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Biomedical subjects

L W Chang

Publications and source records attributed to L W Chang.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Biogenic amines as biomarkers for neurotoxicity.

There has been a surge of interest over the past several years in the use of neurochemical endpoints to contribute to our understanding of the mechanism of action of neurotoxicants. In our present presentation, two biogenic amine systems were selected as examples of biomarkers for neurotoxicity. To investigate these neurochemical endpoints, two prototype neurotoxicants were evaluated in experimental animals. One agent, reserpine, was used to assess developmental neurotoxicity and administered prenatally, while the other, MDMA, was used in the adult animal. The neurochemical biomarkers measured were dopamine, serotonin, and their metabolite (DOPAC and 5-HIAA) concentrations by HPLC/EC and dopamine receptor binding by radioligand receptor techniques. A review of the background, experimental design, and results are presented in this article. Our findings indicate that components of the biogenic amine systems can be used as sensitive neurochemical biomarkers of neurotoxicity. These neurochemical biomarkers can be correlated with neuropathological and behavioral biomarkers to aid in the understanding of mechanisms of neurotoxicity.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗

The neurotoxicology and pathology of organomercury, organolead, and organotin.

The toxicities of many metals, such as mercury and lead, are known to man since the dawn of civilization. Organic compounds of some heavy metals are known to have a particular toxic impact on the central nervous system. Organomercury, particularly alkyl-mercuric compounds (e.g. methylmercury), has a selective effect on the granule cells of the cerebellum, the nerve cells of the calcarine cortex, and the sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia. The well known Minamata Bay disease is the result of a massive epidemic episode of human exposure to alkylmercury contaminated food sources. Mental retardation and other developmental defects are also known to be a consequence of exposure to this toxic metal. Organic lead compounds have been employed as gasoline additives and in other industrial purposes. Unlike its inorganic counterpart, organolead compounds have a more prominent impact on the central nervous system. Pathological changes of the brain stem neurons have been described. Organotin compounds have been used in plastic industries and as agricultural chemicals. Both trimethyl and triethyl tin compounds are found to be extremely neurotoxic. Despite the similarity of their chemical structures, trimethyl and triethyl tins have a diversely different toxic property and effects. While triethyl tin is myelinotoxic, producing edematous and vacuolar changes in the central myelin, trimethyl tin is neurotoxic, producing prominent toxic changes in the neurons of the limbic system (hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, etc.). The factors which determine the specificity and selectivity of the neurotoxic impacts by various organometals are still unknown. In view that most of the organometals are still widely employed by many countries for industrial and for agricultural purposes, caution must be made for their proper handling and disposure to avoid undesirable exposures to workers and environmental contamination of water sources and food-chain for the common public. Since organometals are difficult to eliminate from the central nervous system, injuries usually lead to permanent neurological deficits, such tragedies are frequently long lasting and create not only a medical problem, but also a social economical problem for the society.

Animals↗

The further development of a mammalian DNA alkaline unwinding bioassay with potential application to hazard identification for contaminants from environmental samples.

Recently, we have detailed a DNA alkaline unwinding assay (DAUA) that can be used to rapidly measure chemically induced strand breaks in mammalian cells (Daniel et al., 1985). In this paper we present further development of this assay, including: (1) studies on the relationship between DNA adducts and DNA strand breaks; (2) evaluation of the role of cytotoxicity in DNA strand breaks; and (3) application of the DAUA to cell preparations from the liver of mice dosed with methylating agents. The level of DNA adducts produced in human CCRF-CEM cells by treatment with benzo(a)pyrene diol-epoxide (BPDE), N-acetoxy-2-acetyl aminofluorene (AAAF), and various methylating agents was linear with concentration over several orders of magnitude. Likewise, the level of strand breaks increased with the concentration over the same dose range. The strand breaks/adduct ratio ranged from 0.05 for the methyl adducts to 0.001 for the BPDE adducts. Using these values and the inherent sensitivity of the DAUA (circa 100 to 1000 breaks/cell), (Daniel et al., 1985), the ability of the assay to detect DNA damage induced by various classes of chemical carcinogens can be calculated. The DAUA appears to be useful for assessing the relative potency of various environmental genotoxic effects on mammalian cells. In addition, it can be conducted on cells isolated from target organs of whole animals.

Animals↗

Effects of adrenalectomy and corticosterone on hippocampal lesions induced by trimethyltin.

The effects of adrenalectomy and corticosterone supplementation on the neurotoxicity of trimethyltin (TMT) were tested. CD-1 mice with or without adrenalectomy were injected with TMT at a dose of 3.0 mg/kg body wt. At 48 h post-TMT administration, the animals were killed for pathological examination. It was found that the adrenalectomized animals developed even more severe lesions in the hippocampal formation (fascia dentata granule cells) than the intact animals. When animals were given a supplement of corticosterone pellets at doses of 0.15, 1.5, and 7.5 mg, there was a reduction of lesion development. Total alleviation of pathology was seen at the two higher doses of supplementation. Our present investigation strongly indicates that there may be a close and important interrelationship between TMT-induced neurotoxicity and adrenal function.

