal necrosis (32%), compared to the control group. These findings may indicate that COX-2 participates in the early stages of sulfur mustard-induced acute skin toxicity and that COX-1 might exert some protective function against this chemical insult.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Alteration in regulation of inflammatory response to influenza a virus and endotoxin in suckling rat pups: a potential relationship to sudden infant death syndrome.

Data increasingly implicate a possible role of immune and inflammatory responses to infection in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). We have previously described a dual challenge model that results in pathology, organ damage, vascular collapse and unexplained death similar to that seen in SIDS. In this study, we examined changes in inflammatory cytokine mRNA in the lung and liver and regulation of pathways associated with nitric oxide production. Our data suggest that priming of the immune system by mild viral infection disturbs normal inflammatory response to endotoxin. This results in an increased nitric oxide synthase production, most likely the cause of liver pathology and clotting abnormalities.

Animals↗