Sample records for concurrent subchronic exposure

  1. Subchronic Arsenic Exposure Induces Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Normal Mice and Enhances Depression-Like Behaviors in the Chemically Induced Mouse Model of Depression

    PubMed Central

    Chang, Chia-Yu; Guo, How-Ran; Tsai, Wan-Chen; Yang, Kai-Lin; Lin, Li-Chuan

    2015-01-01

    Accumulating evidence implicates that subchronic arsenic exposure causes cerebral neurodegeneration leading to behavioral disturbances relevant to psychiatric disorders. However, there is still little information regarding the influence of subchronic exposure to arsenic-contaminated drinking water on mood disorders and its underlying mechanisms in the cerebral prefrontal cortex. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of subchronic arsenic exposure (10 mg/LAs2O3 in drinking water) on the anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in normal mice and in the chemically induced mouse model of depression by reserpine pretreatment. Our findings demonstrated that 4 weeks of arsenic exposure enhance anxiety-like behaviors on elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field test (OFT) in normal mice, and 8 weeks of arsenic exposure augment depression-like behaviors on tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST) in the reserpine pretreated mice. In summary, in this present study, we demonstrated that subchronic arsenic exposure induces only the anxiety-like behaviors in normal mice and enhances the depression-like behaviors in the reserpine induced mouse model of depression, in which the cerebral prefrontal cortex BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway is involved. We also found that eight weeks of subchronic arsenic exposure are needed to enhance the depression-like behaviors in the mouse model of depression. These findings imply that arsenic could be an enhancer of depressive symptoms for those patients who already had the attribute of depression. PMID:26114099

  2. Subchronic Arsenic Exposure Induces Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Normal Mice and Enhances Depression-Like Behaviors in the Chemically Induced Mouse Model of Depression.

    PubMed

    Chang, Chia-Yu; Guo, How-Ran; Tsai, Wan-Chen; Yang, Kai-Lin; Lin, Li-Chuan; Cheng, Tain-Junn; Chuu, Jiunn-Jye

    2015-01-01

    Accumulating evidence implicates that subchronic arsenic exposure causes cerebral neurodegeneration leading to behavioral disturbances relevant to psychiatric disorders. However, there is still little information regarding the influence of subchronic exposure to arsenic-contaminated drinking water on mood disorders and its underlying mechanisms in the cerebral prefrontal cortex. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of subchronic arsenic exposure (10 mg/LAs2O3 in drinking water) on the anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in normal mice and in the chemically induced mouse model of depression by reserpine pretreatment. Our findings demonstrated that 4 weeks of arsenic exposure enhance anxiety-like behaviors on elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field test (OFT) in normal mice, and 8 weeks of arsenic exposure augment depression-like behaviors on tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST) in the reserpine pretreated mice. In summary, in this present study, we demonstrated that subchronic arsenic exposure induces only the anxiety-like behaviors in normal mice and enhances the depression-like behaviors in the reserpine induced mouse model of depression, in which the cerebral prefrontal cortex BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway is involved. We also found that eight weeks of subchronic arsenic exposure are needed to enhance the depression-like behaviors in the mouse model of depression. These findings imply that arsenic could be an enhancer of depressive symptoms for those patients who already had the attribute of depression.

  3. Bioaccumulation, morphological changes, and induction of metallothionein gene expression in the digestive system of the freshwater crab Sinopotamon henanense after exposure to cadmium.

    PubMed

    Wu, Hao; Li, Yingjun; Lang, Xingping; Wang, Lan

    2015-08-01

    To study the responses of digestive system of the freshwater crab Sinopotamon henanense to the exposure with cadmium (Cd), crabs were acutely exposed to 7.25, 14.50, and 29.00 mg/l Cd for 96 h and subchronically exposed to 0.725, 1.450, and 2.900 mg/l for 21 days. Cd bioaccumulation in the hepatopancreas and digestive tract (esophagus and intestine) was examined. Furthermore, histopathological alterations of the esophagus, midgut, hindgut, and hepatopancreas were assessed in animals from the 29.0 and 2.90 mg/l Cd treatment groups, and expression of metallothionein messenger RNA (MT mRNA) in the hepatopancreas and intestine was measured in all treatment groups. The results showed difference in the middle and high concentrations between acute and subchronic treatment groups. Cd content in digestive tract after acute 14.5 and 29.0 mg/l Cd exposure was significantly higher than that at subchronic 1.45 and 2.90 mg/l exposure, but Cd levels in hepatopancreas were not significantly different under the same condition. Acute exposure to Cd induced greater morphological damage than subchronic exposure: large areas of epithelial cells were necrotic in hepatopancreas and midgut, which detached from the basal lamina. Vacuolated muscle cells were observed in the hindgut of animals from the acute exposure group, but the changes of esophageal morphology were not obvious after acute or subchronic treatments. The expression of MT mRNA increased with increasing Cd concentration, and MT mRNA level in acute exposure groups was significantly lower when compared to the subchronic exposure groups. Higher Cd content and lower MT mRNA expression in the acutely exposed groups may be responsible for more severe damage of digestive system in these exposure groups.

  4. BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENTS OF LONG EVANS RATS FOLLOWING A 13-WEEK SUBCHRONIC TOLUENE EXPOSURE.

    EPA Science Inventory

    The current study sought to develop an animal model of the neurotoxicity of long-term exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which may be used to predict the effects of chronic exposure to VOCs on public health. The effects of Subchronic inhalation exposure to toluene (0,...

  5. SUBCHRONIC INHALATION EXPOSURE OF RATS TO LIBBY AMPHIBOLE AND AMOSITE ASBESTOS

    EPA Science Inventory

    Exposure to Libby amphibole (LA) is associated with significant increases in asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. To support biological potency assessment and dosimetry model development, a subchronic nose-only inhalation exposure study (6 hr/d, 5 d/wk, 13 wk) was conducted...

  6. BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENTS OF LONG EVANS RATS FOLLOWING A 13 WEEK SUBCHRONIC TOLUENE EXPOSURE.

    EPA Science Inventory

    Whereas the acute effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are relatively well understood, there is some controversy regarding the potential for persistent effects following long-term exposure. The current study sought to develop an animal model of subchronic exposure to VOCs...

  7. Subchronic Inhalation Exposure of Rats to Libby Amphibole and Amosite Asbestos: Effects at 1 and 3 Months Post Exposure**

    EPA Science Inventory

    Increased asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma rates are evident after exposures to Libby amphibole (LA). To support dosimetry model development and compare potency, a subchronic nose-only inhalation exposure study (6 hr/d, 5 d/wk, 13 wk) was conducted in male F344 rats. Rat...

  8. CARDIOPATHIC EFFECT OF 1,2,3-TRICHLOROPROPANE AFTER SUBACUTE AND SUBCHRONIC EXPOSURE IN RATS

    EPA Science Inventory

    1,2,3-Trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP) is an industrial water contaminant with potential for human exposure by the oral route. The systemic toxicology of 1,2,3-TCP was evaluated after subacute or subchronic exposure in male and female Sprague Dawley rate. Animals were treated with 0....

  9. SUBCHRONIC TOXICITY OF INHALED TOLUENE IN RATS: IMMUNOLOGY, CARDIAC GENE EXPRESSION AND MARKERS OF OXIDATIVE STRESS.

    EPA Science Inventory

    The health effects of long-term exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are poorly understood, due primarily to insufficient human exposure data and inconsistent animal models. To develop a rodent model of long-term exposure to VOCs, a sub-chronic inhalation study with mult...

  10. Systemic metabolic derangement, pulmonary effects, and insulin insufficiency following subchronic ozone exposure in rats

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Miller, Desinia B.

    Acute ozone exposure induces a classical stress response with elevated circulating stress hormones along with changes in glucose, protein and lipid metabolism in rats, with similar alterations in ozone-exposed humans. These stress-mediated changes over time have been linked to insulin resistance. We hypothesized that acute ozone-induced stress response and metabolic impairment would persist during subchronic episodic exposure and induce peripheral insulin resistance. Male Wistar Kyoto rats were exposed to air or 0.25 ppm or 1.00 ppm ozone, 5 h/day, 3 consecutive days/week (wk) for 13 wks. Pulmonary, metabolic, insulin signaling and stress endpoints were determined immediately after 13 wk ormore » following a 1 wk recovery period (13 wk + 1 wk recovery). We show that episodic ozone exposure is associated with persistent pulmonary injury and inflammation, fasting hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, as well as, elevated circulating adrenaline and cholesterol when measured at 13 wk, however, these responses were largely reversible following a 1 wk recovery. Moreover, the increases noted acutely after ozone exposure in non-esterified fatty acids and branched chain amino acid levels were not apparent following a subchronic exposure. Neither peripheral or tissue specific insulin resistance nor increased hepatic gluconeogenesis were present after subchronic ozone exposure. Instead, long-term ozone exposure lowered circulating insulin and severely impaired glucose-stimulated beta-cell insulin secretion. Thus, our findings in young-adult rats provide potential insights into epidemiological studies that show a positive association between ozone exposures and type 1 diabetes. Ozone-induced beta-cell dysfunction may secondarily contribute to other tissue-specific metabolic alterations following chronic exposure due to impaired regulation of glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism. - Highlights: • Subchronic episodic ozone exposure caused pulmonary and metabolic effects. • These effects were largely reversible upon one week recovery. • Ozone exposure did not cause liver or muscle insulin resistance. • Subchronic ozone exposure led to decrease in serum insulin. • Ozone severely impaired beta cell insulin secretion in response to glucose.« less

  11. Subchronic inhalation exposure of rats to Libby amphibole and amosite asbestos: Effects at 1 and 3 months post exposure#

    EPA Science Inventory

    Increased asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma rates are evident in humans after exposures to Libby amphibole (LA). To support dosimetry model development and compare potency, a subchronic nose-only inhalation study (6 hr/d, 5 d/wk, 13 wk) was conducted in male F344 rats. Ra...

  12. Subchronic Inhalation Exposure of Rats to Libby Amphibole and Amosite Asbestos: Effects at 18 Months Post Exposure###

    EPA Science Inventory

    Increased asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma rates are evident after exposures to Libby amphibole (LA). To support dosimetry model development and compare potency, a subchronic nose-only inhalation study (6 hr/d, 5 d/wk, 13 wk) was conducted in male F344 rats. Rats were ex...

  13. Subchronic Inhalation Exposure of Rats to Libby Amphibole and Amosite Asbestos: Effects at 18 Months Post Exposure

    EPA Science Inventory

    Increased asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma rates are evident after exposures to Libby amphibole (LA). To support dosimetry model development and compare potency, a subchronic nose-only inhalation study (6 hr/d, 5 d/wk, 13 wk) was conducted in male F344 rats. Rats were ex...

  14. Nickel exposure alters behavioral parameters in larval and adult zebrafish.

    PubMed

    Nabinger, Débora Dreher; Altenhofen, Stefani; Bitencourt, Paula Eliete Rodrigues; Nery, Laura Roesler; Leite, Carlos Eduardo; Vianna, Mônica Ryff Moreira Roca; Bonan, Carla Denise

    2018-05-15

    Nickel is a heavy metal that, at high concentrations, leads to environmental contamination and causes health problems. We evaluated the effects of NiCl 2 exposure on cognition and behavior in larval and adult zebrafish. Larval and adult zebrafish were exposed to NiCl 2 concentrations (0.025, 2.0, 5.0, and 15.0mg/L) or water (control) in two treatment regimens: acute and subchronic. Larvae were exposed to NiCl 2 for 2h (acute treatment: 5-day-old larvae treated for 2h, tested after treatment) or 11days (subchronic treatment: 11-day-old larvae treated since fertilization, tested at 5, 8 and 11days post-fertilization, dpf). Adults were exposed for 12h (acute treatment) or 96h (subchronic treatment) and were tested after the treatment period. In both regimens, exposed zebrafish showed concentration-dependent increases in body nickel levels compared with controls. For larvae, delayed hatching, decreased heart rate and morphological alterations were observed in subchronically treated zebrafish. Larvae from subchronic treatment tested at 5dpf decrease distance and mean speed at a low concentration (0.025mg/L) and increased at higher concentrations (5.0 and 15.0mg/L). Subchronic treated larvae decrease locomotion at 15.0mg/L at 8 and 11dpf, whereas decreased escape responses to an aversive stimulus was observed at 2.0, 5.0 and 15.0mg/L in all developmental stages. For adults, the exploratory behavior test showed that subchronic nickel exposure induced anxiogenic-like behavior and decrease aggression, whereas impaired memory was observed in both treatments. These results indicate that exposure to nickel in early life stages of zebrafish leads to morphological alterations, avoidance response impairment and locomotor deficits whereas acute and subchronic exposure in adults resulst in anxiogenic effects, impaired memory and decreased aggressive behavior. These effects may be associated to neurotoxic actions of nickel and suggest this metal may influence animals' physiology in doses that do not necessarily impact their survival. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Acute and Subchronic Toxicity of Inhaled Toluene in Male ...

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    The effects of exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are of concern to the EPA, are poorly understood, in part because of insufficient characterization of how human exposure duration impacts VOC effects. Two inhalation studies with multiple endpoints, one acute and one subchronic, were conducted to seek effects of the VOC, toluene, in rats and to compare the effects between acute and subchronic exposures. Adult male Long-Evans rats were exposed to toluene vapor (n = 6 per group) at a concentration of 0 or l 019 ± 14 ppm for 6 h in the acute study and at 0 ± 0, 10 ± 1.4, 97 ± 7, or 995 ± 43 ppm for 6 h/d, 5 d/week for 13 weeksin the subchronic study. For the acute study, brains were dissected on ice within 30 min of the end of exposure, while for the subchronic study, brains were dissected 18 h after the last exposure. Frontal cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, and striatum were assayed for a variety of oxidative stress (OS) parameters including total aconitase (TA), protein carbonyls, glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GRD), glutathione transferase (GST), y-­glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidants (TAS), NADPH quinone oxidoreductase- 1 (NQO1 ), and NADH ubiquinone reductase (UBIQ-RD) activities using commercially available kits. Following acute exposure, UBIQ-RD, GCS and GRD were increased significantly only in the cerebellum, while TAS was increased in frontal cortex. On the other

  16. EFFECTS OF SUBCHRONIC EXPOSURES TO CONCENTRATED AMBIENT PARTICLES: VII. DEGENERATION OF DOPAMINERGIC NEURONS IN APO E-/- MICE.

    EPA Science Inventory

    This research describes the neuropathological consequences of subchronic exposure to particulate matter. A genetically modified animal strain (Apo E-/-) which expresses high levels of oxidative stress was exposed to ambient NYC air for 4-6 months. The brains of these animals were...

  17. EFFECTS OF SUBCHRONIC EXPOSURE TO CONCENTRATED AMBIENT PARTICULATES IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

    EPA Science Inventory


    EFFECTS OF SUBCHRONIC EXPOSURE TO CONCENTRATED AMBIENT PARTICULATES IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS. WP Watkinson1, LB Wichers2, JP Nolan1, DW Winsett1, UP Kodavanti1, MCJ Schladweiler1, and DL Costa1 1US EPA, ORD/NHEERL/ETD/PTB, RTP, NC; 2UNC SPH and Curriculum in Toxic...

  18. Effect of in vivo exposure to ambient fine particles (PM2.5) on the density of dopamine D2-like receptors and dopamine-induced [35S]-GTPγS binding in rat prefrontal cortex and striatum membranes.

    PubMed

    Andrade-Oliva, María-de-Los-Angeles; Aztatzi-Aguilar, Octavio-Gamaliel; García-Sierra, Francisco; De Vizcaya-Ruiz, Andrea; Arias-Montaño, José-Antonio

    2018-06-01

    Male Sprague-Dawley rats (8-9 weeks-old) were exposed for three days (acute exposure) or eight weeks (subchronic exposure) to purified air or concentrated ambient fine particles, PM 2.5 (≤2.5 μm; 15 to 18-fold of ambient air; 370-445 μg/m 3 ). In membranes from rat prefrontal cortex (PFC) or striatum, the density and function of dopamine D 2 -like receptors (D 2 Rs) were assessed by [ 3 H]-spiperone binding and dopamine-stimulated [ 35 S]-GTPγS binding, respectively. Glial activation was evaluated by immunoperoxidase labeling of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). In the PFC, no significant changes in D 2 R density or signaling were observed after the acute and subchronic exposure to PM 2.5 . In the striatum, acute exposure to PM 2.5 decreased D 2 R density, with no effect on signaling efficacy, whereas subchronic exposure did not affect D 2 R density but reduced signaling efficacy. Both acute and subchronic exposure to PM 2.5 induced reactive gliosis in the striatum but not in the PFC. These results indicate that exposure to PM 2.5 induces astrocyte activation and alters striatal dopaminergic transmission. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Sub-chronic inhalation of high concentrations of manganese sulfate induces lower airway pathology in rhesus monkeys

    PubMed Central

    Dorman, David C; Struve, Melanie F; Gross, Elizabeth A; Wong, Brian A; Howroyd, Paul C

    2005-01-01

    Background Neurotoxicity and pulmonary dysfunction are well-recognized problems associated with prolonged human exposure to high concentrations of airborne manganese. Surprisingly, histological characterization of pulmonary responses induced by manganese remains incomplete. The primary objective of this study was to characterize histologic changes in the monkey respiratory tract following manganese inhalation. Methods Subchronic (6 hr/day, 5 days/week) inhalation exposure of young male rhesus monkeys to manganese sulfate was performed. One cohort of monkeys (n = 4–6 animals/exposure concentration) was exposed to air or manganese sulfate at 0.06, 0.3, or 1.5 mg Mn/m3 for 65 exposure days. Another eight monkeys were exposed to manganese sulfate at 1.5 mg Mn/m3 for 65 exposure days and held for 45 or 90 days before evaluation. A second cohort (n = 4 monkeys per time point) was exposed to manganese sulfate at 1.5 mg Mn/m3 and evaluated after 15 or 33 exposure days. Evaluations included measurement of lung manganese concentrations and evaluation of respiratory histologic changes. Tissue manganese concentrations were compared for the exposure and control groups by tests for homogeneity of variance, analysis of variance, followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison. Histopathological findings were evaluated using a Pearson's Chi-Square test. Results Animals exposed to manganese sulfate at ≥0.3 mg Mn/m3 for 65 days had increased lung manganese concentrations. Exposure to manganese sulfate at 1.5 mg Mn/m3 for ≥15 exposure days resulted in increased lung manganese concentrations, mild subacute bronchiolitis, alveolar duct inflammation, and proliferation of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue. Bronchiolitis and alveolar duct inflammatory changes were absent 45 days post-exposure, suggesting that these lesions are reversible upon cessation of subchronic high-dose manganese exposure. Conclusion High-dose subchronic manganese sulfate inhalation is associated with increased lung manganese concentrations and small airway inflammatory changes in the absence of observable clinical signs. Subchronic exposure to manganese sulfate at exposure concentrations (≤0.3 mg Mn/m3) similar to the current 8-hr occupational threshold limit value established for inhaled manganese was not associated with pulmonary pathology. PMID:16242036

  20. Dynamic changes in metabolic profiles of rats subchronically exposed to mequindox.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Limiao; Zhao, Xiuju; Huang, Chongyang; Lei, Hehua; Tang, Huiru; Wang, Yulan

    2014-11-01

    Mequindox is widely used as an antibacterial veterinary drug and a feeding additive for farm animals in China. Although its toxicity has been widely studied, little is known regarding the metabolic effects of subchronic exposure to mequindox, which is vital for the health of meat producing livestock. Here, we characterized the dose- and time-dependent metabolic alterations in female Wistar rats subchronically exposed to mequindox through dietary supplementation at the level of 40, 110 and 280 mg kg(-1) for 13 weeks, employing a NMR based metabonomics approach with supplementary information from serum clinical chemistry. We found that urinary metabolic profiles were significantly affected in all dosed groups during the supplementation period; plasma and hepatic metabolic profiles were significantly affected only in rats dosed with moderate and high levels of mequindox. We also observed a return to control levels, for the profiles of urine and liver, at all dose levels after a two weeks washout period. However, this was not the case for the metabolic profiles of plasma from rats dosed at high levels. At the molecular level, we showed that subchronic exposure to mequindox resulted in tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) stimulation, suppression of glycolysis, and promotion of gluconeogenesis and lipid oxidation in rats. In addition, subchronic exposure to mequindox induced oxidative stress in rats. Furthermore, a disturbance of gut microbiota, manifested by alterations in the urinary excretion of hippurate, phenylacetylglycine, 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propionate, p-cresol glucuronide, methylamine, dimethylamine, and formate, was associated with mequindox exposure. The present study provided important holistic metabolic information on the effects of subchronic dosage of mequindox on rats, which is useful for evaluating the safety of mequindox usage in meat producing animals.

  1. Subchronic exposure to sublethal dose of imidacloprid changes electrophysiological properties and expression pattern of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes in insect neurosecretory cells.

    PubMed

    Benzidane, Yassine; Goven, Delphine; Abd-Ella, Aly Ahmed; Deshayes, Caroline; Lapied, Bruno; Raymond, Valérie

    2017-09-01

    Neonicotinoids are the most important class of insecticides used in agriculture over the last decade. They act as selective agonists of insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The emergence of insect resistance to these insecticides is one of the major problems, which limit the use of neonicotinoids. The aim of our study is to better understand physiological changes appearing after subchronic exposure to sublethal doses of insecticide using complementary approaches that include toxicology, electrophysiology, molecular biology and calcium imaging. We used cockroach neurosecretory cells identified as dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons, known to express two α-bungarotoxin-insensitive (α-bgt-insensitive) nAChR subtypes, nAChR1 and nAChR2, which differ in their sensitivity to imidacloprid. Although nAChR1 is sensitive to imidacloprid, nAChR2 is insensitive to this insecticide. In this study, we demonstrate that subchronic exposure to sublethal dose of imidacloprid differentially changes physiological and molecular properties of nAChR1 and nAChR2. Our findings reported that this treatment decreased the sensitivity of nAChR1 to imidacloprid, reduced current density flowing through this nAChR subtype but did not affect its subunit composition (α3, α8 and β1). Subchronic exposure to sublethal dose of imidacloprid also affected nAChR2 functions. However, these effects were different from those reported on nAChR1. We observed changes in nAChR2 conformational state, which could be related to modification of the subunit composition (α1, α2 and β1). Finally, the subchronic exposure affecting both nAChR1 and nAChR2 seemed to be linked to the elevation of the steady-state resting intracellular calcium level. In conclusion, under subchronic exposure to sublethal dose of imidacloprid, cockroaches are capable of triggering adaptive mechanisms by reducing the participation of imidacloprid-sensitive nAChR1 and by optimizing functional properties of nAChR2, which is insensitive to this insecticide. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Systemic metabolic derangement, pulmonary effects, and insulin insufficiency following subchronic ozone exposure in rats.

    PubMed

    Miller, Desinia B; Snow, Samantha J; Henriquez, Andres; Schladweiler, Mette C; Ledbetter, Allen D; Richards, Judy E; Andrews, Debora L; Kodavanti, Urmila P

    2016-09-01

    Acute ozone exposure induces a classical stress response with elevated circulating stress hormones along with changes in glucose, protein and lipid metabolism in rats, with similar alterations in ozone-exposed humans. These stress-mediated changes over time have been linked to insulin resistance. We hypothesized that acute ozone-induced stress response and metabolic impairment would persist during subchronic episodic exposure and induce peripheral insulin resistance. Male Wistar Kyoto rats were exposed to air or 0.25ppm or 1.00ppm ozone, 5h/day, 3 consecutive days/week (wk) for 13wks. Pulmonary, metabolic, insulin signaling and stress endpoints were determined immediately after 13wk or following a 1wk recovery period (13wk+1wk recovery). We show that episodic ozone exposure is associated with persistent pulmonary injury and inflammation, fasting hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, as well as, elevated circulating adrenaline and cholesterol when measured at 13wk, however, these responses were largely reversible following a 1wk recovery. Moreover, the increases noted acutely after ozone exposure in non-esterified fatty acids and branched chain amino acid levels were not apparent following a subchronic exposure. Neither peripheral or tissue specific insulin resistance nor increased hepatic gluconeogenesis were present after subchronic ozone exposure. Instead, long-term ozone exposure lowered circulating insulin and severely impaired glucose-stimulated beta-cell insulin secretion. Thus, our findings in young-adult rats provide potential insights into epidemiological studies that show a positive association between ozone exposures and type 1 diabetes. Ozone-induced beta-cell dysfunction may secondarily contribute to other tissue-specific metabolic alterations following chronic exposure due to impaired regulation of glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  3. Systemic metabolic derangement, pulmonary effects, and insulin insufficiency following subchronic ozone exposure in rats☆,☆☆

    PubMed Central

    Miller, Desinia B.; Snow, Samantha J.; Henriquez, Andres; Schladweiler, Mette C.; Ledbetter, Allen D.; Richards, Judy E.; Andrews, Debora L.; Kodavanti, Urmila P.

    2017-01-01

    Acute ozone exposure induces a classical stress response with elevated circulating stress hormones along with changes in glucose, protein and lipid metabolism in rats, with similar alterations in ozone-exposed humans. These stress-mediated changes over time have been linked to insulin resistance. We hypothesized that acute ozone-induced stress response and metabolic impairment would persist during subchronic episodic exposure and induce peripheral insulin resistance. Male Wistar Kyoto rats were exposed to air or 0.25 ppm or 1.00 ppm ozone, 5 h/day, 3 consecutive days/week (wk) for 13 wks. Pulmonary, metabolic, insulin signaling and stress endpoints were determined immediately after 13 wk or following a 1 wk recovery period (13 wk + 1 wk recovery). We show that episodic ozone exposure is associated with persistent pulmonary injury and inflammation, fasting hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, as well as, elevated circulating adrenaline and cholesterol when measured at 13 wk, however, these responses were largely reversible following a 1 wk recovery. Moreover, the increases noted acutely after ozone exposure in non-esterified fatty acids and branched chain amino acid levels were not apparent following a subchronic exposure. Neither peripheral or tissue specific insulin resistance nor increased hepatic gluconeogenesis were present after subchronic ozone exposure. Instead, long-term ozone exposure lowered circulating insulin and severely impaired glucose-stimulated beta-cell insulin secretion. Thus, our findings in young-adult rats provide potential insights into epidemiological studies that show a positive association between ozone exposures and type 1 diabetes. Ozone-induced beta-cell dysfunction may secondarily contribute to other tissue-specific metabolic alterations following chronic exposure due to impaired regulation of glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism. PMID:27368153

  4. Systemic Metabolic Derangement, Pulmonary Effects, and Insulin Insufficiency Following Subchronic Ozone Exposure in Rats

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This data set includes individual animal data collected for various biological endpoints that are included in the manuscript.Miller DB, Snow SJ, Henriquez A, Schladweiler MC, Ledbetter AD, Richards JE, Andrews DL, Kodavanti UP. Systemic metabolic derangement, pulmonary effects, and insulin insufficiency following subchronic ozone exposure in rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2016 Jun 28;306:47-57. The primary author Desinia Miller, an UNC-EPA co-opp Student has since completed her PhD and is no longer in EPA database.This dataset is associated with the following publication:Miller, D., S. Snow, A. Henriquez, M. Schladweiler, A. Ledbetter, J. Richards, D. Andrews, and U. Kodavanti. Systemic Metabolic Derangement, Pulmonary Effects, and Insulin Insufficiency following subchronic ozone exposure in rats. TOXICOLOGY AND APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY. Academic Press Incorporated, Orlando, FL, USA, 306: 47-57, (2016).

  5. Toxicity assessment of zinc oxide nanoparticles using sub-acute and sub-chronic murine inhalation models

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background Although ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) are used in many commercial products and the potential for human exposure is increasing, few in vivo studies have addressed their possible toxic effects after inhalation. We sought to determine whether ZnO NPs induce pulmonary toxicity in mice following sub-acute or sub-chronic inhalation exposure to realistic exposure doses. Methods Mice (C57Bl/6) were exposed to well-characterized ZnO NPs (3.5 mg/m3, 4 hr/day) for 2 (sub-acute) or 13 (sub-chronic) weeks and necropsied immediately (0 wk) or 3 weeks (3 wks) post exposure. Toxicity was assessed by enumeration of total and differential cells, determination of total protein, lactate dehydrogenase activity and inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid as well as measurements of pulmonary mechanics. Generation of reactive oxygen species was assessed in the lungs. Lungs were evaluated for histopathologic changes and Zn content. Zn concentration in blood, liver, kidney, spleen, heart, brain and BAL fluid was measured. Results An elevated concentration of Zn2+ was detected in BAL fluid immediately after exposures, but returned to baseline levels 3 wks post exposure. Dissolution studies showed that ZnO NPs readily dissolved in artificial lysosomal fluid (pH 4.5), but formed aggregates and precipitates in artificial interstitial fluid (pH 7.4). Sub-acute exposure to ZnO NPs caused an increase of macrophages in BAL fluid and a moderate increase in IL-12(p40) and MIP-1α, but no other inflammatory or toxic responses were observed. Following both sub-acute and sub-chronic exposures, pulmonary mechanics were no different than sham-exposed animals. Conclusions Our ZnO NP inhalation studies showed minimal pulmonary inflammation, cytotoxicity or lung histopathologic changes. An elevated concentration of Zn in the lung and BAL fluid indicates dissolution of ZnO NPs in the respiratory system after inhalation. Exposure concentration, exposure mode and time post exposure played an important role in the toxicity of ZnO NPs. Exposure for 13 wks with a cumulative dose of 10.9 mg/kg yielded increased lung cellularity, but other markers of toxicity did not differ from sham-exposed animals, leading to the conclusion that ZnO NPs have low sub-chronic toxicity by the inhalation route. PMID:24684892

  6. Toxicity assessment of zinc oxide nanoparticles using sub-acute and sub-chronic murine inhalation models.

    PubMed

    Adamcakova-Dodd, Andrea; Stebounova, Larissa V; Kim, Jong Sung; Vorrink, Sabine U; Ault, Andrew P; O'Shaughnessy, Patrick T; Grassian, Vicki H; Thorne, Peter S

    2014-04-01

    Although ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) are used in many commercial products and the potential for human exposure is increasing, few in vivo studies have addressed their possible toxic effects after inhalation. We sought to determine whether ZnO NPs induce pulmonary toxicity in mice following sub-acute or sub-chronic inhalation exposure to realistic exposure doses. Mice (C57Bl/6) were exposed to well-characterized ZnO NPs (3.5 mg/m3, 4 hr/day) for 2 (sub-acute) or 13 (sub-chronic) weeks and necropsied immediately (0 wk) or 3 weeks (3 wks) post exposure. Toxicity was assessed by enumeration of total and differential cells, determination of total protein, lactate dehydrogenase activity and inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid as well as measurements of pulmonary mechanics. Generation of reactive oxygen species was assessed in the lungs. Lungs were evaluated for histopathologic changes and Zn content. Zn concentration in blood, liver, kidney, spleen, heart, brain and BAL fluid was measured. An elevated concentration of Zn2+ was detected in BAL fluid immediately after exposures, but returned to baseline levels 3 wks post exposure. Dissolution studies showed that ZnO NPs readily dissolved in artificial lysosomal fluid (pH 4.5), but formed aggregates and precipitates in artificial interstitial fluid (pH 7.4). Sub-acute exposure to ZnO NPs caused an increase of macrophages in BAL fluid and a moderate increase in IL-12(p40) and MIP-1α, but no other inflammatory or toxic responses were observed. Following both sub-acute and sub-chronic exposures, pulmonary mechanics were no different than sham-exposed animals. Our ZnO NP inhalation studies showed minimal pulmonary inflammation, cytotoxicity or lung histopathologic changes. An elevated concentration of Zn in the lung and BAL fluid indicates dissolution of ZnO NPs in the respiratory system after inhalation. Exposure concentration, exposure mode and time post exposure played an important role in the toxicity of ZnO NPs. Exposure for 13 wks with a cumulative dose of 10.9 mg/kg yielded increased lung cellularity, but other markers of toxicity did not differ from sham-exposed animals, leading to the conclusion that ZnO NPs have low sub-chronic toxicity by the inhalation route.

