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Biomedical subjects

M R Elwell

Publications and source records attributed to M R Elwell.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Comparative toxicities of o-, m-, and p-nitrotoluene in 13-week feed studies in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice.

Nitrotoluenes are high-production-volume chemicals used in the synthesis of agricultural chemicals and in various dyes. Because of differences in the metabolism of the three isomers and their capabilities to bind to DNA, comparative toxicity studies of o-, m-, and p-nitrotoluene were conducted in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice. o-, m-, or p-Nitrotoluene was administered in the feed to male and female rats and mice at doses ranging from 625 to 10,000 ppm for 13 weeks. These doses delivered approximately 40 to 700 mg/kg body wt/day for rats and 100 to 1700 mg/kg/day for mice. There were no treatment-related effects on survival in any of the studies. Decreased body weights relative to controls occurred in dosed rats and mice in all studies at the higher dose levels and were most pronounced in rats receiving o-nitrotoluene. Mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis were observed in 3 of 10 male rats receiving o-nitrotoluene at 5000 ppm, and mesothelial cell hyperplasia was observed in 2 of 10 male rats receiving o-nitrotoluene at 10,000 ppm. Kidney toxicity was observed in male rats receiving o-, m-, or p-nitrotoluene and included hyaline droplet nephropathy and an associated increase in the renal concentration of alpha 2U-globulin. Evidence of liver toxicity in the male rats receiving o-nitrotoluene included hepatocyte vacuolization, oval cell hyperplasia, and increased serum bile acids, sorbitol dehydrogenase, and alanine aminotransferase. Although there was no histopathologic evidence of hepatic toxicity in male or female rats given the m- or p-isomers or in female rats given the o-isomer, treatment-related hepatic effects were detected in these groups, as measured by an increase in the relative liver weights and by elevations in serum bile acids and liver-specific enzymes. The spleens of treated male and female rats had a mild increase in hematopoiesis, hemosiderin deposition, and/or congestion. These splenic changes were slightly more prominent in rats administered the o- and p-isomers. Administration of o-, m-, or p-nitrotoluene impaired testicular function in the rat, as shown by testicular degeneration and reduction in the density, motility, and number of sperm cells. Administration of each isomer to rats caused increases in the length of the estrus cycle. The only histopathologic evidence for treatment-related toxicity in mice in the 13-week studies occurred in animals receiving the o-nitrotoluene isomer where the chemical caused degeneration and metaplasia of the olfactory epithelium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Alpha-Globulins↗

Relationship of carcinogenicity and cellular proliferation induced by mutagenic noncarcinogens vs carcinogens. III. Organophosphate pesticides vs tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate.

Our laboratory has been examining the mechanisms whereby chemicals produce mutagenicity in short-term in vitro assays yet fail to produce carcinogenesis in 2-year rodent bioassays. Previous studies indicated that some mutagenic hepatocarcinogens increased cell proliferation in the target organ, the liver, while other structurally related mutagens that were noncarcinogenic failed to do so. We demonstrate in this report that another mutagenic carcinogen, tris(2,3-dibromopropyl phosphate), increased cell proliferation that was localized in the outer medulla of the kidney. This was also the target site for carcinogenesis in a 2-year bioassay and is another example of the association between chemically induced cell proliferation and carcinogenesis. This study also reports the absence of increased cell proliferation in the liver or kidney after exposure in the diet to the mutagenic organophosphate insecticides dimethoate, dioxathion, and dichlorvos following dietary exposure for 2 weeks at the same dose levels and routes of exposure that did not increase the tumor incidence in either organ in 2-year carcinogenesis assays. The present studies support the tenet that chemically induced cell proliferation may be a necessary prerequisite for chemical carcinogenesis, since in rat liver and kidney there was neither cell proliferation after 2 weeks nor tumor development after 2 years dietary exposure to the mutagenic organophosphate insecticides dimethoate, dioxathion, and dichlorvos.

Animals↗

Inhalation toxicity of 1,6-hexanediamine dihydrochloride in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice.

