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H M Mehendale

Publications and source records attributed to H M Mehendale.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

In vivo toxicity and pulmonary effects of promazine and chlorpromazine in rats.

Cationic amphiphilic drugs induce a phospholipid storage disorder known as phospholipidosis. Halogenated analogs of the drugs are more potent inducers of phospholipidosis when compared to nonhalogenated analogs. Two such antipsychotic drugs, promazine and chlorpromazine, are effectively taken up by the lungs and induce lamellar inclusions in vitro. We compared the in vivo toxicity and efficacy of promazine and chlorpromazine to induce phospholipidosis in the lung and in pulmonary alveolar macrophages. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given promazine or chlorpromazine (25 mg/kg/day, P.O., in water) for 5 weeks. Food intake was decreased in promazine- and chlorpromazine-treated rats, chlorpromazine rats being affected more than promazine rats. To minimize experimental error due to starvation, control rats were pair-fed. The body weight gain was decreased in chlorpromazine rats in comparison to pair-fed controls. Chlorpromazine-treated rats, but not promazine-treated rats, showed increased mortality over the 5-week treatment period. Histopathologic examination of lung revealed loss of alveolar macrophages with no other gross abnormalities in chlorpromazine-treated rats. Quantitative analysis of lung lavage also showed significant reduction in the number of macrophages. This finding is in contrast to other cationic amphiphilic drugs, which induce phospholipidosis as well as accumulation of alveolar macrophages. Phospholipid level increased in alveolar macrophages but not in lavaged lung following chlorpromazine treatment. Acid phosphatase activity in lavaged lung homogenate and macrophages of promazine- and chlorpromazine-treated rats, taken as an index of toxicity to cells, did not differ significantly from control rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acid Phosphatase↗

Phenobarbital-induced cytoprotective mechanisms in menadione metabolism: the role of glutathione reductase and DT-diaphorase.

1. Treatment with N,N-bis (2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea (BCNU) (80 microM) led to decreases in cell viability in both naive and sodium phenobarbital (PB) induced hepatocytes. 2. Dicumarol (30 microM) selectively increased the cytotoxicity of menadione in hepatocytes isolated from naive vs PB-pretreated rats. 3. Inclusion of both BCNU and dicumarol to the incubation medium abolished the characteristic concentration-response curves of the hepatocytes for menadione. 4. A greater proportion of menadione was metabolized by DT-diaphorase in the hepatocytes isolated from PB-pretreated rats. 5. The role of glutathione reductase vs DT-diaphorase in mitigating menadione-cytotoxicity in the naive vs PB-induced hepatocyte is discussed.

Animals↗

Lethal effects of CCl4 and its metabolism by Mongolian gerbils pretreated with chlordecone, phenobarbital, or mirex.

Gerbils are much more sensitive to the hepatotoxic and lethal effects of CCl4 than rats as indicated by 48-hr LD50 values (0.08 vs 2.8 ml/kg). On the other hand, gerbils are refractory to chlordecone (CD) potentiation of CCl4 toxicity. To investigate the possible mechanism underlying the high sensitivity of gerbils to CCl4 lethality, the metabolism of CCl4 was studied in gerbils pretreated with dietary CD, phenobarbital (PB), or mirex (M) at 10, 225, and 10 ppm, respectively. The hepatic content of 14CCl4, the expiration of 14CCl4 and 14CCl4-derived 14CO2, and lipid peroxidation were measured and the results were compared with the previous data for rats. After the 15-day dietary pretreatment, male gerbils (60-80 g) received 14CCl4 (0.08 ml/kg; sp act 0.04 mCi/mmol) ip in corn oil and the radioactivity present in the expired air was collected for 6 hr. More than 80% of the parent compound as represented by the 14C-label in the toluene trap was expired in 6 hr regardless of the pretreatments. Expiration of 14CO2 measured during the 6 hr after 14CCl4 administration in control gerbils was 3.5-fold more than that in rats and was significantly increased in pretreated groups (M greater than PB greater than CD). PB and M pretreatments resulted in a significant increase of 14C-label bound to the nonlipid fraction of the liver as compared with CD-treated or control gerbils. The radiolabel present in the livers of control gerbils was 5-fold higher than that of rats. In vivo lipid peroxidation measured as diene conjugation in lipid extracts from the livers was lower in gerbils than in rats, and none of the pretreatments significantly affected lipid peroxidation. The serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly elevated at 6 hr after CCl4 injection in all groups of gerbils. These data indicate that the more extensive metabolism of CCl4, as represented by 14CO2 formation and 14C-label bound to hepatic tissue, in gerbils as compared with rats, may partially explain the high sensitivity of gerbils to CCl4 toxicity. However, the enhanced metabolism of CCl4 found in CD-, PB-, or M-pretreated gerbils did not lead to amplified hepatotoxic and lethal effects of CCl4. The reason gerbils may be refractory to CD amplification of CCl4 injury might be associated with other factors yet to be investigated.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Potentiation of CCl4 and CHCl3 hepatotoxicity and lethality by various alcohols.

