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At least 811 records · Page 45Linked to original sources

Neuroprotective effects of carnosine and homocarnosine on pheochromocytoma PC12 cells exposed to ischemia.

The development of neuroprotective drugs against ischemic insults is hampered by the lack of pharmacological in vitro models. We developed an ischemic model using PC12 cell cultures exposed to oxygen-glucose-deprivation (OGD) followed by reoxygenation (18 hr) under regular atmospheric oxygen level. The toxicity induced in this model, that is partially caused by generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), was measured morphologically as well as by the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the prostaglandin PGE(2) from the cells. Carnosine and homocarnosine, histidine dipeptides antioxidants, found in high concentration in the brain, have been suggested to provide neuroprotection. Using the OGD model we found that 5 mM carnosine and 1 mM homocarnosine provided maximal neuroprotection of about 50% against OGD insult. This neuroprotective effect was similar to that of a known antioxidant, 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (tempol), and was not observed in a serum-deprivation toxicity model of PC12 cells, indicating that carnosine and homocarnosine may act as antioxidant-neuroprotective agents in the brain. Our ischemic model may provide a useful tool for investigating the mechanisms involved in the neuroprotection afforded by histidine dipeptides.

Animals↗

Prevention of carbon tetrachloride-induced rat liver injury by soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Considerable indirect evidence suggests that cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha contributes to the hepatocellular damage caused by toxic liver injury. The effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha neutralization on liver cell injury were determined in an in vivo model of toxic liver injury. METHODS: The in vivo effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha were examined in carbon tetrachloride liver injury through the administration of a soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor to neutralize the effects of this cytokine. RESULTS: Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor treatment decreased the degree of liver injury as measured by reduced levels of serum liver enzymes and improved histology. Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor administration also lowered the mortality from a lethal dose of carbon tetrachloride from 60% to 16%. Tumor necrosis factor alpha neutralization had no detrimental effect on liver regeneration as determined by the timing of histone gene expression and postinjury liver weight. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide direct evidence for a role of tumor necrosis factor alpha in toxin-induced liver cell injury. In addition, these investigations suggest that soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor therapy may be of benefit in the treatment of human liver disease.

Animals↗

Promotion of remyelination by immunoglobulins: implications for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

During the last decade immunomodulatory treatments have been shown to influence the natural course of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS) still occurs and repair mechanisms are incomplete leading to neurological deficits. Currently, there is no therapy available to promote remyelination and thus enhance repair mechanisms. Both immunoglobulins directed against spinal cord homogenate and polyclonal immunoglobulins for intravenous use (IVIg) have been shown to support remyelination in the animal model of Theiler's virus encephalomyelitis (TMEV). Further studies have identified monoclonal antibodies that lead to remyelination in TMEV and a toxic demyelination model using lysolecithin. The shared characteristics of these monoclonal antibodies are an IgM isotype and the capacity to bind oligodendrocytes, independent of epitope specificity. Recently, two human monoclonal antibodies with remyelinating properties were described. Clinical trials with IVIg have so far failed to demonstrate clinical improvement in MS patients, but these studies only employed IgG preparations. However, recent experimental data both in vivo and in vitro underline the importance of IgM for remyelination. Thus future clinical trials are needed to evaluate the remyelination potential of IgM in human diseases. The design of monoclonal antibodies capable of promoting remyelination is a telling example for the design of new specific therapies derived from biological products like polyclonal immunoglobulins.

Animals↗

Human developmental toxicity and mutagenesis.

A previously described SAR model of human developmental toxicity was analyzed further. The model shows a number of mechanistic similarities with SAR models of other toxicological phenomena (systemic toxicity, chromosomal and genomic effects). This implies that there are many targets associated with developmental effects. Surprisingly the analyses revealed no significant mechanistic overlap between developmental toxicity in humans and mutagenicity in Salmonella, a surrogate for the occurrence of point mutations. Our study indicates that this lack of similarity is likely the result of the pre-screening strategies which largely eliminate Salmonella mutagens from among the therapeutics introduced into human medicine.

Animals↗

Water chloride provides partial protection during chronic exposure to waterborne silver in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) embryos and larvae.