  7. Behavioral and Immunohistochemical Study of the Effects of Subchronic and Chronic Exposure to Glyphosate in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Ait Bali, Yassine; Ba-Mhamed, Saadia; Bennis, Mohamed

    2017-01-01

    Many epidemiological studies have described an adolescent-related psychiatric illness and sensorimotor deficits after Glyphosate based herbicide (GBH) exposure. GBH exposure in animal models of various ages suggests that it may be neurotoxic and could impact brain development and subsequently, behavior in adulthood. However, its neurotoxic effects on adolescent brain remain unclear and the results are limited. The present study was conducted to evaluate the neurobehavioral effects of GBH following acute, subchronic (6 weeks) and chronic (12 weeks) exposure (250 or 500 mg/kg/day) in mice treated from juvenile age until adulthood. Mice were subjected to behavioral testing with the open field (OF), the elevated plus maze, the tail suspension and Splash tests (STs). Their behaviors related to exploratory activity, anxiety and depression-like were recorded. After completion of the behavioral testing, adult mice were sacrificed and the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and serotonin (5-HT) in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was evaluated using immunohistochemical procedure. Our results indicate that unlike acute exposure, both subchronic and chronic exposure to GBH induced a decrease in body weight gain and locomotor activity, and an increase of anxiety and depression-like behavior levels. In addition, the immunohistochemical findings showed that only the chronic treatment induced a reduction of TH-immunoreactivity. However, both subchronic and chronic exposure produced a reduction of 5-HT-immunoreactivity in the DRN, BLA and ventral mPFC. Taken together, our data suggest that exposure to GBH from juvenile age through adulthood in mice leads to neurobehavioral changes that stem from the impairment of neuronal developmental processes. PMID:28848410

  8. Developmental sub-chronic exposure to chlorpyrifos reduces anxiety-related behavior in zebrafish larvae

    PubMed Central

    Richendrfer, Holly; Pelkowski, Sean D.; Colwill, Ruth M.; Créton, Robbert

    2013-01-01

    Neurobehavioral disorders such as anxiety, autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders are typically influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Although several genetic risk factors have been identified in recent years, little is known about the environmental factors that either cause neurobehavioral disorders or contribute to their progression in genetically predisposed individuals. One environmental factor that has raised concerns is chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate pesticide that is widely used in agriculture and is found ubiquitously in the environment. In the present study, we examined the effects of sub-chronic chlorpyrifos exposure on anxiety-related behavior during development using zebrafish larvae. We found that sub-chronic exposure to 0.01 or 0.1 μM chlorpyrifos during development induces specific behavioral defects in 7-day-old zebrafish larvae. The larvae displayed decreases in swim speed and thigmotaxis, yet no changes in avoidance behavior were seen. Exposure to 0.001 μM chlorpyrifos did not affect swimming, thigmotaxis, or avoidance behavior and exposure to 1 μM chlorpyrifos induced behavioral defects, but also induced defects in larval morphology. Since thigmotaxis, a preference for the edge, is an anxiety-related behavior in zebrafish larvae, we propose that sub-chronic chlorpyrifos exposure interferes with the development of anxiety-related behaviors. The results of this study provide a good starting point for examination of the molecular, cellular, developmental, and neural mechanisms that are affected by environmentally relevant concentrations of organophosphate pesticides. A more detailed understanding of these mechanisms is important for the development of predictive models and refined health policies to prevent toxicant-induced neurobehavioral disorders. PMID:22579535

  9. Megakaryocyte expansion and macrophage infiltration in bone marrow of rats subchronically treated with MNX, N-nitroso environmental degradation product of munitions compound RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine).

    PubMed

    Ramasahayam, Sindhura; Jaligama, Sridhar; Atwa, Sahar M; Salley, Joshua T; Thongdy, Marissa; Blaylock, Benny L; Meyer, Sharon A

    2017-08-01

    Hexahydro-1-nitroso-3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-triazine (MNX), environmental degradation product of munitions hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), causes seizures in rats with acute oral exposure like parent RDX. Our previous studies have additionally reported hematotoxicity with acute MNX exposure manifested as myelosuppression, anemia and splenic hemosiderosis. This study explored whether MNX administered subchronically continued to target bone marrow to elicit peripheral blood cytopenia. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged daily for 4 or 6 weeks with 47 mg kg -1  day -1 MNX (¼ LD 50 ) or vehicle (5% dimethyl sulfoxide in corn oil) and hematological and clinical chemistry parameters, spleen weights, spleen and bone marrow histopathology and immunohistochemistry with ED1 anti-CD68 macrophage marker were evaluated 24 h after the last dose. Unexpectedly, no decrease in blood erythroid parameters was seen with subchronic MNX and convulsions and tremors ceased after 2 weeks of treatment. Toxicological effects observed were MNX-induced increases in blood granulocyte and platelet counts and in bone marrow megakaryocyte and ED1 + -macrophage density. MNX was without effect on bone marrow cellularity and picrosirius red stained/collagen fiber deposition. Spleen weight increased modestly with extramedullary hematopoiesis evident, but hemosiderin and relative red and white pulp areas were unaffected. Collectively, this study demonstrated that erythroid effects characteristic of acute MNX exposure were not evident with subchronic exposure. However, megakaryocyte proliferation in bone marrow coincident with thrombocytosis after subchronic MNX exposure suggested continued hematotoxicity, but with a qualitatively different outcome. Granulocytosis and increased bone marrow macrophages implicated an inflammatory component in MNX hematotoxicity. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  10. Air pollution & the brain: Subchronic diesel exhaust exposure causes neuroinflammation and elevates early markers of neurodegenerative disease.

    PubMed

    Levesque, Shannon; Surace, Michael J; McDonald, Jacob; Block, Michelle L

    2011-08-24

    Increasing evidence links diverse forms of air pollution to neuroinflammation and neuropathology in both human and animal models, but the effects of long-term exposures are poorly understood. We explored the central nervous system consequences of subchronic exposure to diesel exhaust (DE) and addressed the minimum levels necessary to elicit neuroinflammation and markers of early neuropathology. Male Fischer 344 rats were exposed to DE (992, 311, 100, 35 and 0 μg PM/m³) by inhalation over 6 months. DE exposure resulted in elevated levels of TNFα at high concentrations in all regions tested, with the exception of the cerebellum. The midbrain region was the most sensitive, where exposures as low as 100 μg PM/m³ significantly increased brain TNFα levels. However, this sensitivity to DE was not conferred to all markers of neuroinflammation, as the midbrain showed no increase in IL-6 expression at any concentration tested, an increase in IL-1β at only high concentrations, and a decrease in MIP-1α expression, supporting that compensatory mechanisms may occur with subchronic exposure. Aβ42 levels were the highest in the frontal lobe of mice exposed to 992 μg PM/m³ and tau [pS199] levels were elevated at the higher DE concentrations (992 and 311 μg PM/m³) in both the temporal lobe and frontal lobe, indicating that proteins linked to preclinical Alzheimer's disease were affected. α Synuclein levels were elevated in the midbrain in response to the 992 μg PM/m³ exposure, supporting that air pollution may be associated with early Parkinson's disease-like pathology. Together, the data support that the midbrain may be more sensitive to the neuroinflammatory effects of subchronic air pollution exposure. However, the DE-induced elevation of proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases was limited to only the higher exposures, suggesting that air pollution-induced neuroinflammation may precede preclinical markers of neurodegenerative disease in the midbrain.

  11. Sodium p-Aminosalicylic Acid Reverses Sub-Chronic Manganese-Induced Impairments of Spatial Learning and Memory Abilities in Rats, but Fails to Restore γ-Aminobutyric Acid Levels.

    PubMed

    Li, Shao-Jun; Ou, Chao-Yan; He, Sheng-Nan; Huang, Xiao-Wei; Luo, Hai-Lan; Meng, Hao-Yang; Lu, Guo-Dong; Jiang, Yue-Ming; Vieira Peres, Tanara; Luo, Yi-Ni; Deng, Xiang-Fa

    2017-04-10

    Excessive manganese (Mn) exposure is not only a health risk for occupational workers, but also for the general population. Sodium para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS-Na) has been successfully used in the treatment of manganism, but the involved molecular mechanisms have yet to be determined. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of PAS-Na on sub-chronic Mn exposure-induced impairments of spatial learning and memory, and determine the possible involvements of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism in vivo. Sprague-Dawley male rats received daily intraperitoneal injections MnCl₂ (as 6.55 mg/kg Mn body weight, five days per week for 12 weeks), followed by daily subcutaneous injections of 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg PAS-Na for an additional six weeks. Mn exposure significantly impaired spatial learning and memory ability, as noted in the Morris water maze test, and the following PAS-Na treatment successfully restored these adverse effects to levels indistinguishable from controls. Unexpectedly, PAS-Na failed to recover the Mn-induced decrease in the overall GABA levels, although PAS-Na treatment reversed Mn-induced alterations in the enzyme activities directly responsible for the synthesis and degradation of GABA (glutamate decarboxylase and GABA-transaminase, respectively). Moreover, Mn exposure caused an increase of GABA transporter 1 (GAT-1) and decrease of GABA A receptor (GABA A ) in transcriptional levels, which could be reverted by the highest dose of 300 mg/kg PAS-Na treatment. In conclusion, the GABA metabolism was interrupted by sub-chronic Mn exposure. However, the PAS-Na treatment mediated protection from sub-chronic Mn exposure-induced neurotoxicity, which may not be dependent on the GABA metabolism.

  12. Sodium p-Aminosalicylic Acid Reverses Sub-Chronic Manganese-Induced Impairments of Spatial Learning and Memory Abilities in Rats, but Fails to Restore γ-Aminobutyric Acid Levels

    PubMed Central

    Li, Shao-Jun; Ou, Chao-Yan; He, Sheng-Nan; Huang, Xiao-Wei; Luo, Hai-Lan; Meng, Hao-Yang; Lu, Guo-Dong; Jiang, Yue-Ming; Vieira Peres, Tanara; Luo, Yi-Ni; Deng, Xiang-Fa

    2017-01-01

    Excessive manganese (Mn) exposure is not only a health risk for occupational workers, but also for the general population. Sodium para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS-Na) has been successfully used in the treatment of manganism, but the involved molecular mechanisms have yet to be determined. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of PAS-Na on sub-chronic Mn exposure-induced impairments of spatial learning and memory, and determine the possible involvements of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism in vivo. Sprague-Dawley male rats received daily intraperitoneal injections MnCl2 (as 6.55 mg/kg Mn body weight, five days per week for 12 weeks), followed by daily subcutaneous injections of 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg PAS-Na for an additional six weeks. Mn exposure significantly impaired spatial learning and memory ability, as noted in the Morris water maze test, and the following PAS-Na treatment successfully restored these adverse effects to levels indistinguishable from controls. Unexpectedly, PAS-Na failed to recover the Mn-induced decrease in the overall GABA levels, although PAS-Na treatment reversed Mn-induced alterations in the enzyme activities directly responsible for the synthesis and degradation of GABA (glutamate decarboxylase and GABA-transaminase, respectively). Moreover, Mn exposure caused an increase of GABA transporter 1 (GAT-1) and decrease of GABA A receptor (GABAA) in transcriptional levels, which could be reverted by the highest dose of 300 mg/kg PAS-Na treatment. In conclusion, the GABA metabolism was interrupted by sub-chronic Mn exposure. However, the PAS-Na treatment mediated protection from sub-chronic Mn exposure-induced neurotoxicity, which may not be dependent on the GABA metabolism. PMID:28394286

  13. 40 CFR 798.6560 - Subchronic delayed neuro-toxicity of organophosphorus substances.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... employed. (2) Number of animals. Ten hens should be used for each treatment and control group. (3) Control group—(i) General. A concurrent control group should be used. This group should be treated in a manner... control group(s). The highest dose level should result in toxic effects, preferably delayed neurotoxicity...

  14. 40 CFR 798.6560 - Subchronic delayed neuro-toxicity of organophosphorus substances.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... employed. (2) Number of animals. Ten hens should be used for each treatment and control group. (3) Control group—(i) General. A concurrent control group should be used. This group should be treated in a manner... control group(s). The highest dose level should result in toxic effects, preferably delayed neurotoxicity...

  15. 40 CFR 798.6560 - Subchronic delayed neuro-toxicity of organophosphorus substances.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... employed. (2) Number of animals. Ten hens should be used for each treatment and control group. (3) Control group—(i) General. A concurrent control group should be used. This group should be treated in a manner... control group(s). The highest dose level should result in toxic effects, preferably delayed neurotoxicity...

  16. 40 CFR 798.6560 - Subchronic delayed neuro-toxicity of organophosphorus substances.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... employed. (2) Number of animals. Ten hens should be used for each treatment and control group. (3) Control group—(i) General. A concurrent control group should be used. This group should be treated in a manner... control group(s). The highest dose level should result in toxic effects, preferably delayed neurotoxicity...

  17. 40 CFR 798.6560 - Subchronic delayed neuro-toxicity of organophosphorus substances.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... employed. (2) Number of animals. Ten hens should be used for each treatment and control group. (3) Control group—(i) General. A concurrent control group should be used. This group should be treated in a manner... control group(s). The highest dose level should result in toxic effects, preferably delayed neurotoxicity...

  18. Consequences of subchronic exposure to ethanolic extract from fruits and leaves of Schinus molle var. areira L. in mice.

    PubMed

    Bras, Cristina; Domínguez, Sergio; Codón, Stella; Minetti, Alejandra; Ferrero, Adriana

    2010-10-28

    Several extracts of Schinus molle var. areira L. plant proved to be useful for the treatment of different pathologies and for the control of insect pest. Due to these potential uses, it is necessary to study their safety. In this work, we evaluated the effects of subchronic exposure to ethanolic extracts from leaves and fruits of Schinus molle var. areira in mice. The plant extract was added to the diet at 1 g/kg body weight/day for 90 days. At the end of the exposure, behavioral and functional parameters in a functional observational battery and motor activity in an open field were assessed. Finally, several biochemical and histopathological studies were realized. The exposure to extract from leaves produced an increase in the number of rearings in the open field and of urine pools in the functional observational battery. On the other hand, the exposure to extract from fruits produced an increase in the neutrophil count and a decrease in the lymphocyte count and in the total cholesterol levels. None of the exposures affected the different organs evaluated. Our results suggest that subchronic exposure to ethanolic extracts from leaves and fruits of Schinus molle var. areira should be potentially useful in the treatment of lipid pathologies and safe to use. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Diphenyl ditelluride intoxication triggers histological changes in liver, kidney, and lung of mice.

    PubMed

    da Luz, Sônia Cristina Almeida; Daubermann, Melissa Falster; Thomé, Gustavo Roberto; Dos Santos, Matheus Mülling; Ramos, Angelica; Torres Salazar, Gerson; da Rocha, João Batista Teixeira; Barbosa, Nilda Vargas

    2015-01-01

    Tellurium compounds may be cytotoxic to different cells types. Thus, this work evaluated the effect of diphenyl ditelluride ((PhTe)2), an organotellurium commonly used in organic synthesis, on the morphology of liver, kidney, and lung. Adult mice were acutely (a subcutaneous single dose: 250 μmol/kg) or subchronically (one daily subcutaneous dose: 10 or 50 μmol/kg for 7 and 14 days) exposed to (PhTe)2. Afterwards, the histological analyses of liver, kidney, and lungs were performed. Liver histology revealed that the hepatocytes of mice subchronically exposed to (PhTe)2 presented cytoplasmic vacuolization, hydropic degeneration, and hyperchromatic nuclei. Subchronic exposure to 50 μmol/kg (PhTe)2 also caused hepatic necrosis. Microvesicular and macrovesicular steatosis were identified in liver of mice acutely exposed to (PhTe)2. Acute and subchronic intoxication with (PhTe)2 induced changes on epithelial cells of renal tubules, namely, loss of brush border and cytoplasmatic vacuolization. Atrophy and hypertrophy, cast proteinaceous formation, and acute tubular necrosis were also identified in renal tissue. Mice subchronically exposed to 50 μmol/kg (PhTe)2 developed intra-alveolar edema and alveolar wall congestion in some areas of lungs. Acute exposure to (PhTe)2 did not cause histological changes in lungs. Our data show that (PhTe)2 may be considered a histotoxic agent for liver, kidney, and lung.

  20. Subchronic exposure to arsenic through drinking water alters expression of cancer-related genes in rat liver.

    PubMed

    Cui, Xing; Li, Song; Shraim, Amjad; Kobayashi, Yayoi; Hayakawa, Toru; Kanno, Sanae; Yamamoto, Megumi; Hirano, Seishiro

    2004-01-01

    Although arsenic exposure causes liver disease and/or hepatoma, little is known about molecular mechanisms of arsenic-induced liver toxicity or carcinogenesis. We investigated the effects of arsenic on expression of cancer-related genes in a rat liver following subchronic exposure to sodium arsenate (1, 10, 100 ppm in drinking water), by using real-time quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses. Arsenic accumulated in the rat liver dose-dependently and caused hepatic histopathological changes, such as disruption of hepatic cords, sinusoidal dilation, and fatty infiltration. A 1-month exposure to arsenic significantly increased hepatic mRNA levels of cyclin D1 (10 ppm), ILK (1 ppm), and p27(Kip1) (10 ppm), whereas it reduced mRNA levels of PTEN (1 ppm) and beta-catenin (100 ppm). In contrast, a 4-month arsenic exposure showed increased mRNA expression of cyclin D1 (100 ppm), ILK (1 ppm), and p27(Kip1) (1 and 10 ppm), and decreased expression of both PTEN and beta-catenin at all 3 doses. An immunohistochemical study revealed that each protein expression accords closely with each gene expression of mRNA level. In conclusion, subchronic exposure to inorganic arsenate caused pathological changes and altered expression of cyclin D1, p27(Kip1), ILK, PTEN, and beta-catenin in the liver. This implies that arsenic liver toxicity involves disturbances of some cancer-related molecules.

  1. Air pollution & the brain: Subchronic diesel exhaust exposure causes neuroinflammation and elevates early markers of neurodegenerative disease

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Background Increasing evidence links diverse forms of air pollution to neuroinflammation and neuropathology in both human and animal models, but the effects of long-term exposures are poorly understood. Objective We explored the central nervous system consequences of subchronic exposure to diesel exhaust (DE) and addressed the minimum levels necessary to elicit neuroinflammation and markers of early neuropathology. Methods Male Fischer 344 rats were exposed to DE (992, 311, 100, 35 and 0 μg PM/m3) by inhalation over 6 months. Results DE exposure resulted in elevated levels of TNFα at high concentrations in all regions tested, with the exception of the cerebellum. The midbrain region was the most sensitive, where exposures as low as 100 μg PM/m3 significantly increased brain TNFα levels. However, this sensitivity to DE was not conferred to all markers of neuroinflammation, as the midbrain showed no increase in IL-6 expression at any concentration tested, an increase in IL-1β at only high concentrations, and a decrease in MIP-1α expression, supporting that compensatory mechanisms may occur with subchronic exposure. Aβ42 levels were the highest in the frontal lobe of mice exposed to 992 μg PM/m3 and tau [pS199] levels were elevated at the higher DE concentrations (992 and 311 μg PM/m3) in both the temporal lobe and frontal lobe, indicating that proteins linked to preclinical Alzheimer's disease were affected. α Synuclein levels were elevated in the midbrain in response to the 992 μg PM/m3 exposure, supporting that air pollution may be associated with early Parkinson's disease-like pathology. Conclusions Together, the data support that the midbrain may be more sensitive to the neuroinflammatory effects of subchronic air pollution exposure. However, the DE-induced elevation of proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases was limited to only the higher exposures, suggesting that air pollution-induced neuroinflammation may precede preclinical markers of neurodegenerative disease in the midbrain. PMID:21864400

  2. A probabilistic risk assessment for deployed military personnel after the implementation of the "Leishmaniasis Control Program" at Tallil Air Base, Iraq.

    PubMed

    Schleier, Jerome J; Davis, Ryan S; Barber, Loren M; Macedo, Paula A; Peterson, Robert K D

    2009-05-01

    Leishmaniasis has been of concern to the U.S. military and has re-emerged in importance because of recent deployments to the Middle East. We conducted a retrospective probabilistic risk assessment for military personnel potentially exposed to insecticides during the "Leishmaniasis Control Plan" (LCP) undertaken in 2003 at Tallil Air Base, Iraq. We estimated acute and subchronic risks from resmethrin, malathion, piperonyl butoxide (PBO), and pyrethrins applied using a truck-mounted ultra-low-volume (ULV) sprayer and lambda-cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos, and cypermethrin used for residual sprays. We used the risk quotient (RQ) method for our risk assessment (estimated environmental exposure/toxic endpoint) and set the RQ level of concern (LOC) at 1.0. Acute RQs for truck-mounted ULV and residual sprays ranged from 0.00007 to 33.3 at the 95th percentile. Acute exposure to lambda-cyhalothrin, bifenthrin, and chlorpyrifos exceeded the RQ LOC. Subchronic RQs for truck-mounted ULV and residual sprays ranged from 0.00008 to 32.8 at the 95th percentile. Subchronic exposures to lambda-cyhalothrin and chlorpyrifos exceeded the LOC. However, estimated exposures to lambda-cyhalothrin, bifenthrin, and chlorpyrifos did not exceed their respective no observed adverse effect levels.

  3. Impaired Limbic Cortico-Striatal Structure and Sustained Visual Attention in a Rodent Model of Schizophrenia

    PubMed Central

    Barnes, Samuel A.; Sawiak, Stephen J.; Caprioli, Daniele; Jupp, Bianca; Buonincontri, Guido; Mar, Adam C.; Harte, Michael K.; Fletcher, Paul C.; Robbins, Trevor W.; Neill, Jo C.

    2015-01-01

    Background: N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) dysfunction is thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Accordingly, NMDAR antagonists such as phencyclidine (PCP) are used widely in experimental animals to model cognitive impairment associated with this disorder. However, it is unclear whether PCP disrupts the structural integrity of brain areas relevant to the profile of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. Methods: Here we used high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and voxel-based morphometry to investigate structural alterations associated with sub-chronic PCP treatment in rats. Results: Sub-chronic exposure of rats to PCP (5mg/kg twice daily for 7 days) impaired sustained visual attention on a 5-choice serial reaction time task, notably when the attentional load was increased. In contrast, sub-chronic PCP had no significant effect on the attentional filtering of a pre-pulse auditory stimulus in an acoustic startle paradigm. Voxel-based morphometry revealed significantly reduced grey matter density bilaterally in the hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex, ventral striatum, and amygdala. PCP-treated rats also exhibited reduced cortical thickness in the insular cortex. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that sub-chronic NMDA receptor antagonism is sufficient to produce highly-localized morphological abnormalities in brain areas implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Furthermore, PCP exposure resulted in dissociable impairments in attentional function. PMID:25552430

  4. Acute and subchronic toxicity of inhaled toluene in male Long Evans rats: oxidative stress markers in brain

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Research interested in oxidative stress markers following exposure to VOCsThis dataset is associated with the following publication:Kodavanti , P., J. Royland , D.A. Moore-Smith, J. Beas, J. Richards , T. Beasley , P. Evansky , and P.J. Bushnell. Acute and Subchronic Toxicity of Inhaled Toluene in Male Long-Evans Rats: Oxidative Stress Markers in Brain. NEUROTOXICOLOGY. Elsevier B.V., Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS, 51: 10-19, (2015).

  5. Acute and subchronic inhalation exposures of hamsters to nickel-enriched fly ash

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wehner, A.P.; Moss, O.R.; Milliman, E.M.

    1979-08-01

    One 6-h inhalation exposure of hamsters to Ni-enriched fly ash (NEFA) aerosol (respirable aerosol concentration approx. 200 ..mu..g/liter) deposited about 80 ..mu..g in the deep lung, of which 75 ..mu..g was still present 30 days postexposure. The animals tolerated the exposure well during the 30-day postexposure observation period. Two-month exposures of hamsters to NEFA or fly ash (FA) aerosols (approx. 185 ..mu..g/liter) resuled in a deep lung burden of about 5.7 mg, dark discoloration of lungs, heavily dust-laden macrophages, and significantly higher lung weights than in controls, but only minimal inflammatory reaction and no deaths. There was no difference betweenmore » NEFA and FA effects. The NEFA contained 9% Ni; FA contained 0.03% Ni. The results of this study indicate low acute and subchronic toxicity and slow lung clearance of NEFA and FA.« less

  6. EFFECTS OF SUBCHRONIC EXPOSURE TO CONCENTRATED AMBIENT PARTICULATES ON ELECTROCARDIOGRAM AND HEART RATE VARIABILITY IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

    EPA Science Inventory


    Epidemiological studies have linked air pollution exposure to adverse respiratory health effects, especially in individuals with inflammatory airways disease. Symptomatic asthmatics appear to be at greatest risk. We previously demonstrated that exposure of rats to particulate...

  7. VISUAL FUNCTION CHANGES AFTER SUBCHRONIC TOLUENE INHALATION IN LONG-EVANS RATS.

    EPA Science Inventory

    Chronic exposure to volatile organic compounds, including toluene, has been associated with visual deficits such as reduced visual contrast sensitivity or impaired color discrimination in studies of occupational or residential exposure. These reports remain controversial, howeve...

  8. Community exposures to airborne agricultural pesticides in California: ranking of inhalation risks.

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Sharon; McLaughlin, Robert; Harnly, Martha; Gunier, Robert; Kreutzer, Richard

    2002-01-01

    We assessed inhalation risks to California communities from airborne agricultural pesticides by probability distribution analysis using ambient air data provided by the California Air Resources Board and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. The pesticides evaluated include chloropicrin, chlorothalonil, chlorpyrifos, S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate, diazinon, 1,3-dichloropropene, dichlorvos (naled breakdown product), endosulfan, eptam, methidathion, methyl bromide, methyl isothiocyanate (MITC; metam sodium breakdown product), molinate, propargite, and simazine. Risks were estimated for the median and 75th and 95th percentiles of probability (50, 25, and 5% of the exposed populations). Exposure estimates greater than or equal to noncancer reference values occurred for 50% of the exposed populations (adults and children) for MITC subchronic and chronic exposures, methyl bromide subchronic exposures (year 2000 monitoring), and 1,3-dichloropropene subchronic exposures (1990 monitoring). Short-term chlorpyrifos exposure estimates exceeded the acute reference value for 50% of children (not adults) in the exposed population. Noncancer risks were uniformly higher for children due to a proportionately greater inhalation rate-to-body weight ratio compared to adults and other factors. Target health effects of potential concern for these exposures include neurologic effects (methyl bromide and chlorpyrifos) and respiratory effects (1,3-dichloropropene and MITC). The lowest noncancer risks occurred for simazine and chlorothalonil. Lifetime cancer risks of one-in-a-million or greater were estimated for 50% of the exposed population for 1,3-dichloropropene (1990 monitoring) and 25% of the exposed populations for methidathion and molinate. Pesticide vapor pressure was found to be a better predictor of inhalation risk compared to other methods of ranking pesticides as potential toxic air contaminants. PMID:12460795

  9. Evaluation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes toxicity in two fish species.

    PubMed

    Cimbaluk, Giovani Valentin; Ramsdorf, Wanessa Algarte; Perussolo, Maiara Carolina; Santos, Hayanna Karla Felipe; Da Silva De Assis, Helena Cristina; Schnitzler, Mariane Cristina; Schnitzler, Danielle Caroline; Carneiro, Pedro Gontijo; Cestari, Marta Margarete

    2018-04-15

    Carbon Nanotubes are among the most promising materials for the technology industry. Their unique physical and chemical proprieties may reduce the production costs and improve the efficiency of a large range of products. However, the same characteristics that have made nanomaterials interesting for industry may be responsible for inducing toxic effects on the aquatic organisms. Since the carbon nanotubes toxicity is still a controversial issue, we performed tests of acute and subchronic exposure to a commercial sample of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in two fish species, an exotic model (Danio rerio) and a native one (Astyanax altiparanae). Using the alkaline version of the comet assay on erythrocytes and the piscine micronucleous, also performed on erythrocytes, it was verified that the tested carbon nanotubes sample did not generate apparent genotoxicity by means of single/double DNA strand break or clastogenic/aneugenic effects over any of the species, independently of the exposure period. Although, our findings indicate the possibility of the occurrence of CNTs-DNA crosslinks. Apparently, the sample tested induces oxidative stress after subchronic exposure as shown by activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase. The data obtained by the activity levels of acetylcholinesterase suggests acute neurotoxicity in Astyanax altiparanae and subchronic neurotoxicity in Danio rerio. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. Subchronic Toxicity Study in Rats of Two New Ethyl-Carbamates with Ixodicidal Activity

    PubMed Central

    Prado-Ochoa, María Guadalupe; Abrego-Reyes, Víctor Hugo; Velázquez-Sánchez, Ana María; Muñoz-Guzmán, Marco Antonio; Ramírez-Noguera, Patricia; Angeles, Enrique; Alba-Hurtado, Fernando

    2014-01-01

    Female and male Wistar rats were used to determine the subchronic oral toxicities of two new ethyl-carbamates with ixodicidal activities (ethyl-4-bromphenyl-carbamate and ethyl-4-chlorphenyl-carbamate). The evaluated carbamates were administered in the drinking water (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg/day) for 90 days. Exposure to the evaluated carbamates did not cause mortality or clinical signs and did not affect food consumption or weight gain. However, exposure to these carbamates produced alterations in water consumption, hematocrit, percentages of reticulocytes, plasma proteins, some biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, cholinesterase, and creatinine activities), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and the relative weight of the spleen. Histologically, slight pathological alterations were found in the liver that were consistent with the observed biochemical alterations. The nonobserved adverse effect levels (NOAELs) of the evaluated carbamates were 12.5 mg/kg/day for both the female and male rats. The low severity and reversibility of the majority of the observed alterations suggest that the evaluated carbamates have low subchronic toxicity. PMID:24818142

  11. Mutagenicity Evaluation of Ammonium Picrate in the Ames Salmonella/Microsome Plate Test. Segment Report,

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1979-02-01

    used by the I study director, and any % ppendices . All test and control results presented in this report are suppreted by raw data .which are permanently...dosage selection results are presented in Table 1. The acute and subchronic test results have been collected from raw data sheets and tabulated in...breakage in bone marrow cells of mice following oral exposure (per os). Both acute and subchronic dosing schedules were employed in this assay. Results

  12. 4-Nonylphenol induced DNA damage and repair in fish, Channa punctatus after subchronic exposure.

    PubMed

    Sharma, Madhu; Chadha, Pooja

    2017-07-01

    The detection of a possible DNA damaging effect of 4-nonylphenol (NP) after subchronic exposure and repair after cessation of exposure to Channa punctatus is the aim of the present study. Channa punctatus was exposed to different concentrations (0.15 mg/l, 0.10 mg/l, and 0.07 mg/l) of NP along with positive control (ethanol) and negative control (water) for 90 d and after that allowed to recover for 30 d. Comet assay and micronucleus assay were used for the determination of DNA damage and repair by using blood cells. The effect was seen after 30, 60, and 90 d of exposure. Time- and dose-dependent increase in DNA damage was found as revealed by both the end points studied. Evident recovery was observed after 30 d of cessation of exposure. Blood cells were successfully appeared to achieve the restoration of DNA integrity. Hence, the study aimed to improve the knowledge of the genetic hazard to fish associated with NP exposure and provide a wide scope to discover the efficiency of DNA repair system in C. punctatus.

  13. Regular rehearsal helps in consolidation of long term memory.

    PubMed

    Parle, Milind; Singh, Nirmal; Vasudevan, Mani

    2006-01-01

    Memory, one of the most complex functions of the brain comprises of multiple components such as perception, registration, consolidation, storage, retrieval and decay. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of different training sessions on the retention capacity of rats. The capacity of retention of learnt task was measured using exteroceptive behavioral models such as Hexagonal swimming pool apparatus, Hebb-Williams maze and Elevated plus-maze. A total of 150 rats divided into fifteen groups were employed in the present study. The animals were subjected to different training sessions during first three days. The ability to retain the learned task was tested after single, sub-acute, acute, sub-chronic and chronic exposure to above exteroceptive memory models in separate groups of animals. The memory score of all animals was recorded after 72 h, 192 h and 432 h of their last training trial. Rats of single exposure group did not show any effect on memory. Sub-acute training group animals showed improved memory up to 72 h only, where as in acute and sub-chronic training groups this memory improvement was extended up to 192 h. The rats, which were subjected to chronic exposures showed a significant improvement in retention capacity that lasted up to a period of eighteen days. These observations suggest that repeated rehearsals at regular intervals are probably necessary for consolidation of long-term memory. It was observed that sub-acute, acute and sub-chronic exposures, improved the retrieval ability of rats but this memory improving effect was short lived. Thus, rehearsal or training plays a crucial role in enhancing one's capacity of retaining the learnt information. Key PointsThe present study underlines the importance of regular rehearsals in enhancing one's capacity of retaining the learnt information. " Sub-acute, acute & sub-chronic rehearsals result in storing of information for a limited period of time.Quick decay of information or forgetting is a natural continuously active process designed to wipe out unnecessary and useless information.The capacities of grasping, understanding and memory are all crucial for career growth.Single exposure to a new environment is not sufficient enough to form a permanent memory trace in brain.