Various aliphatic alcohols potentiate the toxicity of a wide range of xenobiotics including several haloalkanes. The present series of experiments were designed to test: (i) whether a single subtoxic dose of alcohol can potentiate CCl4 and CHCl3 hepatoxicity, and (ii) whether this potentiation leads to greater animal lethality. Selected members of a homologous series of straight chain alcohols were chosen for this study. Methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, t-butanol, pentanol, hexanol, octanol, decanol, and eicosanol at equimolar doses (10 mmol/kg) were tested in the present investigation. Each alcohol was administered orally to male Sprague-Dawley rats (175-250 g) 18 hr prior to a single oral administration of CCl4 or CHCl3. Liver injury was assessed by plasma transaminases (alanine aminotransferase, ALT; aspartate aminotransferase, AST) and histopathological examination of liver sections 24 hr after the halomethane treatment. None of these alcohols alone increased plasma ALT or AST significantly, whereas CCl4 or CHCl3 administration to alcohol-treated animals resulted in significant elevation of plasma transaminases. Eicosanol (20-carbon alcohol) did not potentiate the toxicity of either halomethane. Methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and decanol in combination with CCl4 caused massive liver damage but failed to augment CCl4 lethality. t-Butanol, pentanol, hexanol, and octanol significantly decreased the LD50 of CCl4. The hepatotoxic effects of CHCl3 were potentiated by all of the alcohols and the LD50s were also decreased significantly. On a comparative basis, alcohol-potentiated CHCl3 toxicity was greater than the toxicity of CCl4. These findings indicate that even though halomethane liver injury might be potentiated by alcohols, the underlying mechanisms differ among alcohols since not all alcohols potentiate the lethal effects of these halomethanes.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Potentiation of halomethane hepatotoxicity by chlordecone: a hypothesis for the mechanism.

A major toxicological issue today is the possibility of unusual toxicity due to interaction of toxic chemicals upon environmental or occupational exposures to two or more chemicals, at ordinarily harmless levels individually. While some laboratory models exist for such interactions for the simplest case of only two chemicals, progress in this area has suffered for want of a model where the two interactants are individually nontoxic. One such model is available, where prior exposure to nontoxic levels of the pesticide Kepone (chlordecone) results in a 67-fold amplication of CCl4 lethality in rats. Extensive hepatotoxicity observed in this interaction is characterized by histopathological alterations, perturbation of related biochemical parameters and is followed by complete hepatic failure. This propensity for chlordecone to potentiate hepatotoxicity of halomethanes such as CCl4, CHCl3, and BrCCl3 has been a subject of intense study to unravel the underlying mechanism. Mechanisms such as induction of microsomal cytochrome P-450 by chlordecone and greater lipid peroxidation are inadequate to explain the remarkably powerful potentiation of halomethane toxicity. Compelling experimental evidence supports the hypothesis that hepatocellular division during early time points after the administration of CCl4 is an important determinant of the progression (or repair of it) of the liver injury and consequent destruction (or restoration) of the hepatolobular architecture and function. This paper advances a hypothesis for the mechanism of hepatotoxic and lethal effect of CCl4 as being primarily related to the accelerated progression of liver injury due to suppressed hepatocellular regeneration and hepatolobular restoration. This is in contrast to the widely accepted putative mechanism, one which invokes only bioactivation followed by runaway lipid peroxidation as the events determining the course of the progressive phase of liver injury. The concept being advanced in this paper accepts bioactivation (and perhaps lipid peroxidation) as the primary initiating events of cell injury, but maintains that they are not the determinants of the progressive phase of liver injury. The biological issue of whether the cells are incapacitated from regenerating is the determinant of the progression of liver injury, and therefore, the ultimate outcome of hepatotoxicity and lethality.