Rainbow trout embryos and larvae were continuously exposed (at 12.5 degrees C) to waterborne silver in a flow-through setup, from fertilization to swim-up, at nominal silver concentrations of 0, 0.1, or 1.0 microg/L total silver (as AgNO(3)) at three different water Cl(-) levels (30, 300, and 3,000 microM, added as KCl). Exposures were conducted in synthetic soft water (hardness 20 mg CaCO(3)/L generated from reconstituted reverse osmosis freshwater). Continuous exposure to 1.0 microg/L total silver for 58 d at 30 microM water Cl(-) resulted in a pronounced ionoregulatory disturbance (as indicated by a reduction in whole body Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity, unidirectional Na(+) uptake [Jin Na(+)], and whole body Na(+) and Cl(-) levels) and a reduction in extractable protein and wet weight. Thus, the mechanism of chronic silver toxicity appears to be similar to that observed during acute silver exposure in juvenile and adult fish, specifically an ionoregulatory disturbance. Higher water Cl(-) levels (300 and 3,000 microM Cl(-)) offered some degree of protection from the ionoregulatory disturbance, with only minor protective effects in terms of mortality. The protective effects of water Cl(-) on the toxicity of silver (as AgNO(3)) appear to be far less during chronic than during acute exposure. Mortality and larval Na(+) concentration, Jin Na(+), and Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity all appear to be correlated with silver body burden and calculated water Ag(+) during chronic silver exposure. Thus, there appears to be potential to model chronic toxicity but not simply by recalibration of an acute model. A chronic model must be based on real chronic data because the protective effects of various ligands appear to be quantitatively very different from those in the acute situation.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

High-dose 7-hydromethotrexate: acute toxicity and lethality in a rat model.

To elucidate mechanisms for methotrexate (MTX)-induced renal and hepatic toxicity, we investigated the acute effects of bolus plus continuous infusion of up to 0.4 g/kg 7-hydroxymethotrexate (7-OH-MTX) in the rat. We demonstrate for the first time in any species the occurrence of acute lethal toxicity within a few hours after 7-OH-MTX administration. Serum concentrations of 7-OH-MTX measured at the time of death were 1.4 mM (mean), about one-half of those achieved in some patients after infusion of high-dose MTX (HD-MTX) in the clinic. The data suggest an approximate LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of the study population) of 0.3 g/kg and a steep dose/lethality curve for 7-OH-MTX. Moreover, acute renal and hepatic toxicity occurred as evidenced by severe morphological findings and increased serum levels of creatinine and liver transaminases. In all rats subjected to continuous infusion of 7-OH-MTX, yellow microscopic precipitations were apparent in the kidney tubules. Crystallization was also seen in bile ducts of the liver in some of the rats. These results further support that the formation of 7-OH-MTX is disadvantageous and that reported attempts to prevent its formation during MTX treatment are warranted.

Animals↗

Clinical trial design and scoring of radionuclide therapy endpoints: normal organ toxicity and tumor response.

Like other cancer therapy agents under development, radionuclide therapies are usually evaluated in a progressive series of clinical trials after basic science, human cell culture and animal model studies. Toxicities during these trials are graded using common scoring systems that are in widespread use such as the Common Toxicity Criteria from the National Cancer Institute. Information on normal tissue toxicity from radionuclides is more limited than that from external beam radiation and is more variable. Variability is likely due to many biologic factors as well as less precise dose quantitation than those used in external beam radiation practice. As expected based on known radiobiologic effects, tolerance to radionuclide therapy appears to exceed that from high dose rate external beam radiation in most organs. Although the correlation between reported dose estimates and toxicity has progressively and substantially improved over the past two decades, further progress is needed to establish optimal toxicity predictive relationships. Continued refinement of dosimetry techniques and standardization is expected to increase the accuracy and comparability of radiation dose reports between institutions as well as improve dose/response correlation.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

[Oxidative phosphorylation in liver mitochondria in toxic form of experimental form of influenza].

