Organophosphorus-induced Delayed Neurotoxicity Research Articles

Altered expression of transcripts for alpha-tubulin and an unidentified gene in the spinal cord of phenyl saligenin phosphate treated hens (Gallus gallus).

Phenyl saligenin phosphate (PSP) induces a central-peripheral distal axonopathy in domestic fowl that develops 7-21 days after a single exposure. Neurotoxic esterase (NTE) is the initial molecular target for this neurotoxicity. PSP has to covalently bind to NTE and chemically "age" for induction of axonopathy. It was hypothesized that exposure to PSP results in early changes in spinal cord gene expression that do not occur with phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, a non-neuropathic compound that also inhibits NTE, or DMSO controls. Targeted display was used to screen approximately 15,000 gel bands. Three candidate genes were identified, but only the transcript designated P1 showed decreased expression following PSP exposure (2 mg/kg i.m.) in subsequent Northern blot and in situ hybridization experiments in samples taken <48 h after exposure. Additional experiments revealed that a approximately 2.5 kb alpha-tubulin transcript had decreased expression at 12-48 h after PSP exposure, with maximum change at 48 h (33%, p = 0.0479). A approximately 4.5 kb alpha-tubulin transcript had increased expression at 12 h (38%, p = 0.0125) and decreased expression at 48 h (28%, p = 0.0576). In situ hybridization on spinal cord revealed neuronal expression of P1 and alpha-tubulin transcripts. Decreased expression of transcripts for P1 and alpha-tubulin was present at 12 and 48 h, respectively. This decrease occurred in all neurons, not just those whose axons degenerate. Results suggest that (1) in PSP-induced OPIDN (organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity) some gene transcript expression changes are associated with initiation of axonopathy, and (2) PSP modulates spinal cord gene expression in neuronal types that do not undergo axonal degeneration.

Characterization of binding sites for diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate in spinal cord cytosol

Gel filtration chromatography was performed on cytosol preparation of hen spinal cord to find molecular target(s) for organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN). Three binding peaks of [ 3H]diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (DFP), an organophosphate that induces OPIDN, were separated from the cytosol preparation. The activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and neuropathy target esterase (NTE) that has been proposed as a screening method for OPIDN eluted in the fractions within these two DFP binding peaks. However, the other peak had none of the activities of AChE and NTE. Therefore, this DFP binding proteins in cytosol may be peculiar to the pathogenesis of OPIDN.

Correlation of Binding Sites for Diisopropyl Phosphorofluoridate with Cholinesterase and Neuropathy Target Esterase in Membrane and Cytosol Preparations from Hen

To find new putative target(s) for organophosphorus induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN), we investigated the biochemical and pharmacological characteristics of [ 3H]diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (DFP) binding to membrane and cytosol preparations from the brain and spinal cord of hens. Specific [ 3H]DFP binding was determined by subtracting non-specific binding from total binding. The binding sites of [ 3H]DFP, an organophosphate that induces OPIDN, were found not only on membrane but also in cytosol. Reduction of subsequent ex vivo specific [ 3H]DFP binding by in vivo pretreatment with unlabeled DFP was found in cytosol, not membrane. The reduced binding lasted to the onset of OPIDN, especially in spinal cord. These results suggest that the specific DFP binding sites in cytosol, rather than on membrane, are the most important with regard to the initiation of OPIDN. Inhibitors of cholinesterase (ChE) and neuropathy target esterase (NTE) other than DFP did not affect specific [ 3H]DFP binding to either membranes or cytosol in vivo. Additionally, inhibition of the activities of these esterases by these compounds was not consistent with either the degree of inhibition of the [ 3H]DFP binding or a time-dependent manner of OPIDN. These results suggest that DFP binding site(s) involved in the initiation of OPIDN may be different from the active sites of ChE and NTE.

