Centrilobular Hepatocyte Hypertrophy Research Articles

Phenobarbitone – induced liver response in wild type and in p53 deficient mice

The tumour suppressor protein, p53, is involved in the regulation of apoptosis and growth arrest following DNA damage. Mutations of the p53 gene are found in 50–55% of all human cancers (Hollstein et al. Nucl. Acid Res. 22 (1994) 3551), including hepatocellular carcinomas. Phenobarbitone (PB) is a non-genotoxic hepatocarcinogen in rats and mice. With commercial availability of mice where one or both alleles of p53 have been removed we have examined the effect of PB in wild type C57BL/6J mice (p53 +/+), and p53 deficient mice (+/− and −/− p53) to determine whether p53 plays a role in the PB induced liver response. In each strain of mice, chronic administration caused liver enlargement, which was associated with centrilobular hepatocyte hypertrophy and a transient hyperplasia. In addition, an increase in centrilobular epidermal growth factor receptor and its ligand, transforming growth factor α and a decrease in mannose-6-phosphate receptor and its mitoinhibitory ligand, TGFβ1 was also observed immunohistochemically. The similar response in all three strains indicates that p53 probably plays no role in the early PB induced liver effects of hypertrophy and changes in growth factor expression.

Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone in rats and mice.

p,p'-Dichlorodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) is used as a starting material in the production of polysulfones and polyethersufones, a family of thermoplastics. DDS was studied because of its high production volume and use. In toxicology studies, 10 Fischer 344 rats and 10 B6C3F1 mice/sex/group were fed diets containing 0, 30, 100, 300, 1,000 or 3,000 ppm DDS for 14 weeks. All animals survived until the end of the studies. Mean body weights of groups exposed to 300 ppm or greater were significantly decreased. Liver and kidney in rats and liver in mice were the major target organs of DDS toxicity. Dose-related increases in liver weights and incidences of centrilobular hepatocyte hypertrophy were observed in DDS-exposed groups. Nephropathy was seen in male and female rats only at and above 300 ppm. Neurotoxicity evaluations were negative in DDS-treated animals. Clinical chemistry and hematology parameters were minimally affected. In the 2-year toxicity and carcinogenicity studies, 50 rats and 50 mice/sex/group were fed diets containing 0, 10 (male rats), 30, 100, or 300 ppm DDS for 104 to 105 weeks. Survival of exposed groups was not affected. There were no clinical signs of toxicity related to DDS exposure. Final mean body weights were 2-17% lower in DDS-treated groups. Liver was the only target organ of DDS-induced toxicity. The incidence of centrilobular hepatocyte hypertrophy in mice and rats, and the incidence of bile duct hyperplasia and centrilobular degeneration in female rats was significantly greater than in controls. A no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of 30 ppm DDS in the diet (1.5 mg/kg body weight) was established for rats. DDS was not carcinogenic in these studies.

Toxicity of 3,3′,4,4′-Tetrachloroazobenzene in Rats and Mice

The toxicity of 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachloroazobenzene (TCAB) was evaluated in 13-week gavage studies in male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1mice. In addition to histopathology, evaluations included clinical chemistry, hematology, thyroid hormone analyses, and reproductive parameters. Groups of 10 rats and 10 mice of each sex were exposed to TCAB at dose levels of 0, 0.1, 1, 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg for 5 days a week for 13 weeks. In the rat studies, the major effects for both males and females included a 10% decrease in terminal body weight at 30 mg/kg/day, an increase in hematopoietic cell proliferation in the spleen at 10 and 30 mg/kg/day, and a responsive anemia at 10 and 30 mg/kg/day. A 15 to 30% decrease in platelet counts and a 20 to 40% decrease in thymus weights was observed at 10 and 30 mg/kg/day. An increase in liver weight up to 15% was found at 3 mg/kg/day and higher doses in males and at 10 and 30 mg/kg/day in females, respectively. An increase in spleen weights up to 15% was observed at 10 and 30 mg/kg/day in males and at 30 mg/kg/day in females. A marked decrease in circulating total thyroxine (TT4) was found in both males and females at all dose levels tested. TT4 could hardly be detected at 10 and 30 mg TCAB/kg/day. In addition, hyperplasia of the forestomach was increased at 3 mg/kg/day and higher doses in males and at 30 mg/kg/day in females. In the mouse studies, an increase in liver and spleen weight was observed up to approximately 25% in both males and females at 10 and 30 mg/kg/day. Hyperplasia of the forestomach was observed at 1 mg/kg/day and higher doses in both males and females. In males, a 30% decrease in thymus weights at 30 mg/kg/day and a 60% decrease in epididymal sperm density at 3 and 30 mg/kg/day was observed. Also in males, centrilobular hypertrophy of hepatocytes and an increase in hematopoietic cell proliferation in the spleen was observed at 3 mg/kg/day and higher doses. Based on the current study and information in the literature, TCAB has dioxin-like properties. Comparison of the effects of TCAB in the present study and in the literature to those with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) indicates that TCAB is from two to six orders of magnitude less potent than TCDD depending on the end point.

Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of pentachlorophenol in rats

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) has been used as an herbicide, algaecide, defoliant, wood preservative, germicide, fungicide, and molluscicide. A 28-day toxicity study of PCP in F344/N rats of both sexes was conducted to select dose levels for a carcinogenicity study. Groups of 10 male and 10 female rats were given 0, 200, 400, 800, 1600, or 3200 ppm PCP in feed for 28 days. The incidences of minimal to mild hepatocyte degeneration in males and females exposed to 400 ppm or greater and the incidences of centrilobular hepatocyte hypertrophy in the 3200-ppm groups were increased. For carcinogenicity studies, groups of 50 male and 50 female F344/N rats were fed diets containing 200, 400, or 600 PCP for 2 years. A stop-exposure group of 60 male and 60 female rats received 1000 ppm of PCP in feed for 52 weeks and control feed thereafter for the remainder of the 2-year studies; 10 male and 10 female rats were evaluated at 7 months. Survival of 600-ppm males was significantly greater than that of the controls; survival of all other exposed groups was similar to that of the control groups. Mean body weights of the 400- and 600-ppm groups were generally less than those of the controls throughout the studies. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of PCP in male or female rats fed diets containing 200, 400, or 600 ppm for 2 years. Stop-exposure study males and females regained a transitory body weight reduction by the end of the 2 year study, and males had better survival than the controls. At a 7-month interim evaluation, the incidences of centrilobular hypertrophy in stop-exposure males and females exceeded those in the controls. At 2 years, malignant mesothelioma originating from the tunica vaginalis was present in 9 1000-ppm males and 1 control male (p = 0.014). Nasal squamous cell carcinomas were present in five 1000-ppm males and 1 control male. This incidence was not significantly increased but exceeded the historical control range (0-4%). Based on the increased incidences of mesotheliomas and nasal tumors, there was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of PCP in male rats given a diet containing 1000 ppm for 1 year followed by control diet for 1 year. There was no evidence of PCP carcinogenic activity in stop-exposure female rats.

Toxicity and Carcinogenicity Studies of Oxazepam in the Fischer 344 Rat

Oxazepam and related benzodiazepines are used in the treatment of anxiety. Carcinogenicity studies of oxazepam were performed with the F344 rat because of marked differences in tumor responses observed in NTP studies with B6C3F1 and Swiss-Webster mice compared to the results of Sprague-Dawley rat studies submitted to the FDA by a manufacturer to support registration of the drug. Groups of 50 male and 50 female F344/N rats were fed diets containing 0, 625, 2500, or 5000 ppm oxazepam for up to 105 weeks. A stop-exposure group of 50 males and 50 females received 10,000 ppm oxazepam in diet for 26 weeks, after which animals received control diet. All 5000- and 10, 000-ppm stop-exposure males died before the end of the study. Survival of 2500-ppm males and females was lower than that of controls. Body weight gains of 2500- and 5000-ppm males and females were less than those of controls. Male rats exposed to 2500 ppm had an increased incidence of renal tubule adenoma and hyperplasia. In addition, the incidences of renal tubule adenoma and hyperplasia were increased in the 10,000-ppm stop-exposure group. The incidences of nephropathy in exposed females were greater than those in controls, and the severity of nephropathy increased in exposed males. Epithelial hyperplasia and chronic inflammation of the nonglandular stomach were increased in males given 2500 and 5000 ppm and the incidence of ulcers of the nonglandular stomach in 2500-ppm males was also greater than that in controls. In males exposed to 5000 ppm, mineralization of the glandular stomach and erosion of the duodenum were observed. In females exposed to 2500 ppm, the incidences of epithelial hyperplasia, chronic inflammation, and ulcers of the nonglandular stomach and the incidence of erosion in the glandular stomach were increased. The incidences of centrilobular hepatocyte hypertrophy in males and females given 2500 and 5000 ppm were greater than those in controls. In summary, there was equivocal evidence of carcinogenicity in males based on increased renal tubule adenomas in groups which also had significantly enhanced nephropathy. There was no evidence of carcinogenicity of oxazepam in females given a diet containing 625, 2500, or 5000 ppm for 2 years or 10,000 ppm for 6 months.