The effect of free radical processes on the oxidation-phosphorylation activity in the liver of CBA-mice has been studied, using a model of toxic form viral infection. The EPR-spectroscopic and electrochemical methods applied in the study of animals infected with pathogenic form of the influenza virus made it possible to reveal a decrease in the activity of the respiratory chain in mitochondria. This seems likely to be due to accumulation of endogenic nitric oxide in the liver tissue.

Animals↗

Hemin induces an iron-dependent, oxidative injury to human neuron-like cells.

Hemin is released from hemoglobin after CNS hemorrhage and is present at high micromolar concentrations in intracranial hematomas. This highly reactive compound is potentially cytotoxic via a variety of oxidative and nonoxidative mechanisms. However, despite its clinical relevance, little is known of its effect on neuronal cells. In this study, we tested the hypotheses that hemin is toxic to human neurons at physiologically relevant concentrations and that its toxicity is iron dependent and oxidative. A homogeneous population of neuron-like cells was produced by sequential treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with retinoic acid and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, using the protocol of Encinas et al. Hemin exposure for 24 hr resulted in cell death that progressively increased between 3 and 30 microM (EC(50) approximately 10 microM); protoporphyrin IX, the iron-free congener of hemin, was not toxic. Cell death commenced at 14 hr and was preceded by a marked increase in cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Most injury and ROS production were prevented by concomitant treatment with an equimolar concentration of the lipid-soluble iron chelator phenanthroline; the water-soluble chelator deferoxamine was also effective at concentrations of 0.1 mM or higher. Heme oxygenase-2 was constitutively expressed by these cells, and heme oxygenase-1 was induced by hemin. Heme oxygenase inhibition attenuated ROS generation and reduced injury by about one-third. Cell death was also prevented with the sulfhydryl reducing agents glutathione and mercaptoethanol. Nuclear morphology in the hours prior to cell lysis revealed a predominantly homogenous staining pattern; the percentage of fragmented nuclei was increased only at 4 hr and then accounted for only 1.45% +/- 0.25% of cells. The general caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk had no effect on cell viability. These results suggest that hemin is toxic to human neuron-like cells at concentrations that are less than 3% of those observed in intracranial hematomas. In this model, its toxicity is iron dependent, oxidative, and predominantly necrotic.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

[Effects of rumalon and arteparon correcting metabolism in the connective tissue on the functional state of the liver in toxic hepatitis].

Effects of the connective tissue metabolism correctors rumalon (a glycosaminoglycane peptide complex) and arteparon (glucosamine sulfate) on the cholepoietic and absorption-excretion functions of liver were studied on a model of toxic liver damage. Rumalon exhibits pronounced anticholelithiasis and cholagogic properties and improves the absorption-excretion liver function. Arteparon produced no cholagogic action, inhibited the elimination of bromosulfalein, and showed no anticholelithiasis activity. The difference in the pharmacological effects of two drugs is related to their structural distinctions and the differing characteristics of aglycons and anions entering into their compositions.

Animals↗

Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rat (EHBR) as an animal model affording high drug-exposure in toxicity studies on organic anions.

The Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rat (EHBR) should be a useful animal model for studies on the toxicity of organic anions which are substrates of multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2), since the systemic exposure to these compounds is expected to be increased in EHBR. In this study, we tested the value of EHBR for this purpose, using pravastatin (PV) and methotrexate (MTX) as model compounds. In the case of a single oral dose of PV (200 mg/kg), C(max) in plasma was 4.0-fold higher and AUC(0-infinity) was 3.6-fold larger than those of normal Sprague-Dawley rats (SDR), respectively. When multiple doses of PV were given to EHBR without co-administration of any other compound, drug-induced skeletal muscle toxicity (myopathy/rhabdomyolysis) and increased creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level were observed, whereas a control experiment using SDR did not show any toxic change. When a single dose of MTX (0.6 mg/kg) was given to EHBR orally, C(max) was 1.7-fold higher and AUC(0-infinity) was 1.6-fold larger than those of SDR, respectively. When multiple doses of MTX were given to EHBR, the changes in bone marrow, spleen and intestines were more severe than those in SDR. These findings support the view that EHBR would be a valuable animal model for toxicity studies on organic anion compounds which are substrates of Mrp2.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

A mathematical model of Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth in response to cadmium toxicity.