A Comparative Study of Binding Sites for Diisopropyl Phosphorofluoridate in Membrane and Cytosol Preparations from Spinal Cord and Brain of Hens

Biochemical events in the initiation of organophosphorus induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN) are not well understood. To find new putative target(s) for OPIDN, we investigated the biochemical and pharmacological characteristics of [ 3H ]diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (DFP) binding to membrane and cytosol preparations from the brain and spinal cord of hens in vitro. [ 3H ]DFP binding to both preparations was determined by the specific binding obtained by subtracting non-specific binding from total binding. The specific binding sites of [ 3H ]DFP were found not only on membrane but also in cytosol. K d values were higher and B max values were lower in cytosol than in membrane. Moreover, the K d values in both membrane and cytosol preparations from spinal cord were lower than those of brain. The B max values in membrane and cytosol were similar between brain and spinal cord. The specific binding to both preparations was markedly displaced by unlabeled DFP. The specific binding of DFP to the membrane was highly or partly displaced by organophosphorus compounds (OPs) or a carbamate, respectively. However, both the OPs and the carbamate had considerably weaker blocking effects on the specific binding of DFP to cytosol. None of the compounds known to interact with neuropathy target esterase (NTE) had a strong blocking effect on the specific binding of DFP to either membrane or cytosol. These results show that the specific binding of DFP to the membrane may be binding with cholinesterase (ChE). However, cytosol, especially in spinal cord, may have DFP binding sites other than ChE and NTE.

COMPARISON OF NEUROTOXIC EFFECTS AND POTENTIAL RISKS FROM ORAL ADMINISTRATION OR INGESTION OF TRICRESYL PHOSPHATE AND JET ENGINE OIL CONTAINING TRICRESYL PHOSPHATE

Neurotoxicity of tricresyl phosphates (TCPs) and jet engine oil (JEO) containing TCPs were evaluated in studies conducted in both rat and hen. Results for currently produced samples ("conventional" and "low-toxicity") were compared with published findings on older samples to identify compositional changes and relate those changes to neurotoxic potential. Finally, a human risk assessment for exposure by oral ingestion of currently produced TCPs in JEO at 3% (JEO + 3%) was conducted. TCPs and certain other triaryl phosphates administered as single doses inhibited brain neuropathy target esterase (BNTE; neurotoxic esterase) in the rat and the hen (hen 3.25 times as sensitive), and both species were deemed acceptable for initial screening purposes. Neither rat nor hen was sensitive enough to detect statistically significant inhibition of B-NTE after single doses of JEO + 3% "conventional" TCP. Subacute administration of 2 g/kg/d of JEO + 3% "conventional" TCP to the hen produced B-NTE inhibition (32%), which did not result in organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN). Subchronic administration of JEO + 3% TCP but not JEO + 1% TCP at 2 g/kg/d produced OPIDN. Thus, the threshold for OPIDN was between 20 and 60 mg "conventional" TCP/ kg/d in JEO for 10 wk. The current "conventional" TCPs used in JEO and new "low-toxicity" TCPs now used in some JEO are synthesized from phenolic mixtures having reduced levels of ortho-cresol and ortho-xylenols resulting in TCPs of very high content of meta - and para-substituted phenyl moieties; this change in composition results in lower toxicity. The "conventional" TCPs still retain enough inhibitory activity to produce OPIDN, largely because of the presence of ortho-xylyl moieties; the "low-toxicity" TCPs are largely devoid of ortho substituents and have extremely low potential to cause OPIDN. The TCPs produced in the 1940s and 1950s were more than 400 times as toxic as the "low-toxicity" TCPs produced today. Analysis of the doses required to produce OPIDN in a subchronic hen study suggests that the minimum toxic dose of "conventional" TCP for producing OPIDN in a 70-kg person would be 280 mg/d, and for JEO containing 3% TCP, 9.4 g/d. Food products could be inadvertently contaminated with neat "conventional" TCP but it is unlikely that food such as cooking oil would be contaminated with enough JEO + 3% TCP to cause toxicity. Further, at the dosage required for neurotoxicity, it would be virtually impossible for a person to receive enough JEO + 3% TCP in the normal workplace (or in an aircraft) to cause such toxicity. There is no record of a JEO formulated with the modern "conventional" TCP causing human neurotoxicity.