  14. Histological changes in lung tissues related with sub-chronic exposure to ambient urban levels of PM2.5 in Córdoba, Argentina

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tavera Busso, Iván; Vera, Anahí; Mateos, Ana Carolina; Amarillo, Ana Carolina; Carreras, Hebe

    2017-10-01

    Concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is one of the most important environmental parameters to estimate health impacts attributable to air pollution. Despite the fact there are many studies regarding PM2.5 effects on human health, most of them were performed under conditions that do not simulate the natural particles interaction with the organism. In the present paper, we studied the effects of mammals' sub-chronic exposure to PM2.5 on the lower respiratory tract, addressing realistic exposure conditions to normal urban air. Thus, we exposed Wistar rats under controlled settings to the same normal urban air, with and without particles. Next, we analyzed chemical composition of PM2.5 and lungs samples, performed a histologic examination and run the comet assay to assess genotoxic effects. We found a strong agreement between lung tissues and PM2.5 elemental composition suggesting that metals found in lungs came from the particles inhaled. Histological analysis showed a mild to moderate infiltration, with a reduction of alveoli lumen and increment of alveolar macrophages and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) (+) cells in treated animals. We also observed an increase in the number of nuclei with comets, mostly comets type 3, with a high DNA fragmentation as well. These results provide strong evidence that sub-chronic exposure to low particle levels, even below the 24 h WHO standard, can cause injuries in lungs tissues and DNA damage, as well.

  15. A review of the neurotoxicity risk of selected hydrocarbon fuels.

    PubMed

    Ritchie, G D; Still, K R; Alexander, W K; Nordholm, A F; Wilson, C L; Rossi, J; Mattie, D R

    2001-01-01

    Over 1.3 million civilian and military personnel are occupationally exposed to hydrocarbon fuels, emphasizing gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel, or kerosene. These exposures may occur acutely or chronically to raw fuel, vapor, aerosol, or fuel combustion exhaust by dermal, respiratory inhalation, or oral ingestion routes, and commonly occur concurrently with exposure to other chemicals and stressors. Hydrocarbon fuels are complex mixtures of 150-260+ aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon compounds containing varying concentrations of potential neurotoxicants including benzene, n-hexane, toluene, xylenes, naphthalene, and certain n-C9-C12 fractions (n-propylbenzene, trimethylbenzene isomers). Due to their natural petroleum base, the chemical composition of different hydrocarbon fuels is not defined, and the fuels are classified according to broad performance criteria such as flash and boiling points, complicating toxicological comparisons. While hydrocarbon fuel exposures occur typically at concentrations below permissible exposure limits for their constituent chemicals, it is unknown whether additive or synergistic interactions may result in unpredicted neurotoxicity. The inclusion of up to six performance additives in existing fuel formulations presents additional neurotoxicity challenge. Additionally, exposures to hydrocarbon fuels, typically with minimal respiratory or dermal protection, range from weekly fueling of personal automobiles to waist-deep immersion of personnel in raw fuel during maintenance of aircraft fuel tanks. Occupational exposures may occur on a near daily basis for from several months to over 20 yr. A number of published studies have reported acute or persisting neurotoxic effects from acute, subchronic, or chronic exposure of humans or animals to hydrocarbon fuels, or to certain constituent chemicals of these fuels. This review summarizes human and animal studies of hydrocarbon fuel-induced neurotoxicity and neurobehavioral consequences. It is hoped that this review will support ongoing attempts to review and possibly revise exposure standards for hydrocarbon fuels.

  16. Tissue disposition of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in maternal and developing long-evans rats following subchronic exposure.

    PubMed

    Hurst, C H; DeVito, M J; Birnbaum, L S

    2000-10-01

    Prenatal exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) produces alterations in the reproductive system of the developing pups. The objective of this study was to determine the disposition of TCDD in maternal and fetal Long-Evans (LE) rats following subchronic exposure, since the adverse reproductive and developmental effects have been extensively characterized in this strain of rat. LE rats were dosed by gavage with 1, 10, or 30 ng [(3)H]TCDD/kg in corn oil, 5 days/week for 13 weeks. At the end of 13 weeks, females were mated and dosing continued every day throughout gestation. Dams were sacrificed on gestation day (GD) 9, GD16, GD21, and post-natal day 4 and analyzed for [(3)H]TCDD-derived activity in maternal and fetal tissues. Maternal body burdens were equivalent at different time points, indicating that the dams were at steady state. Maternal body burdens were approximately 19, 120, and 300 ng TCDD/kg following doses of 1, 10, and 30 ng TCDD/kg, respectively. Individual embryo concentrations on GD9 were 1.6, 7, and 16 pg TCDD/g after maternal exposure of 1, 10, and 30 ng/kg/d, respectively. On GD 16, fetal liver, urogenital tract, head, and body concentrations were similar and averaged 1.4, 7.8, and 16.4 pg TCDD/g after administration of 1, 10, or 30 ng TCDD/kg/d, respectively, indicating no preferential sequestration within the different fetal tissues. These concentrations of TCDD within fetal tissues after subchronic exposure are comparable to those seen after a single dose of 50, 200, or 1000 ng TCDD/kg administered on GD15, a critical period of gestation.

  17. Investigation of the Effects of Subchronic Low Dose Oral Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) and Ethinyl Estradiol (EE) on Estrogen Receptor Expression in the Juvenile and Adult Female Rat Hypothalamus

    PubMed Central

    Rebuli, Meghan E.; Cao, Jinyan; Sluzas, Emily; Delclos, K. Barry; Camacho, Luísa; Lewis, Sherry M.; Vanlandingham, Michelle M.; Patisaul, Heather B.

    2014-01-01

    Concerns have been raised regarding the long-term impacts of early life exposure to the ubiquitous environmental contaminant bisphenol A (BPA) on brain organization. Because BPA has been reported to affect estrogen signaling, and steroid hormones play a critical role in brain sexual differentiation, there is also concern that BPA exposure could alter neural sex differences. Here, we examine the impact of subchronic exposure from gestation to adulthood to oral doses of BPA below the current no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of 5 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day on estrogen receptor (ESR) expression in sexually dimorphic brain regions of prepubertal and adult female rats. The dams were gavaged daily with vehicle (0.3% carboxymethylcellulose), 2.5, 25, 260, or 2700 μg BPA/kg bw/day, or 0.5 or 5.0 μg ethinyl estradiol (EE)/kg bw/day from gestational day 6 until labor began. Offspring were then gavaged directly from the day after birth until the day before scheduled sacrifice on postnatal days 21 or 90. Using in situ hybridization, one or more BPA doses produced significant decreases in Esr1 expression in the juvenile female rat anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) of the hypothalamus and significant decreases in Esr2 expression in the adult female rat AVPV and medial preoptic area (MPOA), relative to vehicle controls. BPA did not simply reproduce EE effects, indicating that BPA is not acting solely as an estrogen mimic. The possible consequences of long-term changes in hypothalamic ESR expression resulting from subchronic low dose BPA exposure on neuroendocrine effects are discussed and being addressed in ongoing, related work. PMID:24752507

  18. Human health risk assessment of air emissions from development of unconventional natural gas resources.

    PubMed

    McKenzie, Lisa M; Witter, Roxana Z; Newman, Lee S; Adgate, John L

    2012-05-01

    Technological advances (e.g. directional drilling, hydraulic fracturing), have led to increases in unconventional natural gas development (NGD), raising questions about health impacts. We estimated health risks for exposures to air emissions from a NGD project in Garfield County, Colorado with the objective of supporting risk prevention recommendations in a health impact assessment (HIA). We used EPA guidance to estimate chronic and subchronic non-cancer hazard indices and cancer risks from exposure to hydrocarbons for two populations: (1) residents living >½ mile from wells and (2) residents living ≤ ½ mile from wells. Residents living ≤ ½ mile from wells are at greater risk for health effects from NGD than are residents living >½ mile from wells. Subchronic exposures to air pollutants during well completion activities present the greatest potential for health effects. The subchronic non-cancer hazard index (HI) of 5 for residents ≤ ½ mile from wells was driven primarily by exposure to trimethylbenzenes, xylenes, and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Chronic HIs were 1 and 0.4. for residents ≤ ½ mile from wells and >½ mile from wells, respectively. Cumulative cancer risks were 10 in a million and 6 in a million for residents living ≤ ½ mile and >½ mile from wells, respectively, with benzene as the major contributor to the risk. Risk assessment can be used in HIAs to direct health risk prevention strategies. Risk management approaches should focus on reducing exposures to emissions during well completions. These preliminary results indicate that health effects resulting from air emissions during unconventional NGD warrant further study. Prospective studies should focus on health effects associated with air pollution. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Source of biomass cooking fuel determines pulmonary response to household air pollution.

    PubMed

    Sussan, Thomas E; Ingole, Vijendra; Kim, Jung-Hyun; McCormick, Sarah; Negherbon, Jesse; Fallica, Jonathan; Akulian, Jason; Yarmus, Lonny; Feller-Kopman, David; Wills-Karp, Marsha; Horton, Maureen R; Breysse, Patrick N; Agrawal, Anurag; Juvekar, Sanjay; Salvi, Sundeep; Biswal, Shyam

    2014-03-01

    Approximately 3 billion people-half the worldwide population-are exposed to extremely high concentrations of household air pollution due to the burning of biomass fuels on inefficient cookstoves, accounting for 4 million annual deaths globally. Yet, our understanding of the pulmonary responses to household air pollution exposure and the underlying molecular and cellular events is limited. The two most prevalent biomass fuels in India are wood and cow dung, and typical 24-hour mean particulate matter (PM) concentrations in homes that use these fuels are 300 to 5,000 μg/m(3). We dissected the mechanisms of pulmonary responses in mice after acute or subchronic exposure to wood or cow dung PM collected from rural Indian homes during biomass cooking. Acute exposures resulted in robust proinflammatory cytokine production, neutrophilic inflammation, airway resistance, and hyperresponsiveness, all of which were significantly higher in mice exposed to PM from cow dung. On the contrary, subchronic exposures induced eosinophilic inflammation, PM-specific antibody responses, and alveolar destruction that was highest in wood PM-exposed mice. To understand the molecular pathways that trigger biomass PM-induced inflammation, we exposed Toll-like receptor (TLR)2-, TLR3-, TLR4-, TLR5-, and IL-1R-deficient mice to PM and found that IL-1R, TLR4, and TLR2 are the predominant receptors that elicit inflammatory responses via MyD88 in mice exposed to wood or cow dung PM. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that subchronic exposure to PM collected from households burning biomass fuel elicits a persistent pulmonary inflammation largely through activation of TLR and IL-1R pathways, which could increase the risk for chronic respiratory diseases.

  20. Systemic Metabolic Derangement, Pulmonary Effects, and Insulin Insufficiency following subchronic ozone exposure in rats

    EPA Science Inventory

    Acute ozone exposure induces a classical stress response with elevated circulating stress hormones along with changes in glucose, protein and lipid metabolism in rats, with similar alterations in ozone-exposed humans. These stress-mediated changes over time have been linked to in...

  1. AN "INJURY-TIME INTEGRAL" MODEL FOR RELATING ACUTE TO CHRONIC INJURY TO PHOSGENE

    EPA Science Inventory


    ABSTRACT
    The present study compares acute and subchronic episodic exposures to phosgene to test the applicability of the "concentration x time" (C x T) product as a measure of exposure dose, and to relate acute toxicity and adaptive responses to chronic toxicity. Rats (m...

  2. Acute and Subchronic Toxicity of Inhaled Toluene in Male Long-Evans Rats: Oxidative Stress Markers in Brain

    EPA Science Inventory

    The effects of exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are of concern to the EPA, are poorly understood, in part because of insufficient characterization of how human exposure duration impacts VOC effects. Two inhalation studies with multiple endpoints, one acute an...

  3. Transcriptional Responses in Rat Brain Associated with Sub-Chronic Toluene Inhalation are Not Predicted by Effects of Acute Toluene Inhalation.

    EPA Science Inventory

    ABSTRACT A primary public health concern regarding environmental chemicals is the potential for persistent effects from long-term exposure, and approaches to estimate these effects from short-term exposures are needed. Toluene, a ubiquitous air pollutant, exerts well-documented ...

  4. Verification of the causal relationship between subchronic exposures to dinotefuran and depression-related phenotype in juvenile mice.

    PubMed

    Takada, Tadashi; Yoneda, Naoki; Hirano, Tetsushi; Yanai, Shogo; Yamamoto, Anzu; Mantani, Youhei; Yokoyama, Toshifumi; Kitagawa, Hiroshi; Tabuchi, Yoshiaki; Hoshi, Nobuhiko

    2018-04-27

    It has been suggested that an increase in the use of pesticides affects neurodevelopment, but there has been no animal experiment showing a causal relation between neonicotinoid pesticides (NNs) and depression. We examined whether dinotefuran (DIN), the most widely used NN in Japan, induces depression. Male mice were administered DIN between 3 and 8 weeks of age, referring to the no-observed-effect level (NOEL). The mice were then subjected to a tail suspension test (TST) and a forced swimming test (FST). After these tests, their brains were dissected for immunohistochemical analyses of serotonin (5-HT). Antidepressant activity in TST and no decrease in 5-HT-positive cells were observed. The subchronic exposure to DIN alone in juvenile male mice may not cause depression-like indication.

  5. TISSUE DISTRIBUTION AND URINARY EXCRETION OF INORGANIC ARSENIC AND ITS METHYLATED METABOLITES IN C57BL/6 MICE FOLLOWING SUBCHRONIC EXPOSURE TO ARSENATE (ASV) IN DRINKING WATER

    EPA Science Inventory

    The relationship of exposure and tissue concentration of parent chemical and metabolites over prolonged exposure is a critical issue for chronic toxicities mediated by metabolite(s) rather than parent chemical alone. This is an issue for AsV because its trivalent metabolites hav...

  6. Tissue Distribution And Urinary Excretion Of Inorganic Arsenic And Its Methylated Metabolites In C57BL6 Mice Following Subchronic Exposure To Arsenate In Drinking Water

    EPA Science Inventory

    The relationship of exposure and tissue concentration of parent chemical and metabolites over prolonged exposure is a critical issue for chronic toxicities mediated by metabolite(s) rather than parent chemical alone. This is an issue for AsV because its trivalent meta...

  7. Mammalian Toxicology Testing: Problem Definition Study, Technical Plan.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1981-03-01

    Acute Oral Exposure Area, Rzdent 2. Subchrcnic Oral Exposure Area, .odent 3. Chronic Oral Exposure Area, Rodent 4. Subchronic Oral Eposure Area, "og...Alarms Fire Extinguisher First Aid Fiscal Year Record Fixtures (See Jigs, Fixtures & Molds Control System) Food Preparation/Blending Forms Control...Insurance Invoicing (See Bookkeeping) Janitorial Service Jigs, Fixtures & Molds Control System Key Control System Keypunch Control System Label

  8. Mixtures of benzo(a)pyrene, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and tributyltin are more toxic to neotropical fish Rhamdia quelen than isolated exposures.

    PubMed

    Oliveira, Heloísa H P; Liebel, Samuel; Rossi, Stéfani C; Azevedo, Ana C B; Barrera, Ellie A L; Garcia, Juan Ramon Esquivel; Grötzner, Sônia Regina; Neto, Francisco Filipak; Randi, Marco A F; Ribeiro, Ciro A O

    2015-12-01

    The effects of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and tributyltin (TBT) association were investigated through a multi-biomarker approach. Ten Rhamdia quelen fish per group were exposed through intraperitoneal injections either to BaP (0.3; 3 or 30 mg kg(-1)), DDT or TBT (0.03; 0.3 or 3 mg kg(-1)) or BaP/DDT, BaP/TBT, DDT/TBT or BaP/DDT/TBT on their lowest doses. The experiments were divided in acute (one dose, 5-day) and sub-chronic (3 doses, 15-day). Control groups received an equal volume of PBS or canola oil (1 ml kg(-1)). The three tested contaminants altered AChE activity in brain and muscle in similar ways; the mixtures antagonized the increase evoked by the contaminants alone. BaP and TBT increased GSH content and mixtures reduced it. GPx activity was increased by DDT and TBT in the 15-day experiment and reduced by the mixtures. BaP increased GST activity in sub-chronic experiment while TBT reduced it in the acute experiment. BaP/TBT increased GST activity compared to all groups; the other mixtures reduced it compared to BaP or DDT in the 5-day experiment. BaP, DDT and TBT increased δ-ALAd activity mainly in acute exposure; the mixtures also increased δ-ALAd compared to DDT or TBT in 5 and 15-day. BaP, TBT and BaP/DDT decreased LPO in the acute experiment. In the sub-chronic experiment DDT/TBT increased LPO when compared to TBT. None of the contaminants alone altered PCO, but all mixtures increased it compared to one or another contaminant. Contaminants isolated had a more acute effect in ALT plasma level; their lowest dose, which had no effect alone, in combination has led to an increase of this enzyme, especially after 15 days. DDT increased AST in the acute and sub-chronic experiments, while TBT did the same in the latter. DDT/TBT decreased AST opposing the effect of the contaminants alone in the 5-day experiment. Hepatic lesions index could be explained by a more acute effect of the contaminants alone or combined and by activation of cell defenses after the sub-chronic exposure. TBT increased melanomacrophages counting in the 5-day experiment and the mixtures increased it in the 5 and 15-day experiments. Overall, the majority of the biomarkers pointed to a more toxic effect when these contaminants were combined, leading to unexpected toxicities compared to individual exposure scenarios. These findings are relevant considering environmental exposure conditions, since organisms are often exposed to different combinations of contaminants. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Subchronic exposure to low-doses of the nerve agent VX: Physiological, behavioral, histopathological and neurochemical studies

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bloch-Shilderman, Eugenia; Rabinovitz, Ishai; Egoz, Inbal

    The highly toxic organophosphorous compound VX [O-ethyl-S-(isoporopylaminoethyl) methyl phosphonothiolate] undergoes an incomplete decontamination by conventional chemicals and thus evaporates from urban surfaces, e.g., pavement, long after the initial insult. As a consequence to these characteristics of VX, even the expected low levels should be examined for their potential to induce functional impairments including those associated with neuronal changes. In the present study, we developed an animal model for subchronic, low-dose VX exposure and evaluated its effects in rats. Animals were exposed to VX (2.25 {mu}g/kg/day, 0.05 LD{sub 50}) for three months via implanted mini osmotic pumps. The rapidly attained continuousmore » and marked whole-blood cholinesterase inhibition ({approx} 60%), fully recovered 96 h post pump removal. Under these conditions, body weight, blood count and chemistry, water maze acquisition task, sensitivity to the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine, peripheral benzodiazepine receptors density and brain morphology as demonstrated by routine histopathology, remained unchanged. However, animals treated with VX showed abnormal initial response in an Open Field test and a reduction ({approx} 30%) in the expression of the exocytotic synaptobrevin/vesicle associate membrane protein (VAMP) in hippocampal neurons. These changes could not be detected one month following termination of exposure. Our findings indicate that following a subchronic, low-level exposure to the chemical warfare agent VX some important processes might be considerably impaired. Further research should be addressed towards better understanding of its potential health ramifications and in search of optimal countermeasures.« less

  10. Studies on the inhalation toxicology of two fiberglasses and amosite asbestos in the syrian golden hamster. Part I. Results of a subchronic study and dose selection for a chronic study.

    PubMed

    Hesterberg, T W; Axten, C; McConnell, E E; Hart, G A; Miiller, W; Chevalier, J; Everitt, J; Thevenaz, P; Oberdörster, G

    1999-09-01

    A multidose, subchronic inhalation study was used to estimate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of 901 fiberglass (MMVF10.1) for a chronic inhalation study using hamsters. Subchronic study results indicated that 30 mg/m(3) [250-300 WHO fibers (>5 microm long)/cm(3) and 100-130 fibers/cm(3) >20 microm long] meets or exceeds the estimated MTD, and chronic study results confirmed this. For the subchronic study, hamsters were exposed 6 h/day, 5 days/wk, for 13 wk to MMVF10.1 at 3, 16, 30, 45, and 60 mg/m(3) (36, 206, 316, 552, or 714 WHO fibers/cm(3)), then monitored for 10 wk. Results demonstrating MTD were: inflammatory response (all fiber exposures); elevated lung cell proliferation with @ges;16 mg/m(3); lung lavage neutrophil elevations with @ges;16 mg/m(3) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and protein elevations with > or = 30 mg/m(3); and persistent abnormal macrophage/fiber clumps in lungs exposed to 45 and 60 mg/m(3), which suggest overloading of clearance mechanisms. For the chronic study, hamsters were exposed for 78 wk to MMVF10a (901 fiber glass) or MMVF33 (special-application 475 fiberglass) at approximately 300 WHO fibers/cm(3) ( approximately 100 fibers/cm(3) @gt;20 @mu;m long), or to amosite asbestos at an equivalent concentration and 2 lower concentrations. All fiber-exposed animals had pulmonary inflammation, elevated lung lavage cells, and increased lung cell proliferation. Between 52 and 78 wk of exposure, lung burdens of all fibers increased at an accelerated rate, suggesting impairment of clearance mechanisms. MMVF33 and amosite induced fibrosis and pleural mesothelioma. These findings substantiate that exposures in the chronic study adequately tested the toxic potential of fiberglass.

  11. TWO-WEEK INHALATION EXPOSURE OF RATS TO LIBBY AMPHIBOLE (LA) AND AMOSITE ASBESTOS

    EPA Science Inventory

    The relative potency of LA compared to UICC amosite was assessed in a subacute inhalation study designed to set exposure levels for a future subchronic study. Male F344 rats (n=7/group) were exposed nose-only to air (control), 3 concentrations of LA, or I concentration of amosite...

  12. TCDD-MEDIATED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN MALE RAT PUPS FOLLOWING PERINATAL EXPOSURE

    EPA Science Inventory

    TCDD is a highly persistent trace environmental contaminant and is one of the most potent toxicants known to man. Our laboratory has previously reported an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain of female B6C3F1 mice following subchronic exposur...

  13. 40 CFR 79.63 - Fertility assessment/teratology.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ..., conception, and fertility. Since this is a one-generation test that ends with examination of full-term... females in both test and control groups are mated after nine weeks of exposure. Exposures for pregnant... subchronic toxicity study, pursuant to the provisions in § 79.62. (d) Limit test. If a test at one dose level...

  14. 40 CFR 79.63 - Fertility assessment/teratology.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ..., conception, and fertility. Since this is a one-generation test that ends with examination of full-term... females in both test and control groups are mated after nine weeks of exposure. Exposures for pregnant... subchronic toxicity study, pursuant to the provisions in § 79.62. (d) Limit test. If a test at one dose level...

  15. 40 CFR 79.63 - Fertility assessment/teratology.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ..., conception, and fertility. Since this is a one-generation test that ends with examination of full-term... females in both test and control groups are mated after nine weeks of exposure. Exposures for pregnant... subchronic toxicity study, pursuant to the provisions in § 79.62. (d) Limit test. If a test at one dose level...

  16. 40 CFR 79.63 - Fertility assessment/teratology.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ..., conception, and fertility. Since this is a one-generation test that ends with examination of full-term... females in both test and control groups are mated after nine weeks of exposure. Exposures for pregnant... subchronic toxicity study, pursuant to the provisions in § 79.62. (d) Limit test. If a test at one dose level...

  17. 40 CFR 79.63 - Fertility assessment/teratology.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ..., conception, and fertility. Since this is a one-generation test that ends with examination of full-term... females in both test and control groups are mated after nine weeks of exposure. Exposures for pregnant... subchronic toxicity study, pursuant to the provisions in § 79.62. (d) Limit test. If a test at one dose level...

  18. Subchronic exposure to kalach 360 SL-induced endocrine disruption and ovary damage in female rats.

    PubMed

    Hamdaoui, Latifa; Naifar, Manel; Rahmouni, Fatma; Harrabi, Bahira; Ayadi, Fatma; Sahnoun, Zouheir; Rebai, Tarek

    2018-02-01

    Kalach 360 SL (KL), glyphosate (G) surfactant-based herbicides, is a systemic herbicide effective against weeds. It was applied in agriculture in Tunisia and throughout the world, which can represent a risk to non-target organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological and biochemical aspects of ovary injury after exposure to KL. Female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: group 1 was used as a control; group 2 orally received 0.07 ml of KL, (126 mg of G/kg) and group 3 orally received 0.175 ml of KL (315 mg of G/kg) each day for 60 days. The subchronic exposure of KL induces impaired folliculogenesis, ovary development, decreased oestrogen secretion, promoted oxidative stress and impairments of ovary histological aspects. Histological finding shows necrosis cell, vacuolisation of follicles, dissociated oocytes and granulosa cell, associated with several atretic follicles. We conclude that KL induces endocrine disruption and ovary damage in female rats.

  19. A plastic stabilizer dibutyltin dilaurate induces subchronic neurotoxicity in rats☆

    PubMed Central

    Jin, Minghua; Song, Peilin; Li, Na; Li, Xuejun; Chen, Jiajun

    2012-01-01

    Dibutyltin dilaurate functions as a stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride. In this study, experimental rats were intragastrically administered 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg dibutyltin dilaurate to model sub-chronic poisoning. After exposure, our results showed the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase decreased in rat brain tissue, while the malondialdehyde and nitric oxide content, as well as nitric oxide synthase activity in rat brain tissue increased. The cell cycle in the right parietal cortex was disordered and the rate of apoptosis increased. DNA damage was aggravated in the cerebral cortex, and the ultrastructure of the right parietal cortex tissues was altered. The above changes became more apparent with exposure to increasing doses of dibutyltin dilaurate. Our experimental findings confirmed the neurotoxicity of dibutyltin dilaurate in rat brain tissues, and demonstrated that the poisoning was dose-dependent. PMID:25538742

  20. The study of the changes in the biochemical and mineral contents of bones of Catla catla due to lead intoxication.

    PubMed

    Palaniappan, P L R M; Krishnakumar, N; Vadivelu, M; Vijayasundaram, V

    2010-02-01

    In the present study, an attempt has been made to analyze the changes in the biochemical and mineral contents of lead-intoxicated bones of Catla catla at subchronic (15.5 ppm) exposure, and also to determine whether the effects of Pb intoxication can be reversed with the chelating agent meso 2, 3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) on the bones of freshwater fingerlings Catla catla by using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic absorption spectrophotometer techniques. The FT-IR spectra of the lead-exposed bones show significant alteration in the biochemical constituents. The XRD analysis showed a decrease in crystallinity due to lead exposure. Further, the Ca, Mg, and P contents of the lead-exposed bones were less than those of the control group, and there was an increase in the mineral contents of the bones after DMSA treatment. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the subchronic lead exposure results in severe loss of bone minerals. The overall decrease in the FT-IR band intensity of Pb-exposed bones relative to the control indicates a decrease in the biochemical constituents like proteins and lipids. The increase in the band intensity after treatment with chelating agent DMSA indicates increased biochemical constituents, showing that the subchronic effects of lead can be reversed by DMSA. The amide I bands observed at 1654 cm(-1) in the present study suggest that the protein is dominated by alpha-helical structure.

  1. Sub-chronic exposure to paraoxon neither induces nor exacerbates diabetes mellitus in Wistar rat.

    PubMed

    Nurulain, Syed M; Petroianu, Georg; Shafiullah, Mohamed; Kalász, Huba; Oz, Murat; Saeed, Tariq; Adem, Abdu; Adeghate, Ernest

    2013-10-01

    There is an increasing belief that organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) impair glucose homeostasis and cause hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus. The present study was undertaken to investigate the putative diabetogenic effect of sub-lethal and sub-chronic exposure to paraoxon (POX), an extremely hazardous OPC used in pesticides. The effect of paraoxon on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was also examined. Each rat was injected with 100 nmol of POX 5 days per week for 6 weeks. Blood glucose levels and red blood cell acetylcholinesterase activity were measured weekly. Biochemical analysis and morphological studies were performed at the end of the experiment. The results revealed that POX neither induces nor exacerbates diabetes mellitus in experimental rats. Liver and kidney/body weight ratios revealed statistically insignificant differences when compared with controls. Biochemical analysis of urine samples showed a small but not significant increase in protein level in all groups. Urine bilirubin was significantly higher in the diabetes + POX group when compared with the control group. The number of blood cells in urine was significantly higher in the POX-treated group compared with the control group. Hyperglycemia was noted in the diabetes and diabetes + POX groups, but neither in the saline control nor in POX-treated normal rats. Electron microscopy of POX-treated pancreas did not show any morphological changes in beta cells. These results suggest that POX does not cause diabetes mellitus at sub-lethal sub-chronic exposure. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  2. Changes in the levels of p-ERK, p-CREB, and c-fos in rat mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system after morphine-induced conditioned place preference: the role of acute and subchronic stress.

    PubMed

    Haghparast, Abbas; Fatahi, Zahra; Alamdary, Shabnam Zeighamy; Reisi, Zahra; Khodagholi, Fariba

    2014-03-01

    ERK pathway plays a critical role in the cellular adaptive responses to environmental changes. Stressful conditions can induce the activation of activate ERK, and its downstream targets, CREB and c-fos, in neural cells. Exposure to opioids has the same effect. In this study, we investigated the effects of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) on p-ERK/ERK ratio, p-CREB/CREB ratio and c-fos level in the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system including the nucleus accumbens (NAc), amygdala (AMY), striatum (Str), and prefrontal cortex (PFC).Our aim was to determine if acute and subchronic stress would affect these alterations. Male Wistar rats were divided into two saline- and morphine-treated groups. Each group contained of control, acute stress, and subchronic stress subgroups. The CPP procedure was performed for all of the rats. We dissected out the NAc, AMY, Str, and PFC regions and measured the mentioned ratios and c-fos level by Western blot analysis. The results revealed that in saline-treated animals, all factors enhanced significantly after performing acute and subchronic stress while there was an exception in p-ERK/ERK ratio in the Str and PFC; the changes were not significant during acute stress. Conditioning score decreased after applying the subchronic but not acute stress. In morphine-treated animals, all factors were increased after application of acute and subchronic stress, and conditioning scores also decreased after stress. Our findings suggest that in saline- or morphine-treated animals, acute and subchronic stress increases p-ERK, p-CREB, and c-fos levels in the mesocorticolimbic system. It has been shown that morphine induces the enhancement of the mentioned factors; on the other hand, our result demonstrates that stress can amplify these changes.