Microbial growth can be described using models derived by differential equations, but available mathematical models have yet to adequately describe lag phase related cell growth or cell mortality in response to chemical toxicity. Lag phase cell behavior, however, dictates the onset of exponential growth and the number of actively growing cells available to initiate exponential growth, important factors in the success of remediation efforts. In this study, a five-parameter polynomial ratio (PR) model was used to characterize the growth, from lag through stationary phase, of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in response to cadmium toxicity. The PR model used in this study has the advantages over standard mathematical models in the ability to represent the initial cell mortality observed when S. cerevisiae is exposed to increasing cadmium levels, up to 12 mg/l Cd, as well as following cell recovery and growth to stationary levels.

Cadmium↗

Model systems for detecting the hepatic toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and pyrrolizidine alkaloid N-oxides.

Indicine N-oxide (INO) is a pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) with antitumor activity in animals and humans. Prior studies showed that despite the known hepatic toxicity of the PAs, INO did not produce hepatic toxicity in animals but caused unpredictable lethal hepatic toxicity in humans. In this study we have attempted to find a model system for predicting the hepatotoxic potential of antitumor PAs. Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes showed toxicity only with the most hepatotoxic PAs such as lasiocarpine, but did not detect toxicity with other PAs. Subchronic intraperitoneal administration of PAs to weanling rats and adult mice produced, in surviving animals, hepatic megalocytosis and centrilobular necrosis with heliotrine (H) and 9-O-(R(-)-2-(4'-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxybutyryl)retronecine N-oxide (RC1NO) but only megalocytosis with INO. Thus, despite previous reports, weanling rats offered no advantage over adult mice for detecting significant hepatic toxicity with PAs. Phenobarbital pretreatment of the mice did not increase the hepatic toxicity of any of the PAs. Subchronic oral administration of PAs to adult mice produced hepatic megalocytosis and centrilobular necrosis in surviving animals with H and RC1NO and megalocytosis with INO. Animals that died acutely following oral administration of INO showed hepatic centrilobular necrosis. Administration of several courses of INO intravenously to dogs produced histological evidence of centrilobular hemorrhagic necrosis. It is concluded that there is no single animal model that will predict hepatic toxicity of the type seen in humans with the antitumor PAs. A combination of studies using adult mice and dogs and lethal doses of the PAs offers the best way of detecting potential hepatic toxicity.

Administration, Oral↗

Determination of kinetic law for toxic metals release during thermal treatment of model waste in a fluid-bed reactor.

Accumulation of toxic metals generated by thermal treatment of municipal solid waste presents a serious threat to the environment. A study was carried out to investigate the kinetic law of toxic metal release from municipal solid waste during their thermal treatment. Both direct and inverse models were developed in transient conditions. The direct mathematical model of the fluid-bed reactor is based on Kunii and Levenspiel's two-phase flow model for Geldart Group B particles. The inverse model intends to predict the metal's rate of vaporization from its concentration in the outlet gas. The derived models were found to predict reasonably well the experimental observations. A method to derive the kinetic law of toxic metals release during fluidized bed thermal treatment of model waste from the global model and the experimental measurements is derived and illustrated. A first-order law was fitted for the mineral matrix, and a second-order law (simplified) was fitted for the realistic model waste. The kinetic law obtained in this way could be integrated in a global model of combustion of municipal solid waste in order to simulate the effects of operating parameters on the metal's behavior.

Hazardous Substances↗

[Models for the study of the toxic action of Legionella pneumophila].

L. pneumophila virulent culture and the filtrate of this culture disintegrated with ultrasound were shown to be toxic for guinea-pig peritoneal macrophages in vitro and for AKR mice. The virulent culture of this infective agent and the filtrate of the supernatant fluid obtained from the washings of its virulent culture had no toxic effect on a macrophage monolayer culture and on mice. The use of these models for characterizing Legionella intracellular toxic activity, as well as for characterizing Legionella strains isolated from patients and the environment, is proposed.