Promoting effect of large amounts of vitamin A on cell proliferation of thyroid proliferative lesions induced by simultaneous treatment with thiourea.

In order to examine modifying effects of simultaneous treatment with large amounts of vitamin A (VA) and thiourea (TU) on the thyroid tumorigenesis in rats, male F344 rats were initiated with N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (2800 mg/kg body weight, single s.c. injection), and starting 1 week later received diet containing 0.1% VA (VA group), drinking water containing 0.2% TU (TU group), 0.2% TU + 0.1% VA (TU + VA group) or tap water/basal diet (control group) for 19 weeks. Serum T3 and T4 in the TU and TU + VA groups were significantly decreased as compared to the control group, while serum TSH levels were remarkably increased. The ratios of T3 and T4 decrease and TSH increase in the TU + VA group were remarkably more pronounced than in the TU group. Thyroid neoplastic lesions were only induced in the TU and TU + VA groups. The multiplicity of intracapsular follicular cell proliferative foci in the TU + VA group was significantly increased as compared to the TU group value. Cell proliferation of hypertrophic and subcapsular follicular cells, as well as in hyperplasias, and neoplasias with adenomatous growth pattern was significantly higher in the combined treatment case than after TU alone. In the liver, centrilobular hypertrophy of hepatocytes was seen in the TU and TU + VA groups, this being especially marked in the latter group. In the combined group case the affected cells were strongly positive for GST-P antibody binding. The results of the present study suggest that cell proliferation of thyroid follicular cell proliferative lesions in rats is enhanced by strong TSH stimulation with simultaneous treatment of TU and large amounts of VA.

Two-generation reproduction toxicity study with isopropanol in rats.

A two-generation reproduction toxicity study was conducted in rats with isopropanol. Thirty rats of each sex per group (P1) were dosed once daily by oral gavage with 0, 100, 500 or 1000 mg isopropanol kg-1 for at least 10 weeks prior to mating. Parental animals were mated within groups for up to 3 weeks. Parental females were dosed during mating, gestation and lactation; parental males were dosed during mating through delivery of their last litter sired. The P2 adults were selected from the F1 litters and were dosed for 10-13 weeks before mating to produce a single litter. Findings in the parental animals included increased lactation body weight gain in the mid- and high-dose females, increased liver and kidney weights in the mid- and high-dose groups of both sexes and centrilobular hepatocyte hypertrophy in some P2 males. There was also accumulation of hyaline droplets and other microscopic findings in the kidneys from the mid- and high-dose P1 males and from all treated groups of the P2 males. Increased mortality was observed in the high-dose F1 offspring during the early postnatal period, although no other clinical signs of toxicity were observed in the offspring of either generation. In addition, offspring body weight was reduced during the early postnatal period in the high-dose F1 males and in the high-dose F2 pups of both sexes. Eighteen out of 70 F1 weanlings in the 1000 mg kg-1 group died or were euthanized prior to P2 selection. No treatment-related post-mortem findings were observed in the offspring from either generation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of the hepatic effects of coumarin, 3,4-Dimethylcoumarin, dihydrocoumarin and 6-methylcoumarin in the rat

The mechanism of coumarin-induced hepatotoxicity in the rat has been investigated by comparing the effects of coumarin with those of three coumarin derivatives, namely 3,4-dihydrocoumarin (DHC), 3,4-dimethylcoumarin (3,4-DMC) and 6-methylcoumarin (6-MC). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either control diet or diets containing 0.5 or 0.75% coumarin, 0.76% DHC, 0.6 or 0.9% 3,4-DMC or 0.82% 6-MC for 13 wk. The dietary levels of 0.5% coumarin and 0.6% 3,4-DMC, were equimolar (3.43mmol/100g diet), as were the dietary levels of 0.75% coumarin, 0.76% DHC, 0.9% 3,4-DMC and 0.82% 6-MC (5.14mmol/100g diet). All treatments resulted in an increase in relative liver weight, but only coumarin increased plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities. Morphological examination of liver sections from coumarin treated rats revealed vacuolation of centrilobular hepatocytes and bile duct hyperplasia. Cholangiofibrosis was also observed, particularly in rats given 0.75% coumarin. Treatment with DHC produced no abnormalities, whereas a slight hypertrophy of centrilobular hepatocytes was observed in some 3,4-DMC treated animals and a slight vacuolation of individual hepatocytes was noted in some 6-MC treated rats. DHC, 6-MC and particularly 3,4-DMC treatment resulted in an induction of cytochrome P-450 dependent mixed function oxidase enzyme activities. All treatments induced hepatic GSHS-transferase and γ-glutamyltransferase activities, induction being most marked in rats given coumarin and 6-MC. These results provide further evidence that coumarin-induced hepatotoxicity in the rat is due to the formation of a 3,4-epoxide intermediate.

