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Quantitative and qualitative differences in the metabolism of 14C-1,3-butadiene in rats and mice: relevance to cancer susceptibility.

1,3-Butadiene (butadiene) is a potent carcinogen in mice, but not in rats. Metabolic studies may provide an explanation of these species differences and their relevance to humans. Male Sprague-Dawley rats and B6C3F1 mice were exposed for 6 h to 200 ppm [2,3-14C]-butadiene (specific radioactivity [sa] 20 mCi/mmol) in a Cannon nose-only system. Radioactivity in urine, feces, exhaled volatiles and 14C-CO2 were measured during and up to 42 h after exposure. The total uptake of butadiene by rats and mice under these experimental conditions was 0.19 and 0.38 mmol (equivalent to 3.8 and 7.5 mCi) per kg body weight, respectively. In the rat, 40% of the recovered radioactivity was exhaled as 14C-CO2, 70% of which was trapped during the 6-h exposure period. In contrast, only 6% was exhaled as 14C-CO2 by mice, 3% during the 6-h exposure and 97% in the 42 h following cessation of exposure. The formation of 14C-CO2 from [2,3-14C]-labeled butadiene indicated a ready biodegradability of butadiene. Radioactivity excreted in urine accounted for 42% of the recovered radioactivity from rats and 71% from mice. Small amounts of radioactivity were recovered in feces, exhaled volatiles and carcasses. Although there was a large measure of commonality, the exposure to butadiene also led to the formation of different metabolites in rats and mice. These metabolites were not found after administration of [4-14C]-1,2-epoxy-3-butene to animals by i.p. injection. The results show that the species differences in the metabolism of butadiene are not simply confined to the quantitative formation of epoxides, but also reflect a species-dependent selection of metabolic pathways. No metabolites other than those formed via an epoxide intermediate were identified in the urine of rats or mice after exposure to 14C-butadiene. These findings may have relevance for the prediction of butadiene toxicity and provide a basis for a revision of the existing physiologically based pharmacokinetic models.

Administration, Inhalation↗

[The airborne 1,3-butadiene concentrations in rubber and plastic processing plants].

Environment pollution by 1,3-butadiene had considerably increased in Japan. The main cause of the pollution is the automotive exhaust gas, and leaks from factories, smoking, and burning of rubber and plastic products are considered to be minor sources. The object of this study was to determine the contamination levels of airborne 1,3-butadiene in factories processing rubber and plastics containing 1,3-butadiene. The concentrations of airborne 1,3-butadiene were measured in 21 plants (10 rubber processing plants and 11 plastics processing plants) in Osaka. 1,3-Butadiene in air was collected for 10 minutes with a charcoal tube and a portable small pump adjusted to a 250 ml/min flow rate. In each plant, indoor air samples at five points and an outdoor air sample at one point outside the plant were collected. The samples were subjected to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry after thermal desorption from the charcoal. The concentrations of airborne 1,3-butadiene in the rubber processing plants and the plastics processing plants were 0.14-2.20 micrograms/m3 (geometric mean: 0.48 microgram/m3) and 0.23-4.51 micrograms/m3 (geometric mean: 0.80 microgram/m3), respectively. In all plants examined, indoor 1,3-butadiene concentrations were higher than the outdoor concentrations around the plants. Therefore, 1,3-butadiene was considered to arise from the processing of rubber or plastics, but the indoor 1,3-butadiene concentrations were much lower than the PEL-TWA (1 ppm = 2.21 mg/m3) of OSHA and the TLV-TWA (2 ppm) of ACGIH. The concentrations in the plants with closed room conditions without ventilation were higher than the concentrations in the other plants. It was suggested that ventilation affected the 1,3-butadiene concentration in the plants.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

Interspecies differences in metabolism and kinetics of 1,3-butadiene, isobutene and styrene.

