Repository hosted by TU Delft Library

The efficacy against lethality and post-intoxication incapacitation after 2x LD50 soman of different subacute pretreatment scenarios of 12 days was tested with or without post-intoxication therapy in guinea pigs. These pretreatment regimes were 1) the currently used pyridostigmine (PYR, 0.04 mg/kg/hr), 2) the combination of physostigmine (PHY, 0.025 mg/kg/hr) with the muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine (SCO, 0.018 mg/kg/hr), and 3) the combination of PHY with the anti-Parkinson drug procyclidine (PC, 3 mg/kg, sc). The post-intoxication therapy consisted of HI-6 (21.4 mg/kg, im), atropine sulphate (AS, 0.085 mg/kg, im), and diazepam (DZP, 0.21 mg/kg, im). Behavioral and observational read-out systems were used to elucidate theseverity of soman induced incapacitation. © 2006 Springer.

We investigated the effect of the eggplant core on the plasma concentrations of triglycerides, total- LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, in male guinea pigs, randomly assigned into five groups: 1 (N) - normolipidic diet AIN-93G, 2 (NB) - normolipidic diet, supplemented with eggplant core, halfway of the experiment, 3 (H) - hyperlipidic diet (AIN-93G modified), with 0.16% of cholesterol and 7% of coconut fat, 4 (HB) - diet from group 3, supplemented with eggplant core halfway of the experiment, 5 (HNB) - hyperlipidic diet, replaced by the normolipidic diet with eggplant core, halfway of the experiment. The animals plasma was collected at the 0, 16 and 32nd days of the experiment. Supplementation of eggplant core, from the 16th day of the experiment on, reduced total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol concentrations, in groups HB and HNB. At the end of the experiment, no statistically significant difference in the plasma concentrations of triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol was observed between the five groups of animals. In the animals from group NB, the supplementation of the eggplant core did not influence plasma levels of total cholesterol and HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, indicating the absence of effects from eggplant core when the plasma concentrations of total and LDL-cholesterol are not elevated. The addition of eggplant core, which means a change from a hyperlipidic and hypercholesterolemic diet to a normolipidic diet provided a higher reduction of the plasma levels of total and LDL-cholesterol of the studied animals. The results of the current research indicate clearly the benefits of the supplementation of the eggplant core, with or without diet changing, over the plasmatic concentration of the guinea pigs' total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Perspectives on the use of the eggplant core in humans to reduce the total cholesterol and the LDL cholesterol must be considered, because, although the lipoprotein HDL level was reduced, a much more significant diminishing of plasmatic total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol was obtained.

The present study was designed to compare the ototoxic effects of volatile ethyl benzene in guinea pigs and rats. Rats showed deteriorated auditory thresholds in the mid-frequency range, based on electrocochleography, after 550-ppm ethyl benzene (8 h/day, 5 days). Outer hair cell (OHC) loss was found in the corresponding cochlear regions. In contrast, guinea pigs showed no threshold shifts and no OHC loss after exposure to much higher ethyl benzene levels (2500 ppm, 6 h/day, 5 days). Subsequently, a limited study (four rats and four guinea pigs) was performed in an attempt to understand these differences in susceptibility. Ethyl benzene concentration in blood was determined in both species after exposure to 500-ppm ethyl benzene (8 h/day, 3 days). At the end of the first day, blood of the rats contained 23.2±0.8-μg/ml ethyl benzene, whereas the concentration in guinea pig blood was 2.8±0.1 μg/ml. After 3 days, the concentration in both species decreased with respect to the first day, but the ethyl benzene concentration in rat blood was still 4.3 times higher than that in guinea pig blood. Thus, the difference in susceptibility between the species may be related to the ethyl benzene concentration in blood. © 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved. Chemicals/CAS: Benzene Derivatives; ethylbenzene, 100-41-4

Cross-linking experiments of skimmed bovine milk with bacterial transglutaminase isolated from Streptoverticillium mobaraense showed only some degree of formation of high-molecular-weight casein polymers. Studies on the nature of this phenomenon revealed that bovine milk contains an inhibitor of transglutaminase activity. Removal of the casein and whey proteins from the milk resulted in a protein-poor fraction that still inhibited transglutaminase activity at cross-linking of β-casein and in several activity assays of transglutaminase. The inhibitor was partially purified by column chromatography and appeared to be a heat labile low molecular weight component. Inhibition of transglutaminase activity was observed with microbial transglutaminase, plasma transglutaminase and guinea pig liver transglutaminase. The inhibiting activity was found in bovine, goat, sheep, and human milk, but could not be detected in horse milk.