Subchronic oral and intravenous (iv) safety evaluation and pharmacokinetics in rats and dogs of ipazilide fumarate (Win 54,177-4), an antiarrhythmic agent

Ipazilide fumarate (Win 54,177-4) is a chemically novel antiarrhythmic agent that prolongs ventricular refractoriness and possesses antiectopic activity. Subchronic (29 days) nonclinical safety evaluation of ipazilide was conducted following oral and iv administration in Sprague-Dawley rats (20–320 mg/kg oral and 1.25 – 10 mg/kg iv) and 14 and 28 days in beagle dogs (3–30 mg/kg oral and 2.5–20 mg/kg iv). The pharmacokinetic parameters of ipazilide indicate that ipazilide is absorbed ( t max ≤ 1 hr) in fasted rats and dogs following single and repeated oral administrations. The apparent elimination half-life in the two species is approximately 1 hr (except in rats at a dosage of 320 mg/kg), suggesting rapid clearance. Increases in liver weights (rats 320 mg/kg) accompanied by the observation of centrilobular hypertrophy of hepatocytes were considered an expression of an adaptive metabolic response of the liver to ipazilide and may be associated with the induction of microsomal enzymes. Duodenal villous atrophy and epithelial hyperplasia (rats, 80 and 320 mg/kg) were interpreted to represent an irritant response to the drug. Local irritation was also observed at the injection site in rats and dogs. Dogs tolerated the oral and the iv administration of ipazilide at dosages of up to 30 and 20 mg/kg, respectively. Despite emesis (oral dogs), which was reduced in frequency following repeated treatment over several weeks, plasma levels in treated dogs (i.e., C max 4–5 μg/ml) were approximately twice that required to convert spontaneous arrhythmias in the conscious dog model 24 hr after myocardial infarction. Moreover, plasma levels ( C max 6–7 μg/ml) of iv-treated dogs were approximately three times higher than the efficacious levels in the dog model and did not cause adverse effects except emesis. Electrocardiographic changes (i.e., increased P wave and QRS durations, and T wave alterations) in dogs were transient and represented an extension of the pharmacological effects of ipazilide. In summary, since ipazilide, at multiple therapeutic dosages, was well tolerated in rats and dogs, it may be considered an appropriate drug for clinical evaluation of safety and efficacy in humans as a potential antiarrhythmic agent. The safety profile of ipazilide in clinical trials is currently ongoing.

A fifty-two week oral chronic toxicity study of suplatast tosilate (IPD-1151T) in rats

A 52-week oral repeated dose toxicity study of suplatast tosilate (IPD-1151T), a new anti-allergic agent, as well as a 5-week recovery study were carried out at dose levels of 0 (control), 50, 300 and 1800 mg/kg/day using male and female rats. The results were as follows: 1. In general conditions, transient salivation after each administration and excretions with peculiar smells were noted in both sexes given 1800 mg/kg/day. Since one male and six female rats given 1800 mg/kg/day showed bradypnea, clonic/tonic convulsions, lying on the belly and/or side, subnormal temperature, abnormal gait, paralysis of extremities, they were sacrificed in moribund. 2. The body weight was lowered from the early stage of administration period in both sexes given 1800 mg/kg/day. 3. There were no remarkable changes in food consumption, urinalysis, fecal examination, hematology and ophthalmology. 4. Biochemical examination revealed a decrease in triglyceride in males given 300 mg/kg/day or more. 5. In pathological examination, the animals sacrificed in moribund showed necrosis and degeneration of neurons and/or sponge-like change of neuropile in nucleus caudatus of the cerebrum, necrosis and partial disappearance of granular cells and Purkinje's cells, and swelling of Bergmann's cells in the cerebellum. In survived animals, the relative organ weight in the liver increased in males given 300 mg/kg/day or more and females given 1800 mg/kg/day, and histopathological examination revealed slight vacuolization, hypertrophy of centrilobular hepatocytes in males given 1800 mg/kg/day. Furthermore, in some females, similar changes of the cerebrum and the cerebellum, as mentioned above, were slightly observed. In electron microscopic examination, slight proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum in hepatocytic cytoplasm was observed in males given 1800 mg/kg/day. The necrobiotic changes, such as condensation of nuclear chromatin, increased electron density of cytoplasm and nuclei, mitochondrial accumulation and vacuolization, in the cells possibly derived from small granular cells in the cerebellum were observed in females given 1800 mg/kg/day. The mitochondrial swelling, decreased and dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, and increased electron density of cytoplasm and nuclei with formation of cytoplasmic vacuole and membranous degenerated structure in neurons of cerebral temporal lobe cortex were observed in females given 1800 mg/kg/day. 6. In a recovery study, electron microscopic examination revealed a slight degeneration of myelinated nerve fibers in the cerebellum in males given 1800 mg/kg/day. On the contrary, there were no remarkable changes in general condition, body weight and various clinical parameters. It was noted that these changes induced by IPD-1151T seemed to be reversible changes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzo- p-dioxin in rats after single oral administration