Investigations on the pharmacokinetics of inhalation of 1,3-butadiene and its primary reactive intermediate, epoxybutene, in mice and rats have demonstrated reasonably clearly that the species differences observed in the carcinogenicity of butadiene are accompanied by species differences in its metabolism. Mice metabolize butadiene to epoxybutene faster than rats but have a limited capacity for detoxification and accumulation of the reactive epoxide intermediate; these characteristics are viewed as major determinants of the greater susceptibility of mice to butadiene. The detection of alkylation products of epoxybutene and diepoxybutane with guanine residues in DNA of livers of mice exposed to butadiene indicate that eposybutene is further biotransformed to diepoxybutane in this species. This assumption is supported by the finding that butadiene induces cross-linking between DNA and proteins in mice, which can be attributed to the bifunctional alkylating diepoxybutane. Quantitative differences between rats and mice in butadiene metabolism and in the biological effectiveness of the reactive epoxide intermediates reflect the activities of different enzymes in butadiene metabolism. Epoxybutene is metabolized primarily via glutathione S-transferase-mediated pathways, resulting in glutathione depletion, increased toxicity at higher doses and covalent binding of reactive butadiene intermediates. A drastic depletion of non-protein sulfhydryl is observed in the tissues of mice but not of rats after acute exposure to butadiene. Isobutene (2-methylpropene) is converted by hepatic monooxygenase(s) to the epoxide, 2,2-dimethyloxirane. This epoxide, when appropriately tested, was mutagenic to Salmonellatyphimurium strains TA100 and TA1535. Addition of an exogenous metabolic system diminished the mutagenicity of 2,2-dimethyloxirane.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alkenes↗

Markers for carcinogenicity among butadiene-polymer workers in China.

We examined a spectrum of genotoxic and other outcomes in 41 butadiene-polymer production workers and 38 nonexposed controls, in China, to explore the role of butadiene in human carcinogenesis. Among butadiene-exposed workers, median air exposure was 2 ppm (6-h TWA), due largely to intermittent high-level exposures. Compared to unexposed subjects, butadiene-exposed workers had greater levels of hemoglobin N-(2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl)valine (THBVal) adducts (P<0.0001), and adduct levels tended to correlate, among butadiene-exposed workers, with air measures (P=0.03). Butadiene-exposed workers did not differ, however, from unexposed workers with respect to frequency of uninduced or diepoxybutane-induced sister chromatid exchanges, aneuploidy as measured by fluorescence in situ hybridization of chromosomes 1, 7, 8 and 12, glycophorin A variants or lymphocyte hprt somatic mutation. Also among the exposed, greater THBVal levels were not associated with increases in uninduced sister chromatid exchanges, aneuploidy, glycophorin A, or hprt mutations. Butadiene-exposed workers had greater lymphocyte (P=0.002) and platelet counts (P=0.07) and lymphocytes as a percent of white blood cells were moderately correlated with greater THBVal levels (Spearman's rho=0.32, P=0.07). Among butadiene-exposed workers, several serum cytokines correlated with THBVal adduct levels. Overall, the study demonstrated exposure to butadiene in these workers, by a variety of short-term and long-term measures, but did not show specific genotoxic effects, at the chromosomal or gene levels, related to that exposure.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

1,3-Butadiene: exposure estimation, hazard characterization, and exposure-response analysis.

1,3-Butadiene has been assessed as a Priority Substance under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. The general population in Canada is exposed to 1,3-butadiene primarily through ambient air. Inhaled 1,3-butadiene is carcinogenic in both mice and rats, inducing tumors at multiple sites at all concentrations tested in all identified studies. In addition, 1,3-butadiene is genotoxic in both somatic and germ cells of rodents. It also induces adverse effects in the reproductive organs of female mice at relatively low concentrations. The greater sensitivity in mice than in rats to induction of these effects by 1,3-butadiene is likely related to species differences in metabolism to active epoxide metabolites. Exposure to 1,3-butadiene in the occupational environment has been associated with the induction of leukemia; there is also some limited evidence that 1,3-butadiene is genotoxic in exposed workers. Therefore, in view of the weight of evidence of available epidemiological and toxicological data, 1,3-butadiene is considered highly likely to be carcinogenic, and likely to be genotoxic, in humans. Estimates of the potency of butadiene to induce cancer have been derived on the basis of both epidemiological investigation and bioassays in mice and rats. Potencies to induce ovarian effects have been estimated on the basis of studies in mice. Uncertainties have been delineated, and, while there are clear species differences in metabolism, estimates of potency to induce effects are considered justifiably conservative in view of the likely variability in metabolism across the population related to genetic polymorphism for enzymes for the critical metabolic pathway.

Animals↗

Mechanistic data indicate that 1,3-butadiene is a human carcinogen.