Adrenalectomy↗

Copper(II)2(3,5-diisopropylsalicylate)4 stimulates hemopoiesis in normal and irradiated mice.

We have previously reported that copper(II)2(3,5-diisopropylsalicylate)4 (Cu-DIPS) significantly increased the survival rate of mice exposed to lethal irradiation. To examine whether Cu-DIPS affected hemopoietic activity, groups of mice were treated with Cu-DIPS or vehicle and assayed for in vitro interleukin 3 (IL-3)-dependent colony-forming units (CFU-C) and for committed progenitor granulocyte-macrophage CFU (GM-CFU). Cu-DIPS increased the number of splenic IL-3 CFU-C by five- to sixfold 7 days after treatment and splenic GM-CFU by 12-fold on day 24. These increases were accompanied by a 50% increase in spleen weight. Bone marrow IL-3 CFU-C and GM-CFU were not affected at 7 or 14 days after treatment, but were somewhat depressed at 24 days. In irradiated (8.0 Gy) mice treated with Cu-DIPS or vehicle, splenic IL-3 CFU-C and GM-CFU were undetectable 7 days after irradiation, but recovered more rapidly in Cu-DIPS-treated mice. By 24 days splenic IL-3 CFU-C in Cu-DIPS-treated mice recovered to 150% of normal (unirradiated) values and GM-CFU recovered to 270% of normal, whereas irradiated control values remained at 25% and 7%, respectively. The recovery of bone marrow hemopoiesis was slower than spleen, but 42 days after irradiation Cu-DIPS-treated mice had higher levels of bone marrow IL-3 CFU-C (eightfold) and GM-CFU (4.6-fold) than vehicle-treated mice. Cu-DIPS stimulated sixfold increases in renewable, pluripotent stem cells as measured by the in vivo assay of endogenous colony-forming units (CFU-Se).

Animals↗

Toxicity of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in the dog and the rat.

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was administered to dogs and rats orally once a day for a 28-day period to evaluate the morphological and neuropathological effects. Major clinical signs associated with the administration of MDMA in the dog included circling, depression, dilated pupils, hyperactivity, rapid breathing, and salivation. Major clinical signs in the rat included hyperactivity, excitability, piloerection, exophthalmos, and salivation. Gross observations at necropsy in the dog possibly related to administration of the test article included reduced testicular size (one high and one medium dose) and prostatic enlargement in two high-dose animals. No gross lesions were seen in the rats at necropsy. The medium- and the high-dose groups in both sexes in both the rats and the dogs gained significantly less weight than the control and low-dose groups. Food consumption decreased the first week for the high- and medium-dose groups, but a significant reversal toward more normal consumption was noted in the following weeks in both the rats and the dogs. Hematologic, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis values did not appear to be affected by the administration of the test article in the dog. In the rat clinical pathology variables showing a trend to decrease with dose included urinary pH, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, creatinine (females), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (females), and chloride. Clinical pathology variables showing a trend to increase with dose included total white blood cell count and phosphorus. Microscopically, testicular atrophy was present in one medium-dose and two high-dose male dogs. Prostatic hyperplasia was present in two high-dose male dogs. No test article-related lesions were seen in the brains of either species.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗

Effects of trimethyltin on the mouse hippocampus and adrenal cortex.

The effects of trimethyltin (TMT) on the mouse adrenal histology and its relationship with neuropathology occurrence was studied. Young, male CD-1 mice were divided into three groups: group I, injected on 3 consecutive days with 1.0 mg TMT/kg body weight (b.w.); group II, injected on 2 consecutive days with 1.5 mg TMT/kg b.w.; and group III, injected with a single acute dose of 3.0 mg TMT/kg b.w. Control animals were injected with saline solution. The brain and adrenal glands were sampled for light-microscopic examination. Although all animals received the same total amount of TMT, pathological changes in the granule cells of the fascia dentate appeared to be group III greater than group II greater than group I, suggesting that acute exposures produced a more severe damage to the fascia dentate neurons. Likewise, the adrenal weights of the animals were group III greater than group II greater than group I greater than or equal to control. Significant proliferation and enlargement of the eosinophilic or the "X zone" were observed in the TMT-treated, particularly groups II and III, animals. The expansion of the eosinophilic cell layer (X zone) was accomplished at the expense of the cortical fasciculata cells. Transformation of fasciculata cells into eosinophilic cells could also be demonstrated. As the eosinophilic cells are known to be active in corticosterone production as seen in stress situations, the proliferation of these cells may reflect a feedback response to the hippocampal hyperexcitation.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Influence of obstructive jaundice on pancreatic growth and on basal plasma levels of cholecystokinin and gastrin in rats.