Five male and female per dose-group received 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzo- p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TBDD) once on the first day of the study. Doses of 10, 33, 100, or 300 μg 2,3,7,8-TBDD /kg body wt. and the vehicle control were administered by gavage. About 20% of 2,3,7,8-TBDD was excrete via feces. Severe body weight reatardation was observed in the 100 and 300 μg/kg dose-groups. Most animals in the 300 μg/kg dose-group and the females receiving 100 μg/kg showed emaciation, rough coat and a poor health (wasting syndrome). Of the animals dosed with 300 μg/kg, 3 males and all females died. After 100 μg 2,3,7,8-TBDD/kg 3 females died. Measured 4 weeks after dosing, triiodothyronine (T3) was increased and thyroxin (T4) was reduced dose dependently in serum. A dose-dependent decrease in thymus weight was observed at necropsy and histological examinations showed that thymus and spleen were depleted of mature lymphocytes. An increase in liver-to-body weight ratio was observed in all dose-groups. The histological examination revealed hypertrophy of centrilobular hepatocytes in the liver of animals treated with 100 /gmg/kg, which was less severe at the 33 μg/kg dose. Hypertrophic hepatocytes were also detected in some animals at the lowest dose. Induction of enzyme activities of the mixed function oxidase ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD), ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) in liver tissue differed for each of the three enzymes. Two days after administration, enzyme activities were induced but did not differ substantially between dose-groups. Twenty-eight days after dosing the increase in activity after 10 μg/kg was largest and the EROD of the 100 μg/kg dose-group in females was close to that of the control. This inverse dose-response relationship may be due to impaired liver cell function at higher doses.

Subchronic Oral and Intravenous (iv) Safety Evaluation and Pharmacokinetics in Rats and Dogs of Ipazilide Fumarate (Win 54, 177-4), an Antiarrhythmic Agent

Ipazilide fumarate (Win 54,177-4) is a chemically novel antiarrhythmic agent that prolongs ventricular refractoriness and possesses antiectopic activity. Subchronic (29 days) nonclinical safety evaluation of ipazilide was conducted following oral and iv administration in Sprague-Dawley rats (20–320 mg/kg oral and 1.25–10 mg/kg iv) and 14 and 28 days in beagle dogs (3–30 mg/kg oral and 2.5–20 mg/kg iv). The pharmacokinetic parameters of ipazilide indicate that ipazilide is absorbed (tmax ≤1 hr) in fasted rats and dogs following single and repeated oral administrations. The apparent elimination half-life in the two species is approximately 1 hr (except in rats at a dosage of 320 mg/kg), suggesting rapid clearance. Increases in liver weights (rats 320 mg/kg) accompanied by the observation of centrilobular hypertrophy of hepatocytes were considered an expression of an adaptive metabolic response of the liver to ipazilide and may be associated with the induction of microsomal enzymes. Duodenal villous atrophy and epithelial hyperplasia (rats, 80 and 320 mg/kg) were interpreted to represent an irritant response to the drug. Local irritation was also observed at the injection site in rats and dogs. Dogs tolerated the oral and the iv administration of ipazilide at dosages of up to 30 and 20 mg/kg, respectively. Despite emesis (oral dogs), which was reduced in frequency following repeated treatment over several weeks, plasma levels in treated dogs (i.e., Cmax 4–5 μg/ml) were approximately twice that required to convert spontaneous arrhythmias in the con scious dog model 24 hr after myocardial infarction. Moreover, plasma levels (Cmax 6–7 μg/ml) of iv-treated dogs were approximately three times higher than the efficacious levels in the dog model and did not cause adverse effects except emesis. Electrocardiographic changes (i.e., increased P wave and QRS durations, and T wave alterations) in dogs were transient and represented an extension of the pharmacological effects of ipazilide. In summary, since ipazilide, at multiple therapeutic dosages, was well tolerated in rats and dogs, it may be considered an appropriate drug for clinical evaluation of safety and efficacy in humans as a potential antiarrhythmic agent. The safety profile of ipazilide in clinical trials is currently ongoing.