Animals↗

Bromotrichloromethane hepatotoxicity. The role of stimulated hepatocellular regeneration in recovery: biochemical and histopathological studies in control and chlordecone pretreated male rats.

It has been shown that BrCCl3 is a more potent hepatotoxin than CCl4. Pretreatment with nontoxic dietary levels of chlordecone (CD) results in amplification of BrCCl3 hepatotoxicity. The objective of this research was to investigate and compare the histopathological alterations during a time course after a low dose of BrCCl3 alone and in combination with dietary CD. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained on 10 ppm dietary CD or normal diet for 15 days. On day 16, they received a single ip dose (30 microliters/kg) of BrCCl3 in corn oil (CO) vehicle or corn oil alone. Blood and liver samples were collected at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hr for serum enzymes and histopathological examination, respectively. Serum enzymes (SDH, ALT, AST) were significantly (p less than 0.05) elevated in rats receiving the CD + BrCCl3 combination in comparison to BrCCl3 alone. For 48 hr, a continuous increase in serum enzyme activities was detected in rats treated with CD + BrCCl3 combination, but not in the rats receiving other treatments (ND + BrCCl3, ND + CO, or CD + CO). The most extensive hepatolobular necrosis was observed in rats treated with the CD + BrCCl3 combination. Thirty-six hr after the administration of BrCCl3 to rats maintained on normal diet, high mitotic activity was observed, which continued through 72 hr resulting in complete restoration of hepatolobular structure. In contrast, rats receiving the combination of CD + BrCCl3 exhibited minimal and belated hepatomitotic activity for a short period of time, resulting in progressive hepatic failure, culminating in animal death. In conclusion, hepatotoxicity of a low dose of BrCCl3 alone appeared to be overcome via stimulated hepatocellular regeneration and hepatolobular restoration. CD appears to amplify BrCCl3 hepatotoxicity via interference with this hormetic mechanism, permitting a progressive and continued hepatic injury leading to complete hepatic failure, culminating in animal death.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Comparative evaluation of sequestration of polyamines by perfused rabbit and rat lungs.

Differences were observed in the sequestration of polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine by isolated, ventilated, perfused rat and rabbit lungs, former being able to accumulate more polyamines compared to the latter. Steady state equilibrium was reached earlier for spermine in rat. Isolated ventilated lungs were perfused with harmaline and ouabain, inhibitors known to inhibit the sodium pump at a maximum concentration of 1 mM for rabbit lungs and 0.4 and 0.2 mM for rat lungs, respectively. They did not affect the uptake of polyamines by rat lung but decreased the uptake of putrescine by rabbit lung. Decreased sodium (50 meq/L) in the perfusate increased the uptake of spermine and spermidine by rabbit lung but again showed no effect with rat lung. However, the uptake of polyamines by isolated ventilated rat and rabbit lungs perfused for 60 min with these compounds was linear over the entire range of high concentrations studied. These results suggest that the major uptake process of polyamines by intact lungs of both animal species is primarily by simple diffusion. HPLC analysis of the perfusate and lungs from both animal species post-perfusion indicated no detectable metabolites of the polyamines.

Animals↗

Protective role of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate during CCl4 hepatotoxicity in rats.