  3. Biological responses of Neotropical freshwater fish Lophiosilurus alexandri exposed to ammonia and nitrite.

    PubMed

    Dos Santos Silva, Márcio José; da Costa, Franklin Fernando Batista; Leme, Fabiola Paes; Takata, Rodrigo; Costa, Deliane Cristina; Mattioli, Cristiano Campos; Luz, Ronald Kennedy; Miranda-Filho, Kleber Campos

    2018-03-01

    This study aimed to elucidate the responses of the Neotropical fish Lophiosilurus alexandri exposed to ammonia and nitrite, following a period of recovering. Acute toxicity tests lasted 96h, subchronic toxicity tests lasted eight days and the detoxification trial lasted four days. Groups of 12 juveniles were maintained in 90-L tanks and treated with increasing concentrations of ammonia and nitrite, except during the recovery test. All treatments were performed with two replicates. The median lethal concentrations (LC 50 ) of 24, 48, 72 and 96h were estimated at 30.12; 24.35; 19.24 and 18.68mg·L -1 TA-N; 5.37; 4.57; 3.75 and 3.66mg·L -1 NH 3 -N and 20.37; 7.78; 7.09 and 5.86mg·L -1 NO 2 - -N, respectively. The NO 2 - caused significant decrease in hematocrit and increase in the urea levels during short-term exposure, with recovery of homeostasis after the subchronic and detox period. Acute exposure to ammonia increased the enzyme profile of transaminases, glucose and urea. Urea concentration remained high in the subchronic and detox tests. Histopathologies were observed in animals exposed to ammonia in both toxicity tests. It was highlighted detachment of epithelium, hyperemia and necrosis in the gills. Exposure to NO 2 - caused epithelium detachment and aneurysm. Vacuolization and swelling of hepatocytes were the most common injury for both nitrogenous compounds. We concluded that the L. alexandri has moderate tolerance to ammonia and nitrite. The recovery period revealed remedial response to ammonia and nitrite exposure. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Pyranocoumarin Tissue Distribution, Plasma Metabolome and Prostate Transcriptome Impacts of Sub-Chronic Exposure to Korean Angelica Supplement in Mice.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jinhui; Li, Li; Tang, Suni; Zhang, Yong; Markiewski, Maciej; Xing, Chengguo; Jiang, Cheng; Lü, Junxuan

    2016-01-01

    Herbal products containing Korean Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) root extract are marketed as dietary supplements for memory enhancement, pain killing, and female menopausal symptom relief. We have shown the anticancer activities of AGN supplements in mouse models. To facilitate human anticancer translational research, we characterized the tissue distribution of AGN marker pyranocoumarin compounds decursin (D) and decursinol angelate (DA) ([Formula: see text]% in AGN) and their metabolite decursinol (DOH), assessed the safety of sub-chronic AGN dietary exposure in mice, and explored its impact on plasma aqueous metabolites and the prostate transcriptome. The data show that after a gavage dose, plasma contained readily detectable DOH, but little D and DA, mirroring patterns in the liver. Extra-hepatic tissues retained greater levels of DA and D than the liver did. For sub-chronic exposures, male mice were provided ad libitum AIN93M-pellet diets with 0.5 and 1% AGN for six weeks. No adverse effects were observed on the plasma biochemistry markers of liver and kidney integrity in spite of their enlargement. Histopathological examinations of the liver, kidney and other visceral organs did not reveal tissue abnormalities. Metabolomic assessment of plasma from mice fed the 1%-AGN diet suggested metabolic shifts of key amino acids especially in the methionine-cysteine cycle, purine cycle, and glycolysis-citrate cycle. Prostate transcriptomic profiling identified gene signature changes in the metabolisms of drugs, lipids and cellular energetics, neuro-muscular features, immunity and inflammation, and tumor suppressor/oncogene balance. The safety profile was corroborated with a daily [Formula: see text] injection of AGN extract (100-300[Formula: see text]mg/kg) for four weeks, which resulted in much greater systemic pyranocoumarin exposure than the dietary route did.

  5. Pyranocoumarin tissue distribution, and plasma metabolome and prostate transcriptome impacts of sub-chronic exposure to Korean Angelica supplement in mice

    PubMed Central

    ZHANG, Jinhui; LI, Li; TANG, Suni; ZHANG, Yong; MARKIEWSKI, Maciej; XING, Chengguo; JIANG, Cheng; LÜ, Junxuan

    2016-01-01

    Herbal products containing Korean Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) root extract are marketed as dietary supplements for memory enhancement, pain killing, and female menopausal symptom relief. We have shown anti-cancer activity of AGN supplement in mouse models. To facilitate human anti-cancer translational research, we characterized the tissue distribution of AGN marker pyranocoumarin compounds decursin (D) and decursinol angelate (DA) (~50% in AGN) and their metabolite decursinol (DOH), assessed safety of sub-chronic AGN dietary exposure in mice, and explored the impacts on the plasma aqueous metabolites and prostate transcriptome. The data show that after a gavage dose, plasma contained readily detectable DOH, but little D and DA, mirroring patterns in the liver. Extra-hepatic tissues retained greater level of DA and D than liver. For sub-chronic exposures, male mice were provided ad libitum AIN93M-pellet diet with 0.5 and 1% AGN for 6 weeks. No adverse effect was observed on plasma biochemistry markers of liver and kidney integrity in spite of their enlargement. Histopathological examination of liver, kidney and other visceral organs did not reveal tissue abnormalities. Metabolomic assessment of plasma from the mice fed 1%-AGN diet suggested metabolic shifts of key amino acids especially methionine-cysteine cycle, purine cycle and glycolysis-citrate cycle. Prostate transcriptomic profiling identified gene signature changes of metabolisms of drugs, lipids and cellular energetics, neuro-muscular features, immunity and inflammation, and tumor suppressor/oncogene balance. The safety profile was corroborated with daily i.p. injection of AGN extract (200 mg/kg) for 4 weeks, which resulted in much greater systemic pyranocoumarin exposure than dietary route. PMID:27080944

  6. Acute and subchronic toxicity of 20  kHz and 60  kHz magnetic fields in rats

    PubMed Central

    Oshima, Atsushi; Shibuya, Kazumoto; Mitani, Takashi; Negishi, Tadashi

    2015-01-01

    Abstract Despite increasing use of intermediate frequency (IF) magnetic fields (MFs) in occupational and domestic settings, scientific evidence necessary for health risk assessments of IF MF is insufficient. Male and female Crl:CD(SD) rats (12 per sex per group) were exposed to 20 kHz, 0.20 mT(root mean square, rms) or 60 kHz, 0.10 mT(rms) sinusoidal MFs for 22 h day−1 for 14 days (acute) or 13 weeks (subchronic). Experiments were duplicated for each frequency to ensure outcome reproducibility, and examinations were blinded for quality assurance. All rats survived without significant clinical signs until the end of experiments. Some changes in body weight between the MF‐exposed and control groups were observed over the course of exposure, although the directions of the changes were inconsistent and not statistically significant after subchronic exposure. There were significant differences between MF‐exposed and control groups in some organ weights and parameters in hematology and clinical chemistry, but these were minor in magnitude and not repeated in duplicate experiments. Histopathological findings reflecting toxicity were sporadic. Frequencies of other findings were similar to historic data in this rat strain, and findings had no specific relationship to changes in organ weight or parameters of hematology and clinical chemistry in each animal. The changes observed throughout this study were considered biologically isolated and were attributable to chance associations rather than to MF exposure. The results, in particular the histopathological evidence, indicate an absence of toxicity in IF MF‐exposed rats and do not support the hypothesis that IF MF exposure produces significant toxicity. Copyright © 2015. The Authors. Journal of Applied Toxicology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. PMID:25982482

  7. Potential Occupational Risks Associated with Pulmonary Toxicity of Carbon Nanotubes.

    PubMed

    Manke, Amruta; Luanpitpong, Sudjit; Rojanasakul, Yon

    Given their remarkable properties, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have made their way through various industrial and medicinal applications and the overall production of CNTs is expected to grow rapidly in the next few years, thus requiring an additional recruitment of workers. However, their unique applications and desirable properties are fraught with concerns regarding occupational exposure. The concern about worker exposure to CNTs arises from the results of recent animal studies. Short-term and sub-chronic exposure studies in rodents have shown consistent adverse health effects such as pulmonary inflammation, granulomas, fibrosis, genotoxicity and mesothelioma after inhalation or instillation of several types of CNTs. Furthermore, physicochemical properties of CNTs such as dispersion, functionalization and particle size can significantly affect their pulmonary toxicity. Risk estimates from animal studies necessitate implementation of protective measures to limit worker exposure to CNTs. Information on workplace exposure is very limited, however, studies have reported that CNTs can be aerosolized and attain respirable airborne levels during synthesis and processing activities in the workplace. Quantitative risk assessments from sub-chronic animal studies recommend the health-based need to reduce exposures below the recommended exposure limit of 1 µg/m 3 . Practice of prevention measures including the use of engineering controls, personal protective equipment, health surveillance program, safe handling and use, as well as worker training can significantly minimize worker exposure and improve worker health and safety.

  8. Subchronic effects of inhaled ambient particulate matter on glucose homeostasis and target organ damage in a type 1 diabetic rat model

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Yan, Yuan-Horng; Department of Medical Research, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan; Charles, Chou C.-K.

    Epidemiological studies have reported associations between particulate matter (PM) and cardiovascular effects, and diabetes mellitus (DM) patients might be susceptible to these effects. The chief chronic injuries resulting from DM are small vascular injuries (micro-vascular complications) or large blood vessel injuries (macro-vascular complications). However, toxicological data regarding the effects of PM on DM-related cardiovascular complications is limited. Our objective was to investigate whether subchronic PM exposure alters glucose homeostasis and causes cardiovascular complications in a type 1 DM rat model. We constructed a real world PM{sub 2.5} exposure system, the Taipei Air Pollution Exposure System for Health Effects (TAPES), tomore » continuously deliver non-concentrated PM for subchronic exposure. A type 1 DM rat model was induced using streptozotocin. Between December 22, 2009 and April 9, 2010, DM rats were exposed to PM or to filtered air (FA) using TAPES in Taipei, Taiwan, 24 h/day, 7 days/week, for a total of 16 weeks. The average concentrations (mean [SD]) of PM{sub 2.5} in the exposure and control chambers of the TAPES were 13.30 [8.65] and 0.13 [0.05] μg/m{sup 3}, respectively. Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was significantly elevated after exposure to PM compared with exposure to FA (mean [SD], 7.7% [3.1%] vs. 4.7% [1.0%], P < 0.05). Interleukin 6 and fibrinogen levels were significantly increased after PM exposure. PM caused focal myocarditis, aortic medial thickness, advanced glomerulosclerosis, and accentuation of tubular damage of the kidney (tubular damage index: 1.76 [0.77] vs. 1.15 [0.36], P < 0.001). PM exposure might induce the macro- and micro-vascular complications in DM through chronic hyperglycemia and systemic inflammation. - Highlights: • The study demonstrated cardiovascular and renal effects of PM in a rat model of DM. • TAPES is a continuous, real world, long-term PM exposure system. • HbA1c, a marker of glycemic homeostasis, was elevated in DM rats exposed to PM. • Inflammatory markers, IL-6 and fibrinogen, were increased in DM rats exposed to PM. • PM caused myocarditis, aortic medial thickness, and kidney damages in DM rats.« less

  9. Fenitrothion action at the endocannabinoid system leading to spermatotoxicity in Wistar rats

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ito, Yuki, E-mail: yukey@med.nagoya-cu.ac.jp; Tomizawa, Motohiro; Faculty of Applied Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo 156-8502

    Organophosphate (OP) compounds as anticholinesterase agents may secondarily act on diverse serine hydrolase targets, revealing unfavorable physiological effects including male reproductive toxicity. The present investigation proposes that fenitrothion (FNT, a major OP compound) acts on the endocannabinoid signaling system in male reproductive organs, thereby leading to spermatotoxicity (sperm deformity, underdevelopment, and reduced motility) in rats. FNT oxon (bioactive metabolite of FNT) preferentially inhibited the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) hydrolase, in the rat cellular membrane preparation from the testis in vitro. Subsequently, male Wistar rats were treated orally with 5 or 10 mg/kg FNT for 9more » weeks and the subchronic exposure unambiguously deteriorated sperm motility and morphology. The activity-based protein profiling analysis with a phosphonofluoridate fluorescent probe revealed that FAAH was selectively inhibited among the FNT-treated cellular membrane proteome in testis. Intriguingly, testicular AEA (endogenous substrate of FAAH) levels were elevated along with the FAAH inhibition caused by the subchronic exposure. More importantly, linear regression analyses for the FNT-elicited spermatotoxicity reveal a good correlation between the testicular FAAH activity and morphological indices or sperm motility. Accordingly, the present study proposes that the FNT-elicited spermatotoxicity appears to be related to inhibition of FAAH leading to overstimulation of the endocannabinoid signaling system, which plays crucial roles in spermatogenesis and sperm motility acquirement. - Highlights: • Subchronic exposure to fenitrothion induces spermatotoxicity in rats. • The fatty acid amide hydrolase is a potential target for the spermatotoxicity. • Overstimulation of the endocannabinoid signal possibly leads to the spermatotoxicity.« less

  10. Blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) extract ameliorates ovarian damage induced by subchronic cadmium exposure in mice: Potential δ-ALA-D involvement.

    PubMed

    Izaguirry, Aryele Pinto; Soares, Melina Bucco; Vargas, Laura Musacchio; Spiazzi, Cristiano Chiapinotto; Dos Santos Brum, Daniela; Noremberg, Simone; Mendez, Andreas Sebastian Loureiro; Santos, Francielli Weber

    2017-01-01

    Females are born with a finite number of oocyte-containing follicles and ovary damage results in reduced fertility. Cadmium accumulates in the reproductive system, damaging it, and the cigarette smoke is a potential exposure route. Natural therapies are relevant to health benefits and disease prevention. This study verified the effect of cadmium exposure on the ovaries of mice and the blueberry extract as a potential therapy. Blueberry therapy was effective in restoring reactive species levels and δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity, and partially improved the viability of cadmium-disrupted follicles. This therapy was not able to restore the 17 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Extract HPLC evaluation indicated the presence of quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercetin, and ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid was the major substance and its concentration was 620.24 µg/mL. Thus, cadmium accumulates in the ovaries of mice after subchronic exposure, inducing cellular damage, and the blueberry extract possesses antioxidant properties that could protect, at least in part, the ovarian tissue from cadmium toxicity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 188-196, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  11. Behavorial effects of subchronic inhalation of toluene in adult rats

    EPA Science Inventory

    Whereas the acute neurobehavioral effects oftoluene are robust and well characterized, evidence for persistent effects ofrepeated exposure to this industrial solvent is less compelling. The present studies sought to determine whether repeated inhalation oftoluene caused persist...

  12. Precipitated withdrawal counters the adverse effects of subchronic cannabinoid administration on male rat sexual behavior.

    PubMed

    Riebe, Caitlin J; Lee, Tiffany T; Hill, Matthew N; Gorzalka, Boris B

    2010-03-26

    In the present study, sexual behavior of male rats was assessed following prolonged treatment with the CB(1) receptor agonist, HU-210 (0.1mg/mg/day for 10 days) under conditions of drug maintenance, spontaneous withdrawal and precipitated withdrawal (induced via administration of the CB(1) receptor antagonist AM251; 1mg/kg). Following subchronic cannabinoid treatment, sexual activity in male rats was impaired under both the drug maintenance and spontaneous withdrawal conditions, as revealed by a reduction in frequency of both intromissions and ejaculations. Notably, the induction of precipitated drug withdrawal reversed the negative effects of subchronic HU-210 treatment on sexual activity as seen by a reversal of the suppression of ejaculations. These data illustrate that, contrary to expectations, the impairments in male sexual activity following protracted cannabinoid administration are not due to drug withdrawal, per se, but are likely mediated by neuroadaptive changes provoked by repeated drug exposure. 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Does oral exposure to cadmium and lead mediate susceptibility to colitis? The dark-and-bright sides of heavy metals in gut ecology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Breton, Jérôme; Daniel, Catherine; Vignal, Cécile; Body-Malapel, Mathilde; Garat, Anne; Plé, Coline; Foligné, Benoît

    2016-01-01

    Although the heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are known environmental health concerns, their long-term impacts on gut ecology and susceptibility to gastrointestinal autoimmune diseases have not been extensively investigated. We sought to determine whether subchronic oral exposure to Cd or Pb is a risk factor for the development and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Mice were exposed to various doses of CdCl2 or PbCl2 in drinking water for 1, 4 or 6 weeks prior to infection with Salmonella, the induction of colitis with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) or trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). In human cell-based models, exposure to Cd and Pb is associated with reduced transepithelial electric resistance and changes in bacteria-induced cytokine responses. Although 1- and 6-week exposures did not have clear effects on the response to Salmonella infectious challenges, 1-week short-term treatments with CdCl2 tended to enhance intestinal inflammation in mice. Unexpectedly, subchronic exposure to Cd and (to a lesser extent) Pb significantly mitigated some of the symptoms of DSS-induced colitis and reduced the severity of TNBS colitis in a dose-dependent manner. The possible adaptive and immunosuppressive mechanisms by which heavy metals might reduce intestinal inflammation are explored and discussed.

  14. Determination of LC50 and sub-chronic neurotoxicity of diesel exhaust nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Durga, M; Devasena, T; Rajasekar, A

    2015-09-01

    Air pollution is a major problem faced globally and is seen associated with central nervous system (CNS) disorders like neuropathology and neuro-inflammation. Here, we investigated the CNS disorders as a result of sub-chronic exposure (90 days) to diesel exhaust nanoparticles (DENPs) and explored the minimal levels of DENPs needed to exhibit the early mediators of neuro-inflammation and neuropathology. Male and female wistar rats (6 rats per group) were exposed to DENPs (1/5th, 1/10th and 1/15th LC50) by inhalation for 4h per day, 5 days per week over 90 days and neurotoxicity end-points were analyzed. DENP exposure caused elevation in levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, amyloid beta 42 (Aβ 42), reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitrate (NO3(-)), nitrite (NO2(-)) and apurinic/apyrimidinic sites (AP) at varying degrees at different sections of rat brain. Hence, exposure to DENPs resulted in dose-dependent toxicity and was closely correlated to increased inflammation, DNA damage and oxidative stress. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Toxicological assessment of combined lead and cadmium: acute and sub-chronic toxicity study in rats.

    PubMed

    Yuan, Guiping; Dai, Shujun; Yin, Zhongqiong; Lu, Hongke; Jia, Renyong; Xu, Jiao; Song, Xu; Li, Li; Shu, Yang; Zhao, Xinghong

    2014-03-01

    The exposure to chemical mixtures is a common and important determinant of toxicity and receives concern for their introduction by inhalation and ingestion. However, few in vivo mixture studies have been conducted to understand the health effects of chemical mixtures compared with single chemicals. In this study, the acute and 90day sub-chronic toxicity tests of combined Pb and Cd were conducted. In the acute toxicity test, the LD50 value of Pb(NO3)2 and CdCl2 mixture by the oral route was 2696.54mg/kg by Bliss method. The sub-chronic treatment revealed that the low-dose combination of Pb and Cd exposures can significantly change the physiological and biochemical parameters of the blood of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with dose-response relationship and causes microcytic hypochromic anemia and the damages of liver and kidney of the SD rats to various degrees. Histopathological exams showed that the target organs of Pb and Cd were testicle, liver, and kidneys. These observations suggest that Pb and Cd are practically additive-toxic for the SD rats in oral acute toxicity studies. The lowest observed adverse-effect level in rats may be lower than a dose of 29.96mg/(kgbwday) when administered orally for 90 consecutive days. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. IMMUNOTOXICITY OF ORGANOTINS USED AS STABILIZERS IN PVC PIPE

    EPA Science Inventory

    Organotins, used as stabilizers in the production of PVC drinking water supply pipe, are known to leach into water, particularly from new pipe. Certain organotins (dibutyl-, dioctyl- and tributyltins) are known to suppress immune function following acute and subchronic exposure o...

  17. NEW METHODS FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF IMMUNOTOXICITY OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES

    EPA Science Inventory

    The immune system is a target of toxic insult following subchronic or chronic exposure to environmental chemicals, therapeutic drugs or abused drugs. nteraction of xenobiotics with the immune system may result in undesirable effects of three principal types; (a) those manifested ...

  18. Toxicological responses of Laeonereis acuta (Polychaeta, Nereididae) after acute, subchronic and chronic exposure to cadmium.

    PubMed

    Dolagaratz Carricavur, Arantxa; Chiodi Boudet, Leila; Romero, María Belén; Polizzi, Paula; Marcovecchio, Jorge Eduardo; Gerpe, Marcela

    2018-03-01

    The objective of this study was to analyze the toxicological responses of the estuarine polychaete Laeonereis acuta after acute (96h), subchronic (7 days) and chronic (14 days) exposure to cadmium (Cd). Concentrations of metallothioneins (MT), lipid peroxidation (LPO), total Cd and metal-rich granules (MRG) were evaluated. Seasonal variations of MT and LPO levels in the wild were also measured. Polychaetes were obtained in the Quequén estuary located southeast of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. For the acute toxicity assay, individuals were exposed to 10; 30, 65; 310; 600; 1300; 2000; 4300; 8100; 16300µgCdL -1 , which included levels of environmental relevance and median lethal concentrations (LC 50 ) for related species of polychaete. Based on 96h LC 50 values, polychaetes were exposed to sublethal doses of Cd. The concentrations for both subchronic and chronic assays were: 10; 30; 65; 310; 600; 1300; 2000; 4300µgCdL -1 . The 96h LC 50 value was 8234.9µgL -1 , which was within the values reported for other species of polychaete, indicating a high tolerance to Cd. MT induction was not observed for any time exposure. In additoin, LPO levels showed no differences with respect to control levels, which indicated an absence of oxidative damage caused by Cd. However, the total Cd and MRG-Cd concentrations in L. acuta in all tested treatments showed significant differences with respect to control levels. L. acuta were able to accumulate Cd in their tissues in the form of granules which are the main mechanism of Cd detoxification. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Sub-chronic lead exposure produces β1-adrenoceptor downregulation decreasing arterial pressure reactivity in rats.

    PubMed

    Toscano, Cindy Medici; Simões, Maylla Ronacher; Alonso, Maria Jesus; Salaices, Mercedes; Vassallo, Dalton Valentim; Fioresi, Mirian

    2017-07-01

    Lead is considered a causative factor for hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. To investigate the effects of sub-chronic lead exposure on blood pressure reactivity and cardiac β 1 -adrenoceptor activity and to evaluate whether the effects found in vitro are similar to those found in vivo. Male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into two groups: control rats (Ct) and rats administered drinking water containing 100ppm lead (Pb) for 30days. Blood pressure in the Pb rats increased starting from the first week of treatment until the end of the study [systolic blood pressure, Ct: 122±4 vs. Pb: 143±3mmHg; diastolic blood pressure, Ct: 63±4 vs. Pb: 84±4mmHg]. The heart rate was also increased (Ct: 299±11 vs. Pb: 365±11bpm), but the pressure reactivity to phenylephrine was decreased. Losartan and hexamethonium exhibited a greater reduction in blood pressure of Pb rats than in the Ct rats. Isoproterenol increased the left ventricular systolic and end-diastolic pressure, and heart rate only in Ct rats, suggesting that lead induced β 1 -adrenoceptor downregulation. Indomethacin reduced the blood pressure and heart rate in the Pb rats, suggesting the involvement of cyclooxygenase-derived products (which are associated with reduced nitric oxide bioavailability) in this process. These findings offer further evidence that the effects of sub-chronic lead exposure in vitro can be reproduced in vivo-even at low concentrations-thus triggering mechanisms for the development of hypertension. Therefore, lead should be considered an environmental risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Combination effects of airborne particulate matter exposure and high-fat diet on hepatic fibrosis through regulating the ROS-endoplasmic reticulum stress-TGFβ/SMADs axis in mice.

    PubMed

    Ding, Shibin; Yu, Lanlan; An, Baijie; Zhang, Guofu; Yu, Pengxin; Wang, Zhe

    2018-05-01

    Hepatic fibrosis, characterized by an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix, is associated with toxic substance exposure, chronic infections, mechanical injury, airborne fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) exposure and metabolic disease. This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of long-term, real-world airborne particulate matter (PM) exposure on hepatic fibrosis and further explored whether combination treatment of PM exposure and high-fat diet (HFD) aggravate the adverse effects in mice. Six-week-old male C57BL/6J mice fed with either a standard chow diet (STD) or an HFD were treated with either filtered air (FA) or PM for 18 weeks. Metabolic parameters, histological examination, gene expression analysis, and Western blot analysis were utilized to measure the effect and mechanism of PM exposure on hepatic fibrosis and to further analyze the synergistic effect of HFD. Subchronic airborne PM exposure induces hepatic fibrosis in mice, and combination treatment of PM exposure and HFD accelerate the adverse effect. Meanwhile, subchronic exposure to real-world PM increased the level of hepatic ROS, and the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers (GRP78 and CHOP), p-SMAD2 and p-SMAD3, as well as up-regulated TGFβ and collagen 1 in liver tissues. Furthermore, PM exposure and HFD displayed the synergistic effects on these changes in liver. Our findings indicate that airborne PM exposure aggravates HFD -induced hepatic fibrosis. The ROS-ER stress-TGFβ/SMADs regulatory axis mediates the effects of airborne PM exposure on accelerating hepatic fibrosis. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. Effects of subchronic malathion exposure on the pharmacokinetic disposition of pefloxacin.

    PubMed

    Suresh Babu, N; Malik, J K; Rao, G S; Aggarwal, Manoj; Ranganathan, V

    2006-09-01

    Malathion is one of the most extensively used organophosphorus pesticides applied in agriculture, mosquito eradication and in the control of animal ectoparasites and human body lice. The widespread use of malathion has raised concern over its potential to cause untoward health effects in humans, animals and birds. Malathion inhibits cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and has the potential to alter pharmacokinetic profiles of therapeutic agents that are metabolized in the liver. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of subchronic exposure of malathion on the pharmacokinetic disposition of pefloxacin. Chickens were given either normal diet or malathion through food at a concentration of 1000ppm for 28 days. Subsequently, pefloxacin was administered either intravenously or orally (control) to birds fed normal diet and orally to malathion-exposed chickens at a dosage of 10mgkg(-1) body weight. Blood samples were drawn from the brachial vein at predetermined time intervals after drug administration. Plasma was separated and analyzed for pefloxacin by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The plasma concentration-time data were analyzed by non-compartmental techniques. Following intravenous administration of pefloxacin, elimination half-life (t(1/2β)), area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and mean residence time (MRT) were 8.2±0.7h, 66±9μghml(-1) and 10.5±1.1h, respectively, and when the drug was administered orally, the respective values of pharmacokinetic parameters were 8.2±0.4h, 31±3.1μghml(-1) and 11.7±0.6h. Malathion exposure significantly increased maximum plasma drug concentration, t(1/2β), AUC and MRT of pefloxacin to 54, 22, 117 and 37% of control, respectively. These findings provide evidence that subchronic malathion exposure markedly influences the elimination kinetics of pefloxacin which may be due to malathion-mediated inhibition of metabolism of pefloxacin.

  2. Behavioral Effects of Sub-Acute Inhalation of Toluene in Adult Rats

    EPA Science Inventory

    Reports of behavioral effects of repeated inhalation of toluene in rats have Yielded inconsistent fmdings. A recent study from this laboratory (Beasley et al., 2010) observed that after 13 weeks of inhaled toluene ("sub-chronic" exposure scenario), rats showed mild but persiste...

  3. HEALTH EFFECTS OF SUBCHRONIC EXPOSURE TO ENVIRONMENTAL LEVELS OF DIESEL EXHAUST. (R826442)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Concl...

  4. Sub-Chronic Oral Exposure to Iridium (III) Chloride Hydrate in Female Wistar Rats: Distribution and Excretion of the Metal

    PubMed Central

    Iavicoli, Ivo; Fontana, Luca; Bergamaschi, Antonio; Conti, Marcelo Enrique; Pino, Anna; Mattei, Daniela; Bocca, Beatrice; Alimonti, Alessandro

    2012-01-01

    Iridium tissue distribution and excretion in female Wistar rats following oral exposure to iridium (III) chloride hydrate in drinking water (from 1 to 1000 ng/ml) in a sub-chronic oral study were determined. Samples of urine, feces, blood and organs (kidneys, liver, lung, spleen and brain) were collected at the end of exposure. The most prominent fractions of iridium were retained in kidney and spleen; smaller amounts were found in lungs, liver and brain. Iridium brain levels were lower than those observed in other tissues but this finding can support the hypothesis of iridium capability to cross the blood brain barrier. The iridium kidney levels rose significantly with the administered dose. At the highest dose, important amounts of the metal were found in serum, urine and feces. Iridium was predominantly excreted via feces with a significant linear correlation with the ingested dose, which is likely due to low intestinal absorption of the metal. However, at the higher doses iridium was also eliminated through urine. These findings may be useful to help in the understanding of the adverse health effects, particularly on the immune system, of iridium dispersed in the environment as well as in identifying appropriate biological indices of iridium exposure. PMID:22942873

  5. Brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are involved in stress-induced potentiation of nicotine reward in rats.

    PubMed

    Javadi, Parastoo; Rezayof, Ameneh; Sardari, Maryam; Ghasemzadeh, Zahra

    2017-07-01

    The aim of the present study was to examine the possible role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of the dorsal hippocampus (CA1 regions), the medial prefrontal cortex or the basolateral amygdala in the effect of acute or sub-chronic stress on nicotine-induced conditioned place preference. Our results indicated that subcutaneous administration of nicotine (0.2 mg/kg) induced significant conditioned place preference. Exposure to acute or sub-chronic elevated platform stress potentiated the response of an ineffective dose of nicotine. Pre-conditioning intra-CA1 (0.5-4 µg/rat) or intra-medial prefrontal cortex (0.2-0.3 µg/rat) microinjection of mecamylamine (a non-selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist) reversed acute stress-induced potentiation of nicotine reward as measured in the conditioned place preference paradigm. By contrast, pre-conditioning intra-basolateral amygdala microinjection of mecamylamine (4 µg/rat) potentiated the effects of acute stress on nicotine reward. Our findings also showed that intra-CA1 or intra-medial prefrontal cortex, but not intra-basolateral amygdala, microinjection of mecamylamine (4 µg/rat) prevented the effect of sub-chronic stress on nicotine reward. These findings suggest that exposure to elevated platform stress potentiates the rewarding effect of nicotine which may be associated with the involvement of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. It seems that there is a different contribution of the basolateral amygdala, the medial prefrontal cortex or the CA1 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in stress-induced potentiation of nicotine-induced conditioned place preference.

  6. Persistent Effects of Libby Amphibole and Amosite Asbestos Following Subchronic Inhalation in Rats

    EPA Science Inventory

    Background: Human exposure to Libby amphibole (LA) asbestos increases risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and non-malignant respiratory disease. This study evaluated potency and time course effects of LA and positive control amosite (AM) asbestos fibers in male F344 rats following...

  7. NOVEL INSIGHTS INTO THE MECHANISM OF SUBCHRONIC AIR POLLUTANT-INDUCED CARDIOVASCULAR IMPAIRMENT

    EPA Science Inventory

    The mechanisms by which air pollutants induce cardiovascular mortality are unknown. We hypothesized that blood vessels are the target of injury by circulating oxidation by-products following pollutant exposure. We exposed male Wistar Kyoto rats (12-15 wks old), nose-only to air, ...

  8. SUBCHRONIC EPISODIC EXPOSURE OF RATS TO DIESEL PLUS OZONE INDUCES MINIMAL CARDIOPULMONARY EFFECTS

    EPA Science Inventory

    Diesel exhaust (DE) emissions contribute to near-road air pollution and have been shown to induce a variety of cardiovascular and pulmonary abnormalities in animals and humans. Since high ozone concentrations are often associated with increased traffic-related emissions, we postu...

  9. HEALTH EFFECTS OF SUBCHRONIC EXPOSURE TO LOW LEVELS OF WOOD SMOKE IN RATS. (R826442)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Concl...

  10. Behavioral effects of subchronic inhalation of toluene in adult rats.

    PubMed

    Beasley, Tracey E; Evansky, Paul A; Gilbert, Mary E; Bushnell, Philip J

    2010-01-01

    Whereas the acute neurobehavioral effects of toluene are robust and well characterized, evidence for persistent effects of repeated exposure to this industrial solvent is less compelling. The present experiment sought to determine whether subchronic inhalation of toluene caused persistent behavioral changes in rats. Adult male Long-Evans rats inhaled toluene vapor (0, 10, 100, or 1000 ppm) for 6h/day, 5 days/week for 13 weeks and were evaluated on a series of behavioral tests beginning 3 days after the end of exposure. Toluene delayed appetitively-motivated acquisition of a lever-press response, but did not affect motor activity, anxiety-related behavior in the elevated plus maze, trace fear conditioning, acquisition of an appetitively-motivated visual discrimination, or performance of a visual signal detection task. Challenges with acute inhalation of toluene vapor (1200-2400 ppm for 1 h) and injections of quinpirole (0.01-0.03 mg/kg) and raclopride (0.03-0.10 mg/kg) revealed no toluene-induced latent impairments in visual signal detection. These results are consistent with a pattern of subtle and inconsistent long-term effects of daily exposure to toluene vapor, in contrast to robust and reliable effects of acute inhalation of the solvent. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  11. Ozone induces glucose intolerance and systemic metabolic effects in young and aged brown Norway rats

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bass, V.; Gordon, C.J.; Jarema, K.A.