EXPERT PANEL REPORT OF HUMAN STUDIES ON CHLORPYRIFOS AND/OR OTHER ORGANOPHOSPHATE EXPOSURES

A panel of toxicology and medical experts was convened on 7-9 April 1997 to consider the available scientific literature on chlorpyrifos, both published and unpublished, to determine the acute and chronic toxicology reference dose (RfD). In the course of reviewing this literature it became apparent that there was a large body of literature on human exposures to chlorpyrifos, as well as chlorpyrifos and/or other organophosphates. This literature, although not useful for determining the RfD for chlorpyrifos, needed to be analyzed for potential critical human effects resulting from either acute or prolonged chlorpyrifos exposures, or inferred from exposures to other organophosphates. The expert panel proceeded to review these data also, and the evaluations and discussions of these studies are contained in this report of the proceedings. The expert panel concluded that for acute poisonings there was no clear evidence for long-term effects from organophosphates, other than finding cases of organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN) from suicidal ingestion. In animal experimental data (mainly from studies on nerve gases), seizures during acute poisoning by organophosphates occur, resulting in morphological damage. Neurobehavioral effects observed are the result of the seizures. The panel agreed that long-term exposure to organophosphate compounds does not cause problems in the peripheral or central nervous system, unless poisoning is acute and severe. With respect to neurobehavioral effects, manifestations of clinical neurobehavioral effects are unlikely. All of the available evidence shows that disturbances do not occur unless cholinesterase inhibition has been clearly exhibited. The review of these papers was considered to be of interest in allaying some of the potential concerns regarding long-term effects of organophosphate pesticides, including chlorpyrifos.

Organophosphorus-induced neurotoxicity in the absence of neuropathy target esterase inhibition: the effects of triphenyl phosphine in the European ferret.

Abou-Donia et al. (in Toxicologist, Vol. 30, 1996) have reported that repeated oral administration of the organo-phosphorus compound triphenyl phosphine (TPPn) to the domestic chicken results in neuropathological changes in the spinal cord and peripheral nerves, accompanied by ataxia and paralysis. This study also noted that single doses of TPPn resulted in no inhibition of the enzymes neuropathy target esterase (NTE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). We undertook the present study to determine the biochemical, neuropathological, and clinical effects of single doses of TPPn in the European ferret, a mammalian species shown to be susceptible to organophosphorus-induced neurotoxicity. Eight 12-week-old ferrets were each injected subcutaneously with either 250 mg TPPn/kg bw or 500 mg TPPn/kg bw, or with the peanut oil/ethyl ether vehicle. Twenty-four h after dosing, the brains of 5 animals from each dose group were examined for NTE and AChE activities. The remaining 3 animals in each group were observed for 6 days for the development of clinical signs, after which their brains were processed for the presence of axonal degeneration using the Fink-Heimer silver impregnation method. Single injections of TPPn had no effect on the activities of whole-brain NTE or AChE 24 h after injection. The animals observed for clinical signs showed increasing trunk and hindlimb ataxia beginning 4 days after injection, culminating in fore-and hindlimb paralysis 6 days after injection. All brains exposed to either dose of TPPn showed widespread axonal degeneration extending from the brainstem and cerebellum into midbrain and forebrain areas. The results of this study support the hypothesis that TPPn-induced neurotoxicity is a separate and distinct form of organophosphorus-induced neurotoxicity not dependent on NTE inhibition, and therefore not a variant of organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN).

Potentiation of organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity following phenyl saligenin phosphate exposures in 2-, 5-, and 8-week-old chickens.

Phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), a nonneuropathic inhibitor of neurotoxic esterase (NTE), is a known potentiator of organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN). The ability of PMSF posttreatment (90 mg/kg, sc, 4 hr after the last PSP injection) to modify development of delayed neurotoxicity was examined in 2-, 5-, and 8-week-old White Leghorn chickens treated either one, two, or three times (doses separated by 24 hr) with the neuropathic OP compound phenyl saligenin phosphate (PSP, 5 mg/kg, sc). NTE activity was measured in the cervical spinal cord 4 hr after the last PSP treatment. Development of delayed neurotoxicity was measured over a 16-day postexposure period. All PSP-treated groups exhibited > 97% NTE inhibition regardless of age or number of OP treatments. Two-week-old birds did not develop clinical signs of neurotoxicity in response to either single or repeated OP treatment regimens nor following subsequent treatment with PMSF. Five-week-old birds were resistant to the clinical effects of a single PSP exposure and were minimally affected by repeated doses. PMSF posttreatment, however, significantly amplified the clinical effects of one, two, or three doses of PSP. A single exposure to PSP induced slight to moderate signs of delayed neurotoxicity in 8-week-old birds with more extensive neurotoxicity being noted following repeated dosing. As with 5-week-old birds, PMSF exacerbated the clinical signs of neurotoxicity when given after one, two, or three doses of PSP in 8-week-old birds. Axonal degeneration studies supported the clinical findings: PMSF posttreatment did not influence the degree of degeneration in 2-week-old chickens but resulted in more severe degeneration (relative to PSP only exposure) in cervical cords from both 5- and 8-week-old birds. The results indicate that PMSF does not alter the progression of delayed neurotoxicity in very young (2 weeks of age) chickens but potentiates PSP-induced delayed neurotoxicity in the presence of 0-3% residual NTE activity in older animals. We conclude that posttreatment with neuropathic or nonneuropathic NTE inhibitors, following virtually complete NTE inhibition by either single or repeated doses of a neuropathic agent in sensitive age groups, can modify both the clinical and morphological indices of delayed neurotoxicity. This study further supports the hypothesis that potentiation of OPIDN occurs through a mechanism unrelated to NTE.

Triphenyl Phosphite and Diisopropylphosphorofluoridate Produce Separate and Distinct Axonal Degeneration Patterns in the Central Nervous System of the Rat

This study compared the neurotoxic effects of triphenyl phosphite (TPP) in the rat with those seen after exposure to diisopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP), a compound known to produce organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN). Animals received either three subcutaneous injections of TPP (1184 mg/kg body wt each dose) administered at 3-day intervals or a single subcutaneous injection of DFP (4 mg/kg body wt). TPP-induced clinical signs were initially observed 2 to 18 days after the last injection and included ataxia, flaccid paresis, stereotyped alternating side-to-side movements, and circling behavior. Axonal and terminal degeneration were present in the cerebellum, vestibular nuclear complex, cochlear nuclei, and superior and inferior colliculi. The subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra, septal region, hypothalamus, thalamus, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex also contained degenerating axons and terminals. Degeneration was particularly evident in the sensorimotor cerebral cortex, mediodorsal, ventromedial, and medial geniculate thalamic nuclei and in the magnocellular preoptic and medial mammillary nuclei of the hypothalamus. Very light degeneration was present in the gracile fasciculus and nucleus. In contrast, rats injected with DFP showed moderate degeneration in the gracile fasciculus and nucleus but did not display degeneration in any other brain region. Injections of DFP did not produce delayed onset clinical signs. The results indicate that in the rat, different central nervous system cell groups are affected by these two organophosphorus compounds and that TPP affects nuclei and tracts at all levels of the neuraxis, including those associated with higher-order processing and cognitive functions. In addition, the distinct degeneration patterns produced by these two compounds support the view that TPP-induced neurotoxicity should not be considered as a type of OPIDN, but rather as a separate category of organophosphorus-induced neurotoxicity.