Rats were injected intraperitoneally with CCl4 (2.5 ml/kg body wt.) and the hepatotoxicity was compared with that of rats receiving the same dose of CCl4 and an intraperitoneal injection of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (2 g/kg body wt.). A 50-70% decrease in plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities was observed in the latter treatment, indicating a protective role of the sugar bisphosphate in CCl4 hepatotoxicity. The protection was accompanied by elevated hepatic activities of ornithine decarboxylase at 2, 6 and 24 h, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase at 6 h, and spermidine N1-acetyltransferase at 2 h. The increase in the enzymes involved in polyamine metabolism was shown in our previous work [Rao, Young & Mehendale (1989) J. Biochem. Toxicol. 4, 55-63] to correlate with increased polyamine synthesis or interconversion, which was related to the extent of hepatocellular regeneration. The hepatic contents of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate and ATP significantly decreased after CCl4 treatment, and administration of the sugar bisphosphate increased hepatic ATP. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, an intermediary metabolite of the glycolytic pathway, may decrease CCl4 toxicity by increasing the ATP in the hepatocytes. The ATP generated is useful for hepatocellular regeneration and tissue repair, events which enable the liver to overcome CCl4 injury.

Acetyltransferases↗

Fluorescence studies on binding of amphiphilic drugs to isolated lamellar bodies: relevance to phospholipidosis.

Lysosomal phospholipid storage disorder in lung tissue was observed during chronic treatment with amphiphilic amine drugs. The prevailing and widely accepted mechanism of phospholipidosis is that amphiphilic drugs bind to phospholipids and make the phospholipids unsuitable substrates for the action of phospholipases. We investigated hydrophobic and hydrophilic binding of fifteen drugs to the phospholipid storage organelle, lung lamellar bodies, isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats. Hydrophobic interactions were studied using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene as a fluorescent probe and hydrophilic binding was studied using 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate as a fluorescent probe. The binding parameters were calculated using Scatchard equations. Of the fifteen drugs used, nine drugs bound to the hydrophobic moiety of lamellar bodies. The order of binding capacities was promethazine greater than chloramphenicol greater than amiodarone = desethylamiodarone greater than promazine greater than chlorpromazine greater than trimipramine greater than propranolol greater than imipramine much greater than chlorphentermine, phentermine, chloroquine, chlorimipramine, cyclizine and chlorcyclizine. Two binding affinities were calculated for all the bound drugs. Binding affinities to hydrophilic sites of lamellar bodies were calculated in terms of emission coefficients for 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate in the presence of drugs. Hydrophilic binding was in the order chlorpromazine greater than chlorimipramine greater than promazine greater than trimipramine greater than imipramine greater than chlorcyclizine greater than propranolol greater than promethazine greater than chlorphentermine greater than cyclizine greater than phentermine greater than chloroquine much greater than chloramphenicol, amiodarone and desethylamiodarone. The binding affinities of chlorinated analogs were stronger to hydrophilic sites when compared to the parent compound. Amiodarone, which is known to induce pulmonary phospholipidosis and its major non-polar metabolite, desethylamiodarone, bound strongly to lamellar bodies. These two drugs also inhibit phospholipases in vitro. The drugs with weak phospholipidosis-inducing capacity and extensive in vivo metabolism, namely, imipramine, chlorpromazine and promazine, also bound strongly to lamellar bodies with hydrophilic as well as hydrophobic interactions. On the other hand, chloroquine, which is known to induce phospholipidosis and to inhibit phospholipases, did not bind to lamellar bodies. Two major conclusions could be drawn from this study: one is that the drug interactions with isolated lamellar bodies could be studied using membrane fluorescence probes, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene and 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate; second is that the amphiphilic drugs bind to lamellar bodies, as reported for phospholipid vesicles, and the binding of drugs to lamellar bodies could be correlated with their phospholipidosis-inducing capacity only if

Amines↗

Phenobarbital-induced cytosolic cytoprotective mechanisms that offset increases in NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase activity in menadione-mediated cytotoxicity.