    Air pollutants have been associated with increased diabetes in humans. We hypothesized that ozone would impair glucose homeostasis by altering insulin signaling and/or endoplasmic reticular (ER) stress in young and aged rats. One, 4, 12, and 24 month old Brown Norway (BN) rats were exposed to air or ozone, 0.25 or 1.0 ppm, 6 h/day for 2 days (acute) or 2 d/week for 13 weeks (subchronic). Additionally, 4 month old rats were exposed to air or 1.0 ppm ozone, 6 h/day for 1 or 2 days (time-course). Glucose tolerance tests (GTT) were performed immediately after exposure. Serum and tissue biomarkersmore » were analyzed 18 h after final ozone for acute and subchronic studies, and immediately after each day of exposure in the time-course study. Age-related glucose intolerance and increases in metabolic biomarkers were apparent at baseline. Acute ozone caused hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance in rats of all ages. Ozone-induced glucose intolerance was reduced in rats exposed for 13 weeks. Acute, but not subchronic ozone increased α{sub 2}-macroglobulin, adiponectin and osteopontin. Time-course analysis indicated glucose intolerance at days 1 and 2 (2 > 1), and a recovery 18 h post ozone. Leptin increased day 1 and epinephrine at all times after ozone. Ozone tended to decrease phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate-1 in liver and adipose tissues. ER stress appeared to be the consequence of ozone induced acute metabolic impairment since transcriptional markers of ER stress increased only after 2 days of ozone. In conclusion, acute ozone exposure induces marked systemic metabolic impairments in BN rats of all ages, likely through sympathetic stimulation. - Highlights: • Air pollutants have been associated with increased diabetes in humans. • Acute ozone exposure produces profound metabolic alterations in rats. • Age influences metabolic risk factors in aging BN rats. • Acute metabolic effects are reversible and repeated exposure reduces these effects. • Ozone metabolic effects are only slightly exacerbated in geriatric rats.« less

  12. Assessment of bioaccumulation, neuropathology, and neurobehavior following subchronic (90 days) inhalation in Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to manganese phosphate.

    PubMed

    Normandin, Louise; Carrier, Gaétan; Gardiner, Phillip F; Kennedy, Greg; Hazell, Alan S; Mergler, Donna; Butterworth, Roger F; Philippe, Suzanne; Zayed, Joseph

    2002-09-01

    Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) is an organic manganese (Mn) compound added to unleaded gasoline. It has been suggested that the combustion products of MMT containing Mn, such as manganese phosphate, could cause neurological symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease in humans. The aim of this work was to investigate the exposure-response relationship of bioaccumulation, neuropathology, and neurobehavior following a subchronic inhalation exposure to manganese phosphate in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Rats were exposed 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 13 consecutive weeks at 30, 300, or 3000 microg/m(3) Mn phosphate and compared to controls. Some rats were implanted with chronic EMG electrodes in the gastrocnemius muscle of the hind limb to assess tremor at the end of Mn exposure. Spontaneous motor activity was measured for 36 h using a computerized autotrack system. Rats were then sacrificed by exsanguination and Mn level in different brain tissues and other organs was determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Neuronal cell counts were obtained by assessing the sum of five grid areas for the caudate/putamen and the sum of two adjacent areas for the globus pallidus. Increased manganese concentrations were observed in all tissues of the brain and was dose-dependent in olfactory bulb and caudate/putamen. In fact, beginning with the highest level of exposure (3000 microg/m(3)) and ending with the control group, Mn concentrations in the olfactory bulb were 2.47 vs 1.28 vs 0.77 vs 0.64 ppm (P < 0.05) while for the caudate/putamen, Mn concentrations were 1.06 vs 0.73 vs 0.62 vs 0.47 ppm (P < 0.05). The Mn concentrations in lung were also dose-dependent (10.30 vs 1.40 vs 0.42 vs 0.17 ppm; P < 0.05). No statistical difference was observed for loss of neurons in caudate/putamen and globus pallidus. Locomotor activity assessment and tremor assessment did not reveal in neurobehavioral changes between the groups. Our results reinforce the hypothesis that the olfactory bulb and caudate/putamen are the main brain tissues for Mn accumulation after subchronic inhalation exposure.

  13. Reuse water: Exposure duration, seasonality and treatment affect tissue responses in a model fish.

    PubMed

    Blunt, B J; Singh, A; Wu, L; Gamal El-Din, M; Belosevic, M; Tierney, K B

    2017-12-31

    Partially remediated gray (reuse) water will likely find increasing use in a variety of applications owing to the increasing scarcity of freshwater. We aimed to determine if a model fish, the goldfish, could sense reuse water using olfaction (smell), and if 30min or 7d (acute) and 60d (sub-chronic) exposures would affect their olfactory responses to natural odorants. We examined olfaction as previous studies have found that numerous chemicals can impair the olfactory sense, which is critical to carrying out numerous life-sustaining behaviors from feeding to mating. We also examined if fish olfactory and liver tissues would mount a response in terms of biotransformation enzyme gene expression, and whether treatment of reuse water with UV/H 2 O 2 ameliorated adverse effects following reuse water exposure. We found that fish olfactory tissue responded to reuse water as it would to a natural odorant and that UV/H 2 O 2 treatment had no influence on this. With acute exposures, olfactory impairment was apparent regardless of water type (e.g. responses of 23-55% of control), but in sub-chronic exposures, only the untreated reuse water caused olfactory impairment. The exposure of fish to reuse water increased the expression of one enzyme (CYP1A; >2.5-6.5 fold change) and reuse water treatment with UV/H 2 O 2 reversed the effect. There was a seasonal effect that was likely due to changes in water quality (60d summer exposure impaired olfaction whereas spring and fall exposures did not). Overall, the data suggest that reuse water may be detected by olfaction, impair olfactory responses in fish receiving unavoidable exposures, and that exposure duration and season are important factors to consider regarding adverse effects. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Risk assessments for exposure of deployed military personnel to insecticides and personal protective measures used for disease-vector management.

    PubMed

    Macedo, Paula A; Peterson, Robert K D; Davis, Ryan S

    2007-10-01

    Infectious diseases are problematic for deployed military forces throughout the world, and, historically, more military service days have been lost to insect-vectored diseases than to combat. Because of the limitations in efficacy and availability of both vaccines and therapeutic drugs, vector management often is the best tool that military personnel have against most vector-borne pathogens. However, the use of insecticides may raise concerns about the safety of their effects on the health of the military personnel exposed to them. Therefore, our objective was to use risk assessment methodologies to evaluate health risks to deployed U.S. military personnel from vector management tactics. Our conservative tier-1, quantitative risk assessment focused on acute, subchronic, and chronic exposures and cancer risks to military personnel after insecticide application and use of personal protective measures in different scenarios. Exposures were estimated for every scenario, chemical, and pathway. Acute, subchronic, and chronic risks were assessed using a margin of exposure (MOE) approach. Our MOE was the ratio of a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) to an estimated exposure. MOEs were greater than the levels of concern (LOCs) for all surface residual and indoor space spraying exposures, except acute dermal exposure to lambda-cyhalothrin. MOEs were greater than the LOCs for all chemicals in the truck-mounted ultra-low-volume (ULV) exposure scenario. The aggregate cancer risk for permethrin exceeded 1 x 10(-6), but more realistic exposure refinements would reduce the cancer risk below that value. Overall, results indicate that health risks from exposures to insecticides and personal protective measures used by military personnel are low.

  15. Effects of acamprosate on attentional set-shifting and cellular function in the prefrontal cortex of chronic alcohol-exposed mice

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hu, Wei

    Background: The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) inhibits impulsive and compulsive behaviors that characterize drug abuse and dependence. Acamprosate is the leading medication approved for the maintenance of abstinence, shown to reduce craving and relapse in animal models and human alcoholics. Whether acamprosate can modulate executive functions that are impaired by chronic ethanol exposure is unknown. Here we explored the effects of acamprosate on an attentional set-shifting task, and tested whether these behavioral effects are correlated with modulation of glutamatergic synaptic transmission and intrinsic excitability of mPFC neurons. Methods: We induced alcohol dependence in mice via chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure in vapor chambers and measured changes in alcohol consumption in a limited access 2-bottle choice paradigm. Impairments of executive function were assessed in an attentional set-shifting task. Acamprosate was applied subchronically for 2 days during withdrawal before the final behavioral test. Alcohol-induced changes in cellular function of layer 5/6 pyramidal neurons, and the potential modulation of these changes by acamprosate, were measured using patch clamp recordings in brain slices. Results: Chronic ethanol exposure impaired cognitive flexibility in the attentional set-shifting task. Acamprosate improved overall performance and reduced perseveration. Recordings of mPFC neurons showed that chronic ethanol exposure increased use-dependent presynaptic transmitter release and enhanced postsynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) function. Moreover, CIE-treatment lowered input resistance, and decreased the threshold and the afterhyperpolarization (AHP) of action potentials, suggesting chronic ethanol exposure also impacted membrane excitability of mPFC neurons. However, acamprosate treatment did not reverse these ethanol-induced changes cellular function. Conclusion: Acamprosate improved attentional control of ethanol exposed animals, but did not alter the concurrent changes in synaptic transmission or membrane excitability of mPFC neurons, indicating that these changes are not the pharmacological targets of acamprosate in the recovery of mPFC functions affected by chronic ethanol exposure.

  16. Repeated Exposure to Neurotoxic Levels of Chlorpyriphos Alters Hippocampal Expression of Neurotrophins and Neuropeptides

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-01-13

    Institute for Science and Engineering, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States bUnited States Army Center for Environmental Health Research (USACEHR...online 13 January 2016 Keywords: Chlorpyrifos Cholinesterase inhibition Gene expression Microarray miRNA Organophosphorus pesticide A B S T R A C T...Chlorpyrifos (CPF), an organophosphorus pesticide (OP), is one of the most widely used pesticides in the world. Subchronic exposures to CPF that do not

  17. SUBCHRONIC PULMONARY PATHOLOGY, IRON-OVERLOAD AND TRANSCRIPTIONAL ACTIVITY AFTER LIBBY AMPHIBOLE EXPOSURE IN RAT MODELS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

    EPA Science Inventory

    Background: Surface-available iron (Fe) is proposed to contribute to asbestos-induced toxicity through the production of reactive oxygen species.Objective: Our goal was to evaluate the hypothesis that rat models of cardiovascular disease with coexistent Fe overload would be incre...

  18. THE AORTA, BUT NOT LUNG OR HEART, IS THE TARGET OF SUBCHRONIC DIESEL-INDUCED INJURY AND INFLAMMATION

    EPA Science Inventory

    Recently cardiovascular abnormalities have been noted in individuals exposed to diesel exhaust (DE) or traffic generated air pollution; however, the mechanisms are unknown. We postulated that long-term episodic exposure of rats to DE would differentially affect three target orga...

  19. ELECTRORETINOGRAMS ARE ALTERED BY SUBCHRONIC TOLUENE EXPOSURE TO LONG EVANS RATS: EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE SUPPORTING OBSERVATIONS FROM STUDIES OF EXPOSED HUMANS

    EPA Science Inventory

    Impaired visual functions, including low contrast sensitivity and reduced color discrimination, have been reported in studies of humans chronically exposed to several volatile organic solvents. These reports remain controversial, however, in part due to a lack of confirmation fro...

  20. Subchronic Toluene Exposure alters Retinal Function in Long Evans Rats: Experimental Evidence Supporting Observations from Studies of Exposed Humans.

    EPA Science Inventory

    Studies of humans chronically exposed to volatile organic solvents commonly report impaired visual functions, including low contrast sensitivity and reduced color discrimination. These reports have been controversial, however, in part due to a lack of confirmation from controlled...

  1. Predictors of Treatment Response to Fluoxetine in PTSD Following a Recent History of War Zone Stress Exposure

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-07-01

    brain injury, rats treated subchronically (two weeks) with orally gavaged atorvastatin or simvastatin showed evidence of diminished loss of cells in...203. Lu D, Goussev A, Chen J, et al. Atorvastatin reduces neurological deficit and increases synaptogenesis, angiogenesis, and neuronal survival in

  2. Vascular Effects of a Subchronic Inhalation Exposure to Concentrated Ambient Air Particles in Atherosclerosis Susceptible Mice

    EPA Science Inventory

    Numerous studies have reported the adverse effects of particulate air pollution on cardiovascular function and disease. The causal physiochemical properties of particles and their mechanisms of action/injury remain unknown. This study examined the vascular effects in 15 wk old ma...

  3. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sithu, Srinivas D.; Diabetes and Obesity Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202; Srivastava, Sanjay

    Acrolein is a common air pollutant that is present in high concentrations in wood, cotton, and tobacco smoke, automobile exhaust and industrial waste and emissions. Exposure to acrolein containing environmental pollutants such as tobacco smoke and automobile exhaust has been linked to the activation of the coagulation and hemostasis pathways and thereby to the predisposition of thrombotic events in human. To examine the effects of acrolein on platelets, adult male C57Bl/6 mice were subjected acute (5 ppm for 6 h) or sub-chronic (1 ppm, 6 h/day for 4 days) acrolein inhalation exposures. The acute exposure to acrolein did not causemore » pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress, dyslipidemia or induce liver damage or muscle injury. Platelet GSH levels in acrolein-exposed mice were comparable to controls, but acrolein-exposure increased the abundance of protein-acrolein adducts in platelets. Platelets isolated from mice, exposed to both acute and sub-chronic acrolein levels, showed increased ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Exposure to acrolein also led to an increase in the indices of platelet activation such as the formation of platelet-leukocyte aggregates in the blood, plasma PF4 levels, and increased platelet-fibrinogen binding. The bleeding time was decreased in acrolein exposed mice. Plasma levels of PF4 were also increased in mice exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. Similar to inhalation exposure, acrolein feeding to mice also increased platelet activation and established a pro-thrombotic state in mice. Together, our data suggest that acrolein is an important contributing factor to the pro-thrombotic risk in human exposure to pollutants such as tobacco smoke or automobile exhaust, or through dietary consumption.« less

  4. Developmental exposure to glyphosate-based herbicide and depressive-like behavior in adult offspring: Implication of glutamate excitotoxicity and oxidative stress.

    PubMed

    Cattani, Daiane; Cesconetto, Patrícia Acordi; Tavares, Mauren Kruger; Parisotto, Eduardo Benedetti; De Oliveira, Paulo Alexandre; Rieg, Carla Elise Heinz; Leite, Marina Concli; Prediger, Rui Daniel Schröder; Wendt, Nestor Cubas; Razzera, Guilherme; Filho, Danilo Wilhelm; Zamoner, Ariane

    2017-07-15

    We have previously demonstrated that maternal exposure to glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) leads to glutamate excitotoxicity in 15-day-old rat hippocampus. The present study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of subchronic exposure to GBH on some neurochemical and behavioral parameters in immature and adult offspring. Rats were exposed to 1% GBH in drinking water (corresponding to 0.36% of glyphosate) from gestational day 5 until postnatal day (PND)-15 or PND60. Results showed that GBH exposure during both prenatal and postnatal periods causes oxidative stress, affects cholinergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in offspring hippocampus from immature and adult rats. The subchronic exposure to the pesticide decreased L-[ 14 C]-glutamate uptake and increased 45 Ca 2+ influx in 60-day-old rat hippocampus, suggesting a persistent glutamate excitotoxicity from developmental period (PND15) to adulthood (PND60). Moreover, GBH exposure alters the serum levels of the astrocytic protein S100B. The effects of GBH exposure were associated with oxidative stress and depressive-like behavior in offspring on PND60, as demonstrated by the prolonged immobility time and decreased time of climbing observed in forced swimming test. The mechanisms underlying the GBH-induced neurotoxicity involve the NMDA receptor activation, impairment of cholinergic transmission, astrocyte dysfunction, ERK1/2 overactivation, decreased p65 NF-κB phosphorylation, which are associated with oxidative stress and glutamate excitotoxicity. These neurochemical events may contribute, at least in part, to the depressive-like behavior observed in adult offspring. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Quantitative Assessment of Peroxisome Proliferation in B6C3F1 Mouse Liver after Subchronic Exposure to Trichloroethylene by Gavage.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1997-07-01

    levels have been reported in association with a number of different peroxisome proliferators, such as clofibric acid (Bars, et al., 1993; Prough, et...exposure. Similar results have been reported for CYP4A1 mRNA after exposure to clofibric acid (Bars, et al., 1993). The present study also indicated...trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and dichloroacetic acid (DCA) (Herren-Freund, et al., 1987; Daniel, et al., 1992; DeAngelo, et al., 1991). Only CH has been found to

  6. Leukopenia and altered hematopoietic activity in mice exposed to the abused inhalant, isobutyl nitrite.

    PubMed

    Soderberg, L S; Flick, J T; Barnett, J B

    1996-06-01

    Isobutyl nitrite is representative of a group of inhalants abused primarily by male homosexuals; abuse of this drug may be a risk factor for AIDS or Kaposi's sarcoma. Using a 14-day exposure regimen, we previously reported that inhaled isobutyl nitrite was immunotoxic to mice, severely compromising T-dependent antibody responses and cytotoxic T cell and macrophage tumoricidal activity. In addition, exposure to the inhalant dramatically reduced spleen cellularity. A single 45-minute inhalation exposure produced anemia in mice. In the present study, we examined the effects of subchronic exposure to the drug on peripheral blood cellularity and hematopoietic activity. Mice were exposed to 900 ppm isobutyl nitrite in an inhalation chamber for 45 minutes/day for 14 days. One day after the final exposure, the number of peripheral blood leukocytes was reduced by 32%; however, the number of erythrocytes was increased by 7%. This was accompanied by an apparent shift from myelopoiesis to erythropoiesis. The numbers of bone marrow and spleen burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E) were increased about two-fold, while the numbers of colony-forming units-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) were decreased by about half. Bone marrow stromal cells also had reductions in the production of myeloid colony-stimulating activity after subchronic exposure to the inhalant. In addition, the numbers of hematopoietic stem cells, colony-forming units-spleen (CFU-S), were reduced in both bone marrow and spleen. Peripheral blood erythrocyte and leukocyte counts returned to normal levels by 7 days after the final exposure, as did the number of BFU-E. The number of CFU-GM remained depressed, however, even after 7 days of recovery. These data suggest that repeated exposures nonspecifically depleted cells and that erythropoiesis was stimulated, apparently at the expense of myelopoiesis.

  7. Surface microstructural features of scales in relation to toxic stress of Basic Violet-1.

    PubMed

    Kaur, Kirandeep; Kaur, Ramandeep; Kaur, Arvinder

    2016-01-01

    The present work deals with scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies of the scales of Labeo rohita on exposure to lethal and sublethal doses of Basic Violet-1 (an important textile and hair colorant). The dye induced loosening of the scales and caused breakage and disorganization of lepidonts. Erosion of lepidonts occurred mostly in the fish exposed to 0.20 and 0.40 mg/L dye, during acute exposure and to 0.0225 and 0.045 mg/L dye, during the subchronic exposure. However, lepidonts were sloughed off from their sockets in 0.60 and 0.80 mg/L dye during acute exposure and in 0.09 mg/L dye during the subchronic exposure. Circuli, the base that provides anchorage to the lepidonts, got damaged, and tubercles responsible for coloration of a fish became atrophied with an increase in the duration of exposure. The results of the present investigation clearly indicated that exposure to Basic Violet-1 (BV-1) even at a concentration as low as 0.0225 mg was responsible for deleterious changes in the scale morphology of the test fish after 150 days of exposure. Similar changes were observed in the scales of the dead fish also. It can thus be suggested that this noninvasive technique is very helpful for evaluating the health status of an aquatic body. At the same time, the changes in ultramorphology of scales can act as an early indicator of the stress of very minute doses of dyes and even the scales of a dead fish can act as indicators of the untoward changes that would have occurred in the environment of the fish before death.

  8. Sub-chronic (13-week) oral toxicity study, preceded by an in utero exposure phase and genotoxicity studies with fish source phosphatidylserine in rats.

    PubMed

    Lifshitz, Y; Levi, L; Eyal, I; Cohen, T; Tessler, S

    2015-12-01

    The safety of fish phosphatidylserine (PS) conjugated to DHA (InCog™) was examined in a series of toxicology studies as first step to support future use in infants and general population using in vitro genotoxicity tests and in a sub-chronic toxicity study with an in-utero exposure phase. PS is a major lipid in the cell membrane, active in various membrane-mediated processes. PS-DHA, present in human milk, has been suggested to be important for early brain development. Rats were exposed to diets containing 1.5%, 3% or 4.5% InCog or two control diets. Parental (F0) animals were fed throughout mating, gestation and lactation. Subsequently, a subchronic, 13-week study was conducted on the F1 animals followed by 4 weeks of recovery. The genotoxicity tests showed no mutagenicity potential. No significant toxicological findings were found in the F0 rats or the F1 pups. In the 13-weeks study, an increase in the presence of renal minimal-mild multifocal corticomedullary mineralization was noted in nine females of the high-dose group. This change was not associated with any inflammatory or degenerative changes in the kidneys. The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) in the present study was placed at 3% in the diet (mid-dose group), equivalent to an overall intake of at least 2.1 g InCog/kg bw/day in the F1 generation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. 40 CFR 79.62 - Subchronic toxicity study with specific health effect assessments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... exposure and control groups are anaesthetized and heart punctures are performed on all members. After... control group when combining a 90-day toxicity study with a fertility assessment. (C) The tester shall provide a group of 10 animals (five animals per sex per experimental/control groups) in addition to the...

  10. 40 CFR 79.62 - Subchronic toxicity study with specific health effect assessments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... exposure and control groups are anaesthetized and heart punctures are performed on all members. After... control group when combining a 90-day toxicity study with a fertility assessment. (C) The tester shall provide a group of 10 animals (five animals per sex per experimental/control groups) in addition to the...

  11. 40 CFR 79.62 - Subchronic toxicity study with specific health effect assessments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... exposure and control groups are anaesthetized and heart punctures are performed on all members. After... control group when combining a 90-day toxicity study with a fertility assessment. (C) The tester shall provide a group of 10 animals (five animals per sex per experimental/control groups) in addition to the...

  12. 40 CFR 79.62 - Subchronic toxicity study with specific health effect assessments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... exposure and control groups are anaesthetized and heart punctures are performed on all members. After... control group when combining a 90-day toxicity study with a fertility assessment. (C) The tester shall provide a group of 10 animals (five animals per sex per experimental/control groups) in addition to the...

  13. 40 CFR 79.62 - Subchronic toxicity study with specific health effect assessments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... exposure and control groups are anaesthetized and heart punctures are performed on all members. After... control group when combining a 90-day toxicity study with a fertility assessment. (C) The tester shall provide a group of 10 animals (five animals per sex per experimental/control groups) in addition to the...

  14. 76 FR 76309 - Isoxaflutole; Pesticide Tolerances

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-12-07

    ...). UFL = use of a LOAEL to extrapolate a NOAEL. UFS = use of a short-term study for long-term risk..., dermal, and inhalation routes of exposure and it is not a dermal sensitizer. In long-term studies via the... offspring exhibited ocular and liver toxicities as seen in long- term studies. In the acute and subchronic...

  15. Age-related differences in pulmonary effects of acute and subchronic episodic ozone exposures in Brown Norway rats

    EPA Science Inventory

    Ozone (O3) is known to induce adverse pulmonary and systemic health effects. Importantly, children and older persons are considered at-risk populations for O3-induced dysfunction, yet the mechanisms accounting for the age-related pulmonary responses to O3 are uncertain. In this s...

  16. Recovery by N-acetylcysteine from subchronic exposure to Imidacloprid-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis tissues injury in male rats.

    PubMed

    Annabi, Alya; Dhouib, Ines Bini; Lamine, Aicha Jrad; El Golli, Nargès; Gharbi, Najoua; El Fazâa, Saloua; Lasram, Mohamed Montassar

    2015-01-01

    Imidacloprid is the most important example of the neonicotinoid insecticides known to target the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in insects, and potentially in mammals. N-Acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) has been shown to possess curative effects in experimental and clinical investigations. The present study was designed to evaluate the recovery effect of NAC against Imidacloprid-induced oxidative stress and cholinergic transmission alteration in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis of male rats following subchronic exposure. About 40 mg/kg of Imidacloprid was administered daily by intragastric intubation and 28 days later, the rats were sacrificed and HPA axis tissues were removed for different analyses. Imidacloprid increased adrenal relative weight and cholesterol level indicating an adaptive stage of the general alarm reaction to stress. Moreover, Imidacloprid caused a significant increase in malondialdehyde level, the antioxidants catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase showed various alterations following administration and significant depleted thiols content was only recorded in hypothalamic tissue. Furthermore, the hypothalamic and pituitary acetylcholinesterase activity and calcium level were significantly increased highlighting the alteration of cholinergic activity. The present findings revealed that HPA axis is a sensitive target to Imidacloprid (IMI). Interestingly, the use of NAC for only 7 days post-exposure to IMI showed a partial therapeutic effect against Imidacloprid toxicity.

  17. Comparative toxicity of low dose tributyltin chloride on serum, liver, lung and kidney following subchronic exposure.

    PubMed

    Mitra, Sumonto; Gera, Ruchi; Singh, Vikas; Khandelwal, Shashi

    2014-02-01

    Tributyltin (TBT) pollution is rampant worldwide and is a growing threat due to its bio-accumulative property. Isolated studies of TBT toxicity on different organs are available but consolidated information is greatly lacking. We planned this study to delineate the effect of subchronic (1 month) exposure to low dose TBT-chloride (TBTC) (1 and 5 mg/kg) in male Wistar rats. Total tin concentration was found to be significantly increased in liver, kidney and blood, and marginally in lungs. Organo-somatic indices were seen to be altered with little effect on serum biochemical markers (liver and kidney function, and general parameters). Reactive oxygen species but not lipid peroxidation content was observed to be significantly elevated both in the tissues and serum. TBTC was found to act as a hyperlipidemic agent and it also affected heme biosynthetic pathway. Hematological analysis showed that TBTC exposure resulted in minor alterations in RBC parameters. Histological studies demonstrated marked tissue damage in all the 3 organs. Calcium inhibitors (BAPTA-AM, EGTA) and antioxidants (NAC, C-PC) significantly restored TBTC induced loss in cell viability, under ex-vivo conditions. Antioxidants were evidently more efficient in comparison to the calcium inhibitors, implying major role of oxidative stress pathways in TBTC toxicity. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Screening-Level Risk Assessment for Styrene-Acrylonitrile (SAN) Trimer Detected in Soil and Groundwater

    PubMed Central

    Kirman, C. R.; Gargas, M. L.; Collins, J. J.; Rowlands, J. C.

    2012-01-01

    A screening-level risk assessment was conducted for styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) Trimer detected at the Reich Farm Superfund site in Toms River, NJ. Consistent with a screening-level approach, on-site and off-site exposure scenarios were evaluated using assumptions that are expected to overestimate actual exposures and hazards at the site. Environmental sampling data collected for soil and groundwater were used to estimate exposure point concentrations. Several exposure scenarios were evaluated to assess potential on-site and off-site exposures, using parameter values for exposures to soil (oral, inhalation of particulates, and dermal contact) and groundwater (oral, dermal contact) to reflect central tendency exposure (CTE) and reasonable maximum exposure (RME) conditions. Three reference dose (RfD) values were derived for SAN Trimer for short-term, subchronic, and chronic exposures, based upon its effects on the liver in exposed rats. Benchmark (BMD) methods were used to assess the relationship between exposure and response, and to characterize appropriate points of departure (POD) for each RfD. An uncertainty factor of 300 was applied to each POD to yield RfD values of 0.1, 0.04, and 0.03 mg/kg-d for short-term, subchronic, and chronic exposures, respectively. Because a chronic cancer bioassay for SAN Trimer in rats (NTP 2011a) does not provide evidence of carcinogenicity, a cancer risk assessment is not appropriate for this chemical. Potential health hazards to human health were assessed using a hazard index (HI) approach, which considers the ratio of exposure dose (i.e., average daily dose, mg/kg-d) to toxicity dose (RfD, mg/kg-d) for each scenario. All CTE and RME HI values are well below 1 (where the average daily dose is equivalent to the RfD), indicating that there is no concern for potential noncancer effects in exposed populations even under the conservative assumptions of this screening-level assessment. PMID:23030654

  19. Acute and long-term effects of trophic exposure to silver nanospheres in the central nervous system of a neotropical fish Hoplias intermedius.

    PubMed

    Klingelfus, T; Lirola, J R; Oya Silva, L F; Disner, G R; Vicentini, M; Nadaline, M J B; Robles, J C Z; Trein, L M; Voigt, C L; Silva de Assis, H C; Mela, M; Leme, D M; Cestari, M M

    2017-12-01

    Nanotechnologies are at the center of societal interest, due to their broad spectrum of application in different industrial products. The current concern about nanomaterials (NMs) is the potential risks they carry for human health and the environment. Considering that NMs can reach bodies of water, there is a need for studying the toxic effects of NMs on aquatic organisms. Among the NMs' toxic effects on fish, the interactions between NMs and the nervous system are yet to be understood. For this reason, our goal was to assess the neurotoxicity of polyvinylpyrrolidone coated silver nanospheres [AgNS (PVP coated)] and compare their effects in relation to silver ions (Ag + ) in carnivorous Hoplias intermedius fish after acute and subchronic trophic exposure through the analysis of morphological (retina), biochemical (brain) and genetic biomarkers (brain and blood). For morphological biomarkers, damage by AgNS (PVP coated) in retina was found, including morphological changes in rods, cones, hemorrhage and epithelium rupture, and also deposition of AgNS (PVP coated) in retina and sclera. In the brain biomarkers, AgNS (PVP coated) did not disturb acetylcholinesterase activity. However, lowered migration of the DNA tail in the Comet Assay of blood and brain cells was observed for all doses of AgNS (PVP coated), for both acute and subchronic bioassays, and in a dose-dependent manner in acute exposure. Ag + also reduced the level of DNA damage only under subchronic conditions in the brain cells. In general, the results demonstrated that AgNS (PVP coated) do not cause similar effects in relation to Ag + . Moreover, the lowered level of DNA damage detected by Comet Assay suggests that AgNS (PVP coated) directly interacts with DNA of brain and blood cells, inducing DNA-DNA or DNA-protein crosslinks. Therefore, the AgNS (PVP coated) accumulating, particularly in the retina, can lead to a competitive disadvantage for fish, compromising their survival. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Effects of environmentally relevant sub-chronic atrazine concentrations on African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) survival, growth and male gonad development.

    PubMed

    Rimayi, Cornelius; Odusanya, David; Weiss, Jana M; de Boer, Jacob; Chimuka, Luke; Mbajiorgu, Felix

    2018-06-01

    Sub-chronic toxicity of environmentally relevant atrazine concentrations on exposed tadpoles and adult male African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) was evaluated in a quality controlled laboratory for 90 days. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of atrazine on the survival, growth and gonad development of African clawed frogs. After exposure of tadpoles to atrazine concentrations of 0 (control), 0.01, 200 and 500 μg L -1 in water, mortality rates of 0, 0, 3.3 and 70% respectively were recorded for the 90 day exposure period. Morphometry showed significantly reduced tadpole mass in the 500 μg L -1 atrazine exposed tadpoles (p < 0.05). Light microscopy on testes of adult frogs exposed to the same atrazine concentrations using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Van Gieson staining techniques revealed gonadal atrophy, disruption of germ cell lines, seminiferous tubule structure damage and formation of extensive connective tissue around seminiferous tubules of frogs exposed to 200 μg L -1 and 500 μg L -1 atrazine concentrations. Ultrastructural analysis of the cellular organelles using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed significant amounts of damaged mitochondria in testosterone producing Leydig cells as well as Sertoli cells. Biochemical analysis revealed reduced serum testosterone levels in adult frogs at all exposure levels as well as presence of six atrazine metabolites in frog serum and liver. The results indicate that atrazine concentrations greater than the calculated LC50 of 343.7 μg L -1 cause significant mortality in tadpoles, while concentrations ≥200 μg L -1 adversely affect reproductive health of adult frogs and development of tadpoles sub-chronically exposed to atrazine. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Identifying the Jaramillo Subchron in cave sediments using ESR

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pares, J. M.; Moreno, D.; Duval, M.