A review of the epidemiological and mechanistic data on 1,3-butadiene indicates that this chemical is a human carcinogen for which the mouse is an appropriate model for assessing human cancer risk. Butadiene is carcinogenic at multiple organ sites in laboratory animals, including the induction of lymphomas in mice, while epidemiological studies have consistently found associations between occupational exposure to butadiene and increased mortality from lymphatic and hematopoietic cancers. Activated oncogenes and inactivated tumor suppressor genes in butadiene-induced tumors in mice are analogous to genetic alterations frequently observed in human cancers. Butadiene is metabolized to mutagenic and carcinogenic epoxides in all mammalian species studied, including humans. These metabolites form N7-alkylguanine adducts which have been detected in liver DNA of mice exposed to butadiene and in urine of exposed workers. Increases in hprt mutations were observed in lymphocytes from mice exposed to butadiene and in occupationally exposed humans. The mutational spectra for butadiene and its epoxide metabolites at the hprt locus in mouse lymphocytes are similar to the mutational spectrum of ethylene oxide; all of these chemicals exhibit a high percentage of frameshift mutations. Ethylene oxide, an alkylating agent that also forms an N7-alkylguanine adduct, was recently classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a human carcinogen. Based on these data, we suggest that cancer induction by ethylene oxide and butadiene involve similar molecular mechanisms.

Animals↗

Assessment of the potential risk to workers from exposure to 1,3-butadiene.

The available epidemiologic data provide equivocal evidence that 1,3-butadiene is carcinogenic in humans; some available studies suggest that the lymphopoietic system is a target, but there are inconsistencies among studies in the types of tumors associated with 1,3-butadiene exposure, and there is no evidence of a relationship between length of exposure and cancer risk, as one might expect if there was a true causal relationship between 1,3-butadiene exposure and cancer risk. The available chronic animal studies, however, show an increase in tumor incidence associated with exposure to high concentrations of 1,3-butadiene. In addition to the general uncertainty of the relevance of animal data to humans, there are several additional reasons why the National Toxicology Program's mouse study may not be appropriate for assessing possible human risks. These include: a) the possible involvement of a species-specific tumor virus (MuLV) in the response in mice; b) apparent differences between mice and humans in the rate of metabolism of 1,3-butadiene to reactive epoxides that may be proximate carcinogens; c) use of high dose levels that caused excess early mortality; and d) exposure of animals to 1,3-butadiene for only about half their lifetime. While recognizing the uncertainty in using the available animal data for risk assessment, we have performed low-dose extrapolation of the data to examine the implications of the data if humans were as sensitive as rats or mice to 1,3-butadiene, and to examine how the predictions of the animal data compare to that observed in the epidemiologic studies. With the mouse data, because the study was of less than lifetime duration, we have used the Hartley-Sielken time-to-tumor model to permit estimation of lifetime risk from the less than lifetime exposure of the study. With the rat data, we have used three plausible models for assessing low-dose risk: the multistage model, the Weibull model, and the Mantel-Bryan probit model. With both the rat and mouse data, we used information on how much 1,3-butadiene is retained by animals exposed to various concentrations of the chemical. This improves the accuracy of the low-dose extrapolation. When extrapolated to low-dose levels, mice appear to be at greater risk (by a factor of 5-fold to 40-fold) than rats. Some of this difference (a factor 3-fold to 5-fold) may be due to the faster rate of metabolism of 1,3-butadiene to, and higher blood levels of, epoxide derivatives in mice than in rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Elevated somatic cell mutant frequencies and altered DNA repair responses in nonsmoking workers exposed to 1,3-butadiene.

Epidemiological evidence indicates that 1,3-butadiene is a human carcinogen; however, the epidemiological studies reflect past levels of exposures in the work place, which in all likelihood were higher than present-day levels. Studies of the metabolism of butadiene suggest that there may be qualitative differences among species in this respect. The question therefore arises as to the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of butadiene in humans. The biomonitoring study reported here was designed to determine whether current exposure to this chemical in the work place is sufficient to induce mutations and/or to alter DNA repair functions, and to determine further whether levels of urinary metabolites correlate with the effects of exposure to butadiene. Nonsmoking workers in a butadiene production plant, who were exposed to levels of 1-3 ppm butadiene, were evaluated for hprt mutant frequencies, cytogenetic effects, including a challenge test to detect DNA repair deficiencies, and formation of protein adducts. We report here the results of the initial study on hprt mutant frequencies and of the challenge assay and the correlation between the results of these assays and levels of butadiene metabolite in the urine. A single metabolite of butadiene, 1,2-dihydroxy-4-(N-acetylcysteinyl-S)butane, was detected in the urine of all subjects. The concentration of the metabolite in the highly exposed group of workers was significantly higher than that in the group exposed to low concentrations or that in outside control groups. The correlation between the level of the metabolite in urine and the frequency of hprt mutants was r = 0.85 (p < 0.0003). Initial observations from a newly developed cytogenetic assay intended to measure altered DNA repair capability (the challenge assay) indicate a statistically significant increase in the high-exposure group relative to the low-exposure group (p < 0.01). This study thus reinforces and extends the results of the epidemiological studies and indicates that present exposure levels may not be sufficiently low to protect workers. It also provides evidence that levels of the urinary metabolite that was considered to be indicative of insensitivity correlate with the frequencies of somatic mutations and exposure to butadiene.