Animals↗

Toxicity of natural tear substitutes in a fully defined culture model of human corneal epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: Serum and saliva have recently been advocated as natural tear substitutes for intractable aqueous-deficient dry eyes, but the effects of these fluids on corneal epithelium have not been well characterized. A laboratory study was performed in a defined test model to compare the toxicity of natural and pharmaceutical tear substitutes and to identify potentially toxic factors in natural tear substitutes, such as amylase, hypotonicity, and variations in preparation. METHODS: Primary human corneal epithelial cells were cultured with defined keratinocyte serum-free medium. The cells were incubated with hypromellose (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose 0.3%) with and without benzalkonium chloride 0.01%, saliva with differing osmolalities, 100% serum, and 50% serum (1:1 vol/vol with chloramphenicol 0.5%) for varying times and concentrations. Toxicity was examined in four ways. Microvillous density was assessed with scanning electron microscopy. Cell membrane permeability and intracellular esterase activity were analyzed after staining with fluorescent calcein-AM/ethidium homodimer and cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was quantified using a luciferin-luciferase-based assay. RESULTS: The toxicity ranking of the tear substitutes correlated in all assays. The ATP assay was the most sensitive, followed by ethidium cell permeability, and finally the esterase activity. Preserved hypromellose was more toxic than the unpreserved preparation. Among natural tear substitutes, natural saliva was most toxic. Isotonic saliva and 50% serum were of similar toxicity, and 100% serum was least toxic. Natural tear substitutes were-except for natural saliva-less toxic than unpreserved hypromellose. Hypotonicity, but not amylase, was the major toxic effect associated with saliva. The dilution of serum with chloramphenicol induced toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first toxicity study using human primary corneal epithelial cells cultured under fully defined conditions as an in vitro model. Cellular ATP is a sensitive parameter for quantifying toxicity. Isotonic saliva and serum offer greater therapeutic potential for severely aqueous-deficient dry eyes than do pharmaceutical tear substitutes.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Ozone toxicity in the rat. II. Modeling changes due to ambient temperatures and duration.

Previous studies involving exposures to xenobiotic agents have demonstrated decreases in physiological parameters such as heart rate (HR) and core body temperature (Tco) and have shown that these toxic responses are modulated by changes in ambient temperature (Ta). We recently published the results of a study in which male Fischer 344 rats were implanted with radiotelemetry transmitters that permitted continuous monitoring of HR, Tco, and motor activity. These animals were divided into nine treatment groups (n = 4-5/group) composed of combinations of one of three O3-exposure regimens [0.0 parts/million (ppm) O3 x 24 h/day x 5 days; 0.5 ppm O3 x 6 h/day x 5 days; or 0.5 ppm O3 x 23 h/day x 5 days] at one of three Ta values (10,22, or 34 degrees C). We now report on statistical approaches for the modeling and analyses of these data. The models utilized were dependent on the treatment combinations. Circadian rhythms of Tco during air control periods were fit by cosine models. Overall effects of O3 in the 6- and 23-h exposure groups were best modeled by modified damped-sine and one-compartment models, respectively, for both HR and Tco. These results demonstrate improved methods for the evaluation of biorhythmicity.

Animals↗

An in vitro model for the exposure of lung alveolar epithelial cells to toxic gases.

An in vitro model of lung alveolar tissue was developed by growing rat lung epithelial cells of Type II origin on hydrated collagen gels and subsequently maintaining the cultures at an air/liquid interface. The cultures provide a system to expose lung cells directly to toxic aerosols, fumes and gases. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was used to test the responsiveness of the cultures to toxic gases. Exposure to NO2 resulted in cytotoxicity and morphological alterations similar to those found in vivo, but at lower doses. Cell viability was analyzed by trypan blue dye exclusion, clonal survival and 3H-lysine incorporation. Dose-response relationships were determined at NO2 concentrations from 0-6.0 ppm (one hr exposure, room temperature) using cell viability assays. Decreased cell viability also resulted from increasing the time of exposure to 6 ppm of NO2 for up to one hr. This lung cell test system provides a rapid and economical system for the short-term toxicological testing of toxic gases, fumes, and aerosols.

Aerosols↗