    2017-12-01

    The Jaramillo Subchron is represented by marine isotope stages 31 to 28, a period that embodies a fundamental shift in the Earth's climate known as the Early-Middle Pleistocene transition (EMPT). Also, this time interval is a critical period in human evolution and therefore identifying the Jaramillo provides an invaluable timeline. The correlation of magnetic chrons to the GPTS in sediments is typically hampered by the lack of a tie-point, as radiometric methods are rarely appropriate. In this study we combine Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) results from quartz grains, and paleomagnetism to identify the Jaramillo Subchron in cave sediments that include artifact-bearing layers. The ESR age estimate is basically derived from the determination of the equivalent dose, which is the laboratory estimate of the total dose absorbed by the sample since the ESR signal has been last reset to zero by sunlight exposure, and the dose rate, which is an estimation of the mean dose annually absorbed by the sample. The magnetostratigraphic study, based on more than 140 specimens over 20 meters-thick sedimentary sequence, results in three major reversals, which are interpreted from top to bottom as the Matuyama-Brunhes boundary and the Jaramillo Subchron. Both sediments and speleothems generally carry stable remanent magnetization directions mostly residing in magnetite, as supported by progressive alternating field (AF) demagnetization and rock magnetism. ESR dating on quartz grains from an 80 cm-thick stratigraphic layer that displays normal polarity gives an age of 0.84±0.12 Ma, consistent within the error with the current ages of the Jaramillo Subchron. Documenting the Jaramillo in fossiliferous sediments is important because it saw the EMPT and associated faunal turnover, as well as the expansion of hominins outside Africa. Also, this study highlights the potential of ESR dating on quartz grains from cave sediments to interpret magnetostratigraphic records.

  2. Mitochondria-rich cells adjustments and ionic balance in the Neotropical fish Prochilodus lineatus exposed to titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Carmo, Talita L L; Azevedo, Vinícius C; Siqueira, Priscila R; Galvão, Tiago D; Santos, Fabrício A; Martinez, Cláudia B R; Appoloni, Carlos R; Fernandes, Marisa N

    2018-07-01

    Manufactured titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 -NP) have been intensely applied in numerous industrial products and may be a risk for aquatic systems as they are not completely removed from domestic and industrial wastes after water treatment. This study evaluated the osmo- and ionic balance, Na + /K + -ATPase, H + -ATPase and carbonic anhydrase activities and the mitochondria-rich cells (MRC) in the gills and kidney of the Neotropical fish Prochilodus lineatus after 2 (acute) and 14 (subchronic) days of exposure to nominal 0, 1, 5, 10 and 50 mg L -1 TiO 2 -NP. The nominal concentrations corresponded to 0.0, 0.6, 1.6, 2.7 and 18.1 mg L -1 suspended TiO 2 -NP, respectively, in the water column one hour after NP introduction and were maintained for at least 24 h. Acute exposure to TiO 2 -NP decreased plasma osmolality and Ca 2+ levels. Na + /K + -ATPase, H + -ATPase and carbonic anhydrase activities were inhibited in the gills, but not in the kidney. Total MRC density did not change in gills and kidneys. At gill surface, total MRC density decreased in fish exposed to 50 mg L -1 TiO 2 -NP and the total MRC fractional surface area unchanged although, there were some changes in the fractional area of MRC with apical microvilli (MRCm) and MRC with apical sponge-like structure (MRCs). MRCm was more abundant than MRCs. After subchronic exposure, there was no change in plasma osmolality, ionic balance and enzyme activities. Total gill MRC density increased in the filament epithelium and renal tubules. In the gills, MRC contacting water exhibited some adjustments. Total MRC and fractional surface area unchanged, but there was an increase of MRCs contacting water at gill surface after exposure to10 and 50 mg L -1 TiO 2 -NP. MRC proliferation in filament epithelium and in renal tubules as well as the increasing MRCs at gill surface may have contributed to avoid change in plasma osmolality, ionic balance and enzyme activities and suggested a cellular physiological and morphological response to restore and maintain osmotic and ionic homeostasis after subchronic exposure. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. SUBCHRONIC SODIUM CHLORATE EXPOSURE IN DRINKING WATER RESULTS IN A CONCENTRATION-DEPENDENT INCREASE IN RAT THYROID FOLLICULAR CELL HYPERPLASIA

    EPA Science Inventory

    Chlorine dioxide (C102) is an effective water disinfectant but sodium chlorate (NaC103) has been identified as a potentially harmful disinfection by-product. Studies were performed to describe the development of thyroid lesions in animals exposed to NaC103 in drinking water. Mal...

  4. Genome wide analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression changes in the mouse lung following subchronic arsenate exposure

    EPA Science Inventory

    Alterations in DNA methylation have been proposed as a mechanism for the complex toxicological effects of arsenic. In this study, whole genome DNA methylation and gene expression changes were evaluated in lungs from female mice exposed for 90 days to 50 ppm arsenate (As) in drink...

  5. Assessing the Toxicity and Bioavailability of 2,4-Dinitroanisole in Acute and Sub-Chronic Exposures Using the Earthworm, Eisenia fetida

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-06-01

    different methods, 2nd method chosen for final study: ► Coelomocytes collected in 2 ml Guaiacol Glyceryl Ether ( GGE ) solution, centrifuged, decanted...worm to GGE t= 2mins collect coelomocyte solution 1 row per worm/treatment, obtain measurements through spectrophotometer NRRT analysis 1) 2) BUILDING

  6. Predicting pulmonary fibrosis in humans after exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs).

    PubMed

    Sharma, Monita; Nikota, Jake; Halappanavar, Sabina; Castranova, Vincent; Rothen-Rutishauser, Barbara; Clippinger, Amy J

    2016-07-01

    The increased production and use of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a diverse array of consumer, medical, and industrial applications have raised concerns about potential human exposure to these materials in the workplace and ambient environments. Inhalation is a primary route of exposure to MWCNTs, and the existing data indicate that they are potentially hazardous to human health. While a 90-day rodent inhalation test (e.g., OECD Test No. 413: subchronic inhalation toxicity: 90-day study or EPA Health Effects Test Guidelines OPPTS 870.3465 90-day inhalation toxicity) is recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics for MWCNTs (and other CNTs) if they are to be commercially produced (Godwin et al. in ACS Nano 9:3409-3417, 2015), this test is time and cost-intensive and subject to scientific and ethical concerns. As a result, there has been much interest in transitioning away from studies on animals and moving toward human-based in vitro and in silico models. However, given the multiple mechanisms of toxicity associated with subchronic exposure to inhaled MWCNTs, a battery of non-animal tests will likely be needed to evaluate the key endpoints assessed by the 90-day rodent study. Pulmonary fibrosis is an important adverse outcome related to inhalation exposure to MWCNTs and one that the non-animal approach should be able to assess. This review summarizes the state-of-the-science regarding in vivo and in vitro toxicological methods for predicting MWCNT-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

  7. Exposure to leachate from municipal battery recycling site: implication as key inhibitor of steroidogenic enzymes and risk factor of prostate damage in rats.

    PubMed

    Akintunde, Jacob K; Oboh, G

    2013-01-01

    Few or no studies have measured the effect of short- and long-term exposure to industrial leachate. Mature male Wistar strain albino rats (175-220 g) underwent sub-chronic exposure to leachate from the Elewi Odo municipal battery recycling site (EOMABRL) via oral administration for a period of 60 days at different doses (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%) per kilogram of body weight to evaluate the toxic effects of the leachate on male reproductive function using steroidogenic enzymes and biomarkers of prostate damage. Control groups were treated equally but were given distilled water instead of the leachate. After the treatment periods, results showed that the treatment induced systemic toxicity at the doses tested by causing a significant (p<0.05) loss in absolute body weight and decline in growth rate. There was a marked significant decrease (p<0.05) in testicular activities of Δ(5)-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Conversely, the activity of prostatic acid phosphatase, a key marker enzyme for prostrate damage was significantly (p<0.05) elevated in the treated rats. Similarly, the administration of EOMABRL significantly (p<0.05) exacerbated the activity of total acid phosphatase with concomitant increase in the activity of prostatic alkaline phosphatase. These findings conclude that exposure to leachate from a battery recycling site induces sub-chronic testicular toxicity by inhibiting key steroidogenic enzymes and activating key markers linked with prostate damage/cancer in rats.

  8. Age-related differences in pulmonary effects of acute and ...

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Ozone (O3) is known to induce adverse pulmonary and systemic health effects. Importantly, children and older persons are considered at-risk populations for O3-induced dysfunction, yet the mechanisms accounting for the age-related pulmonary responses to O3 are uncertain. In this study, we examined age-related susceptibility to O3 using 1 mo (adolescent), 4 mo (young adult), 12 mo (adult) and 24 mo (senescent) male Brown Norway rats exposed to filtered air or O3 (0.25and 1.00 ppm), 6 h/day, two days/week for 1 week (acute) or 13 weeks (subchronic). Ventilatory function, assessed by whole-body plethysmography, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) biomarkers of injury and inflammation were used to examine O3-induced pulmonary effects.Relaxation time declined in all ages following the weekly exposures; however, this effect persisted only in the 24 mo rats following a five days recovery, demonstrating an inability to induce adaptation commonly seen with repeated O3 exposures. PenH was increased in all groups with an augmented response in the 4 mo rats following the subchronic O3 exposures. O3 led to increased breathing frequency and minute volume in the 1 and 4 mo animals. Markers ofpulmonary permeability were increased in all age groups. Elevations in BALF γ-glutamyl transferase activity and lung inflammation following an acute O3 exposure were noted in only the 1 and 4 mo rats, which likely received an increased effective O3 dose. These data demonstrate that ado

  9. Subchronic treatment with phencyclidine in adolescence leads to impaired exploratory behavior in adult rats without altering social interaction or N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor binding levels.

    PubMed

    Metaxas, A; Willems, R; Kooijman, E J M; Renjaän, V A; Klein, P J; Windhorst, A D; Donck, L Ver; Leysen, J E; Berckel, B N M van

    2014-11-01

    Although both the onset of schizophrenia and human phencyclidine (PCP) abuse typically present within the interval from adolescence to early adulthood, the majority of preclinical research employing the PCP model of schizophrenia has been conducted on neonatal or adult animals. The present study was designed to evaluate the behavioral and neurochemical sequelae of subchronic exposure to PCP in adolescence. Male 35-42-day-old Sprague Dawley rats were subcutaneously administered either saline (10 ml · kg(-1) ) or PCP hydrochloride (10 mg · kg(-1) ) once daily for a period of 14 days (n = 6/group). The animals were allowed to withdraw from treatment for 2 weeks, and their social and exploratory behaviors were subsequently assessed in adulthood by using the social interaction test. To examine the effects of adolescent PCP administration on the regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), quantitative autoradiography was performed on brain sections of adult, control and PCP-withdrawn rats by using 20 nM (3) H-MK-801. Prior subchronic exposure to PCP in adolescence had no enduring effects on the reciprocal contact and noncontact social behavior of adult rats. Spontaneous rearing in response to the novel testing arena and time spent investigating its walls and floor were reduced in PCP-withdrawn animals compared with control. The long-term behavioral effects of PCP occurred in the absence of persistent deficits in spontaneous locomotion or self-grooming activity and were not mediated by altered NMDAR density. Our results document differential effects of adolescent PCP administration on the social and exploratory behaviors of adult rats, suggesting that distinct neurobiological mechanisms are involved in mediating these behaviors. Copyright © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  10. Repetitive Dosing of Fumed Silica Leads to Profibrogenic Effects through Unique Structure–Activity Relationships and Biopersistence in the Lung

    DOE PAGES

    Sun, Bingbing; Wang, Xiang; Liao, Yu-Pei; ...

    2016-08-02

    Contrary to the notion that the use of fumed silica in consumer products can “generally (be) regarded as safe” (GRAS), the high surface reactivity of pyrogenic silica differs from other forms of synthetic amorphous silica (SAS), including the capacity to induce membrane damage and acute proinflammatory changes in the murine lung. Additionally, the chain-like structure and reactive surface silanols also allow fumed silica to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to IL-1β production. This pathway is known to be associated with subchronic inflammation and profibrogenic effects in the lung by α-quartz and carbon nanotubes. Different from the latter materials, bolus dosemore » instillation of 21 mg/kg fumed silica did not induce sustained IL-1β production or subchronic pulmonary effects. In contrast, the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway was continuously activated by repetitive-dose administration of 3 × 7 mg/kg fumed silica, 1 week apart. We also found that while single-dose exposure failed to induce profibrotic effects in the lung, repetitive dosing can trigger increased collagen production, even at 3 × 3 mg/kg. The change between bolus and repetitive dosing was due to a change in lung clearance, with recurrent dosing leading to fumed silica biopersistence, sustained macrophage recruitment, and activation of the NLRP3 pathway. These subchronic proinflammatory effects disappeared when less surface-reactive titanium-doped fumed silica was used for recurrent administration. Finally, these data indicate that while fumed silica may be regarded as safe for some applications, we should reconsider the GRAS label during repetitive or chronic inhalation exposure conditions.« less

  11. Assessing the fate and effects of nano aluminum oxide in the terrestrial earthworm, Eisenia fetida.

    PubMed

    Coleman, Jessica G; Johnson, David R; Stanley, Jacob K; Bednar, Anthony J; Weiss, Charles A; Boyd, Robert E; Steevens, Jeffery A

    2010-07-01

    Nano-sized aluminum is currently being used by the military and commercial industries in many applications including coatings, thermites, and propellants. Due to the potential for wide dispersal in soil systems, we chose to investigate the fate and effects of nano-sized aluminum oxide (Al2O3), the oxidized form of nano aluminum, in a terrestrial organism. The toxicity and bioaccumulation potential of micron-sized (50-200 microm, nominal) and nano-sized (11 nm, nominal) Al2O3 was comparatively assessed through acute and subchronic bioassays using the terrestrial earthworm, Eisenia fetida. Subchronic (28-d) studies were performed exposing E. fetida to nano- and micron-sized Al2O3-spiked soils to assess the effects of long-term exposure. No mortality occurred in subchronic exposures, although reproduction decreased at >or=3,000 mg/kg nano-sized Al2O3 treatments, with higher aluminum body burdens observed at 100 and 300 mg/kg; no reproductive effects were observed in the micron-sized Al2O3 treatments. In addition to toxicity and bioaccumulation bioassays, an acute (48-h) behavioral bioassay was conducted utilizing a soil avoidance wheel in which E. fetida were given a choice of habitat between control, nano-, or micron-sized Al2O3 amended soils. In the soil avoidance bioassays, E. fetida exhibited avoidance behavior toward the highest concentrations of micron- and nano-sized Al2O3 (>5,000 mg/kg) relative to control soils. Results of the present study indicate that nano-sized Al2O3 may impact reproduction and behavior of E. fetida, although at high levels unlikely to be found in the environment. Copyright (c) 2010 SETAC.

  12. Health effects of subchronic exposure to environmental levels of diesel exhaust.

    PubMed

    Reed, M D; Gigliotti, A P; McDonald, J D; Seagrave, J C; Seilkop, S K; Mauderly, J L

    2004-04-01

    Diesel exhaust is a public health concern and contributor to both ambient and occupational air pollution. As part of a general health assessment of multiple anthropogenic source emissions conducted by the National Environmental Respiratory Center (NERC), a series of health assays was conducted on rats and mice exposed to environmentally relevant levels of diesel exhaust. This article summarizes the study design and exposures, and reports findings on several general indicators of toxicity and carcinogenic potential. Diesel exhaust was generated from a commonly used 2000 model 5.9-L, 6-cylinder turbo diesel engine operated on a variable-load heavy-duty test cycle burning national average certification fuel. Animals were exposed to clean air (control) or four dilutions of whole emissions based on particulate matter concentration (30, 100, 300, and 1000 microg/m(3)). Male and female F344 rats and A/J mice were exposed by whole-body inhalation 6 h/day, 7 days/wk, for either 1 wk or 6 mo. Exposures were characterized in detail. Effects of exposure on clinical observations, body and organ weights, serum chemistry, hematology, histopathology, bronchoalveolar lavage, and serum clotting factors were mild. Significant exposure-related effects occurring in both male and female rats included decreases in serum cholesterol and clotting Factor VII and slight increases in serum gamma-glutamyl transferase. Several other responses met screening criteria for significant exposure effects but were not consistent between genders or exposure times and were not corroborated by related parameters. Carcinogenic potential as determined by micronucleated reticulocyte counts and proliferation of adenomas in A/J mice were unaffected by 6 mo of exposure. Parallel studies demonstrated effects on cardiac function and resistance to viral infection; however, the results reported here show few and only modest health hazards from subchronic or shorter exposures to realistic concentrations of contemporary diesel emissions.

  13. Subchronic toxicity study in vivo and allergenicity study in vitro for genetically modified rice that expresses pharmaceutical protein (human serum albumin).

    PubMed

    Sheng, Yao; Qi, Xiaozhe; Liu, Yifei; Guo, Mingzhang; Chen, Siyuan; He, Xiaoyun; Huang, Kunlun; Xu, Wentao

    2014-10-01

    Genetically modified (GM) crops that express pharmaceutical proteins have become an important focus of recent genetic engineering research. Food safety assessment is necessary for the commercial development of these crops. Subchronic toxicity study in vivo and allergenicity study in vitro were designed to evaluate the food safety of the rice variety expressing human serum albumin (HSA). Animals were fed rodent diets containing 12.5%, 25.0% and 50.0% GM or non-GM rice for 90 days. The composition analysis of the GM rice demonstrated several significant differences. However, most of the differences remained within the ranges reported in the literature. In the animal study, a range of indexes including clinical observation, feed efficiency, hematology, serum chemistry, organ weights and histopathology were examined. Random changes unrelated to the GM rice exposure, within the range of historical control values and not associated with any signs of illness were observed. The results of heat stability and in vitro digestion of HSA indicated no evidence of potential allergenicity of the protein. Overall, the results of these studies suggest that the GM rice appears to be safe as a dietary ingredient when it is used at up to 50% in the diet on a subchronic basis. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. An 'injury-time integral' model for extrapolating from acute to chronic effects of phosgene.

    PubMed

    Hatch, G; Kodavanti, U; Crissman, K; Slade, R; Costa, D

    2001-06-01

    The present study compares acute and subchronic episodic exposures to phosgene to test the applicability of the 'concentrationxtime' (CxT) product as a measure of exposure dose, and to relate acute toxicity and adaptive responses to chronic toxicity. Rats (male Fischer 344) were exposed (six hours/day) to air or 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 ppm of phosgene one time or on a repeated regimen for up to 12 weeks as follows: 0.1 ppm (five days/week), 0.2 ppm (five days/week), 0.5 ppm (two days/week), or 1.0 ppm (one day/week) (note that the CxT for the three highest exposures was the same). Animals were sacrificed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks during the exposure and after four weeks recovery. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed 18 hours after the last exposure for each time period and the BAL supernatant assayed for protein. Elevated BAL fluid protein was defined as 'acute injury', diminished response after repeated exposure was defined as 'adaptation', and increased lung hydroxyproline or trichrome staining for collagen was defined as 'chronic injury'. Results indicated that exposures that cause maximal chronic injury involve high exposure concentrations and longer times between exposures, not high CxT products. A conceptual model is presented that explains the lack of CxT correlation by the fact that adaptation reduces an 'injury-time integral' as phosgene exposure is lengthened from acute to subchronic. At high exposure concentrations, the adaptive response appears to be overwhelmed, causing a continued injury-time integral, which appears to be related to appearance of chronic injury. The adaptive response is predicted to disappear if the time between exposures is lengthened, leading to a continued high injury-time integral and chronic injury. It has generally been assumed that long, continuous exposures of rodents is a conservative approach for detecting possible chronic effects. The present study suggests that such an approach my not be conservative, but might actually mask effects that could occur under intermittent exposure conditions.

  15. Hypertension, Cardiac Hypertrophy, and Impaired Vascular Relaxation Induced by 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin are Associated with Increased Superoxide

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The mechanisms by which 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) increases the incidence of human cardiovascular disease are not known. We investigated the degree to which cardiovascular disease develops in mice following subchronic TCDD exposure. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were dosed with vehicle o...

  16. Impact of aflatoxin B1 on the pharmacokinetic disposition of enrofloxacin in broiler chickens.

    PubMed

    Kalpana, Starling; Srinivasa Rao, G; Malik, Jitendra K

    2015-09-01

    The potential impact of subchronic exposure of aflatoxin B1 was investigated on the pharmacokinetic disposition of enrofloxacin in broiler chickens. Broiler chickens given either normal or aflatoxin B1 (750μg/kg diet) supplemented diet for 6 weeks received a single oral dose of enrofloxacin (10mg/kg body wt). Blood samples were drawn from the brachial vein at predetermined time intervals after drug administration. Enrofloxacin plasma concentrations analyzed by RP-HPLC were significantly lower in aflatoxin B1-exposed broiler chickens at 0.167, 0.5 and 1.0h after drug administration. In aflatoxin B1-exposed broiler chickens, the absorption rate constant (ka) of enrofloxacin (0.20±0.05h(-1)) was significantly decreased as compared to the unexposed birds (0.98±0.31h(-1)). The values of [Formula: see text] , tmax and AUC0-∞ of enrofloxacin were nonsignificantly increased by 17%, 26% and 17% in aflatoxin-exposed broiler chickens, respectively. Subchronic aflatoxin B1 exposure markedly decreased the initial absorption of enrofloxacin without significantly influencing other pharmacokinetic parameters in broiler chickens. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Subchronic effects of valproic acid on gene expression profiles for lipid metabolism in mouse liver

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lee, Min-Ho; Kim, Mingoo; Lee, Byung-Hoon

    2008-02-01

    Valproic acid (VPA) is used clinically to treat epilepsy, however it induces hepatotoxicity such as microvesicular steatosis. Acute hepatotoxicity of VPA has been well documented by biochemical studies and microarray analysis, but little is known about the chronic effects of VPA in the liver. In the present investigation, we profiled gene expression patterns in the mouse liver after subchronic treatment with VPA. VPA was administered orally at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day or 500 mg/kg/day to ICR mice, and the livers were obtained after 1, 2, or 4 weeks. The activities of serum liver enzymes did not change, whereas triglyceridemore » concentration increased significantly. Microarray analysis revealed that 1325 genes of a set of 32,996 individual genes were VPA responsive when examined by two-way ANOVA (P < 0.05) and fold change (> 1.5). Consistent with our previous results obtained using an acute VPA exposure model (Lee et al., Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 220:45-59, 2007), the most significantly over-represented biological terms for these genes included lipid, fatty acid, and steroid metabolism. Biological pathway analysis suggests that the genes responsible for increased biosynthesis of cholesterol and triglyceride, and for decreased fatty acid {beta}-oxidation contribute to the abnormalities in lipid metabolism induced by subchronic VPA treatment. A comparison of the VPA-responsive genes in the acute and subchronic models extracted 15 commonly altered genes, such as Cyp4a14 and Adpn, which may have predictive power to distinguish the mode of action of hepatotoxicants. Our data provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of VPA-induced hepatotoxicity and useful information to predict steatogenic hepatotoxicity.« less

  18. Bioaccumulation and locomotor effects of manganese phosphate/sulfate mixture in Sprague-Dawley rats following subchronic (90 days) inhalation exposure.

    PubMed

    Salehi, Fariba; Krewski, Daniel; Mergler, Donna; Normandin, Louise; Kennedy, Greg; Philippe, Suzanne; Zayed, Joseph

    2003-09-15

    Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) is an organic manganese (Mn) compound added to unleaded gasoline in Canada. The primary combustion products of MMT are Mn phosphate, Mn sulfate, and a Mn phosphate/Mn sulfate mixture. Concerns have been raised that the combustion products of MMT containing Mn could be neurotoxic, even at low levels of exposure. The objective of this study is to investigate exposure-response relationships for bioaccumulation and locomotor effects following subchronic inhalation exposure to a mixture of manganese phosphates/sulfate mixture. A control group and three groups of 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed in inhalation chambers for a period of 13 weeks, 5 days per week, 6 h a day. Exposure concentrations were 3000, 300, and 30 microg/m(3). At the end of the exposure period, locomotor activity and resting time tests were conducted for 36 h using a computerized autotrack system. Rats were then euthanized by exsanguination and Mn concentrations in different tissues (liver, lung, testis, and kidney) and blood and brain (caudate putamen, globus pallidus, olfactory bulb, frontal cortex, and cerebellum) were determined by neutron activation analysis. Increased manganese concentrations were observed in blood, kidney, lung, testis, and in all brain sections in the highest exposure group. Mn in the lung and in the olfactory bulb were dose dependent. Our data indicate that the olfactory bulb accumulated more Mn than other brain regions following inhalation exposure. Locomotor activity was increased at 3000 microg/m(3), but no difference was observed in resting time among the exposed groups. At the end of the experiment, rats exposed to 300 and 3000 microg/m(3) exhibited significantly decreased body weight in comparison with the control group. Biochemical profiles also revealed some significant differences in certain parameters, specifically alkaline phospatase, urea, and chlorate.

  19. Effects of inhalation exposure to SRC-II heavy and middle distillates

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Springer, D.L.; Miller, R.A.; Weimer, W.C.

    1984-11-01

    To expand the data base on potential health effects of coal liquefaction materials, we have performed studies with both solvent refined coal (SRC)-II heavy distillate (HD) and middle distillate (MD). Weight gain for exposed animals was less than that of controls and was dose-related, ranging from no significant difference for animals in the low-exposure group to failure to gain in the high-dose animals. Liver weights increased significantly over controls, and thymus weights decreased for animals sacrificed at 5 and 13 weeks. After both exposure periods, there were significant treatment-related decreases in erythrocyte parameters and in certain types of white bloodmore » cells (WBC). Bone marrow cellularity, and numbers of megakaryocytes consistently decreased, suggesting that bone marrow is a target tissue for high-boiling coal liquids. Microscopic evaluation of tissue indicated exposure-related changes is listed. In contrast to the reported mutagenic and carcinogenic effects observed for the high-boiling coal liquids, middle-boiling-range materials lacked such activity in these assays. These data demonstrate a great deal of similarity in the kinds of effects observed following exposure to middle- and high-boiling-range coal liquids. However, the significance of changes in organ weights and peripheral blood parameters are not always readily apparent following a subchronic study. Because of this, we exposed animals to HD in a manner similar to that for the subchronic experiment and have followed these animals throughout their lives for the development of adverse effects such as reduced longevity and the appearance of tumors. Results from this study will be available for mice in FY 1985 and for rats in FY 1986.« less

  20. Subchronic 13-week inhalation exposure of rats to multiwalled carbon nanotubes: toxic effects are determined by density of agglomerate structures, not fibrillar structures.

    PubMed

    Pauluhn, Jürgen

    2010-01-01

    Wistar rats were nose-only exposed to multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT, Baytubes) in a subchronic 13-week inhalation study. The focus of study was on respiratory tract and systemic toxicity, including analysis of MWCNT biokinetics in the lungs and lung-associated lymph nodes (LALNs). The time course and concentration dependence of pulmonary effects were examined by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and histopathology up to 6 months postexposure. Particular emphasis was directed to the comparative characterization of MWCNT structures prior to and after micronization and dry powder dispersion into inhalation chambers. These determinations were complemented by additional analyses in digested BAL cells. Animals were exposed on 6 h/day, 5 days per week for 13 consecutive weeks to 0, 0.1, 0.4, 1.5, and 6 mg/m(3). The subchronic exposure to respirable solid aerosols of MWCNT was tolerated without effects suggestive of systemic toxicity. Kinetic analyses demonstrated a markedly delayed clearance of MWCNT from lungs at overload conditions. Translocation into LALNs occurred at 1.5 and 6 mg/m(3) and required at least 13 weeks of study to become detectable. At these exposure levels, the lung and LALN weights were significantly increased. Sustained elevations in BAL polymorphonuclear neutrophils and soluble collagen occurred at these concentrations with borderline effects at 0.4 mg/m(3). Histopathology revealed principal exposure-related lesions at 0.4 mg/m(3) and above in the upper respiratory tract (goblet cell hyper- and/or metaplasia, eosinophilic globules, and focal turbinate remodeling) and the lower respiratory tract (inflammatory changes in the bronchioloalveolar region and increased interstitial collagen staining). Granulomatous changes and a time-dependent increase of a bronchioloalveolar hyperplasia occurred at 6 mg/m(3). All end points examined were unremarkable at 0.1 mg/m(3) (no-observed-adverse-effect-level). In summary, this study demonstrates that the induced pathological changes are consistent with overload-related phenomena. Hence, the etiopathological sequence of inflammatory events caused by this type of MWCNT appears to be related to the high displacement volume of the low-density MWCNT assemblage structure rather than to any yet ill-defined intrinsic toxic property. Thus, the hypothesis of study is verified, namely, common denominators between carbon black and MWCNT do exist.

  1. Physiological stress and pathology in European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) induced by subchronic exposure to environmentally relevant densities of Planktothrix rubescens.

    PubMed

    Ernst, Bernhard; Hoeger, Stefan J; O'brien, Evelyn; Dietrich, Daniel R

    2007-04-20

    Planktothrix rubescens belongs to the most ubiquitous cyanobacterial species in mesotrophic and oligotrophic lakes in the pre-alpine regions. In most of these lakes, coregonids are among the dominant species of the ichthyofauna with great importance for the professional fishery. A possible link between the occurrence of toxic Planktothrix blooms and the recurrent slumps in coregonid yields has been suggested. Indeed, acute toxic effects of microcystins and other cyanobacterial toxins have been shown for various fish species. However, chronic exposure scenarios appear to be more common and thus more environmentally realistic than acute intoxications. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the physiological stress response and organ pathology in coregonids sub-chronically exposed to ambient water containing low, medium and high P. rubescens densities, known to be typical of pre-alpine lakes. Coregonid hatchlings were exposed in four tanks containing 0 (sham-control) and approximately 1500 (low), 15,000 (medium) and 55,000 (high) P. rubescens cells/ml for up to 28 days. Temperature, oxygen concentration, pH-value, P. rubescens cell density and microcystin concentration were recorded and the fish were observed for behavioural changes and examined for parasite infestations. Gill ventilation rates, general condition factors and mortalities were determined and liver, kidney, gut and gill were assessed histopathologically and immunhistologically. Depending on the cell density, exposed fish showed behavioural changes, including increased ventilation rates possibly representing a physiological stress response. Susceptibility to ectoparasitic infestation and increased mortality in exposed fish suggested P. rubescens associated effects on fish fitness. Histopathological alterations in liver, gastrointestinal tract and kidney, which were also immunopositive for microcystin suggested causality of tissue damage and the presence of microcystins. In contrast, observed gill pathology appeared to result primarily from mechanical abrasion and irritation due to ectoparasitic infestation. The current exposure experiment confirmed the hypothesis that subchronic and chronic exposure to low cyanobacterial cell densities and hence microcystins can exacerbate physiological stress and sustained pathological alterations in exposed coregonids. The study therefore supports the theory that P. rubescens blooms may be causal to the observed weight reduction and hence fitness of coregonids in pre-alpine lakes such as Lake Ammersee (Germany).

  2. Subchronic toxicity of Nile tilapia with different exposure routes to Microcystis aeruginosa: Histopathology, liver functions, and oxidative stress biomarkers.

    PubMed

    Abdel-Latif, H M R; Khashaba, A M Abou

    2017-08-01

    Toxic cyanobacterial blooms ( Microcystis aeruginosa contains microcystins [MCs]) have been reported to induce clinicopathological alterations as well as different oxidative stress in aquatic biota. Three-week subchronic exposure experiment was carried out on Nile tilapia, to determine their effects on fish behavior, tissues, liver functions, antioxidant enzymes, and lipid peroxidation. Fish were exposed to four main treatments; orally fed diet plus toxic cells of M. aeruginosa (containing 3500 µg/g MC-LR), immersion in 500 µg MC-LR/L, intraperitoneal injection of M. aeruginosa MC-LR with a dose of 0.1 ml of extracted toxin at a dose of 200 μg/kg bwt, and the fourth one served as a control group, then the fish were sacrificed at the end of 3 rd week of exposure. The results revealed no recorded mortality with obvious behavioral changes and an enlarged liver with the congested gall bladder. Histopathology demonstrated fragmentation, hyalinization, and necrosis of the subcutaneous musculature marked fatty degeneration, and vacuolation of hepatopancreatic cells with adhesion of the secondary gill lamellae associated with severe leukocytic infiltration. Furthermore, liver functions enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, lipid peroxidase, and catalase enzymes) were significantly increased in all treatments starting from the 2 nd week as compared to the control levels. In this context, the study addresses the possible toxicological impacts of toxic M. aeruginosa contain MC-LR to Nile tilapia, and the results investigated that MC-LR is toxic to Nile tilapia in different routes of exposure as well as different doses.