Osteoarthritis (OA), one of the most common diseases among the elderly, is characterized by the progressive destruction of joint tissues. Its etiology is largely unclear and no effective disease-modifying treatment is currently available. Metabolic fingerprinting provides a novel tool for the identification of biomarkers. A metabolic fingerprint consists of a typical combination of metabolites in a biological fluid and is identified by a combination of 1H NMR spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis (MVDA). The current feasibility study was aimed at identifying a metabolic fingerprint for OA and applying this in a nutritional intervention study. Urine samples were collected from osteoarthritic male Hartley guinea pigs (n = 44) at 10 and 12 mo of age, treated from 4 mo onward with variable vitamin C doses (2.5-3, 30 and 150 mg/d) and from healthy male Strain 13 guinea pigs (n = 8) at 12 mo of age, treated with 30 mg vitamin C/d. NMR measurements were performed on all urine samples. Subsequently, MVDA was carried out on the data obtained using NMR. An NMR fingerprint was identified that reflected the osteoarthritic changes in guinea pigs. The metabolites that comprised the fingerprint indicate that energy and purine metabolism are of major importance in OA. Metabolic fingerprinting also allowed detection of differences in OA-specific metabolites induced by different dietary vitamin C intakes. This study demonstrates the feasibility of metabolic fingerprinting to identify disease-specific profiles of urinary metabolites. NMR fingerprinting is a promising means of identifying new disease markers and of gaining fresh insights into the pathophysiology of disease.

The objective of this study was to evaluate species differences in the hepatic effects of three potent rodent peroxisome proliferators, namely methylclofenapate (MCP), ciprofibrate (CIP) and Wy-14,643 (WY), particularly with respect to effects on replicative DNA synthesis and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) gene expression. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, Syrian hamsters and Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs were given daily oral doses of 0 (corn oil) and 75 mg/kg MCP for periods of 6 and 21 days. Syrian hamsters and guinea pigs were also treated with 25 mg/kg CIP and 25 mg/kg WY. Relative liver weights were significantly increased in peroxisome proliferator-treated rats and Syrian hamsters, but not in guinea pigs. Hepatic peroxisomal (palmitoyl-CoA oxidation) and microsomal (lauric acid 12-hydroxylase) fatty acid oxidising enzyme activities and CYP4A isoform mRNA levels were significantly increased in rats and Syrian hamsters, whereas only minor effects were observed in the guinea pig. Replicative DNA synthesis was studied by implanting 7-day osmotic pumps containing 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine during study days -1 to 6 and 14 to 21. Hepatocyte labelling index values were increased by MCP in the rat, but neither MCP, CIP nor WY produced any significant effect on replicative DNA synthesis in the Syrian hamster and guinea pig. MCP treatment increased TGF-β1 and insulin-like growth factor II/mannose-6-phosphate (IGFII/Man6P) receptor gene expression in the rat. In the Syrian hamster, effects on TGF-β1 and IGFII/Man6P receptor gene expression were also observed in some instances, whereas TGF-β1 mRNA levels were essentially unchanged in the guinea pig. These results provide further evidence for marked species differences in response to rodent peroxisome proliferators. While peroxisome proliferators produce a wide spectrum of effects in rat liver, other species such as the Syrian hamster and guinea pig are less responsive and in the case of some endpoints (e.g., cell replication) may be refractory. Copyright (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. Chemicals/CAS: ciprofibrate, 52214-84-3; Clofenapate, 21340-68-1; Clofibric Acid, 882-09-7; DNA, 9007-49-2; Peroxisome Proliferators; pirinixic acid, 50892-23-4; Pyrimidines; Receptor, IGF Type 2; Transforming Growth Factor betaChemicals/CAS: ciprofibrate, 52214-84-3; Clofenapate, 21340-68-1; Clofibric Acid, 882-09-7; DNA, 9007-49-2; Peroxisome Proliferators; pirinixic acid, 50892-23-4; Pyrimidines; Receptor, IGF Type 2; Transforming Growth Factor beta