1,6-Hexanediamine (HDA) is a high production volume chemical which is used as an intermediate in the synthesis of paints, resins, inks, and textiles and as a corrosion inhibitor in lubricants. Two- and 13-week studies of the toxicity of the dihydrochloride salt of HDA (HDDC) were conducted in male and female Fischer 344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice using whole-body inhalation exposure. Both species were evaluated for histopathologic and reproductive effects, and rats were examined for clinical chemistry and hematologic changes. In the 2-week inhalation studies, animals were exposed to 10-800 mg HDDC/m3, 6 hr per day. All rats, all female mice, and two of five male mice in the high-exposure group died before the end of the study. Surviving mice in this group had a dose-dependent depression in body weight gain. Clinical signs were primarily related to upper respiratory tract irritation and included dyspnea and nasal discharge in both species. Treatment-related histopathologic lesions included inflammation and necrosis of the laryngeal epithelium of both species and the tracheal epithelium of mice, as well as focal inflammation and ulceration of the respiratory and olfactory nasal mucosa. In the 13-week inhalation studies, animals were exposed to HDDC at concentrations of 1.6-160 mg/m3 for 6 hr per day, 5 days per week. In addition to the base study groups, a supplemental group of rats at each exposure level was included to assess the effect of HDDC on reproduction. No treatment-related changes in organ weights or organ-to-body-weight ratios occurred in rats, and no treatment-related clinical signs or gross lesions were seen in either species. Chemical-related microscopic lesions were limited to the upper respiratory tract (larynx and nasal passages) in the two highest exposure groups and were similar in both species. These lesions included minimal to mild focal erosion, ulceration, inflammation, and hyperplasia of the laryngeal epithelium, in addition to degeneration of the olfactory and respiratory nasal epithelium. HDDC caused no significant changes in sperm morphology or vaginal cytology and no significant adverse effects on reproduction in rats or mice. Hematologic and clinical chemistry changes in rats were minor and sporadic and were not accompanied by related histologic findings. HDDC did not increase the frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes in mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Administration, Inhalation↗

Comparative carcinogenicity of 5,5-diphenylhydantoin with or without perinatal exposure in rats and mice.

Chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity studies of 5,5-diphenylhydantoin (DPH), were conducted in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice of each sex. The major objective of the study was to determine if incorporating exposure to DPH during the perinatal period, in addition to conventional exposure of animals for 2 years, enhances the sensitivity of the bioassay to identify the carcinogenic potential of chemical. The studies were designed to determine the toxic and carcinogenic effects of dietary DPH in rats and mice receiving; (1) the perinatal administration including exposure of maternal animals prior to breeding, through gestation, lactation, weaning, and continued dietary exposure of offspring to the age of 8 weeks followed by control diet for 2 years, (2) exposure for 2 years beginning at the age of 8 weeks, and (3) of combined perinatal/adult exposure to DPH (perinatal exposure to 8 weeks of age followed by the adult exposure for 2 years). During the perinatal period, rats were exposed to DPH at dose levels ranging from 63 to 630 ppm and adult exposure concentrations ranged from 240 to 2400 ppm in diet. In the mice, the perinatal exposure ranged from 21 to 210 ppm in both males and females. In the adult exposure portion of the mouse studies, the dietary levels ranged from 30 to 300 ppm in males and 60 to 600 ppm in females. A total of eight dose groups (including controls) were used with 60 animals in each group. The only effect of perinatal exposure alone on tumor rate was a marginal increase in the incidence of hepatocellular neoplasms in female mice. The adult exposure to DPH significantly increased the incidence of hepatocellular neoplasms in female mice. There were also marginal increases in the incidence of liver tumors in male rats exposed to high DPH dietary concentrations during the adult-only regimen. Combined perinatal and adult dietary exposure to 5,5-diphenylhydantoin confirmed the findings for the increased incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms in male rats and female mice, although combined exposure did not enhance these effects. However, in male mice, perinatal and adult exposure resulted in an increase in the incidence of hepatocellular neoplasms that was not seen when dietary exposure was limited to the adult period only.

Adenoma, Liver Cell↗

Comparative carcinogenicity of polybrominated biphenyls with or without perinatal exposure in rats and mice.

Chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity studies of a polybrominated biphenyl mixture (PBB) were conducted in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice of each sex. The major objective of the study was to determine if exposure to PBB during the perinatal period, in addition to conventional exposure of animals for 2 years, enhances the sensitivity of the bioassay to identify the carcinogenic potential of this chemical. The studies were designed to determine the toxic and carcinogenic effects of dietary PBB in rats and mice receiving (i) perinatal exposure up to 8 weeks of age followed by control diet for 2 years, (ii) exposure for 2 years beginning at the age of 8 weeks, and (iii) combined perinatal/adult exposure to PBB (perinatal exposure to 8 weeks of age followed by adult exposure for 2 years). During the perinatal period, rats were exposed to PBB at dose levels ranging from 1 to 10 ppm and adult exposure concentrations ranged from 3 to 30 ppm in the diet. In the mice, the dose levels ranged from 3 to 30 ppm in both perinatal and adult exposure portions of the chronic studies. A total of eight dose groups (including controls) were used with 60 animals in each group. Liver was the major target organ of PBB toxicity. Perinatal exposure alone (through dietary administration of 10 ppm PBB to the dams) had no effect on the incidences of neoplasms in female F344/N rats, but in male rats, perinatal exposure was associated with a marginally increased incidence of hepatocellular adenomas that may have been related to chemical administration. In male and female B6C3F1 mice, perinatal exposure to 30 ppm PBB resulted in significantly increased incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms. In adult-only dietary exposure studies, PBB was carcinogenic in male and female F344/N rats and male and female B6C3F1 mice based on increased incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms. Combined perinatal and adult dietary exposure to PBB confirmed the findings of the adult-only exposures for the increased incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms in rats and mice. In male rats, there were no enhancing effects of combined perinatal and adult exposure. However, perinatal exposure enhanced the susceptibility of female rats receiving adult exposure of 10 or 30 ppm to the induction of liver neoplasms. For male and female rats, a combined analysis of the incidences of leukemia in the adult-only, perinatal-only, and combined perinatal and adult exposure groups revealed an apparent association between increasing incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia and exposure to PBB.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Age Factors↗

Subchronic toxicity of cupric sulfate administered in drinking water and feed to rats and mice.

The effects of acute poisoning by cupric sulfate in a number of species are well known; however, the effects of chronic low-level ingestion of cupric sulfate are less well characterized. Because exposure of humans to cupric sulfate may occur through drinking water, food, soil, or ambient air, subchronic toxicity studies were conducted in male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice by the drinking water (2-week exposure) and dosed feed (2- and 13-week exposure) routes. Animals were evaluated for histopathology, clinical pathology, reproductive toxicity, and tissue metal accumulation, and target organs were examined by a variety of special stains and by electron microscopy to characterize the observed lesions. In drinking water, cupric sulfate concentrations of 300 to 100 ppm produced no ill effects, whereas concentrations of 3000 to 30,000 ppm were lethal to rats and mice within 2 weeks. In feed, cupric sulfate concentrations of 4000 to 16,000 ppm caused significant reductions in body weight gain in both species in the 2- and 13-week studies. Hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis of the limiting ridge of the forestomach were present in both species in the 2- and 13-week studies. Rats in the dosed feed studies had a dose-related increase in inflammation in the liver and changes in clinical chemistry parameters which were indicative of hepatocellular damage and cholestasis. Histologic changes in the kidneys of rats consisted of a dose-related increase in the number and size of eosinophilic protein droplets in the epithelial cytoplasm and the lumina of the proximal convoluted tubules. Droplets were larger and more numerous in males than in females. Urinalysis results were suggestive of renal tubular epithelial damage. Iron staining of spleens from treated animals indicated a marked depletion of iron stores in both male and female rats, but not in mice, while hematologic and clinical chemistry alterations in rats in the 13-week study, along with histologic changes in bone in the 2-week dosed feed study, were indicative of a microcytic anemia. Cupric sulfate produced no adverse effects on any of the reproductive parameters measured in rats or mice of either sex. These results indicate that cupric sulfate at high exposure levels is a hepatic and renal toxicant, as well as an inducer of anemia in rodents, with rats more sensitive than mice following subchronic exposure.

Animals↗

Comparison of the toxicity of citral in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice when administrated by microencapsulation in feed or by corn-oil gavage.