Butadienes↗

The Reproductive Effects Assessment Group's report on the mutagenicity of 1,3-butadiene and its reactive metabolites.

A major data gap for assessing heritable risk from exposure to 1,3-butadiene is the lack of mammalian mutagenicity data. The data base on the mutagenic potential of 1,3-butadiene is limited to three bacterial studies from the same laboratory. Two of these studies were positive only in the presence of liver S9 mix from chemically pretreated animals. In vitro data suggest that 1,3-butadiene is metabolized to two epoxide intermediates. 3,4-Epoxybutene, one potential reactive metabolite of 1,3-butadiene, is a monofunctional alkylating agent and is a direct-acting mutagen in bacteria. In addition, unpublished data suggest that 3,4-epoxy-butene induces DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations in mice. Another potential reactive metabolite, 1,2:3,4-diepoxybutane, is a bifunctional alkylating agent and is mutagenic in a wide variety of organisms (bacteria, fungi, and the germ cells of Drosophila). This metabolite also induces DNA damage in mice and in cultured hamster cells, is clastogenic in fungi and cultured rat cells, and produces chromosome damage/breakage in Drosophila germ cells. These data, when combined with evidence that 1,3-butadiene is carcinogenic in rodent gonadal tissues and is associated with gonadal atrophy in mice, constitute suggestive evidence that 1,3-butadiene may be a human germ cell mutagen. However, because the mutagenicity of 1,3-butadiene has been studied only in bacteria, studies in mammalian test systems are needed to further characterize the mutagenic potential of 1,3-butadiene.

Alkylating Agents↗

Characterization of hemoglobin adduct formation in mice and rats after administration of [14C]butadiene or [14C]isoprene.

Occupational exposures to 1,3-butadiene or isoprene occur through their use in the manufacture of rubber and other related polymer products. The purpose of this study was to determine if butadiene or isoprene administration would result in the formation of adducts with blood hemoglobin (Hb), and if such adducts can be used as a measure of previous exposure(s). Male B6C3F1 mice and male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally with 1, 10, 100, or 1000 mumol [14C]butadiene or 0.3, 3.0, 300, 1000, or 3000 mumol [14C]isoprene per kilogram body weight. Animals were killed 24 hr later. Globin was isolated from blood samples and was analyzed for 14C by liquid scintillation spectroscopy. Hb adduct formation was linearly related to administered doses up to 100 mumol [14C]butadiene or 500 mumol [14C]isoprene per kilogram body weight for mice and rats, respectively. For [14C]butadiene, the efficiency of Hb adduct formation in mice and rats within the linear response range was 0.177 +/- 0.003 and 0.407 +/- 0.019 (pmol of 14C-adducts/mg globin)/(mumol of retained [14C]butadiene/kg body wt), respectively (mean +/- SE; n = 18). For [14C]isoprene, these values for mice and rats were 0.158 +/- 0.035 and 0.079 +/- 0.016 (pmol of 14C-adducts/mg globin)/(mumol of retained [14C]isoprene/kg body wt), respectively (mean +/- SE; n = 12). Hb adducts also accumulated linearly after repeated daily administration of 100 mumol [14C]butadiene or 500 mumol [14C]isoprene per kilogram body wt to mice and rats, respectively, for 3 days. [14C]Butadiene-derived Hb adducts in blood showed lifetimes of approximately 24 and approximately 65 days for mice and rats, respectively, which correlate with the reported lifetimes for red blood cells in these rodent species. Thus, levels of butadiene- or isoprene-derived adducts on Hb in circulating blood may be a useful measure of prior repeated exposures to these compounds.