Triphenyl Phosphite and Diisopropylphosphorofluoridate Produce Separate and Distinct Axonal Degeneration Patterns in the Central Nervous System of the Rat

This study compared the neurotoxic effects of triphenyl phosphite (TPP) in the rat with those seen after exposure to diisopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP), a compound known to produce organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN). Animals received either three subcutaneous injections of TPP (1184 mg/kg body wt each dose) administered at 3-day intervals or a single subcutaneous injection of DFP (4 mg/kg body wt). TPP-induced clinical signs were initially observed 2 to 18 days after the last injection and included ataxia, flaccid paresis, stereotyped alternating side-to-side movements, and circling behavior. Axonal and terminal degeneration were present in the cerebellum, vestibular nuclear complex, cochlear nuclei, and superior and inferior colliculi. The subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra, septal region, hypothalamus, thalamus, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex also contained degenerating axons and terminals. Degeneration was particularly evident in the sensorimotor cerebral cortex, mediodorsal, ventromedial, and medial geniculate thalamic nuclei and in the magnocellular preoptic and medial mammillary nuclei of the hypothalamus. Very light degeneration was present in the gracile fasciculus and nucleus. In contrast, rats injected with DFP showed moderate degeneration in the gracile fasciculus and nucleus but did not display degeneration in any other brain region. Injections of DFP did not produce delayed onset clinical signs. The results indicate that in the rat, different central nervous system cell groups are affected by these two organophosphorus compounds and that TPP affects nuclei and tracts at all levels of the neuraxis, including those associated with higher-order processing and cognitive functions. In addition, the distinct degeneration patterns produced by these two compounds support the view that TPP-induced neurotoxicity should not be considered as a type of OPIDN, but rather as a separate category of organophosphorus-induced neurotoxicity.

The role of neurotoxic esterase (NTE) in the prevention and potentiation of organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN)

The first step in the initiation of organophosphorus-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN) is proposed to be the phosphorylation of an enzyme found in the nervous system called neurotoxic esterase (neuropathy target esterase, NTE). It has been known for over twenty years that non-neuropathic inhibitors of NTE exist and can actually prevent OPIDN when given before a neuropathic organophosphate (OP). Within the last three years it has become evident that another outcome is possible following in vivo interaction between neuropathic and non-neuropathic NTE inhibitors. When administered after OP exposure, non-neuropathic inhibitors can intensify or potentiate signs of OPIDN in adult chickens. Additionally, whereas developing chickens are typically resistant to the effects of neuropathic OPs, resistant age groups will develop OPIDN when exposure to a neuropathic OP is followed by the non-neuropathic NTE inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. As in the case of prevention, studies of the potentiation of OPIDN may yield insight into mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of delayed neurotoxicity. A brief review of current knowledge regarding the role of NTE in both the prevention and potentiation of OPIDN is presented.

Potentiation of organophosphorus‐induced delayed neurotoxicity by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride

It is well known that pretreatment with the serine esterase inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) can protect experimental animals from organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN), presumably by blocking the active site of neurotoxic esterase (NTE) such that binding and "aging" of the neuropathic OP is thwarted. We report here that while PMSF (60 mg/kg, sc) given 4 h before the neuropathic organophosphate (OP) mipafox (50 mg/kg, im) completely prevented the clinical expression of OPIDN in hens, the identical PMSF treatment markedly amplified the delayed neurotoxicity (relative to hens treated with OP only) if administered 4 h after mipafox (5 or 50 mg/kg, im). Moreover, in a separate experiment using diisopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP) as the neurotoxicant in place of mipafox, posttreatment with PMSF 4 h after DFP (0.5 mg/kg) also accentuated the severity of ataxia. These data indicate that PMSF only protects against OPIDN if given prior to exposure to the neurotoxicant; treatment with PMSF after OP exposure critically exacerbates the delayed neurotoxicity from exposure to organophosphorus compounds.