Effects of Chronic Treatment with the Leukotriene D4 Antagonist Compound LY171883 on Fischer 344 Rats and Rhesus Monkeys

Effects of Chronic Treatment with the Leukotriene D4 Antagonist Compound LY171883 on Fischer 344 Rats and Rhesus Monkeys. HOOVER, D. M., BENDELE, A. M., HOFFMAN, W. P., FOXWORTHY, P. S., AND EACHO, P. I. (1990). Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 14, 123–130. One-year toxicity studies were done to evaluate potential toxic effects associated with chronic exposure of rats and monkeys to the leukotriene antagonist LY171883. Rats were fed dietary doses of 0.0, 0.01, 0.03, or 0.1%, equivalent to approximately 0, 5, 15, or 50 mg/kg of body weight/day. Monkeys were given daily nasogastric gavage doses of 0, 30, 75, or 175 mg/kg of body weight. No treatment-related effects occurred in physical, behavioral, ocular, food consumption, or uri-nalysis parameters in either species. Mild dose-related hepatotoxicity occurred in rats given approximately 15 or 50 mg/kg of LY 171883. The hepatotoxicity was characterized by liver enlargement associated with induction of hepatic peroxisomal β-oxidation and microsomal drug metabolism. Male rats also had hepatocellular fatty change, centrilobular hypertrophy of hepa-tocytes, and increased levels of serum alanine transaminase and total bilirubin. Other effects in rats included minimal decreases in hematocrit values, decreases in serum triglycerides and cholesterol, and increased kidney weight The monkeys tolerated daily oral doses of LY 171883 up to 175 mg/kg with only minor increases in hepatic microsomal enzyme activity and slightly increased liver and kidney weights in males. No effects occurred in monkeys given 30 mg/kg. There was no induction of hepatic peroxisomal enzymes or pathologic abnormalities in monkeys treated with LY 171883. The peroxisomal inductive effect was apparently a species-related effect separate from the pharmacologic activity of leukotriene antagonism.

Effects of chronic treatment with the leukotriene D 4 antagonist compound LY171883 on Fischer 344 rats and rhesus monkeys

One-year toxicity studies were done to evaluate potential toxic effects associated with chronic exposure of rats and monkeys to the leukotriene antagonist LY171883. Rats were fed dietary doses of 0.0, 0.01, 0.03, or 0.1%, equivalent to approximately 0, 5, 15, or 50 mg/kg of body weight/day. Monkeys were given daily nasogastric gavage doses of 0, 30, 75, or 175 mg/kg of body weight. No treatment-related effects occurred in physical, behavioral, ocular, food consumption, or urinalysis parameters in either species. Mild dose-related hepatotoxicity occurred in rats given approximately 15 or 50 mg/kg of LY171883. The hepatotoxicity was characterized by liver enlargement associated with induction of hepatic peroxisomal β-oxidation and microsomal drug metabolism. Male rats also had hepatocellular fatty change, centrilobular hypertrophy of hepatocytes, and increased levels of serum alanine transaminase and total bilirubin. Other effects in rats included minimal decreases in hematocrit values, decreases in serum triglycerides and cholesterol, and increased kidney weight. The monkeys tolerated daily oral doses of LY171883 up to 175 mg/kg with only minor increases in hepatic microsomal enzyme activity and slightly increased liver and kidney weights in males. No effects occurred in monkeys given 30 mg/kg. There was no induction of hepatic peroxisomal enzymes or pathologic abnormalities in monkeys treated with LY171883. The peroxisomal inductive effect was apparently a species-related effect separate from the pharmacologic activity of leukotriene antagonism.

Hepatic changes in rats following subchronic administration of FYROL 6, an organophosphorus ester flame retardant.