Obstructive jaundice was produced in rats by ligation and transection of bile duct outside the liver; the control group underwent laparotomy alone. Pancreatic wet weight, amylase, lipase, protein, DNA, RNA, RNA/DNA ratio, and weight/100 micrograms DNA were significantly increased in jaundiced rats when compared to control rats. Histologic evaluation of pancreatic tissue obtained from jaundiced rats revealed the appearance of large or multiple nuclei in pancreatic acinar cells. Basal plasma levels of immunoreactive CCK were significantly increased in jaundiced rats at two weeks and four weeks but, when compared to the levels obtained in laparotomized controls at those time intervals, CCK levels were not significantly different. In jaundiced rats, plasma immunoreactive gastrin was found to be significantly decreased at two and four weeks. Plasma gastrin levels were also found significantly decreased when the jaundiced group was compared with laparotomized control group. The results suggest that obstructive jaundice induced enlargement of the pancreas, probably due to hyperplasia and hypertrophy of pancreatic cells. Whether or not this phenomenon is related to changes in gastrin and CCK is not known.

Amylases↗

Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies directed to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus.

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) has been shown in this report to have thirty-three polypeptides. Ten of the eleven polypeptides which can be labeled with (3H)-glucosamine are located on the surface of the virus since they can be surface labeled with sodium boro(3H)hydride. In order to define the immunologically important viral proteins, monoclonal antibodies were prepared against the virus and selected for their ability to neutralize infectivity. Four such hybridoma lines were obtained for characterization of the antigens that elicit neutralizing antibodies. The viral polypeptides were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and the specificity of each monoclonal antibody was determined by "Western" blot analysis and/or by immunoprecipitation of (35S)-methionine and (3H)-glucosamine labeled infected cell lysates by the monoclonal antibodies. One monoclonal antibody reacted with two glycoproteins, gp135 and gp78a, on the "Western" blot but immunoprecipitated three glycoproteins, gp135, gp78a, and gp54 from labeled infected cell lysates. The other three monoclonal antibodies immunoprecipitated a single glycoprotein, gp78b, from (3H)-glucosamine labeled infected cell lysates but not from (35S)-methionine labeled infected cell lysates.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Neuropathology of trimethyltin: a proposed pathogenetic mechanism.

The pathological changes in the limbic system induced by trimethyltin (TMT) in mouse, rat, and neonatal rats were reviewed and compared. It becomes apparent that there was an inverse pathological pattern between the fascia dentata granule cells and the Ammon's horn CA3 pyramidal neurons. This inverse pathological relationship could be demonstrated along the septotemporal axis of the adult brain as well as in neonatal nervous system. Thus it becomes apparent that the induction of pathological lesion in the Ammon's horn requires the functional integrity of the granule cells. The hypothesis of "hyperexcitory" and "hyperstimulatory" damage of neurons was proposed. In view that this inverse relationship also exists between the entorhinal cortical cells and the fascia dentate granule cells as well as between the CA3 and CA1,2 neurons in the Ammon's horn, a theory on the hyperexcitory cascade between the entorhinal cortex----fascia dentate----CA3----CA1,2 neurons was constructed. The present proposal represents a working hypothesis which helps to explain the various patterns of pathological lesions induced in the nervous system by TMT.

Adrenalectomy↗

Triethyl and trimethyl lead: effects on behavior, CNS morphology and concentrations of lead in blood and brain of rat.

The dose-related behavioral effects produced by triethyl (TEL) (2.6 to 7.9 mg/kg) and trimethyl lead (TML) (8.8 to 26.2 mg/kg) were assessed 2, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days following injection. TEL, but not TML, produced dose- and time-related decreases in body weight. Both agents decreased vertical and horizontal components of motor activity 2 days postdosing; increased activity was seen consistently in TEL-exposed rats 7 to 21 days after dosing. TML increased fore- and hindlimb strength for up to 28 days postdosing. TEL had no consistent effect on this measure. Both TEL and TML decreased responsiveness to an acoustic stimulus during the first two weeks postdosing. Latency to respond to a thermal stimulus was increased 2 to 14 days after TEL with the peak change occurring from 2 to 7 days. The peak of effect following TML was two weeks postdosing. In general, there was a significant correlation between both TEL and TML-induced changes in blood and brain lead levels and decreased sensitivity to a thermal stimulus. The apparent delayed onset of TML-induced neurobehavioral effects may be related to a longer time to obtain peak blood or brain levels. Histopathological assessment of rats 7 or 28 days after TEL and TML indicated that TEL caused structural abnormalities in the hippocampus and dorsal root ganglion, while TML produced changes primarily in the spinal cord and brain stem.