A study of the potential effects of microencapsulation on the toxicity of citral was conducted in 14-day continuous feeding studies with both sexes of F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice. Toxicity by the feeding route was compared with that from bolus doses of the neat chemical in corn oil administrated by gavage. Both sexes of rats and mice were given diet containing 0, 0.63, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10% citral microcapsules. These feed formulations were equivalent to daily doses of 0, 142, 285, 570, 1140 and 2280 mg citral/kg body weight for rats and 0, 534, 1068, 2137, 4275 and 8550 mg citral/kg body weight for mice. The daily gavage doses were 0, 570, 1140 and 2280 mg citral/kg body weight for both sexes of rats, and 0, 534, 1068 and 2137 mg citral/kg body weight for both sexes of mice. Citral microcapsules administered in the diet did not cause mortality in mice or rats. Toxicity was confined to decreases in body weight at the 10% concentration in mice, at the 5 and 10% concentrations in rats, and decreases in absolute weights of the liver, kidney and spleen at the 10% concentration in rats. The only histopathological change observed was minimal to mild hyperplasia and/or squamous metaplasia of the respiratory epithelium in the anterior portion of the nasal passages of rats fed 5 or 10% citral microcapsules. By contrast, citral gavage caused mortality in five out of five male and female mice at 2137 mg/kg body weight, and in two out of five male mice at 1068 mg/kg body weight. There were dose-related increases in absolute liver weights of male and female mice. Cytoplasmic vacuolization of hepatocytes occurred in all female mice gavaged with 1068 and 2137 mg citral/kg body weight, and in male mice from the 2137 mg/kg dose group. Necrosis, ulceration and/or acute inflammation of the forestomach occurred in the high-dose mice of both sexes. Inflammation and/or hyperplasia of the forestomach occurred in about half of the male and female mice dosed with 1068 mg citral/kg. Citral gavage at doses that were equivalent to up to 10% in the diet (2280 mg/kg body weight) did not cause toxicity in rats, except for minimal hyperplasia of the squamous epithelium of the forestomach in high-dose males.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acyclic Monoterpenes↗

Chemically induced skin carcinogenesis in a transgenic mouse line (TG.AC) carrying a v-Ha-ras gene.

A transgenic mouse line (TG.AC) created in the FVB/N strain, carries a v-Ha-ras gene fused to a zeta-globin promoter gene. These trangenic mice have the properties of genetically initiated skin and have been shown to be sensitive to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a well-described promoter of skin papillomas in the two-stage mouse skin tumorigenesis model. It was of interest to determine whether the TG.AC mouse strain was also responsive to other known promoters. Groups of heterozygous or homozygous TG.AC mice were treated topically, 2x/week, for up to 20 weeks with benzoyl peroxide (BPO), 2-butanol peroxide (2-BUP), phenol (PH), acetic acid (AA), TPA and acetone (ACN), the vehicle control. Skin papillomas were induced in all groups treated with TPA, BPO and 2-BUP. Papillomas were observed in some treatment groups as early as 3 weeks. The relative activity of the promoters was TPA > 2-BUP > BPO > PH = AA = ACN. No papillomas were observed in any of the uninitiated FVB/N mice treated in a similar manner and which served as treatment control groups. Studies to determine the sensitivity of TG.AC mice to TPA, indicated that a total dose of 25-30 micrograms of TPA administered in 3 or 10 applications, was sufficient to induce an average incidence of 11-15 papillomas per mouse. The papilloma incidence continued to increase and was maintained up to 15 weeks after TPA treatment was terminated. The short latency period and high incidence of papilloma induction indicate that TG.AC mice have a high sensitivity to known skin promoters. The TG.AC line should prove to be a sensitive model for identifying putative tumor promoters or complete carcinogens.

Acetates↗

Influence of dietary protein concentration on severity of nephropathy in Fischer-344 (F-344/N) rats.

Nephropathy is an age-related spontaneous disease of most rat strains, and protein content of diet may affect the severity. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a 15% protein nonpurified diet on body weight and severity of nephropathy in comparison to a 23% protein NIH-07 diet. Groups of 25 male and 25 female Fischer-344 (F-344) rats, 6 wk of age, were fed the 23 or 15% protein diet ad libitum for 2 yr. Rats were weighed at 1-4-wk intervals, and mean body weights were determined. Water consumption measurements and urinalysis were done at approximately 3-mo intervals during the second year of the study. At the end of the 2-yr study, kidneys from all rats, including those that died or were euthanatized after the eightieth week of the study, were examined by light microscopy and graded for severity of nephropathy as grades 1-4 (minimal, mild, moderate, marked). Growth patterns and the maximum body weights attained by each sex fed the 23 or 15% protein diet were not significantly different. The severity of nephropathy in male rats was significantly higher when fed the 23% protein diet (2.8 moderate to marked) compared to the 15% protein diet (1.3 minimal to mild). The severity of nephropathy in female rats increased slightly when fed the 23% protein diet (1.5 minimal to mild) compared to the 15% protein diet (1.0 minimal).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Site-specific cell proliferation in renal tubular cells by the renal tubular carcinogen tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate.