Hepatocytes isolated from phenobarbital (PB)-pretreated and naive male Sprague-Dawley rats were incubated with menadione under one of three oxygen conditions (0, 21, or 95% oxygen) for 3 hr. During this time, samples were drawn and assayed for lactate dehydrogenase release and trypan blue exclusion as indices of cytotoxicity. Neither parameter indicated any significant difference in menadione-induced cytotoxicity between naive and PB-pretreated hepatocytes. Likewise, no difference was observed between hepatocytes incubated in 21% versus 95% O2. Consistent with the oxyradical hypothesis of menadione-induced cytotoxicity, hepatocytes incubated under 0% O2 (95:5; N2:CO2) did not exhibit any menadione cytotoxicity. Hepatic microsomes prepared from PB-pretreated rats exhibited a threefold increase in NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase activity over those of controls. Menadione-stimulated superoxide (O2-) production was twofold higher in PB pretreated versus naive liver microsomes. However, PB pretreatment failed to produce an increase in O2- production in intact hepatocytes or in hepatocytes disrupted by sonication. The failure of PB pretreatment to increase menadione-induced cytotoxicity and superoxide production in either intact or sonicated hepatocytes suggests that a concomitant cytoprotective mechanism is induced as well. The data further indicate that the cytoprotective elements are located in a nonmicrosomal fraction of the cell. In support of this, we observed PB-induced increases in glutathione levels, glutathione reductase, and DT-diaphorase activities. These findings indicate that PB-induced enhancements of the hepatocellular cytoprotective mechanisms collectively compensate for the increased redox cycling mechanism, resulting in a mitigation of the anticipated increased hepatocellular cytotoxicity of menadione.

Animals↗

Chlordecone (Kepone)-potentiated carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity in partially hepatectomized rats--a histomorphometric study.

Our previous studies indicated the involvement of some unidentified mechanisms, apart from the bioactivation phenomenon, in chlordecone (CD)-potentiated CCl4 hepatotoxicity and lethality. Recent studies revealed that hepatocellular regeneration is suppressed in CD + CCl4 toxicity. The present work is a continuation of our earlier work employing a partial hepatectomy model for stimulating hepatocellular division, in normal (N) or CD-treated (10 ppm for 15 days) rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats maintained on an appropriate dietary protocol and undergoing sham (SH) or partial hepatectomies (PH) were employed. Hepatocellular regeneration was assessed by measuring the percentage mitotic figures and by autoradiography of liver sections from rats given 3H-thymidine in vivo. Hepatotoxicity was assessed by examining liver sections for necrotic cells, swollen cells and cells having lipid droplets. CCl4 (100 microliters kg-1)-induced histopathological alterations in CD-pretreated rats were significantly decreased in rats 2 days post-PH (PH2) as compared to SH rats or rats 7 days post-PH (PH7), indicating that amplification of CCl4 toxicity is significantly reduced when there is a greater regenerative activity. The percentage of mitoses as well as the percentage of labelled cells were significantly elevated at 2-6 h after CCl4 administration in N rats but remained suppressed in CD rats. In CD-pretreated PH2 rats where the percentage of mitoses and the percentage of labelled cells were many-fold greater when compared to SH or PH7 rats, a portion of the stimulated hepatocellular division decreased significantly at 2-6 h after CCl4 administration, but remained significantly greater when compared to basal level of regeneration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Effects of short-term and long-term administration of amiodarone on hepatobiliary function in male rats.

Functional, biochemical and histological parameters of hepatotoxicity were assessed in male Sprague-Dawley rats receiving amiodarone (Am) short-term by gavage (5, 50, 150 and 500 mg Am kg-1 day-1, 10 days) or dietary exposure (50 ppm, 1500 ppm, 4-week duration), or by long-term dietary exposure (50 ppm, 8-month duration). Serum enzyme (ALT, AST, ICD) levels and histopathological examination indicated no observable evidence of toxicity among rats of any of the treatment groups. Reduced food intake and reduction in weight gain was observed for rats exposed short-term to 1500 ppm dietary Am. Assessment of hepatobiliary function in treated rats indicated that short-term and long-term dietary exposure to Am resulted in a compromised excretion of readily excretable phenolphthalein glucuronide (PG), although inanition may account for this effect in the 1500 ppm group. Rats receiving Am by gavage exhibited a reduction in biliary excretion of PG, which was not dose-dependent. Distribution of Am and its major metabolite, desethylamiodarone, was similar to previous reports wherein both compounds accumulated in adipose, lung and liver tissue. These data suggest that minor alterations of hepatobiliary function occur in the absence of histological alterations and may preceed biochemical changes, as assessed in this study.

Amiodarone↗

Hepatic polyamines and related enzymes following chlordecone-potentiated carbon tetrachloride toxicity in rats.