In continuation of our investigations on the toxicokinetics of the volatile nerve agents C(±)P(±)-soman and (±)-sarin, we now report on the toxicokinetics of the rather nonvolatile agent (±)-VX. A validated method was developed to determine blood levels of (±)-VX by means of achiral gas chromatography at blood levels ≥10 pg/ml. The ratio of the two enantiomers of VX in blood could be measured at levels ≥1 ng/ml by using chiral HPLC in combination with off-line gas chromatographic analysis. In order to obtain basic information on the toxicokinetics of (±)-VX, i.e., under conditions of 100% bioavailability, the blood levels of this agent were measured in hairless guinea pigs at iv doses corresponding with 1 and 2 LD50. The derived AUCs indicate a reasonable linearity of the toxicokinetics with dose. Also, the toxicokinetics in marmoset primates was studied at an absolute iv dose corresponding with 1 LD50 in the hairless guinea pig which led to approximately the same levels of (±)-VX in blood as observed at 2 LD50 in the hairless guinea pig. Finally, the toxicokinetics of (±)-VX were measured in hairless guinea pigs via the most relevant porte d' entrée for this agent, which is the percutaneous route at a dose corresponding with 1 LD50 (pc). Large variations were observed between individual animals in the rate of penetration of (±)-VX and in concomitant progression of AChE inhibition in blood of these animals. Blood levels of (±)-VX increased gradually over a 6-h period of time. After a 7-h penetration period, the total AUC corresponded with 2.5% bioavailability relative to iv administration. In contrast with the G-agents C(±)P(±)-soman and (±)-sarin, stereospecificity in the sequestration of the two enantiomers of (±)-VX is not a prominent phenomenon. It appears that (±)-VX is substantially more persistent in vivo than the two G-agents. This persistence may undermine the efficacy of pretreatment with carbamates of percutaneous intoxication in particular due to gradual replacement of carbamate on AChE by (±)-VX, whereas classical treatment of intoxication with oximes is hampered by the short persistence of oximes relative to the agent. © 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

Barlican, a β-glucanase enzyme obtained from Trichoderma reesei, was produced by a fermentation process and subjected to a series of toxicological tests to document its safety for use as a feed additive. The enzyme product was examined for general oral toxicity, inhalation toxicity, irritation to eye and skin, skin sensitization and mutagenic potential. An extensive literature search on the production organism was also conducted. Furthermore, safety for target species was assessed in a 28-day oral toxicity study with broilers. A strong skin-sensitizing potential of the β-glucanase enzyme was detected, but no other evidence of oral or inhalation toxicity, mutagenic potential, eye or skin irritancy was found. Feeding of the β-glucanase enzyme at dietary levels up to 10,000 ppm in the 90-day subchronic toxicity study in rats did not induce noticeable signs of toxicity. In addition, no adverse effects were observed when broiler chicks were fed dietary concentrations of the β-glucanase enzyme up to eight times the daily recommended dose. it is therefore concluded that this β-glucanase preparation is safe for use in feed of the intended target species. However, some occupational hearth precautions should be taken to avoid skin contact and inhalation, as is the case for almost all enzyme proteins.

Realistic scenarios for low-level exposure to nerve agents will often involve exposures over several hours to extremely low doses of agent. In order to expose animals to the lowest controllable concentrations of agent and to increase exposure times until a lowest observable effect level (LOEL) becomes measurable, a validated system was developed for exposing conscious animals to 0.05-1.0 μg/m3 (8-160 ppt) of sarin and other nerve agents. Based on cold trapping of sarin from the exposure air, the concentration could be measured semicontinuously, at 4-min time intervals by means of gas chromatography. We found that the LOEL upon a 5-h whole body exposure of guinea pigs and marmosets to sarin vapor corresponds with the measurement of an internal dose by means of fluoride-induced regeneration of sarin from phosphylated binding sites in plasma, mostly BuChE. For guinea pigs the LOEL was observed at Ct = 0.010 ± 0.002 mg/min/m3, whereas a Ct of 0.04 ± 0.01 mg/min/m3 was established for the LOEL in marmosets. These levels are several orders of magnitude lower than those based on classical measurement of depressed cholinesterase activities. At low exposure levels of guinea pigs and marmosets (≤1 μg/m3), a reasonable linearity was observed between exposure dose and internal dose. The data were addressed in the light of the recently recommended occupational exposure limits to sarin for workers without respiratory protection, which suggests that the exposure limits should be reconsidered if the slightest inhibition of cholinesterases should be prevented. © 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