This study conducted to evaluate the subchronic toxicity of FYROL 6 [diethyl N,N-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)aminomethylphosphonate] in rats demonstrated an hepatic effect not commonly reported for related compounds. Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes were gavaged daily with 0, 10, 100, or 500 mg/kg FYROL 6 in corn oil for 13 wk. No treatment-related mortality and few signs of toxicity were noted during the study. Fyrol 6 did not inhibit plasma, erythrocyte, or brain cholinesterase activities. Treatment-related necropsy and microscopic alterations were restricted to the liver. Increased liver weights, hepatocellular hypertrophy, and eosinophilia of centrilobular hepatocytes were evident in 100-mg/kg females and in both sexes at 500 mg/kg. Morphometric analysis revealed a 40% increase in cross-sectional area of individual hepatocytes in 500-mg/kg males, compared to controls. There was no morphologic evidence of hepatic necrosis or clinical evidence of liver dysfunction. This study demonstrated low toxicity for FYROL 6 and treatment-related changes restricted to the liver suggestive of an adaptive response to FYROL 6.

Liver scarring induced by polychlorinated biphenyl administration to mice previously treated with diethylnitrosamine.

Exposure of mice for 8 weeks to drinking water containing diethylnitrosamine (DEN) was accompanied by alterations in hepatocyte structure and varying degrees of liver nonparenchymal cell (NPC) proliferation. Eighteen and a half weeks after cessation of DEN exposure, there was a 47% incidence of hepatocellular nodules. Centrilobular hepatocyte hypertrophy occurred consistently in mice given intraperitoneal injections of the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixture Aroclor 1254. PCB administration to mice previously treated with DEN was not accompanied by increases in gross liver nodule incidence above that induced by DEN, but many more developing microscopic nodules within the liver were observed in DEN-treated mice given Aroclor 1254 than in mice treated only with DEN. Aroclor 1254 administration over a 16-week period to mice previously treated with DEN was accompanied by an 83% incidence of severe distortion of liver structure resulting from nodule formation, uneven patterns of hepatocyte growth, and extensive deposition of scar tissue containing proliferating bile ducts. Morphological evidence of intestinal metaplasia was observed in proliferating bile duct-like structures during an early stage of liver adenofibrosis.

Chemical and Biological Investigations of a Transformer Accident at Binghamton, NY

A transformer fire occurred in a state office building in Binghamton, NY on February 5, 1981. Particulates from inside surfaces of ceiling panels on 16 of the 17 floors had concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) ranging from < 1 part per million (ppm) to 1200 ppm while polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations varied from 28 ppm to 23,000 ppm. In spite of the wide variations in contaminant concentrations, complete analytical data from 11 floors showed that there was a consistent PCDF/PCB ratio (0.067 ± 0.026) and also consistent PCDF isomer group distributions (tetra-CDFs, 33 ± 5%; penta-CDFs, 40 ± 3%; hexa-CDFs, 18 ± 7%; hepta-CDFs, 6 ± 3%). It was found that the particulate samples could be successfully ranked in order of their degree of chemical contamination by an in vitro bioassay. The bioassay was based on induction of keratinization or changes in morphology in mouse epithelial cells. Animal toxicology experiments were carried out with a soot sample containing a PCDF concentration which approximated the mean value found on the ceiling particulates. The single dose oral LD values of the soot and its benzene extract equivalent, each administered to female guinea pigs in 0.75% methyl cellulose, were 410 and 327 mg/kg, respectively. These results demonstrated that the soot matrix had virtually no effect on the toxicity of the chemical contaminants in the soot. Morphological alterations in liver tissues from animals receiving the soot were found after examination by electron and light microscopy. Rabbits dermally exposed to the soot and its benzene extract at 500 mg/kg showed evidence of hypertrophy of centrilobular hepatocytes. In addition the rabbits exposed to the soot extract had a local inflammatory reaction at the site of application. In a subchronic feeding experiment carried out for 90 days with guinea pigs, the lowest effect level was found with an accumulated dose of 1.2 mg soot/kg. The observed effects included salivary gland duct metaplasia and decreased relative thymus weights. Based on the chemical analysis data and literature LD values for the more toxic 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and PCDFs, it was calculated that the soot contained the equivalent of 44 ppm 2,3,7,8-tetra-CDD in terms of toxicity to guinea pigs. This was in close agreement with the value of 58 ppm derived from the acute oral toxicity experiments. Air sampling, accomplished on 8 floors in the final stages of the building cleanup, showed maximum total PCDF and 2,3,7,8-tetra-CDF concentrations of 264 and 23 pg/m, respectively.