Chlordecone potentiation of the hepatotoxic and lethal effects of CCL4 has been well established. Recent studies have shown that the suppression of hepatocellular regeneration results in an accelerated progression of liver injury leading to complete hepatic failure. Since polyamines are involved in cell division, these studies were designed to investigate the polyamine levels and associated enzymes in the livers of rats treated with a low-dose combination of CD and CCl4. For comparison, a large toxic dose of CCl4 was also employed. The extent of liver toxicity in rats fed 10 parts per million chlordecone (CD) for 15 days and subsequently injected with a single dose of CCl4 (100 microL/kg body weight) or a high dose of CCL4 alone (2.5 mL/kg body weight) was similar 6 and 24 hr later as assessed by plasma transaminase levels. There was significant elevation in liver ornithine decarboxylase, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, and putrescine at 24 hr and spermidine N1-acetyltransferase, N1-acetylputrescine, putreanine, putrescine, and N1-acetylspermidine at 6 hr in rats treated with the high dose of CCl4 alone compared to the combination treatment. Spermidine levels decreased up to 6 hr and then increased up to 24 hr for both treatments. Spermine continuously decreased up to 24 hr for the CD and CCl4 low-dose combination treatment compared to rats treated with a high dose of CCl4 alone. Spermidine levels were lower than in controls and rose towards control value between 6 and 24 hr after the combination treatment and the high dose of CCl4. Results indicate that the CD and CCl4 low-dose combination treatment increased liver toxicity, resulting in compromised polyamine metabolism that is coincidental with suppressed hepatocellular regeneration, which leads to an accelerated progressive phase of liver injury and culminates in complete hepatic failure.

Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase↗

Carbon tetrachloride metabolism in partially hepatectomized and sham-operated rats pre-exposed to chlordecone (Kepone).

The potentiation of CCl4 toxicity by pre-exposure to chlordecone (CD) is well established. Chlordecone-induced metabolism of CCl4 and suppressed hepatocellular repair have been offered as possible mechanisms for this potentiation. Recent work using the partially hepatectomized (PH) rat as a model for an actively regenerating liver has provided supportive evidence for the latter hypothesis. The present study was initiated to determine if metabolism and disposition of 14CC14 is altered in the PH rat, and if this is a contributing factor to the reported protective effect afforded by the PH procedure. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (150-175 g) maintained on dietary CD (10 ppm) for 15 days were partially hepatectomized or sham-operated (SH) on day 15. Another group of CD-pretreated rats received 0.9% CoCl2 (60 mg/kg, sc, qd for 2 days) in lieu of the surgical procedure. On day 16 the rats were challenged with a single dose of CCl4 (100 microL/kg, ip) containing 20 muCi 14CCl4. A radiolabel inventory consisting of exhaled 14CCl4, 14CO2 production, total hepatic 14C, free 14CCl4 and covalently bound 14C was taken over a 6-hr time period. Lipid peroxidation and serum enzyme activities [aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)] were measured in indices of toxicity. Neither CD pretreatment alone nor CoCl2 treatment alone produced significant alterations in metabolism of low dose (100 microliters/kg) CCl4. No significant difference in 14CCl4 recovery or 14CO2 production was detected for PH versus SH rats. Hepatic 14CCl4-derived 14C (per gram tissue) was greater in PH rats. Values for free 14CCl4, covalently bound 14C, and lipid peroxidation were similar for SH and PH rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alanine Transaminase↗

Role of hepatocellular regeneration in chlordecone potentiated hepatotoxicity of carbon tetrachloride.