  3. Long-term exposure to nicotine markedly reduces kynurenic acid in rat brain - In vitro and ex vivo evidence

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zielinska, Elzbieta; Kuc, Damian; Zgrajka, Wojciech

    Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is a recognized broad-spectrum antagonist of excitatory amino acid receptors with a particularly high affinity for the glycine co-agonist site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor complex. KYNA is also a putative endogenous neuroprotectant. Recent studies show that KYNA strongly blocks {alpha}7 subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The present studies were aimed at assessing effects of acute and chronic nicotine exposure on KYNA production in rat brain slices in vitro and ex vivo. In brain slices, nicotine significantly increased KYNA formation at 10 mM but not at 1 or 5 mM. Different nAChR antagonists (dihydro-{beta}-erythroidine, methyllycaconitine andmore » mecamylamine) failed to block the influence exerted by nicotine on KYNA synthesis in cortical slices in vitro. Effects of acute (1 mg/kg, i.p.), subchronic (10-day) and chronic (30-day) administration of nicotine in drinking water (100 {mu}g/ml) on KYNA brain content were evaluated ex vivo. Acute treatment with nicotine (1 mg/kg i.p.) did not affect KYNA level in rat brain. The subchronic exposure to nicotine in drinking water significantly increased KYNA by 43%, while chronic exposure to nicotine resulted in a reduction in KYNA by 47%. Co-administration of mecamylamine with nicotine in drinking water for 30 days reversed the effect exerted by nicotine on KYNA concentration in the cerebral cortex. The present results provide evidence for the hypothesis of reciprocal interaction between the nicotinic cholinergic system and the kynurenine pathway in the brain.« less

  4. Pleural dosimetry and pathobiological responses in rats and hamsters exposed subchronically to MMVF 10a fiberglass.

    PubMed

    Bermudez, Edilberto; Mangum, James B; Moss, Owen R; Wong, Brian A; Everitt, Jeffrey I

    2003-07-01

    Interspecies differences in pulmonary and pleural responses to the inhalation of natural mineral and synthetic vitreous fibers have been observed in chronic and subchronic studies. However, the reasons for these differences are not clearly understood. There are also fiber-specific differences in the outcome of chronic inhalation exposure to natural mineral and synthetic vitreous fibers. Whether these differences are dependent upon the ability of these fibers to translocate to the pleural space is unknown. The present study was conducted to compare retained fiber burdens and selected pathological responses in the pleural compartments of rats and hamsters following subchronic inhalation of MMVF 10a fiberglass, a fiber negative for tumorigenesis or fibrosis in chronic studies. Fischer 344 rats and Syrian golden hamsters were exposed for 4 or 12 weeks by nose-only inhalation at nominal aerosol mass concentrations of 45 mg/m3 (610 WHO fibers/cc). Pulmonary fiber burdens and pulmonary inflammatory responses were greater in rats than in hamsters. The total number of fibers in the lung was approximately three orders of magnitude greater than in the pleural compartment. Pleural burdens in the hamster (160 fibers/cm2 surface area) were significantly greater than burdens in similarly exposed rats (60 fibers/cm2 surface area) following 12 weeks of exposure. With time postexposure, pleural burdens decreased in hamsters but were essentially unchanged in rats. Pleural inflammatory responses in both species were minimal. In rats, pleural inflammation was characterized by increased numbers of macrophages and increases in mesothelial cell replication during the period of fiber exposure. In contrast, hamsters had increased numbers of macrophages and lymphocytes, and mesothelial-cell replication indices were elevated on the parietal pleura of the costal wall and diaphragm, with some of these responses persisting through 12 weeks of postexposure recovery. Taken together, the results suggest that differences among rodent species in pleural responses to inhaled fibers are due to a delivered dose of fibers and to the biological responses to the presence of the fibers.

  5. Subchronic JP-8 jet fuel exposure enhances vulnerability to noise-induced hearing loss in rats.

    PubMed

    Fechter, L D; Fisher, J W; Chapman, G D; Mokashi, V P; Ortiz, P A; Reboulet, J E; Stubbs, J E; Lear, A M; McInturf, S M; Prues, S L; Gearhart, C A; Fulton, S; Mattie, D R

    2012-01-01

    Both laboratory and epidemiological studies published over the past two decades have identified the risk of excess hearing loss when specific chemical contaminants are present along with noise. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potency of JP-8 jet fuel to enhance noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) using inhalation exposure to fuel and simultaneous exposure to either continuous or intermittent noise exposure over a 4-wk exposure period using both male and female Fischer 344 rats. In the initial study, male (n = 5) and female (n = 5) rats received inhalation exposure to JP-8 fuel for 6 h/d, 5 d/wk for 4 wk at concentrations of 200, 750, or 1500 mg/m³. Parallel groups of rats also received nondamaging noise (constant octave band noise at 85 dB(lin)) in combination with the fuel, noise alone (75, 85, or 95 dB), or no exposure to fuel or noise. Significant concentration-related impairment of auditory function measured by distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and compound action potential (CAP) threshold was seen in rats exposed to combined JP-8 plus noise exposure when JP-8 levels of 1500 mg/m³ were presented with trends toward impairment seen with 750 mg/m³ JP-8 + noise. JP-8 alone exerted no significant effect on auditory function. In addition, noise was able to disrupt the DPOAE and increase auditory thresholds only when noise exposure was at 95 dB. In a subsequent study, male (n = 5 per group) and female (n = 5 per group) rats received 1000 mg/m³ JP-8 for 6 h/d, 5 d/wk for 4 wk with and without exposure to 102 dB octave band noise that was present for 15 min out of each hour (total noise duration 90 min). Comparisons were made to rats receiving only noise, and thosereceiving no experimental treatment. Significant impairment of auditory thresholds especially for high-frequency tones was identified in the male rats receiving combined treatment. This study provides a basis for estimating excessive hearing loss under conditions of subchronic JP-8 jet fuel exposure.

  6. Subchronic intermittent caffeine administration to unilaterally 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats sensitizes turning behaviour in response to dopamine D(1) but not D(2) receptor agonists.

    PubMed

    Cauli, Omar; Pinna, Annalisa; Morelli, Micaela

    2005-12-01

    The effects of caffeine, an antagonist of adenosine A(1) and A(2A) receptors, are significantly influenced by modifications in dopamine transmission. Administration of caffeine to unilaterally 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats induces ipsilateral turning behaviour in rats never exposed to a dopamine receptor agonist, whereas contralateral turning is elicited if rats are repeatedly primed with a dopamine receptor agonist. In this study, rats unilaterally lesioned with 6-hydroxydopamine and subchronically treated with an intermittent administration of caffeine (15 mg/kg) or vehicle, were administered, 3 days after discontinuations of the treatment, with the dopamine D(1) receptor agonist 1-phenyl 1,2,3,4,5-tetrahydro(1H)-3-benzazepine-7,8-diolhydrochloride (SKF 38393), the D(2)/D(3) receptor agonist quinpirole, the D(2) receptor agonist R(-)-propylnorapomorphine or the dopamine precursor L-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-alanine. Administration of SKF 38393 (1.5 mg/kg) or L-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-alanine (6 mg/kg), but not quinpirole (0.15 mg/kg) or R(-)-propylnorapomorphine (0.01 mg/kg), induced a significantly higher contralateral turning behaviour in rats subchronically treated with caffeine than in vehicle-pretreated rats. The results show that repeated intermittent caffeine exposure enhances the motor stimulant effects elicited by dopamine agonists by a preferential sensitization of dopamine D(1) receptors.

  7. Behavioral, endocrine, and neuronal alterations in zebrafish (Danio rerio) following sub-chronic coadministration of fluoxetine and ketamine.

    PubMed

    Pittman, Julian; Hylton, Andrew

    2015-12-01

    Most existing pharmacological treatments have focused on the "monoamine hypothesis" for targeted drug design for major depressive disorder (MDD). Many of these medications have a delayed onset-of-action and limited efficacy. Antidepressants with principal targets outside the monoamine system may offer the potential for more rapid activity with improved therapeutic benefit. Growing evidence suggests that the glutamatergic system is uniquely central to the neurobiology and treatment of MDD. Ketamine (Ketalar®) is a non-competitive glutamatergic antagonist classically used to induce sedation. However, preliminary clinical evidence has been promising with regard to its rapidly acting antidepressant profile. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have emerged as a promising new animal model to screen the effects of numerous psychotropic compounds. This study aimed to determine if a sub-chronic low (sub-anesthetic) dose of ketamine could be used to augment the antidepressant effects of the widely used antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac®) in adult zebrafish, employing an ethanol withdrawal model. Sub-chronic exposure to dosages of 100μg/L fluoxetine and 20mg/L of ketamine reduced anxiety/depression-like behaviors, leads to upregulation of serotonin synthesis and elevated whole-body cortisol levels. These results demonstrate the utility of zebrafish as a model for neuropharmacological research, and the possible efficacy of fluoxetine and ketamine coadministration. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Custom microarray construction and analysis for determining potential biomarkers of subchronic androgen exposure in the Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki)

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Brockmeier, Erica K.; Yu, Fahong; Amador, David Moraga; Bargar, Timothy A.; Denslow, Nancy D.

    2013-01-01

    Coupling microarray data with phenotypic changes driven by androgen exposure in mosquitofish is key for developing this organism into a bioindicator for EDCs. Future studies using this array will enhance knowledge of the biology and toxicological response of this species. This work provides a foundation of molecular knowledge and tools that can be used to delve further into understanding the biology of G. holbrooki and how this organism can be used as a bioindicator organism for endocrine disrupting pollutants in the environment.

  9. Modeling of gene expression pattern alteration by p,p′-DDE and dieldrin in largemouth bass

    PubMed Central

    Garcia-Reyero, Natàlia; Barber, David; Gross, Timothy; Denslow, Nancy

    2007-01-01

    In this study, largemouth bass (LMB) were subchronically exposed to p,p′-DDE or dieldrin in their diet to evaluate the effect of exposure on expression of genes involved in reproduction and steroid homeostasis. Using real-time PCR, we detected a different gene expression pattern for each OCP, suggesting that they each affect LMB in a different way. We also detected a different expression pattern among sexes, suggesting that sexes are affected differently by OCPs perhaps reflecting the different adaptive responses of each sex to dysregulation caused by OCP exposure. PMID:16707152

  10. Modeling of gene expression pattern alteration by p,p′-DDE and dieldrin in largemouth bass

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Garcia-Reyero, Natalia; Barber, David; Gross, Timothy; Denslow, Nancy

    2006-01-01

    In this study, largemouth bass (LMB) were subchronically exposed to p,p′-DDE or dieldrin in their diet to evaluate the effect of exposure on expression of genes involved in reproduction and steroid homeostasis. Using real-time PCR, we detected a different gene expression pattern for each OCP, suggesting that they each affect LMB in a different way. We also detected a different expression pattern among sexes, suggesting that sexes are affected differently by OCPs perhaps reflecting the different adaptive responses of each sex to dysregulation caused by OCP exposure.

  11. Effect of Low Level Subchronic Microwave Radiation on Rat Brain.

    PubMed

    Deshmukh, Pravin Suryakantrao; Megha, Kanu; Nasare, Namita; Banerjee, Basu Dev; Ahmed, Rafat Sultana; Abegaonkar, Mahesh Pandurang; Tripathi, Ashok Kumar; Mediratta, Pramod Kumari

    2016-12-01

    The present study was designed to investigate the effects of subchronic low level microwave radiation (MWR) on cognitive function, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) level and DNA damage in brain of Fischer rats. Experiments were performed on male Fischer rats exposed to microwave radiation for 90 days at three different frequencies: 900, 1800, and 2450 MHz. Animals were divided into 4 groups: Group I: Sham exposed, Group II: animals exposed to microwave radiation at 900 MHz and specific absorption rate (SAR) 5.953 × 10-4 W/kg, Group III: animals exposed to 1800 MHz at SAR 5.835 × 10-4 W/kg and Group IV: animals exposed to 2450 MHz at SAR 6.672 × 10-4 W/kg. All the animals were tested for cognitive function using elevated plus maze and Morris water maze at the end of the exposure period and subsequently sacrificed to collect brain tissues. HSP70 levels were estimated by ELISA and DNA damage was assessed using alkaline comet assay. Microwave exposure at 900-2450 MHz with SAR values as mentioned above lead to decline in cognitive function, increase in HSP70 level and DNA damage in brain. The results of the present study suggest that low level microwave exposure at frequencies 900, 1800, and 2450 MHz may lead to hazardous effects on brain. Copyright © 2016 The Editorial Board of Biomedical and Environmental Sciences. Published by China CDC. All rights reserved.

  12. Polyphenols isolated from virgin coconut oil attenuate cadmium-induced dyslipidemia and oxidative stress due to their antioxidant properties and potential benefits on cardiovascular risk ratios in rats.

    PubMed

    Famurewa, Ademola Clement; Ejezie, Fidelis Ebele

    2018-01-01

    Literature has confirmed the pathogenic role of cadmium (Cd) and its exposure in the induction of dyslipidemia implicated in the development and increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases. The current study explored whether polyphenolics isolated from virgin coconut oil (VCO) prevent Cd-induced dyslipidemia and investigate the underlying mechanism of action, in rats. Rats were pretreated with VCO polyphenols (10, 20 and 50 mg/kg body weight; orally) 2 weeks prior to concurrent Cd administration (5 mg/kg) for 5 weeks. Subsequently, serum concentrations of lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol and cardiovascular risk ratios were determined. Hepatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were analyzed. Sub-chronic Cd administration significantly increased the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol while markedly reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Hepatic activities of SOD and CAT as well as GSH content were suppressed by Cd, whereas MDA level was obviously increased. The co-administration of VCO polyphenol with Cd remarkably restored lipid profile and cardiovascular risk ratios and stabilized antioxidant defense systems comparable to control group. This is the first study presenting that polyphenols isolated from VCO prevent Cd-induced lipid abnormalities and cardiovascular risk ratios by improving antioxidant defense systems.

  13. THE USE OF THE ELEVATED PLUS MAZE IN THE TOXICOLOGY LABORAOTRY: PILOT STUDIES AND ASSESSMENT OF ANXIETY IN RATS EXPOSED TO LEAD ACETATE OR SUB-CHRONIC LEVELS OF TOLUENE.

    EPA Science Inventory

    A common complaint of individuals exposed to neurotoxic agents is increased anxiety.

    Rat models of the effects of long-term exposure to environmental chemicals on anxiety

    are lacking. The elevated plus-maze (EPM) is a widely used tool in the search for new

  14. One Hundred Eighty Day Subchronic Oral Toxicity Study of Pyridostigmine Bromide in Rats. Volume 1

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1990-06-01

    has proposed a treatment regimen incorporating prophylaxis with a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor and, following nerve agent exposure, antidotal...would accomplish two goals: the oxime would abate the inhibition induced by the reversible cholinesterase inhibitor prophylaxis, and the atropine will...cholinesterase inhibitor as the pretreatment component of a therapeutic regimen that would include antidotal therapy with 2-PAM chloride and atropine. A

  15. Propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME): inhalation toxicity and carcinogenicity in Fischer 344 rats and B6C3F1 mice.

    PubMed

    Spencer, Pamela J; Crissman, James W; Stott, William T; Corley, Richard A; Cieszlak, Frank S; Schumann, Alan M; Hardisty, Jerry F

    2002-01-01

    A series of inhalation studies with propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME) vapor were undertaken to characterize its subchronic toxicity in mice and chronic toxicity/oncogenicity in rats and mice. Groups of male and female Fischer 344 rats and B6C3F1 mice were exposed to 0, 300, 1,000, or 3,000 ppm vapor from 1 week to 2 years. Primary treatment-related effects included: initial sedation of animals exposed to 3,000 ppm and its subsequent resolution correlating with induction of hepatic mixed function oxidase activity and S-phase DNA synthesis; elevated mortality in high-exposure male rats and mice (chronic study); elevated deposition of alpha2u-globulin (alpha2U-G) and associated nephropathy and S-phase DNA synthesis in male rat kidneys; accelerated atrophy of the adrenal gland X-zone in female mice (subchronic study only); and increased occurrence and/or severity of eosinophilic foci of altered hepatocytes in male rats. No toxicologically relevant statistically significant increases in neoplasia occurred in either species. A numerical increase in the incidence of kidney adenomas occurred in intermediate-exposure male rats; however, the association with alpha2U-G nephropathy, a male rat specific effect, indicated a lack of relevance for human risk assessment.

  16. In vivo toxicity of the culturable marine cyanobacterium Geitlerinema pseudacutissimum CNP 1019 extract on male Swiss albino mice (Mus musculus).

    PubMed

    Maruthanayagam, Veerabadhran; Nagarajan, Manivel; Sundararaman, Muthuraman

    2014-01-01

    In this study, we investigated the in vivo toxicity of Geitlerinema pseudacutissimum CNP 1019 organic extract in a murine host. A single intraperitoneal injection of 1 g extract kg⁻¹ body weight (BW) did not exhibit mortality, whereas 3 g extract kg⁻¹ BW (approximate lethal dose) resulted in mortality within 5 days. To perform subchronic exposure toxicity analyses (i.e., daily exposure for a total of 14 days), a maximum concentration of ≤1 g extract kg⁻¹ BW was used. Subchronic toxicity studies in the treated mice, showed fluctuations of feed intake, loss of body weight, increase in specific activity of serum lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase and decrease in whole serum protein concentration. LDH isoenzyme expression was found, and levels of the various isoforms were decreased as a result of the treatment. Histopathology studies in liver, kidney, and spleen isolated from the treated mice showed the presence of necrotic debris, hemorrhage, and micronuclei revealing the toxicity of the extract. The dose-dependent alterations in biochemical parameters in conjunction with the histological lesions noted in the animals treated with the prepared extract illustrate the likely potential toxicity to mammals from any encounters with the studied cyanobacterium.

  17. A 90-day subchronic toxicity study of neem oil, a Azadirachta indica oil, in mice.

    PubMed

    Wang, C; Cao, M; Shi, D-X; Yin, Z-Q; Jia, R-Y; Wang, K-Y; Geng, Y; Wang, Y; Yao, X-P; Yang, Z-R; Zhao, J

    2013-09-01

    To determine the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of exposure and target organs of neem oil for establishing safety criteria for human exposure, the subchronic toxicity study with neem oil in mice was evaluated. The mice (10 per sex for each dose) was orally administered with neem oil with the doses of 0 (to serve as a control), 177, 533 and 1600 mg/kg/day for 90 days. After the treatment period, observation of reversibility or persistence of any toxic effects, mice were continuously fed without treatment for the following 30 days. During the two test periods, the serum biochemistry, organ weight and histopathology were examined. The results showed that the serum biochemistry and organ coefficient in experimental groups had no statistical difference compared with those of the control group. At the 90th day, the histopathological examinations showed that the 1600 mg/kg/day dose of neem oil had varying degrees of damage on each organ except heart, uterus and ovarian. After 30-day recovery, the degree of lesions to the tissues was lessened or even restored. The NOAEL of neem oil was 177 mg/kg/day for mice and the target organs of neem oil were determined to be testicle, liver and kidneys.

  18. Effects of Subchronic Exposure to N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide on Selected Biomarkers in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

    PubMed Central

    Slaninova, Andrea; Modra, Helena; Hostovsky, Martin; Sisperova, Eliska; Blahova, Jana; Matejova, Iveta; Vicenova, Monika; Faldyna, Martin; Zelnickova, Lenka; Tichy, Frantisek; Svobodova, Zdenka

    2014-01-01

    DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is the most common active ingredient in the insect repellents commonly detected in European groundwater. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of subchronic DEET exposure on biochemical and haematological parameters, antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase, and the amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). Two specific proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes were selected to assess an immunological status of the fish. Fish were exposed for 28 days to three concentrations of DEET (1.0 µg/L, 0.1 mg/L, and 1.0 mg/L) where 1 µg/L is corresponding to the concentration found in the environment. DEET had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on increased RBC, decreased mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin value (MCH) compared to control groups in the concentration of 1 mg/L. A significant decline (P < 0.05) in triacylglycerols (TAG) in plasma was found in the concentration of 1 mg/L compared to the control groups. The parameters of oxidative stress in tissues of common carp were weekly affected and immunological parameters were not affected. PMID:24795897

  19. Subchronic toxicity of Nile tilapia with different exposure routes to Microcystis aeruginosa: Histopathology, liver functions, and oxidative stress biomarkers

    PubMed Central

    Abdel-Latif, H. M. R.; Khashaba, A. M. Abou

    2017-01-01

    Background: Toxic cyanobacterial blooms (Microcystis aeruginosa contains microcystins [MCs]) have been reported to induce clinicopathological alterations as well as different oxidative stress in aquatic biota. Aim: Three-week subchronic exposure experiment was carried out on Nile tilapia, to determine their effects on fish behavior, tissues, liver functions, antioxidant enzymes, and lipid peroxidation. Materials and Methods: Fish were exposed to four main treatments; orally fed diet plus toxic cells of M. aeruginosa (containing 3500 µg/g MC-LR), immersion in 500 µg MC-LR/L, intraperitoneal injection of M. aeruginosa MC-LR with a dose of 0.1 ml of extracted toxin at a dose of 200 μg/kg bwt, and the fourth one served as a control group, then the fish were sacrificed at the end of 3rd week of exposure. Results: The results revealed no recorded mortality with obvious behavioral changes and an enlarged liver with the congested gall bladder. Histopathology demonstrated fragmentation, hyalinization, and necrosis of the subcutaneous musculature marked fatty degeneration, and vacuolation of hepatopancreatic cells with adhesion of the secondary gill lamellae associated with severe leukocytic infiltration. Furthermore, liver functions enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, lipid peroxidase, and catalase enzymes) were significantly increased in all treatments starting from the 2nd week as compared to the control levels. Conclusion: In this context, the study addresses the possible toxicological impacts of toxic M. aeruginosa contain MC-LR to Nile tilapia, and the results investigated that MC-LR is toxic to Nile tilapia in different routes of exposure as well as different doses. PMID:28919690

  20. Epigenetic Alterations May Regulate Temporary Reversal of CD4+ T Cell Activation Caused by Trichloroethylene Exposure

    PubMed Central

    Gilbert, Kathleen M.; Nelson, Ashley R.; Cooney, Craig A.; Reisfeld, Brad; Blossom, Sarah J.

    2012-01-01

    Previous studies have shown that short-term (4 weeks) or chronic (32 weeks) exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) in drinking water of female MRL+/+ mice generated CD4+ T cells that secreted increased levels of interferon (IFN)-γ and expressed an activated (CD44hiCD62Llo) phenotype. In contrast, the current study of subchronic TCE exposure showed that midway in the disease process both of these parameters of CD4+ T cell activation were reversed. This phase of the disease process may represent an attempt by the body to counteract the inflammatory effects of TCE. The decrease in CD4+ T cell production of IFN-γ following subchronic TCE exposure could not be attributed to skewing toward a Th2 or Th17 phenotype or to an increase in Treg cells. Instead, the suppression corresponded to alterations in markers used to assess DNA methylation, namely increased expression of retrotransposons Iap (intracisternal A particle) and Muerv (murine endogenous retrovirus). Also observed was an increase in the expression of Dnmt1 (DNA methyltransferase-1) and decreased expression of several genes known to be downregulated by DNA methylation, namely Ifng, Il2, and Cdkn1a. CD4+ T cells from a second study in which MRL+/+ mice were treated for 17 weeks with TCE showed a similar increase in Iap and decrease in Cdkn1a. In addition, DNA collected from the CD4+ T cells in the second study showed TCE-decreased global DNA methylation. Thus, these results described the biphasic nature of TCE-induced alterations in CD4+ T cell function and suggested that these changes represented potentially reversible alterations in epigenetic processes. PMID:22407948

  1. Quantitative dose-response assessment of inhalation exposures to toxic air pollutants

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jarabek, A.M.; Foureman, G.L.; Gift, J.S.

    1997-12-31

    Implementation of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, including evaluation of residual risks. requires accurate human health risk estimates of both acute and chronic inhalation exposures to toxic air pollutants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency`s National Center for Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, has a research program that addresses several key issues for development of improved quantitative approaches for dose-response assessment. This paper describes three projects underway in the program. Project A describes a Bayesian approach that was developed to base dose-response estimates on combined data sets and that expresses these estimates as probability density functions. A categorical regressionmore » model has been developed that allows for the combination of all available acute data, with toxicity expressed as severity categories (e.g., mild, moderate, severe), and with both duration and concentration as governing factors. Project C encompasses two refinements to uncertainty factors (UFs) often applied to extrapolate dose-response estimates from laboratory animal data to human equivalent concentrations. Traditional UFs have been based on analyses of oral administration and may not be appropriate for extrapolation of inhalation exposures. Refinement of the UF applied to account for the use of subchronic rather than chronic data was based on an analysis of data from inhalation exposures (Project C-1). Mathematical modeling using the BMD approach was used to calculate the dose-response estimates for comparison between the subchronic and chronic data so that the estimates were not subject to dose-spacing or sample size variability. The second UF that was refined for extrapolation of inhalation data was the adjustment for the use of a LOAEL rather than a NOAEL (Project C-2).« less

  2. The effect of tramadol hydrochloride on early life stages of fish.

    PubMed

    Sehonova, Pavla; Plhalova, Lucie; Blahova, Jana; Berankova, Petra; Doubkova, Veronika; Prokes, Miroslav; Tichy, Frantisek; Vecerek, Vladimir; Svobodova, Zdenka

    2016-06-01

    The aim of this study was to perform the fish embryo acute toxicity test (FET) on zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the early-life stage toxicity test on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) with tramadol hydrochloride. The FET was performed using the method inspired by the OECD guideline 236. Newly fertilized zebrafish eggs were exposed to tramadol hydrochloride at concentrations of 10; 50; 100 and 200μg/l for a period of 144h. An embryo-larval toxicity test on C. carpio was performed according to OECD guideline 210 also with tramadol hydrochloride at concentrations 10; 50; 100 and 200μg/l for a period of 32 days. Hatching was significantly influenced in both acute and subchronic toxicity assays. Subchronic exposure also influenced early ontogeny, both morphometric and condition characteristics and caused changes in antioxidant enzyme activity. The LOEC value was found to be 10μg/l tramadol hydrochloride. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Toxicological Evaluation of Depleted Uranium in Rats: Six-Month Evaluation Point

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1998-02-01

    mild renal dysfunction with increased urinary excretion of beta2-microglobulin and various amino acids. In rats exposed subchronically to low doses...reabsorption. Urinary enzymes are sen- sitive, non-invasive markers of toxicity primarily in the kidney tubules [46]. NAG is a lysosomal enzyme found...studies. Environmental Research 61:323-336 42. Neuman WF (1950) Urinary uranium as a meas- ure of exposure hazard. Industrial Medicine and Surgery 19

  4. Safety assessment of heated diacylglycerol oil: subchronic toxicity study in rats.

    PubMed

    Morita, Osamu; Tamaki, Yasushi; Kirkpatrick, Jeannie B; Chengelis, Christopher P

    2008-08-01

    Diacylglycerol oil is an edible oil with similar taste and usability characteristics as conventional edible oil rich in triacylglycerol oil. The objective of the present study was to evaluate potential adverse effects of heated diacylglycerol and triacylglycerol oil in rats following subchronic administration. The heated diacylglycerol and triacylglycerol oils were prepared separately following deep frying potato slices at 180 degrees C for 8h per day for three days. Sprague Dawley rats were fed diets containing different ratios (concentrations) of heated to unheated diacylglycerol oil. The ratio of heated to unheated diacylglycerol was as follows: 0%/5.5% (control-1; Group 1), 1.0%/4.5% (Group 2), 2.75%/2.75% (Group 3), and 5.5%/0% (Group 4). Two additional groups received the feed containing 5.5% of unheated or 5.5% of heated triacylglycerol oil. Compared to the unheated oils, feeding of heated diacylglycerol or triacylglycerol oil did not reveal any toxicologically significant changes in clinical observation, body weights, body weight gains, feed consumption, ophthalmic examinations, functional observational battery and motor activity, clinical pathology evaluations and organ weights. Similarly, terminal necropsy did not reveal treatment-related gross or histopathology findings. Based on the results of this subchronic study, the no-observed-effect levels (NOELs) of heated diacylglycerol or triacylglycerol oil were 5.5%, the highest levels tested. The mean dietary exposure levels at the highest dose for the heated diacylglycerol and triacylglycerol oil for male and female rats ranged from 3,178 to 4,120 mg/kg/day.

  5. Imbalanced immune responses involving inflammatory molecules and immune-related pathways in the lung of acute and subchronic arsenic-exposed mice.

    PubMed

    Li, Jinlong; Zhao, Lu; Zhang, Yang; Li, Wei; Duan, Xiaoxu; Chen, Jinli; Guo, Yuanyuan; Yang, Shan; Sun, Guifan; Li, Bing

    2017-11-01

    Inorganic arsenic has been claimed to increase the risk of pulmonary diseases through ingestion, as opposed to inhalation, which makes it a unique and intriguing environmental toxicant. However, the immunotoxic effects of lung, one of the targets of arsenic exposure, have not been extensively investigated in vivo. In the present study, we first confirmed that 2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg NaAsO 2 orally for 24h dose-dependently triggered the infiltration of neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages in BALF. Not only the transcription activity, but also the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were consistently raised in the lung and BALF of acute arsenic-exposed mice. Acute oral administration of NaAsO 2 also raised pulmonary MPO activity and mRNA levels of chemokine Mip-2 and Mcp-1. Meanwhile, obvious histopathological damages with inflammatory cells infiltration and erythrocyte aggregation around the capillaries were verified in the lung of mice drank arsenic-rich water freely for 3 months. Furthermore, we affirmed notable disturbance of CD4 + T-cell differentiation in the lung of acute arsenic-exposed mice, as demonstrated by up-regulated mRNA levels of regulator Gata3 and cytokine Il-4 of Th2, enhanced Foxp3 and Il-10 of Treg, down-regulated T-bet and Ifn-γ of Th1, as well as lessened Ror-γt and Il-23 of Th17. However, impressive elevation of cytokine Ifn-γ and Il-23, as well as moderate enhancement of Il-4 and Il-10 were found in the lung by subchronic arsenic administration. Finally, our present study demonstrated that both a single and sustained arsenic exposure prominently increased the expression of immune-related p38, JNK, ERK1/2 and NF-κB proteins in the lung tissue. While disrupting the pulmonary redox homeostasis by increasing MDA levels, exhausting GSH and impaired enzyme activities of CAT and GSH-Px, antioxidant regulator NRF2 and its downstream targets HO-1 and GSTO1/2 were also up-regulated by both acute and subchronic arsenic treatment. Conclusively, our present study demonstrated both acute and subchronic oral administration of arsenic triggers multiple pulmonary immune responses involving inflammatory molecules and T-cell differentiation, which might be closely associated with the imbalanced redox status and activation of immune-related MAPKs, NF-κB and anti-inflammatory NRF2 pathways. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Nephritic cell damage and antioxidant status in rats exposed to leachate from battery recycling industry

    PubMed Central

    Oboh, Ganiyu

    2016-01-01

    Limited studies have assessed the toxic effect of sub-acute and sub-chronic exposure of leachate (mixture of metals) in mammalian kidney. The sub-acute and sub-chronic exposure of mature male Wistar-strain albino rats (200–220 g) were given by oral administration with leachate from Elewi Odo municipal battery recycling industry (EOMABRIL) for period of 7 and 60 days respectively, at different concentrations (20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%). This was to evaluate its toxic effects on male renal functions using biomarkers of oxidative stress and nephro-cellular damage. Control groups were treated equally, but given distilled water instead of the leachate. All the groups were fed with the same standard food and had free access to drinking water. Following the exposure, results showed that the treatment induced systemic toxicity at the doses tested by causing a significant (p<0.05) alteration in enzymatic antioxidants-catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the kidneys which resulted into elevated levels of malonaldehyde (MDA). Reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were found to be significantly (p<0.05) depleted relative to the control group. Considerable renal cortical congestion and numerous tubules with protein casts were observed in the lumen of EOMABRIL-treated rats. These findings conclude that possible mechanism by which EOMABRIL at the investigated concentrations elicits nephrotoxicity could be linked to the individual, additive, synergistic or antagonistic interactions of this mixture of metals with the renal bio-molecules, alteration of kidney detoxifying enzymes and necrosis of nephritic tubular epithelial cells. PMID:28652841

  7. Nephritic cell damage and antioxidant status in rats exposed to leachate from battery recycling industry.

    PubMed

    Akintunde, Jacob K; Oboh, Ganiyu

    2016-03-01

    Limited studies have assessed the toxic effect of sub-acute and sub-chronic exposure of leachate (mixture of metals) in mammalian kidney. The sub-acute and sub-chronic exposure of mature male Wistar-strain albino rats (200-220 g) were given by oral administration with leachate from Elewi Odo municipal battery recycling industry (EOMABRIL) for period of 7 and 60 days respectively, at different concentrations (20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%). This was to evaluate its toxic effects on male renal functions using biomarkers of oxidative stress and nephro-cellular damage. Control groups were treated equally, but given distilled water instead of the leachate. All the groups were fed with the same standard food and had free access to drinking water. Following the exposure, results showed that the treatment induced systemic toxicity at the doses tested by causing a significant ( p <0.05) alteration in enzymatic antioxidants-catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the kidneys which resulted into elevated levels of malonaldehyde (MDA). Reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were found to be significantly ( p <0.05) depleted relative to the control group. Considerable renal cortical congestion and numerous tubules with protein casts were observed in the lumen of EOMABRIL-treated rats. These findings conclude that possible mechanism by which EOMABRIL at the investigated concentrations elicits nephrotoxicity could be linked to the individual, additive, synergistic or antagonistic interactions of this mixture of metals with the renal bio-molecules, alteration of kidney detoxifying enzymes and necrosis of nephritic tubular epithelial cells.