Our laboratory has been examining the mechanisms whereby chemicals are mutagenic in short-term in-vitro assays yet are not carcinogenic in 2-year rodent bioassays. Previous studies indicated that mutagenic carcinogens increased the amount of cell turnover in the target organ, but that mutagenic noncarcinogens failed to do so. The present study compares the incidence of cell proliferation in specific regions of the kidney, which is the site of carcinogenicity, with cell proliferation induced in a nontarget tissue, the liver, by the mutagenic renal tubular carcinogen tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate (TRIS). Renal tubular adenocarcinoma induced by TRIS was the only tumor type identified in male F344 rats, and it was localized in the outer medulla. Male F344 rats were fed a diet containing 0, 50, or 100 ppm TRIS for 14 days. These doses were identical to the doses given in the National Toxicology Program cancer bioassay. Replicating cells were labeled with bromodeoxyuridine administered by an osmotic minipump and identified in tissue sections from liver and kidney using immunohistochemical techniques. Examination of liver sections showed no chemically related increases in cell proliferation above control for either dose group. However, in the kidney, TRIS induced significant cell proliferation that was localized in the renal outer medulla region, the target area for carcinogenesis. The labeling index (number of labeled cells/total number of cells counted) in the kidneys of TRIS-exposed rats was increased approximately 4-fold in the outer medulla and was not increased in the cortex or inner medulla. The results of this study suggest an association between the chemically-induced renal cell proliferation and the renal carcinogenicity of TRIS.

Animals↗

Relationship between the time of sustained ethyl acrylate forestomach hyperplasia and carcinogenicity.

Chronic administration of ethyl acrylate (EA) by gavage at 100 or 200 mg/kg/day resulted in a significant dose-dependent increase in the incidence of forestomach (FS) squamous cell papillomas and carcinomas in both sexes of F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice. Subsequent work in this laboratory was designed to investigate the relationship between EA-induced FS hyperplasia and carcinogenicity. Current studies have focused on determining the time required for sustained FS hyperplasia to produce neoplastic transformation. Results of these studies demonstrated that gavage administration of EA to male F344 rats at 200 mg/kg/day for 6 or 12 months caused a sustained increase in FS epithelial hyperplasia for as long as exposure to EA continued. However, FS hyperplasia regressed, and no neoplasms developed when animals receiving EA for 6 months were allowed to recover until they were sacrificed at 24 months of age. In contrast, rats treated for 12 months and allowed 9 months recovery developed FS squamous cell carcinomas (3/13) and papillomas (1/13) for a combined incidence of 4/13. No gross lesions were detected in the liver of any of the rats treated with EA or corn oil vehicle, confirming the tissue specificity in the relationship between EA-induced FS hyperplasia and carcinogenesis. In conclusion, the present work has demonstrated that FS hyperplasia is selectively sustained at the site of EA-induced carcinogenicity for as long as EA is administered and has also demonstrated a temporal relationship between FS mucosal hyperplasia and the development of FS neoplasia by EA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acrylates↗

Subchronic toxicity of barium chloride dihydrate administered to rats and mice in the drinking water.

Barium Chloride dihydrate (BaCl2.2H2O) was given for 92 days to B6C3F1 mice and Fischer 344/N rats in their drinking water at levels of 0, 125, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 ppm. The no-effect level for this study was 2000 ppm BaCl2.2H2O in the drinking water. At 4000 ppm, daily consumption for mice was 436 to 562 mg/kg barium, up to four times more chemical than rats. Mortality ranged from 60 to 70% in mice and from 10 to 30% in rats in the 4000 ppm groups. Deaths in mice were associated with a treatment-related renal toxicity. Renal lesions in rats were much less severe than in mice and did not contribute to the treatment-related deaths seen in the high dose group. Body weights of both species and sexes in the 4000 ppm groups were lower than controls at 92 days. Male and female rats in treated groups exhibited higher serum phosphorus than controls. Serum sodium, potassium, and calcium levels in rats were unchanged by barium treatment, as were hematological values. In both species at 4000 ppm, motor activity, grip strength, and thermal sensitivity were marginally affected. These effects were probably secondary changes resulting from BaCl2 toxicity observed at this dose level. In a mating trial, no anatomical effects on offspring of rats or mice were seen. Rats receiving 4000 ppm exhibited marginal reductions in pup weights. No effects were seen on reproductive indices.