Animals↗

1,3-Butadiene, isoprene and chloroprene: reviews by the IARC monographs programme, outstanding issues, and research priorities in epidemiology.

1,3-Butadiene, isoprene and chloroprene have all been evaluated more than once by the IARC Monographs Programme on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, most recently in February 1998 (Volume 71). Summaries are available on-line at http://monographs.iarc.fr. 1,3-Butadiene is currently classified in Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans), on the basis of limited evidence for increased occupational cancer risk in humans plus sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity at multiple organ sites in rats and especially in mice exposed by inhalation. Four epidemiologic studies are available on cancer risk among workers exposed to 1,3-butadiene, one large study among styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) workers, and one large and two small studies among 1,3-butadiene production workers. The results of the study of SBR workers suggest an association between butadiene exposure and leukaemia risk, which is consistent with the results of the large study of production workers. This latter study also suggested an increased risk of lymphoreticulosarcoma (ICD-8, 200). The major factors hampering the assessment of the available results are (i) possible misclassification of lymphoid and haematopoietic neoplasms, (ii) limitations in the assessment of past exposure (with the exception of the study of SBR workers) and (iii) a potential confounding effect of agents other than butadiene. Future research priorities include (i) the incorporation of newly developed biomarkers of exposure, (ii) the possible application of intermediate biomarkers, (iii) the replication of the study among SBR workers, possibly in Europe, and (iv) reanalysis of existing data in light of revisions of the classifications of leukaemias and lymphomas in the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition (2000). Isoprene is classified in Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans), on the basis of sufficient evidence for carcinogenicity at multiple organ sites in both mice and rats, especially male mice, exposed by inhalation. No epidemiologic studies are available on cancer risk from occupational exposure to isoprene. Such studies could be conducted within the framework of existing or future studies of SBR workers, assuming that isoprene exposure can be disentangled from butadiene and styrene exposure. Chloroprene is classified in Group 2B on the basis of sufficient evidence for carcinogenicity at multiple organ sites in both mice and rats exposed by inhalation. Studies of chloroprene exposed workers now include chemical workers from the United States, China and Armenia as well as shoe workers from Russia. The results of the studies from China, Armenia and Russia suggest an excess risk of liver cancer. The risk of other neoplasms was not consistently increased. Limitations of available studies include possible bias from cohort enumeration, follow-up, and choice of reference population. In most studies the exposure assessment was poor, the possible confounding effect of co-exposures was not addressed and the statistical power was low. The pathology of the cases of liver cancer should be reviewed. Future research priorities include a replication of available studies in well-defined populations and the development of biomarkers of exposure.

Animals↗

Translesion DNA synthesis by yeast DNA polymerase eta on templates containing N2-guanine adducts of 1,3-butadiene metabolites.

Yeast DNA polymerase eta can replicate through cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 8-oxoguanine lesions with the same efficiency and accuracy as replication of an undamaged template. Previously, it has been shown that Escherichia coli DNA polymerases I, II, and III are incapable of bypassing DNA substrates containing N(2)-guanine adducts of stereoisomeric 1,3-butadiene metabolites. Here we showed that yeast polymerase eta replicates DNA containing the monoadducts (S)-butadiene monoepoxide and (S,S)-butadiene diolepoxide N(2)-guanines albeit at an approximately 200-300-fold lower efficiency relative to the control guanine. Interestingly, nucleotide incorporation opposite the (R)-butadiene monoepoxide and the (R,R)-butadiene diolepoxide N(2)-guanines was approximately 10-fold less efficient than incorporation opposite their S stereoisomers. Polymerase eta preferentially incorporates the correct nucleotide opposite and downstream of all four adducts, except that it shows high misincorporation frequencies for elongation of C paired with (R)-butadiene monoepoxide N(2)-guanine. Additionally, polymerase eta does not bypass the (R,R)- and (S,S)-butadiene diolepoxide N(2)-guanine-N(2)-guanine intra- strand cross-links, and replication is completely blocked just prior to the lesion. Collectively, these data suggest that polymerase eta can tolerate the geometric distortions in DNA conferred by the N(2)-guanine butadiene monoadducts but not the intrastrand cross-links.

Butadienes↗

Species differences in butadiene metabolism between mouse and rat.