Chronic toxicity, reproductive, and teratogenic studies of hexazinone

Hexazinone [3-cyclohexyl-6-(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine 2,4(1 H,3 H)-dione; CAS 51235-04-2] was tested for oral toxicity in rats (both 90-day and 2-year feeding studies), mice (8-week and 2-year feeding studies), and dogs (90-day feeding study). The teratogenic potential was evaluated in rabbits and rats and functional reproductive capacity was studied in rats. Ninety-day feeding of up to 1000 ppm produced no signs of a toxic response in rats. Rats fed 5000 ppm had growth curves slightly inferior to those of the controls as the only detectable difference. Extending the feeding period to 2 years produced decreased body weights in males fed 2500 ppm (top level tested) and in females fed either 1000 or 2500 ppm. All other indices of response, including the type and distribution of tumors, were similar in the test and control rats with the no-effect level being 200 ppm. Eight-week feeding of up to 10,000 ppm in mice produced increased liver weight only at the highest level without any other changes. Two-year feeding of either 200, 2500, or 10,000 ppm resulted in sloughing of the distal tip of the tail and increased liver weights among mice fed 10,000 ppm. Hypertrophy of centrilobular hepatocytes and hyperplasic nodules were increased in mice fed either 2500 or 10,000 ppm. No evidence of a tumorigenic response was evident. The no-effect level was 200 ppm. Dogs fed 5000 ppm for 90 days had decreased rate of body weight gain with clinical enzyme changes suggestive of liver damage. Microscopic examination of the liver failed to reveal any alterations and dogs fed either 200 or 1000 ppm were indistinguishable from controls. The no-effect level in the dog was 1000 ppm. No evidence of a teratogenic response was seen in either rats or rabbits and reproduction capacity in rats fed up to 2500 ppm for three generations was unaffected.

The effect of nitrofen [4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)nitrobenzene] on the reproductive performance of male rats

Technical grade nitrofen was fed to 4 groups (25/group) of male Sprague-Dawley rats for 13 weeks at dietary concentrations of 0, 100, 500, or 2500 ppm. Untreated female rats of the same age and strain were mated with treated males and fertility, gestation, and lactation indices were monitored. After mating, males were bled for clinical chemistry and hematology analyses, killed, and necropsied; organ weights were recorded, and liver, testes, and kidneys evaluated histopathologically. Offspring were observed for 35 days to determine general health and viability. At 2500 ppm, body weights of paternal animals were reduced throughout the dosing period. No hematologic abnormalities were seen. Statistically significant changes noted in clinical chemistry parameters included increased total protein, albumin, globulin, and cholesterol and decreased glucose. Testes, kidneys, and liver weights were increased at 500 and 2500 ppm, but histologic changes were limited to the liver with hypertrophy and cytoplasmic basophilia of centrilobular hepatocytes occurring at 500 and 2500 ppm. There were no effects on fertility, gestation, litter size, weight, or sex ratio in any group. Offspring health and survival to day 35 was unaffected. Based on the parameters examined, the no-observed effect level (NOEL) for male rats fed nitrofen for 13 weeks was 100 ppm. Male reproductive performance was not affected at dietary concentrations up to and including 2500 ppm.

Impaired host resistance to endotoxin and malaria in polychlorinated biphenyl- and hexachlorobenzene-treated mice.

The in vivo effect of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) on murine endotoxin sensitivity and resistance to malaria (Plasmodium berghei NYU-2) infection was studied. The dietary administration of 167 ppm (167 microgram/g) of PCB 1242 or HCB for 3 weeks resulted in an enhanced sensitivity to gram-negative endotoxin (Salmonella typhosa), which was further increased in animals maintained on the diets for 6 weeks. By 6 weeks, a 5.2- or 32-fold increase in endotoxin sensitivity was seen in mice fed PCB or HCB, respectively. A 20% decrease in mean survival time of mice fed PCB 1242 for 3 or 6 weeks and inoculated with malaria was demonstrated. Infected mice that received HCB for 3 or 6 weeks manifested a reduction in mean survival time of 24 or 31%, respectively. Histopathological examination revealed a normal thymus, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, and lungs. Centrilobular and pericentral hepatocyte hypertrophy, common to organochlorine exposure, was observed. Electron capture gas chromatographic analysis for PCB 1242 or HCB in the tissues examined histologically revealed a significant deposit of the xenobiotics. HCB concentration was approximately 16 to 25 times greater than that of PCB. The data indicate that environmental chemicals impair host resistance and that the alteration may be related to the presence of the chemicals in the lymphoreticular organs.