Animals↗

Application of molecular encapsulation for toxicology studies: comparative toxicity of p-Chloro-alpha, alpha, alpha-trifluorotoluene in alpha-cyclodextrin vehicle versus corn oil vehicle in male and female Fischer 344 rats and B6C3F1 mice.

The application of alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) as an alternative vehicle for water insoluble and volatile chemicals was investigated in toxicity studies of p-chloro-alpha, alpha, alpha-trifluorotoluene (CTFT). Groups of F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice of each sex were administered CTFT (97% pure) by gavage in either corn oil or alpha-CD aqueous formulations daily for 14 consecutive days. The dose levels used were 10 (mice only), 50, 400, and 1000 mg/kg for corn oil vehicle and 10, 50, and 400 mg/kg (maximum achievable dose at gavage volume of 5 ml/kg) for alpha-CD vehicle. With both vehicles CTFT and alpha 2u-globulin were found to accumulate in the male rat kidney after 14 days of exposure and a dose-related toxic nephropathy was observed at dose of 50 mg/kg or higher. The hepatocellular hypertrophy and cytoplasmic vacuolation of the adrenal cortex which appeared in dosed male and female rats were also found to be independent of vehicle. Clinical pathology findings suggested a mild anemia and cholestasis in rats. With both vehicles no tissue bioaccumulation of CTFT was found in male or female mice. Vehicle-independent hepatocellular hypertrophy and cholestasis were also observed in mice at doses of 400 and 1000 mg/kg. In conclusion, the alpha-CD vehicle does not affect the toxic responses of CTFT in both sexes of both species. The results of the studies suggest that alpha-CD may be an appropriate alternative vehicle for toxicity studies.

Alpha-Globulins↗

Subchronic (13-week) toxicity studies of oral phenolphthalein in Fischer 344 rats and B6C3F1 mice.

Phenolphthalein is a cathartic agent that is widely used in over-the-counter laxatives. Thirteen-week toxicity studies of phenolphthalein were performed using F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice. Rats and mice were fed ad libitum with a NIH 07 diet containing 0; 3000; 6000; 12,000; 25,000; or 50,000 ppm phenolphthalein. On a milligram per kilogram body weight basis, rats and mice fed 50,000 ppm phenolphthalein ingested more drug than would be expected during human laxative abuse. Phenolphthalein produced little evidence of toxicity in rats. There was slightly lower weight gain among the 25,000 and 50,000 ppm groups. Treated rats showed elevated relative kidney weights (males only) and elevated absolute and relative liver weights at 12,000-50,000 ppm phenolphthalein. Rat serum bile acids were depressed early (Days 5 and 6) by phenolphthalein treatment. Several treatment-related toxic effects, however, were identified in mice who received more phenolphthalein per unit body weight than rats. Although there were no effects on body weight gain, elevated liver weights were noted in female mice receiving 6000-50,000 ppm phenolphthalein. The primary treatment-related findings that occurred during the mouse studies involved the reproductive and hematopoietic systems. Reproductive changes including depressed testis and right epididymal weights and sperm density, an elevated production of abnormal sperm, and morphologic alterations in seminiferous tubules occurred at all levels of exposure (3000-50,000 ppm). Hematopoietic changes included bone marrow hypoplasia (12,000-50,000 ppm), increased splenic hematopoiesis (males only; 25,000 and 50,000 ppm), and an elevated incidence of micronucleated erythrocytes (6000-50,000 ppm).

Animals↗

Evidence that toxic injury is not always associated with induction of chemical carcinogenesis.