Studies on inhalation pharmacokinetics of 1,3-butadiene were conducted in mice (B6C3F1) and rats (Sprague-Dawley) to investigate the considerable differences in the susceptibility of both species to butadiene-induced carcinogenesis. In rats and mice metabolism of 1,3-butadiene to 1,2-epoxybutene-3 follows saturation kinetics. "Linear" (first-order) pharmacokinetics apply at exposure concentrations below 1000 ppm 1,3-butadiene. Saturation of butadiene metabolism is observed at atmospheric concentrations of about 2000 ppm butadiene. In the lower concentration range where first-order metabolism applies, metabolic clearance of inhaled 1,3-butadiene per kg body weight was 7300 ml (gas volume) x hr-1 for mice and 4500 ml x hr-1 for rats. The calculated maximal metabolic elimination rates (Vmax - conditions) were 400 mumol x hr-1 x kg-1 for mice and 220 mumol x hr-1 x kg-1 for rats. This shows that 1,3-butadiene is metabolized by mice at about twice the rate of rats, under conditions of both low and high exposure concentrations.

Administration, Inhalation↗

In vitro and in vivo genotoxicity of 1,3-butadiene and metabolites.

1,3-Butadiene and two major genotoxic metabolites 3,4-epoxybutene (EB) and 1,2:3,4-diepoxybutane (DEB) were used as model compounds to determine if genetic toxicity findings in animal and human cells can aid in extrapolating animal toxicity data to man. Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus induction results indicated 1,3-butadiene was genotoxic in the bone marrow of the mouse but not the rat. This paralleled the chronic bioassays which showed mice to be more susceptible than rats to 1,3-butadiene carcinogenicity. However, 1,3-butadiene did not induce unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in the rat or mouse hepatocytes following in vivo exposure. Likewise, UDS in rat and mouse hepatocytes in vitro was not induced by EB or DEB. Salmonella typhimurium gene mutation (Ames) tests of 1,3-butadiene using strains TA1535, TA97, TA98, and TA100 and employing rat, mouse, and human liver S9 metabolic systems were barely 2-fold above background only in strain TA1535 at 30% 1,3-butadiene in air with induced and uninduced rat S9 and mouse S9 (uninduced). 1,3-Butadiene was negative in in vitro SCE studies in human whole blood lymphocytes cultures treated in the presence of rat, mouse, or human liver S9 metabolic activation. In general, 1,3-butadiene is genotoxic in vivo but is a weak in vitro genotoxin.

Animals↗

A brief survey of butadiene health effects: a role for metabolic differences.

1,3-Butadiene is a major monomer in the rubber and plastics industry and is one of the highest-production industrial chemicals in the United States. Although not highly acutely toxic to rodents, inhalation of concentrations as low as 6.25 ppm causes tumors in mice. Butadiene is oncogenic in rats, but much higher exposure concentrations are required than in mice. Chronic toxicity targets the gonads and hematopoietic system. Butadiene is also a potent mutagen and clastogen. Differences in the absorption, distribution, and elimination of butadiene appear to be relatively minor between rats and mice, although mice do retain more butadiene and its metabolites after exposure to the same concentration and have a higher rate of metabolic elimination. Recent studies have demonstrated that major species differences appear to occur in the rate of detoxication of the primary metabolite, 3-epoxybutene (butadiene monoepoxide [BDMO]). Mice have the greatest rate of production of BDMO as compared to other species, but the rate of removal of BDMO appears to be less than in other species. Mice have low levels of epoxide hydrolase; rats have intermediate levels; monkeys and humans appear to have high levels of this detoxifying enzyme. Thus, while only low levels of butadiene exposure may result in an accumulation of BDMO in the mouse, much higher levels would be required to result in an elevation of circulating BDMO in other species. The level of this reactive metabolite may be correlated with the species differences in butadiene sensitivity.

Animals↗

hprt mutant lymphocyte frequencies in workers at a 1,3-butadiene production plant.