Previous histomorphometric studies led us to hypothesize that suppression of hepatocellular regeneration and the repair of the hepatolobular architecture was involved besides bioactivation phenomenon in the progressive and irreversible phase of toxicity resulting from CD + CCl4 interaction. We have recently observed significant protection from CD potentiated CCl4 toxicity in animals which are stimulated for active hepatocellular regeneration. The present work is an extension of our earlier histomorphometric investigation, taking 3H-thymidine (3H-T) incorporation as a biochemical parameter to assess hepatocellular regeneration followed by autoradiographic analysis of liver sections in normal (N) or chlordecone (CD) treated (10 ppm in diet for 15 days) male rats undergoing sham (SH) or partial hepatectomies (PH). Initial experiments established that in normal (N) rats, greatest 3H-T incorporation into hepatocellular nuclear DNA occurs at 2 days post-PH which returns to basal levels by 7 days. CD treatment alone did not change this phenomenon. 3H-T incorporation into nuclear DNA and the percentage of labelled cells as evidenced by autoradiography of liver sections were significantly elevated in N rats at 1-2 h after CCl4 (100 microliters/kg) administration and returned to basal level by 6 h. Serum enzymes (AST and ALT) in N rats undergoing SH and PH were not altered, but were significantly elevated in CD rats following CCl4 (100 microliters/kg) administration. CCl4-induced serum enzyme elevations were significantly lower in 2 days post-PH (PH2) rats when compared to SH rats or 7 days post-PH (PH7) rats maintained on CD diet, indicating that CD potentiated CCl4 hepatotoxicity is significantly reduced in livers stimulated for regenerative activity by PH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The time course of liver injury and [3H]thymidine incorporation in chlordecone-potentiated CHCl3 hepatotoxicity.

The mechanism by which chlordecone (CD) potentiates CHCl3 hepatotoxicity and lethality remains unknown. We examined the time course of the hepatotoxicity by following serum enzymes, liver histopathology, hepatocellular regeneration, and tissue repair by morphometric analysis and [3H]thymidine (3H-T) incorporation into nuclear DNA. Male mice fed control, or CD (10 ppm), mirex (Mx. 10 ppm), or phenobarbital (PB. 225 ppm) diets for 15 days and receiving a single ip dose of 0.1 ml CHCl3/kg in corn oil vehicle were used. Liver damage was assessed by plasma alanine and aspartate transaminases and by histopathology at 4, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 96 hr after CHCl3 administration. None of the dietary pretreatments caused plasma transaminase elevations, any liver necrosis, or any increase in 3H-T incorporation in nuclear DNA at any time. CHCl3 alone caused only limited hepatocellular necrosis without any increase in plasma transaminases. The same dose of CHCl3 given to CD-pretreated mice resulted in greatly increased liver injury. Plasma transaminases were elevated starting at 4 hr, reaching a maximum value at 12 hr and a decline starting at 48 hr. Centrilobular and midzonal necroses were evident at 12 hr onward. PB pretreatment caused some increase in CHCl3-induced necrosis and a moderate rise in transaminases at 24 hr, but Mx pretreatment caused neither effect. 3H-T incorporation was increased at 72 and 96 hr after CHCl3 alone. The same dose of CHCl3 caused only a modest increase in PB and Mx and a significant and maximal biphasic increase at 36 and 72 hr CD-pretreated mice. Morphometry of liver sections indicated that hepatocellular regeneration is stimulated at 72 hr after CHCl3 alone. The same dose of CHCl3 results in a greater stimulation of hepatocellular regeneration in CD-pretreated mice, and this event is pushed forward at 48 hr, continuing through 96 hr to compensate for greater hepatocellular necrosis associated with this treatment. Lesser stimulation of hepatocellular regeneration was observed in PB + CHCl3 and Mx + CHCl3 groups of mice consonance with much lesser hepatotoxicity. These results suggest that the critical decisive event in the recovery from limited hepatocellular injury is the hepatocellular regeneration and tissue repair, which appear to be stimulated in proportion to the injury.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Protection from chlordecone (Kepone)-potentiated CCl4 hepatotoxicity in rats by fructose 1,6-diphosphate.

1. The extent of liver injury assessed as elevation of plasma transaminases was decreased 40-50% by administration of fructose 1,6-diphosphate to rats receiving the highly hepatotoxic combination of chlordecone and CCl4. 2. This protection was accompanied by significantly higher sustenance of ATP levels in the liver. 3. Polyamine synthesis as well as interconversion were stimulated in favor of maintaining higher levels of polyamines. 4. These events are consistent with the concept that suppressed hepatocellular regeneration which leads to progression of otherwise limited injury observed in chlordecone potentiation of CCl4 hepatotoxicity is due to lack of cellular energy.

Acetyltransferases↗