Long-term rodent bioassays with chemicals administered at maximum tolerated doses identify noncarcinogens as well as carcinogens. Thirty-one chemicals recently evaluated for carcinogenic potential by the National Toxicology Program provide unique data on the relationships between mutagenicity, toxicity, and carcinogenicity. Twenty-two substances were classified as carcinogens, and nine showed no evidence of carcinogenicity. Although cellular proliferation does play an intrinsic role in neoplastic processes, the responses associated with chronic toxicity in these studies were not always sufficient to induce neoplasia. Regardless of their mutagenic potential, 19 carcinogens induced toxic effects at sites that did not show neoplastic changes; similar toxic lesions were also seen among the mutagenic and nonmutagenic noncarcinogens. Although many nonmutagens induced neoplasia at sites that showed toxic effects, some of the same chemicals also exhibited toxicity at other sites that showed no neoplastic effect. These results suggest that for some chemicals, properties other than mutagenicity or toxicity may be responsible for their carcinogenic potential.

Animals↗

Carcinogenicity of p-chloroaniline in rats and mice.

p-Chloroaniline (PCA), a dye intermediate, was evaluated for potential long-term toxicity and carcinogenicity. Groups of 50 F344/N rats of each sex were given by gavage PCA hydrochloride in deionized water at doses of 0, 2, 6 or 18 mg/kg body weight, 5 days/wk for 103 wk. Groups of 50 male and female B6C3F1 mice of each sex were given 0, 3, 10 or 30 mg/kg on the same schedule. In general, body weights and survival were unaffected by PCA administration. In rats the group given 18 mg/kg had mild haemolytic anaemia and slight increases in methaemoglobin at various times during the study. Fibrosis of the spleen was significantly increased in all PCA-treated groups of male rats and in the 18-mg/kg group of female rats. Sarcomas of the spleen occurred in male rats, their incidence being 0/49, 1/50, 3/50 and 38/50 in control low-, mid- and high-dose groups, respectively. There was a slightly increased incidence of pheochromocytomas of the adrenal gland in both male and female rats. Dosed groups of male mice had increased incidences of hepatocellular adenomas or carcinomas (11/50, 21/49, 20/50 and 21/50 in controls, low- mid- and high-dose groups, respectively). Haemangiosarcomas of the liver or spleen were also increased in the high-dose group (incidences of 4/50, 4/49, 1/50 and 10/50 in controls, low-, mid- and high-dose groups, respectively). In conclusion, PCA was carcinogenic in male rats and male mice.

Adenoma↗

Comparative toxicity and tissue distribution of antimony potassium tartrate in rats and mice dosed by drinking water or intraperitoneal injection.

Antimony potassium tartrate (APT) is a complex salt that until recently was used worldwide as an antischistosomal drug. Treatment was efficacious only if APT was administered intravenously to humans at a near lethal total dose of 36 mg/kg. Because unconfirmed epidemiologic studies suggested there might be an association between APT treatment and bladder cancer, we initiated prechronic toxicity studies with the drug to select a route of administration and doses in the event that chronic studies of APT were needed. The toxicity and concentration of tissue antimony levels were compared in 14-d studies with F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice administered APT in the drinking water or by ip injection to determine the most appropriate route for longer term studies. Drinking water doses estimated by water consumption were 0, 16, 28, 59, 94 and 168 mg/kg in rats and 0, 59, 98, 174, 273, and 407 mg/kg in mice. APT was poorly absorbed and relatively nontoxic orally, whereas ip administration of the drug caused mortality, body weight decrements, and lesions in the liver and kidney at doses about one order of magnitude below those in drinking water. Because of these data and the dose-related accumulation of antimony in the target organs, an ip dose regimen was selected for subsequent studies. Both sexes of F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice were given 0, 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 24 mg/kg doses of APT every other day for 90 d by ip injection. There were no clinical signs of toxicity nor gross or microscopic lesions in mice that could be attributed to toxicity of APT, although elevated concentrations of antimony were detected in the liver and spleen of mice. Rats were more sensitive than mice to the toxic effects of APT, exhibiting dose-related mortality, body weight decrements, and hepatotoxicity. The concentrations of antimony measured in liver, blood, kidney, spleen, and heart of rats were proportional to dose, but there were no biochemical changes indicative of toxicity except in the liver. Hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis occurred in association with dose-related elevations in activities of the liver-specific serum enzymes sorbitol dehydrogenase and alanine aminotransferase. By alternating the site of abdominal injection and the days of treatment, mesenteric inflammation at the site of administration was minimized in the rats and mice, indicating that the ip route would be suitable for chronic studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