The purpose of this pilot study was to indicate, for low-level exposure of conscious guinea pigs and marmoset monkeys to sarin vapour in air, the lowest-observable-adverse-effect level (LOAEL) of sarin for miosis. This is the concentration × time (C·t) value (t = 5 h) of exposure at which miosis becomes significant. The ratio of pupil and iris diameters, measured on digital photographs taken on-line during exposure, was calculated as a measure for miosis. The exposure concentrations were in the range 7-150 μg m-3 and the exposure times needed to achieve significant miosis were in the range 10-300 min. Both vehicle- and pyridostigmine-pretreated animals were used in the experiments. The latter pretreatment resulted in ca. 30% inhibition of erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase in both species. In vehicle-pretreated guinea pigs and marmosets the pupil size was decreased significantly (P < 0.05) at sarin doses of 1.8 ± 0.3 and 2.5 ± 0.8 mg min m-3, respectively. In pyridostigmine-pretreated guinea pigs and marmosets the pupil size was affected significantly (P < 0.05) at 1.8 ± 0.5 and 3.0 ± 0.8 mg min m-3, respectively. Evidently there is no significant influence of pyridostigmine pretreatment on the LOAEL. These data were addressed in light of the recommended occupational and detection limits for sarin vapour in air. It was concluded that miosis will occur during low-level sarin exposure at levels that are not detectable by the currently fielded alarm systems, assuming that humans are as sensitive for sarin vapour in air as guinea pigs and marmosets. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PB/PK) model has been developed in advanced computer simulation language (ACSL) to describe blood and tissue concentration-time profiles of the C(±)P(-) stereoisomers of soman after inhalation, subcutaneous and intravenous exposures at low (0.8-1.0 × LD50), medium (2-3 × LD50) and high (6 × LD50) levels of soman challenge in three species (rat, guinea pig, marmoset). Allometric formulae were used to compute the compartment volumes, blood flow rates, tidal volume and respiratory rate based upon total animal weight. Blood/tissue partition coefficients for soman, initial carboxylesterase and acetylcholinesterase levels and the rate constants for interactions between soman and these enzymes were species-dependent and were obtained from in vitro measurements reported in the literature. The model incorporated arterial and venous blood, lung, kidney, liver, richly perfused, poorly perfused and fat tissue compartments as well as subcutaneous and nasal exposure site compartments. First-order absorption from linearly filled soman deposits into metabolizing exposure site compartments was employed to model subcutaneous and inhalation exposures. The model was validated by comparing the predicted and observed values for C(±)P(-)-soman in arterial blood at various times following exposure and by regression analysis. Sensitivity analysis was used to determine the effects of perturbations in the model parameters on the time-course of arterial C(-)P(-)-soman concentrations for different exposure routes. In our evaluation of 28 datasets, predicted values were generally within 95% confidence limits of the observed values, and regression coefficients comparing predicted and observed data were greater than 0.85 for 95% of the intravenous and subcutaneous datasets and 25% of the inhalation datasets. We conclude that the model predicts the soman toxicokinetics for doses ≥1 × LD50 for intravenous and subcutaneous exposures and inhalation exposures of 8 min or less sufficiently well to allow its use in the modeling of bioscavenger protection. © 2006 Springer-Verlag.

A literature study was performed to evaluate dose-response relationships and no-effect levels for sensitization and elicitation in skin- and respiratory allergy. With respect to the skin, dose-response relationships and no-effect levels were found for both intradermal and topical induction, as well as for intradermal and topical elicitation of allergenic responses in epidemiological, clinical, and animal studies. Skin damage or irritation may result in a significant reduction of the no-effect level for a specific compound. With respect to the respiratory tract, dose-response relationships and no-effect levels for induction were found in several human as well as animal studies. Although dose-response relationships for elicitation were found in some epidemiological studies, concentration-response relationships were present only in a limited number of animal studies. Reported results suggest that especially relatively high peak concentrations can induce sensitization, and that prevention of such concentrations will prevent workers from developing respiratory allergy. Moreover, induction of skin sensitization may result in subsequent heightened respiratory responsiveness following inhalation exposure. The threshold concentration for the elicitation of allergic airway reactions in sensitized subjects is generally lower than the threshold to induce sensitization. Therefore, it is important to consider the low threshold levels for elicitation for recommendation of health-based occupational exposure limits, and to avoid high peak concentrations. Notwithstanding the observation of dose-response relationships and no-effect levels, due to a number of uncertainties, no definite conclusions can be drawn about absolute threshold values for allergens with respect to sensitization of and elicitation reactions in the skin and respiratory tract. Most predictive tests are generally meant to detect the potential of a chemical to induce skin and/or respiratory allergy at relatively high doses. Consequently, these tests do not provide information of dose-response relationships at lower doses such as found in, for example, occupational situations. In addition, the observed dose-response relationships and threshold values have been obtained by a wide variety of test methods using different techniques, such as intradermal exposure versus topical or inhalation exposure at the workplace, or using different endpoints, which all appear important for the outcome of the test. Therefore, especially with regard to respiratory allergy, standardized and validated dose-response test methods are urgently required in order to be able to recommend safe exposure levels for allergens at the workplace. Copyright © Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.