Animals↗

Cytotoxicity of halogenated alkanes in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes from normal, partial hepatectomized, and preneoplastic/neoplastic liver.

Six halogenated hydrocarbons, chloroform, 1,2-dibromoethane (1,2-DBE), 1,1-dichloroethane (1,1-DCE), 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE), 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCE), and 1,1,2-trichloroethane (1,1,2-TCE), were evaluated for their cytotoxicity in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes isolated from normal, partially hepatectomized, and preneoplastic/neoplastic rat livers. Preneoplastic/neoplastic lesions of phenotypically altered foci and hepatocyte nodules were induced by either (1) initiation by diethylnitrosamine (DENA) followed by 2 weeks of 0.02% 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) in the diet and a single gavage dose of carbon tetrachloride 1 week after the start of the 2-AAF diet or (2) initiation by DENA followed by promotion with 500 ppm sodium phenobarbital in the drinking water for 24 weeks. The hepatocytes containing preneoplastic/neoplastic cells isolated from animals treated with either protocol, compared to hepatocytes isolated from normal liver, were resistant to the cytotoxicity of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). None of the six halogenated alkanes exhibited any difference in their cytotoxicity toward hepatocytes isolated from normal liver or from liver containing preneoplastic/neoplastic lesions induced by either procedure. Hepatocytes isolated from partially hepatectomized animals were resistant to the cytotoxicity of AFB1 and chloroform but not to the cytotoxicity of 1,2-DBE or 1,2-DCE. The ranking of relative cytotoxicity in hepatocytes from untreated rats was 1,2-DBE much greater than 1,2-DCE greater than 1,1,2-TCE greater than 1,1,1-TCE greater than chloroform greater than 1,1-DCE. Treatment with SKF-525A protected the hepatocytes from the cytotoxicity of AFB1 while increasing the cytotoxicity of all six halogenated alkanes. Treatment with diethyl maleate increased the cytotoxicity of AFB1 and all six halogenated alkanes. These observations suggest that preneoplastic/neoplastic rat hepatocytes are not resistant to the cytotoxicity of the six halogenated alkanes because their toxicity might be mediated by a cytochrome P-450 species which is not inhibited by SKF-525A and is not decreased in preneoplastic/neoplastic lesions.

Administration, Oral↗

Revisiting the Holy Cross football team hepatitis outbreak (1969) by serological analysis.

Clinical and biochemical data collected during the Holy Cross College football team hepatitis A outbreak in 1969 suggested that 32 team members had icteric hepatitis, 58 had anicteric illness, and only seven were not infected. Using a currently available radioimmunoassay, we tested stored serum samples obtained during the outbreak for IgM antibody to hepatitis A virus (IgM anti-HAV). Only individuals with icteric hepatitis were found to have IgM anti-HAV in serum; those with presumed anicteric illness were shown not to be infected with hepatitis A virus. The attack rate was thus only 34%, not 93% as originally reported, and the incidence of icteric illness in those infected was 100%, not 33%. This serological analysis of a classic outbreak of hepatitis A illustrates the utility and importance of IgM anti-HAV testing in seroepidemiologic investigations of hepatitis outbreaks.

Alanine Transaminase↗

The effects of triethyltin and trimethyltin in rats responding under a DRL schedule of reinforcement.

Rats were trained to respond under a schedule of reinforcement in which only those responses separated by a 10-to 14-sec period of no responding produced a feed pellet (DRL 10 to 14 sec). Each rat received a single dose of trimethyltin (TMT) (5.6, 7.5, or 10 mg/kg) or triethyltin (TET) 1, 3, 4.25, or 5.6 mg/kg). The lowest dose of TMT (5.6 mg/kg) and the lowest dose of TET (1 mg/kg) were without significant effect. At 7.5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg TMT, the percentage of the total responses spaced 10 to 14 sec apart decreased over the first 8 to 12 days after TMT. Those rats receiving 7.5 mg/kg TMT gradually returned to control values over the next 2 to 3 weeks while those rats receiving 10 mg/kg never recovered. Rats receiving 3, 4.25, and 5.6 mg/kg TET showed a decrease in the percentage of reinforced responses immediately after receiving TET. The behavior of those rats receiving 3 mg/kg returned to control values in 24 hr. Following 4.25 mg/kg TET, the health of the rats deteriorated rapidly. They were kept alive through heroic measures, but then were killed after testing on the 12th day following TET due to their failing health. At 5.6 mg/kg, the rats were killed on the 4th day due to failing health. These results indicate that TMT and TET differ with respect to potency and time course. The behavioral deficits produced by TET parallel the time course of general toxicity while the behavioral effects of acute TMT administration can persist in time long after the general appearance of the rats has returned to normal.

Animals↗