1,3-Butadiene is a major industrial chemical that has been shown to be a carcinogen at multiple sites in mice and rats at concentrations as low as 6.25 ppm. Occupational exposures have been reduced in response to these findings, but it may not be possible to determine by using traditional epidemiological methods, whether current exposure levels are adequate for protection of worker health. However, it is possible to evaluate the biological significance of exposure to genotoxic chemicals at the time of exposure by measuring levels of genetic damage in exposed populations. We have conducted a pilot study to evaluate the effects of butadiene exposure on the frequencies of lymphocytes containing mutations at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (hprt) locus in workers in a butadiene production plant. At the same time, urine specimens from the same individuals were collected and evaluated for the presence of butadiene-specific metabolites. Eight workers from areas of the plant where the highest exposures to butadiene occur were compared to five workers from plant areas where butadiene exposures were low. In addition, six subjects with no occupational exposure to butadiene were also studied as outside controls. All of the subjects were nonsmokers. An air sampling survey conducted for 6 months, and ending about 3 months before the study, indicated that average butadiene levels in the air of the high-exposure areas were about 3.5 +/- 7.5 ppm. They were 0.03 +/- 0.03 ppm in the low-exposure areas. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from the subjects were assayed using an autoradiographic test for hprt mutations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Ni0-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of 1,3-butadiene: a comprehensive density functional investigation on the origin of the selectivity.

A comprehensive theoretical investigation of the mechanism for the Ni(0)-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of 1,3-butadiene by the [Ni(0)(eta(2)-butadiene)(3)] active catalyst complex is presented by employing a gradient-corrected DFT method. All critical elementary processes of the catalytic cycle have been scrutinized, namely, oxidative coupling of two butadienes, butadiene insertion into the allyl-Ni(II) bond, allylic isomerization in both octadienediyl-Ni(II) and dodecatrienediyl-Ni(II) species, and reductive elimination under ring closure. For each of these elementary steps several conceivable routes and also the different stereochemical pathways have been probed. The favorable route for oxidative coupling start from the prevalent [Ni(0)(eta(2)-butadiene)(3)] form of the active catalyst through coupling between the terminal non-coordinated carbon atoms of two reactive eta(2)-butadiene moieties; this is assisted by an ancillary butadiene in eta(2)-mode. The initial eta(3),eta(1)(C(1))-octadienediyl-Ni(II) product is the active precursor for subsequent butadiene insertion, which preferably takes place into the eta(3)-allyl-Ni(II) bond. The insertion is driven by a strong thermodynamic force. Therefore, the dodecatrienediyl-Ni(II) products, with the most favorable bis(eta(3)-allyl),Delta-trans isomers in particular, represent a thermodynamic sink. Commencing from a preestablished equilibrium between the various bis(eta(3)-allyl),Delta-trans forms of the [Ni(II)(dodecatrienediyl)] complex, the major cyclotrimer products, namely all-t-CDT, c,c,t-CDT and c,t,t-CDT, are formed along competing paths by reductive elimination under ring closure, which is shown to be rate-controlling. The all-c-CDT-generating path is completely precluded by both thermodynamic and kinetic factors, giving rise to negligibly populated bis(eta(3)-allyl),Delta-cis precursor isomers. The regulation of the selectivity of the CDT formation as well as the competition between the two reaction channels for generation of C(12)- and C(8)-cycloolefins is elucidated.

Journal Article↗

S-(2-hydroxy-3-buten-1-yl)glutathione and S-(1-hydroxy-3-buten-2-yl)glutathione are in vivo metabolites of butadiene monoxide: detection and quantitation in bile.

Administration (ip) of butadiene monoxide, a toxic metabolite of 1,3-butadiene, to rats caused the appearance of two new biliary peaks when analyzed by HPLC chromatography. These peaks were isolated and identified as the regioisomeric glutathione conjugates, S-(2-hydroxy-3-buten-1-yl)glutathione (I) and S-(1-hydroxy-3-buten-2-yl)glutathione (II), by comparison of their HPLC retention times and fast atom bombardment mass spectra to those of synthetic standards. S-(4-Hydroxy-2-buten-1-yl)glutathione, a rearrangement product formed during chemical synthesis or storage of I, was not detected. Whether butadiene monoxide was given at a dose of 14.3 or 143 mumol/kg, the amount of conjugates excreted in 30 min was at least 85% of that excreted in 120 min. Conjugate excretion in 60 min did not exhibit saturation when the butadiene monoxide dose was varied between 14.3 and 286 mumol/kg; the total amount of the butadiene monoxide dose excreted as combined I and II averaged only 7.6 +/- 4.2% (mean +/- SD, n = 12), with approximately a 3:1 ratio of isomers I:II being excreted at all butadiene monoxide doses. Whereas these results indicate a role for glutathione S-transferase-catalyzed reactions in butadiene monoxide metabolism in vivo, biliary excretion of I and II can only account for a small fraction of the butadiene monoxide dose given.

Animals↗