Degeneration patterns in the chicken central nervous system induced by ingestion of the organophosphorus delayed neurotoxin tri- ortho-tolyl phosphate. A silver impregnation study

Exposure to certain organophosphorus compounds results in a neurological condition known as organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN). OPIDN is characterized clinically by an initial post-exposure delay period of 8–14 days after which signs of progressively developing ataxia and paralysis of the hindlimbs are observed. Although several studies have reported the presence of degeneration induced by organophosphorus delayed neurotoxins in specific central nervous system (CNS) structures, none have systematically examined CNS changes seen in the most frequently studied animal model for OPIDN—the domestic fowl. In the present study, we assessed the location and extent of anterograde degeneration in the chicken CNS following exposure to tri- o-tollyl phosphate (TOTP). All birds were dosed with 500 mg TOTP/kg body weight and killed after post-exposure periods of 1,22, 3, or 4 weeks. The brains and spinal cords were processed with Fink-Heimer and Nissl stains. In the spinal cord, axon degeneration was noted in the fasciculus gracilis at cervical levels two weeks after exposure to TOTP. At 3 weeks, degeneration was also present in the cervical part of the dorsal spinocerebellar tract, in the lumbar part of the medial pontine-spinal tract, and in lamina VII in the lumbar ventral horn. In the medulla, moderate amounts of terminal and preterminal degeneration appeared at two weeks in the lateral vestibular, gracile, external cuneate, and lateral cervical nuclei. Lesser amounts of degeneration were noted in the solitary, inferior olivary, and raphae nuclei, in the medial, descending and lateral vestibular nuclei, and in the lateral paragigantocellular, gigantocellular, and lateral reticular nuclei. Fiber degeneration was also present in the medullary portions of the dorsal and ventral spinocerebellar tracts and spinal lemniscus. In the cerebellum, moderate amounts of terminal degeneration appeared in the deep cerebellar nuclei at one week while moderate mossy fiber degeneration was first noted in the granular layers of cerebellar folia I-V at 3 weeks. These results indicate (1) that, in the CNS, axonal and terminal degeneration resulting from TOTP intoxication appears to be confined to the spinal cord, medulla and cerebellum, (2) that the time of onset of degeneration in different fiber tracts and nuclei ranges from one to three weeks post-exposure, and (3) that the delay in the appearance of clinical signs of OPIDN is consistent with the delayed onset of degeneration in many of the affected CNS fiber systems.

Delayed neurotoxic effects of tri-o-tolyl phosphate in the European ferret.

The development of organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN) was studied in the European ferret (Mustela putorius furo). A single oral or dermal dose of 250, 500, or 1000 mg tri-o-tolyl phosphate (TOTP)/kg body weight was administered to adult male ferrets. Corn oil served as the vehicle in the oral test and 95% ethanol was the vehicle in the dermal test. At 48 h posttreatment, half the animals in each group were killed by cervical dislocation for assessment of whole-brain neuropathy target esterase (NTE) activity. The remaining 5 animals per group were observed and examined neurologically on a daily basis for a subsequent 54 d. All ferrets dosed dermally with 1000 mg TOTP/kg body weight developed clinical signs characteristic of OPIDN ranging from ataxia to partial paresis. Ferrets administered 250 and 500 mg TOTP/kg body weight via the dermal route displayed variable degrees of hind limb weakness and ataxia. Of the animals dosed orally, only those in the 1000 mg TOTP/kg body weight group showed clinical signs indicative of OPIDN. These signs did not progress beyond mild ataxia. Small amounts of axonal degeneration were noted in the dorsolateral part of the lateral funiculus and in the fasciculus gracilis of spinal cords in ferrets receiving dermal doses of 1000 mg TOTP/kg body weight. Whole-brain neuropathy target esterase activity was also maximally inhibited (46%) in animals receiving 1000 mg TOTP/kg dermally. These results suggest that the ferret is a species that is susceptible to OPIDN.

Characterization of delayed neurotoxicity in the mouse following chronic oral administration of tri- o-cresyl phosphate

The sensitivity of the mouse to organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN) has been investigated. One group of five mice received two single 1000-mg/kg po doses of tri- o-cresyl phosphate (TOCP) at a 21-day interval (on Days 1 and 21 of the study); a second group of five mice was given 225 mg/kg of TOCP daily for 270 days. A third group of five animals served as an untreated control. All animals were killed 270 days after the start of the experiment. Daily po dosing of 225 mg/kg TOCP caused a decrease in body weight gain, muscle wasting, weakness, and ataxia which progressed to severe hindlimb paralysis at termination. On the other hand, po administration of two single 1000-mg/kg doses of TOCP at a 21-day interval produced no observable adverse effects. Brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and neurotoxic esterase (NTE) activity were 35 and 10% of the control, respectively, in daily dosed animals while AChE and NTE in mice receiving two single 1000-mg/kg doses of TOCP were not significantly altered from the control group. Plasma butyrylcholinesterase activity was 12% of the control group in daily dosed animals. Hepatic microsomal enzyme activities of aniline hydroxylase and p-chloro- N-methylaniline demethylase and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 content in daily dosed animals were increased (141 to 161% of the control group) when compared to controls and mice receiving two single 1000-mg/kg doses of TOCP; the latter being not significantly different from each other. Degeneration of the axon and myelin of the spinal cord and sciatic fasicle were observed and were consistent with OPIDN. This study demonstrates that chronic dosing of TOCP produces OPIDN and induces hepatic microsomal enzyme activity in mice. It is concluded that while the mouse is susceptible to OPIDN, it is a less sensitive and a less appropriate test animal for studying this effect when compared to the adult hen.

Induction of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 and inhibition of brain, liver, and plasma esterases by an acute dose of S,S,S-tri- n-butyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF) in the adult hen

The differential effects of oral and dermal administration of single doses of 100 to 1000 mg/kg S,S,S-tri- n-butyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF) on nonspecific esterases and liver metabolism enzymes were investigated one day following administration. O,O-Diethyl O-(4-nitrophenyl) phosphorothioate (parathion) and tri- o-cresyl phosphate (TOCP) were used as negative and positive controls for organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN). Brain acetylcholinesterase was significantly inhibited with topical doses of 500 and 1,000 mg/kg of DEF and with orally and dermally applied parathion. Plasma cholinesterase and liver microsomal carboxylesterase activities were significantly reduced from control in all treatment groups. Neurotoxic esterase (NTE) was significantly decreased from control with topical dosing of 200, 500, and 1000 mg/kg DEF and with TOCP treatments. Oral doses of DEF increased cytochrome P-450 content by 70 to 200% while dermal application caused a 200 to 325% increase over control. p-Chloro- N-methylaniline demethylase was also increased by DEF treatments but to a lesser extent than that of aniline hydroxylase or cytochrome P-450 content. TOCP and parathion had no significant effect on liver microsomal oxidative enzymes. Liver microsomal proteins from hens treated with phenobarbital (PB), 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC), or DEF were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A striking increase in a 49K protein band in microsomes from PB and DEF (616 and 338%, respectively) treated hens was seen, while the 55K protein band showed an 861% increase in microsomes from 3MC-treated hens. In conclusion, dermally applied DEF was more effective in inhibiting esterases and inducing cytochrome P-450 than orally administered DEF; toxicity was directly related to the dose and route of administration.

The time course of protection from delayed neurotoxicity induced by tri- o-cresyl phosphate and o, o-diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate by phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride in chickens

The time dependence of the ability of phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) to protect adult hens from developing signs of paralysis following the administration of 750 mg/kg tri- ortho-cresyl phosphate (TOCP), p.o., of 1.7 mg/kg O, O-diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (DFP), s.c., was investigated. PMSF was able to protect the hens from organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN) when given between 1 and 24 h before the administration of TOCP, or when given 4 h before DFP. However, PMSF was ineffective at preventing paralysis when given 24 h following dosing with TOCP or when given later than 4 h before DFP administration. These results support the notion that PMSF acts at the same site as the organophosphorus esters.