  8. Hepatopancreatic intoxication of lambda cyhalothrin insecticide on albino rats

    PubMed Central

    Elhalwagy, Manal EA; Abd-Alrahman, Sherif H; Nahas, AA; Ziada, Reem M; Mohamady, Aziza H

    2015-01-01

    Background: Despite the known adverse effects of lambda cyhalothrin insecticide, little is known about its hepatopancreatic intoxication effects. The present study was carried out to elucidate sub-chronic effect of Karat 2.5% EC formulation of lambda cyhalothrin on male albino rats. Methods: To explore the effects of exposure to lambda cyhalothrin on rats and its mechanism, low (1/40 of LD50, 5 mg/kg/day) and high dose (1/4 of LD50, 50 mg/kg/day) lambda cyhalothrin were applied to rats via drinking water for 3 months. Blood samples were collected monthly, and the animals were dissected for liver and pancreas’s examination at the end of the experiment. Lambda cyhalothrin administration was associated with the elevation in lipid peroxidation marker, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduction in SH-protein a major marker for antioxidant, as well as basel paraoxonase (PON) in both treated groups throughout the experimental periods. Results: In addition, significant elevations in liver enzymes alanin amino transferase, (ALT), and aspartate amino transferase (AST), as well as plasma acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glucose level. While, significant reduction in insulin level through the experimental periods. Results of histopathological and histochemical studies showed that lambda cyhalothrin exposure induces liver and pancreatic tissues damage and depletion in glycogen content was pronounced in liver of both treated groups. Conclusions: In conclusion subchronic intoxication with lambda cyhalothrin formulation induced remarkable changes in the examined parameters. PMID:26221269

  9. Hepatopancreatic intoxication of lambda cyhalothrin insecticide on albino rats.

    PubMed

    Elhalwagy, Manal Ea; Abd-Alrahman, Sherif H; Nahas, A A; Ziada, Reem M; Mohamady, Aziza H

    2015-01-01

    Despite the known adverse effects of lambda cyhalothrin insecticide, little is known about its hepatopancreatic intoxication effects. The present study was carried out to elucidate sub-chronic effect of Karat 2.5% EC formulation of lambda cyhalothrin on male albino rats. To explore the effects of exposure to lambda cyhalothrin on rats and its mechanism, low (1/40 of LD50, 5 mg/kg/day) and high dose (1/4 of LD50, 50 mg/kg/day) lambda cyhalothrin were applied to rats via drinking water for 3 months. Blood samples were collected monthly, and the animals were dissected for liver and pancreas's examination at the end of the experiment. Lambda cyhalothrin administration was associated with the elevation in lipid peroxidation marker, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduction in SH-protein a major marker for antioxidant, as well as basel paraoxonase (PON) in both treated groups throughout the experimental periods. In addition, significant elevations in liver enzymes alanin amino transferase, (ALT), and aspartate amino transferase (AST), as well as plasma acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glucose level. While, significant reduction in insulin level through the experimental periods. Results of histopathological and histochemical studies showed that lambda cyhalothrin exposure induces liver and pancreatic tissues damage and depletion in glycogen content was pronounced in liver of both treated groups. In conclusion subchronic intoxication with lambda cyhalothrin formulation induced remarkable changes in the examined parameters.

  10. Protective effect of crocin against apoptosis induced by subchronic exposure of the rat vascular system to diazinon.

    PubMed

    Razavi, Bibi Marjan; Hosseinzadeh, Hossein; Abnous, Khalil; Khoei, Alireza; Imenshahidi, Mohsen

    2016-07-01

    Research has suggested that natural antioxidant, crocin, an active ingredient of saffron, may protect against diazinon (DZN)-induced toxicity. Although increased production of lipid peroxidation by DZN in rat aorta has been shown previously, the effects of DZN on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in vascular system have not been evaluated. In this study, the effect of crocin on DZN-induced apoptosis in rat vascular system was investigated. The rats were divided into 7 groups: corn oil (control), DZN (15 mg/kg/day, gavage), crocin (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally (i.p.)) + DZN, vitamin E (200 IU/kg, i.p., 3 days a week) + DZN, and crocin (50 mg/kg/day, i.p.). The treatments were continued for 4 weeks. Levels of apoptotic (Bax, caspase 3, and caspase 9) and antiapoptotic proteins (Bcl2) were analyzed by Western blotting. Transcript levels of Bax and Bcl2 genes were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results showed DZN-induced apoptosis by activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3 and by increasing the Bax/Bcl2 ratio (both protein and messenger RNA levels). Crocin and vitamin E inhibited apoptosis induced by DZN. In summary, subchronic exposure to DZN induced caspase-mediated apoptosis, and crocin reduced the toxic effects of DZN by inhibiting apoptosis in aortic tissue. © The Author(s) 2014.

  11. Subchronic arsenic exposure through drinking water alters vascular redox homeostasis and affects physical health in rats.

    PubMed

    Waghe, Prashantkumar; Sarath, Thengumpallil Sasindran; Gupta, Priyanka; Kutty, Harikumar Sankaran; Kandasamy, Kannan; Mishra, Santosh Kumar; Sarkar, Souvendra Nath

    2014-12-01

    We evaluated whether arsenic can alter vascular redox homeostasis and modulate antioxidant status, taking rat thoracic aorta as a model vascular tissue. In addition, we evaluated whether the altered vascular biochemical homeostasis could be associated with alterations in the physical indicators of toxicity development. Rats were exposed to arsenic as 25, 50, and 100 ppm of sodium arsenite through drinking water for 90 consecutive days. Body weight, food intake, and water consumption were recorded weekly. On the 91st day, rats were sacrificed; vital organs and thoracic aorta were collected. Lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species generation, and antioxidants were assessed in the thoracic aorta. Arsenic increased aortic lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide generation while decreased reduced glutathione content in a dose-dependent manner. The activities of the enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase were decreased. Further, arsenic at 100 ppm decreased feed intake, water consumption, and body weight from the 11th week onward. At this concentration, arsenic increased the relative weights of the liver and kidney. The results suggest that arsenic causes dose-dependent oxidative stress, reduction in antioxidative defense systems, and body weight loss with alteration in hepato-renal organosomatic indices. Overall, subchronic arsenic exposure through drinking water causes alteration in vascular redox homeostasis and at high concentration affects physical health.

  12. Polyphenols isolated from virgin coconut oil attenuate cadmium-induced dyslipidemia and oxidative stress due to their antioxidant properties and potential benefits on cardiovascular risk ratios in rats

    PubMed Central

    Famurewa, Ademola Clement; Ejezie, Fidelis Ebele

    2018-01-01

    Objective: Literature has confirmed the pathogenic role of cadmium (Cd) and its exposure in the induction of dyslipidemia implicated in the development and increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases. The current study explored whether polyphenolics isolated from virgin coconut oil (VCO) prevent Cd-induced dyslipidemia and investigate the underlying mechanism of action, in rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were pretreated with VCO polyphenols (10, 20 and 50 mg/kg body weight; orally) 2 weeks prior to concurrent Cd administration (5 mg/kg) for 5 weeks. Subsequently, serum concentrations of lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol and cardiovascular risk ratios were determined. Hepatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were analyzed. Results: Sub-chronic Cd administration significantly increased the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol while markedly reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Hepatic activities of SOD and CAT as well as GSH content were suppressed by Cd, whereas MDA level was obviously increased. The co-administration of VCO polyphenol with Cd remarkably restored lipid profile and cardiovascular risk ratios and stabilized antioxidant defense systems comparable to control group. Conclusion: This is the first study presenting that polyphenols isolated from VCO prevent Cd-induced lipid abnormalities and cardiovascular risk ratios by improving antioxidant defense systems. PMID:29387575

  13. Health Risk Assessment of Embedded Depleted Uranium: Behavior, Physiology, Histology and Biokenetic Modeling.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1996-11-01

    increased urinary excretion of beta2-microglobulin and various amino acids. In rats exposed subchronically to low doses (cumulative dose: 0.66 or 1.32 mg/kg...leakage or failure of tubule reabsorption. Urinary enzymes are sensitive, non- invasive markers of toxicity primarily in the kidney tubules46. NAG is a...42 Neuman, W.F., Urinary uranium as a measure of exposure hazard, Industrial. Med. Surgery, 19 (1950) 185-191. 43 Neuman, W.F., Fleming, R.W., Dounce

  14. Subchronic JP-8 Jet Fuel Exposure Enhances Vulnerability to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Rats

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-01-01

    square inch (psi) pressure was attached to the side arm of the Sonomist. At this pressure the spray nozzle developed an air flow of approximately 20...L/min (lpm) through the nebulizer. This air flow coupled with the nebulizer nozzle design created an ultrasonic whistle that aerosolized the droplets...pipe contained the spray pattern. The pipe was reduced in size to accept an orifice plate, which was used to measure flow rate by the pressure drop

  15. Intestinal lymphangiectasis and lipidosis in rats following subchronic exposure to indole-3-carbinol via oral gavage.

    PubMed

    Boyle, Michael C; Crabbs, Torrie A; Wyde, Michael E; Painter, J Todd; Hill, Georgette D; Malarkey, David E; Lieuallen, Warren G; Nyska, Abraham

    2012-06-01

    To investigate the toxicity and carcinogenic potential of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), the National Toxicology Program has conducted 13-week subchronic studies in Fisher 344 rats and B6C3F1 mice, and chronic 2-year bioassays in Sprague-Dawley rats and B6C3F1 mice. While the chronic study results are not yet available, subchronic study results and short-term special evaluations of interim sacrifices in the 2-year rat bioassay are presented. F344 rats were orally gavaged ≤300 mg I3C/kg body weight 5 days a week for 13 weeks. Rats treated with ≥150 mg/kg demonstrated a dose-related dilation of lymphatics (lymphangiectasis) of the duodenum, jejunum, and mesenteric lymph nodes. Material within dilated lacteals stained positively for Oil Red O and Sudan Black, consistent with lipid. Electron microscopic evaluation confirmed extracellular lipid accumulation within the villar lamina propria, lacteals, and within villar macrophages. Analyses of hepatic and pulmonary CYP1A enzymes demonstrated dose-dependent I3C induction of CYP1A1 and 1A2. B6C3F1 mice orally gavaged ≤250 mg I3C/kg body weight did not demonstrate histopathological changes; however, hepatic CYP induction was similar to that in rats. The histopathologic changes of intestinal lymphangiectasis and lipidosis in this study share similarities with intestinal lymphangiectasia as observed in humans and dogs. However, the resultant clinical spectrum of protein-losing enteropathy was not present.

  16. Toxicological Evaluation of Lactase Derived from Recombinant Pichia pastoris

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Yifei; Chen, Delong; Luo, Yunbo; Huang, Kunlun; Zhang, Wei; Xu, Wentao

    2014-01-01

    A recombinant lactase was expressed in Pichia pastoris, resulting in enzymatic activity of 3600 U/mL in a 5 L fermenter. The lactase product was subjected to a series of toxicological tests to determine its safety for use as an enzyme preparation in the dairy industry. This recombinant lactase had the highest activity of all recombinant strains reported thus far. Acute oral toxicity, mutagenicity, genotoxic, and subchronic toxicity tests performed in rats and mice showed no death in any groups. The lethal dose 50% (LD50) based on the acute oral toxicity study is greater than 30 mL/kg body weight, which is in accordance with the 1500 L milk consumption of a 50 kg human daily. The lactase showed no mutagenic activity in the Ames test or a mouse sperm abnormality test at levels of up to 5 mg/plate and 1250 mg/kg body weight, respectively. It also showed no genetic toxicology in a bone marrow cell micronucleus test at levels of up to 1250 mg/kg body weight. A 90-day subchronic repeated toxicity study via the diet with lactase levels up to 1646 mg/kg (1000-fold greater than the mean human exposure) did not show any treatment-related significant toxicological effects on body weight, food consumption, organ weights, hematological and clinical chemistry, or histopathology compared to the control groups. This toxicological evaluation system is comprehensive and can be used in the safety evaluation of other enzyme preparations. The lactase showed no acute, mutagenic, genetic, or subchronic toxicity under our evaluation system. PMID:25184300

  17. Acute and subchronic administration of anandamide or oleamide increases REM sleep in rats.

    PubMed

    Herrera-Solís, Andrea; Vásquez, Khalil Guzmán; Prospéro-García, Oscar

    2010-03-01

    Anandamide and oleamide, induce sleep when administered acutely, via the CB1 receptor. Their subchronic administration must be tested to demonstrate the absence of tolerance to this effect, and that the sudden withdrawal of these endocannabinoids (eCBs) does not affect sleep negatively. The sleep-waking cycle of rats was evaluated for 24h, under the effect of an acute or subchronic administration of eCBs, and during sudden eCBs withdrawal. AM251, a CB1 receptor antagonist (CB1Ra) was utilized to block eCBs effects. Our results indicated that both acute and subchronic administration of eCBs increase REMS. During eCBs withdrawal, rats lack the expression of an abstinence-like syndrome. AM251 was efficacious to prevent REMS increase caused by both acute and subchronic administration of these eCBs, suggesting that this effect is mediated by the CB1 receptor. Our data further support a role of the eCBs in REMS regulation. (c) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Deposition, clearance, and shortening of Kevlar para-aramid fibrils in acute, subchronic, and chronic inhalation studies in rats.

    PubMed

    Kelly, D P; Merriman, E A; Kennedy, G L; Lee, K P

    1993-10-01

    The deposition and clearance of lung-deposited Kevlar para-aramid fibrils (subfibers) have been investigated as part of a subchronic and chronic inhalation toxicity testing program. Fibrils recovered from lung tissue in para-aramid-exposed Sprague-Dawley rats were microscopically counted and measured after exposures to airborne fibrils which were about 12 microns median length (ML) and < 0.3 micron median diameter. In each of three studies lung-recovered fibrils were progressively shorter with increasing residence time in the lungs. Twenty-eight days after a single 6-hr exposure at 400 respirable fibrils per cubic centimeter (f/cm3) the ML of recovered fibrils decreased to about 5 microns. Twenty-four months after a 3-week exposure to 25 or 400 f/cm3, fibrils reached about 2 microns ML. After 2 years of continuous exposure at 2.5, 25, or 100 f/cm3 or 1 year exposure plus 1 year recovery at 400 f/cm3, fibril ML approached 4 microns. In the 2-year study, the lung-fiber accumulation rate/exposure concentration was similar for the three highest concentrations and was about 3 x greater than that seen at 2.5 f/cm3, indicating that concentrations of about 25 f/cm3 or more may overwhelm clearance mechanisms. Time required for fibrils to be reduced to < 5 microns in the lung was markedly less at lower exposure concentration and shorter exposure time. The primary shortening mechanism is proposed to be long fibril cutting by enzymatic attack at fibril defects. However, length-selective fibril deposition and clearance may contribute to shortening in the first few days after exposure. The enzymatic cutting hypothesis is supported by measured increases in numbers of short fibers following cessation of exposures, continued shortening of the fibril length distribution up to 2 years following exposure, and in vitro fibril shortening after 3 months in a proteolytic enzyme preparation. The conclusion is that para-aramid fibrils are less durable in the lungs of rats than expected from the known chemical resistance of commercial yarn. These data suggest that at the low para-aramid fibril exposures found in the workplace, this fibril-shortening mechanism may limit the residence time of long fibers in the lungs of exposed workers. In addition, associated cascade impactor aerodynamic measurements indicate that due to their ribbon shape and curly nature, para-aramid fibrils behave aerodynamically larger than straight fibers.

  19. Male rats treated with subchronic PCP show intact olfaction and enhanced interest for a social odour in the olfactory habituation/dishabituation test.

    PubMed

    Tarland, Emilia; Brosda, Jan

    2018-06-01

    The olfactory system participates in many sensory processes, and olfactory endophenotypes appear in a variety of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, depression and schizophrenia. Social withdrawal is a core negative symptom of schizophrenia and animal models have proven to be invaluable for studying the neurobiological mechanisms and cognitive processes behind the formation of social relationships. The subchronic phencyclidine (PCP) rat model is a validated model for negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as impaired sociability. However, the complete range of social behaviour and deficits in the model are still not fully understood. Intact rodent olfaction is essential for a wide range of social behaviour and disrupted olfactory function could have severe effects on social communication and recognition. In order to examine the olfactory ability of male rats treated with subchronic PCP, we conducted an olfactory habituation/dishabituation test including both non-social and social odours. The subchronic PCP-treated rats successfully recognized and discriminated among the odours, indicative of intact olfaction. Interestingly, the subchronic PCP-treated rats showed greater interest for a novel social odour compared to the saline-treated rats and the rationale remains to be elucidated. Our data indicate that subchronic PCP treatment does not disrupt olfactory function in male rats. By ruling out impaired olfaction as cause for the poor social interaction performance in subchronic PCP-treated rats, our data supports the use of NMDA receptor antagonists to model the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Evaluation of sub-chronic toxic effects of petroleum ether, a laboratory solvent in Sprague-Dawley rats

    PubMed Central

    Parasuraman, Subramani; Sujithra, Jeyabalan; Syamittra, Balakrishnan; Yeng, Wong Yeng; Ping, Wu Yet; Muralidharan, Selvadurai; Raj, Palanimuthu Vasanth; Dhanaraj, Sokkalingam Arumugam

    2014-01-01

    Background: In general, organic solvents are inhibiting many physiological enzymes and alter the behavioural functions, but the available scientific knowledge on laboratory solvent induced organ specific toxins are very limited. Hence, the present study was planned to determine the sub-chronic toxic effects of petroleum ether (boiling point 40–60°C), a laboratory solvent in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Materials and Methods: The SD rats were divided into three different groups viz., control, low exposure petroleum ether (250 mg/kg; i.p.) and high exposure petroleum ether (500 mg/kg; i.p.) administered group. The animals were exposed with petroleum ether once daily for 2 weeks. Prior to the experiment and end of the experiment animals behaviour, locomotor and memory levels were monitored. Before initiating the study animals were trained for 2 weeks for its learning process and its memory levels were evaluated. Body weight (BW) analysis, locomotor activity, anxiogenic effect (elevated plus maze) and learning and memory (Morris water navigation task) were monitored at regular intervals. On 14th day of the experiment, few ml of blood sample was collected from all the experimental animals for estimation of biochemical parameters. At the end of the experiment, all the animals were sacrificed, and brain, liver, heart, and kidney were collected for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Results: In rats, petroleum ether significantly altered the behavioural functions; reduced the locomotor activity, grip strength, learning and memory process; inhibited the regular body weight growth and caused anxiogenic effects. Dose-dependent organ specific toxicity with petroleum ether treated group was observed in brain, heart, lung, liver, and kidney. Extrapyramidal effects that include piloerection and cannibalism were also observed with petroleum ether administered group. These results suggested that the petroleum ether showed a significant decrease in central nervous system (CNS) activity, and it has dose-dependent toxicity on all vital organs. Conclusion: The dose-dependent CNS and organ specific toxicity was observed with sub-chronic administration of petroleum ether in SD rats. PMID:25316988

  1. Dose and time-dependent sub-chronic toxicity study of hydroethanolic leaf extract of Flabellaria paniculata Cav. (Malpighiaceae) in rodents

    PubMed Central

    Akindele, Abidemi J.; Adeneye, Adejuwon A.; Salau, Oluwole S.; Sofidiya, Margaret O.; Benebo, Adokiye S.

    2014-01-01

    Flabellaria paniculata Cav. (Malpighiaceae) is a climbing shrub, the preparations of which are used in the treatment of wounds and ulcers in Nigeria and Ghana. This study investigated the sub-chronic toxicity profile of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of F. paniculata (HLE-FP). HLE-FP was administered p.o. (20, 100, and 500 mg/kg) for 30 and 60 days to different groups of rats. Control animals received 10 ml/kg distilled water. In the group of animals for reversibility study, HLE-FP administration ceased on the 60th day and animals were monitored for a further 15 days. Results showed that oral treatment with HLE-FP for 30 days caused significant (p < 0.05) reductions in weight gain pattern compared to control. These changes were sustained with 60 days treatment. However, no significant (p > 0.05) differences in relative organ weights between control and treatment groups were observed. HLE-FP-treated rats showed significant (p < 0.05) increases in Hb, PCV and RBC on day 30 and significant (p < 0.05) increases in MCV and MCH indices on day 60 compared to control. There were significant (p < 0.05) elevations in serum K+, urea and creatinine compared to control. The liver function tests showed slight but non-significant alterations in relevant parameters when compared to control. Biochemical findings were supported by histopathological observations of vital organs including the kidney and liver. Toxicities observed in respect of kidney function were irreversible at 15 days of stoppage of treatment. In the acute toxicity study, HLE-FP given p.o. caused no lethality at 5000 mg/kg but behavioral manifestations like restlessness, generalized body tremor, feed, and water refusal were observed. The i.p. LD50 was estimated to be 2951.2 mg/kg. Findings in this study showed that HLE-FP is relatively non-toxic on acute exposure and generally safe on sub-chronic administration, but could be deleterious on the kidneys on prolonged oral exposure at a high dose. Thus, caution should be exercised with its long-term usage. PMID:24795634

  2. Predictive model accuracy in estimating last Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) intake from plasma and whole blood cannabinoid concentrations in chronic, daily cannabis smokers administered subchronic oral THC.

    PubMed

    Karschner, Erin L; Schwope, David M; Schwilke, Eugene W; Goodwin, Robert S; Kelly, Deanna L; Gorelick, David A; Huestis, Marilyn A

    2012-10-01

    Determining time since last cannabis/Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure is important in clinical, workplace, and forensic settings. Mathematical models calculating time of last exposure from whole blood concentrations typically employ a theoretical 0.5 whole blood-to-plasma (WB/P) ratio. No studies previously evaluated predictive models utilizing empirically-derived WB/P ratios, or whole blood cannabinoid pharmacokinetics after subchronic THC dosing. Ten male chronic, daily cannabis smokers received escalating around-the-clock oral THC (40-120 mg daily) for 8 days. Cannabinoids were quantified in whole blood and plasma by two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Maximum whole blood THC occurred 3.0 h after the first oral THC dose and 103.5h (4.3 days) during multiple THC dosing. Median WB/P ratios were THC 0.63 (n=196), 11-hydroxy-THC 0.60 (n=189), and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH) 0.55 (n=200). Predictive models utilizing these WB/P ratios accurately estimated last cannabis exposure in 96% and 100% of specimens collected within 1-5h after a single oral THC dose and throughout multiple dosing, respectively. Models were only 60% and 12.5% accurate 12.5 and 22.5h after the last THC dose, respectively. Predictive models estimating time since last cannabis intake from whole blood and plasma cannabinoid concentrations were inaccurate during abstinence, but highly accurate during active THC dosing. THC redistribution from large cannabinoid body stores and high circulating THCCOOH concentrations create different pharmacokinetic profiles than those in less than daily cannabis smokers that were used to derive the models. Thus, the models do not accurately predict time of last THC intake in individuals consuming THC daily. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

  3. Induction and blockade of adolescent cocaine-induced habits

    PubMed Central

    DePoy, Lauren M.; Zimmermann, Kelsey S.; Marvar, Paul J.; Gourley, Shannon L.

    2017-01-01

    Background Cocaine use during adolescence increases vulnerability to drug dependence and decreases the likelihood that individuals will seek treatment as adults. Understanding how early-life cocaine exposure influences decision-making processes in adulthood is thus critically important. Methods Adolescent or adult mice were exposed to subchronic cocaine, then behavioral sensitivity to changes in the predictive relationship between actions and their consequences was tested. Dendritic spines on the principal pyramidal neurons of the orbitofrontal prefrontal cortex (oPFC) were also imaged and enumerated. To determine whether cytoskeletal regulatory systems in the oPFC influenced decision-making strategies, we then inhibited the activity of Abl-family and Rho kinases, as well as NR2B-containing NMDA receptors. We also attempted to block the reinstatement of cocaine seeking in cocaine self-administering mice. Results Adult mice with a history of subchronic cocaine exposure in adolescence engaged habit-based response strategies at the expense of goal-directed decision-making strategies and had fewer dendritic spines in the oPFC. Inhibition of the cytoskeletal regulatory Abl-family kinases in the oPFC recapitulated these neurobehavioral deficiencies, while Rho-kinase inhibition corrected response strategies. Additionally, the NR2B-selective NMDA receptor antagonists ifenprodil and CP-101,606 blocked cocaine-induced habits, and this was dependent on Abl-family signaling in the oPFC. Ifenprodil also mitigated cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking in mice self-administering cocaine. Conclusions We suggest that adolescent cocaine exposure confers a bias towards habit-based behavior in adulthood via long-term cellular structural modifications in the oPFC. Treatments aimed at mitigating the durable consequences of early-life cocaine may benefit from targeting cytoskeletal regulatory systems. PMID:27871669

  4. Subchronic MK-801 treatment and post-weaning social isolation in rats: differential effects on locomotor activity and hippocampal long-term potentiation.

    PubMed

    Ashby, Donovan M; Habib, Diala; Dringenberg, Hans C; Reynolds, James N; Beninger, Richard J

    2010-09-01

    Subchronic NMDA receptor antagonist treatment and post-weaning social isolation are two animal models of schizophrenia symptoms. However, behavioral and physiological changes following a combination of these two procedures have not been investigated. Thus, we examined effects of a novel, "double hit" model combining these two treatments, comparing them to standard models involving only NMDA antagonist treatment or social isolation. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats were either group-housed or maintained in social isolation (starting at postnatal day [PD] 21 and continuing throughout the study). Each housing condition was further subdivided into two groups, receiving either subchronic treatment with either saline or MK-801 (0.5mg/kg, i.p., 2xday for seven days starting at PD 56). Post-weaning social isolation increased locomotor activity (assessed at PD 70) in response to a novel environment and an acute amphetamine injection, while subchronic MK-801 increased only amphetamine induced locomotor activity. Subsequent electrophysiological experiments (under urethane anesthesia) assessing changes in plasticity of hippocampal synapses showed that subchronic MK-801 treatment resulted in an increase in long-term potentiation in area CA1 in response to high frequency stimulation of the contralateral CA3 area, while housing condition had no effect. No other changes in hippocampal electrophysiology (input-output curves, paired-pulse facilitation) were observed. These data are the first to demonstrate an enhancement in hippocampal long-term plasticity in vivo following subchronic MK-801 administration, an effect that may be related to the well-characterized changes in glutamatergic and GABAergic systems seen after subchronic NMDA receptor blockade. That lack of additive or synergistic effects in the "double hit model" suggests that combining isolation and subchronic MK-801 treatment does not necessarily produce greater behavioral or physiological dysfunction than that seen with either treatment alone. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Sub-chronic exposure to the insecticide dimethoate induces a proinflammatory status and enhances the neuroinflammatory response to bacterial lypopolysaccharide in the hippocampus and striatum of male mice

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Astiz, Mariana, E-mail: marianaastiz@gmail.com; Diz-Chaves, Yolanda, E-mail: ydiz@cajal.csic.es; Garcia-Segura, Luis M., E-mail: lmgs@cajal.csic.es

    Dimethoate is an organophosphorus insecticide extensively used in horticulture. Previous studies have shown that the administration of dimethoate to male rats, at a very low dose and during a sub-chronic period, increases the oxidation of lipids and proteins, reduces the levels of antioxidants and impairs mitochondrial function in various brain regions. In this study, we have assessed in C57Bl/6 adult male mice, whether sub-chronic (5 weeks) intoxication with a low dose of dimethoate (1.4 mg/kg) affects the expression of inflammatory molecules and the reactivity of microglia in the hippocampus and striatum under basal conditions and after an immune challenge causedmore » by the systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide. Dimethoate increased mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin (IL) 6 in the hippocampus, and increased the proportion of Iba1 immunoreactive cells with reactive phenotype in dentate gyrus and striatum. Lipopolysaccharide caused a significant increase in the mRNA levels of IL1β, TNFα, IL6 and interferon-γ-inducible protein 10, and a significant increase in the proportion of microglia with reactive phenotype in the hippocampus and the striatum. Some of the effects of lipopolysaccharide (proportion of Iba1 immunoreactive cells with reactive phenotype and IL6 mRNA levels) were amplified in the animals treated with dimethoate, but only in the striatum. These findings indicate that a sub-chronic period of administration of a low dose of dimethoate, comparable to the levels of the pesticide present as residues in food, causes a proinflammatory status in the brain and enhances the neuroinflammatory response to the lipopolysaccharide challenge with regional specificity. - Highlights: • The dose of pesticide used was comparable to the levels of residues found in food. • Dimethoate administration increased cytokine expression and microglia reactivity. • Hippocampus and striatum were differentially affected by the treatment. • Dimethoate impairs the neuroinflammatory response to an inflammatory challenge.« less

  6. Motormouth: mere exposure depends on stimulus-specific motor simulations.

    PubMed

    Topolinski, Sascha; Strack, Fritz

    2009-03-01

    The authors apply an embodied account to mere exposure, arguing that through the repeated exposure of a particular stimulus, motor responses specifically associated to that stimulus are repeatedly simulated, thus trained, and become increasingly fluent. This increased fluency drives preferences for repeated stimuli. This hypothesis was tested by blocking stimulus-specific motor simulations during repeated exposure. In Experiment 1, chewing gum while evaluating stimuli destroyed mere exposure effects (MEEs) for words but not for visual characters. However, concurrently kneading a ball left both MEEs unaffected. In Experiment 2, concurrently whispering an unrelated word destroyed MEEs for words but not for characters, even when implemented either exclusively during the initial presentation or during the test phase and when the first presentation involved an evaluation or a mere study of the stimuli. In Experiment 3, a double dissociation between 2 classes of stimuli was demonstrated, namely, words (oral) and tunes (vocal). A concurrent oral task (tongue movements) destroyed MEEs for words but not for tone sequences. A concurrent vocal task (humming "mm-hm") destroyed MEEs for tone sequences but not for words. (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved

  7. Comparative sensitivity of aquatic invertebrate and vertebrate species to wastewater from an operational coal mine in central Queensland, Australia.

    PubMed

    Lanctôt, C; Wilson, S P; Fabbro, L; Leusch, F D L; Melvin, S D

    2016-07-01

    Coal excavation and refinement processes generate substantial volumes of contaminated effluent that may be detrimental to aquatic ecosystems. As such, understanding the impacts of coal mine water releases on aquatic animals and ecosystems is essential for effectively managing and protecting neighboring environments. Such information will ultimately be applied towards developing ongoing monitoring strategies that are protective of native wildlife. Despite intensive mining operations in Australia, few studies have documented toxicity associated with coal mine wastewater (CMW) on native species. To address existing knowledge gaps, we investigated acute toxicity (48-96h) using eight native invertebrate species and sub-chronic effects (2 week) using three vertebrate species following exposure to wastewater from two dams (CMW1 and CMW2) located at an open-cut coal mine licensed to discharge into the Fitzroy catchment (Queensland, Australia). Wastewater from these sites is characterized by elevated conductivity, pH, sulfates as well as relatively high total and dissolved metal(loid)s (including As, Al, B, Cu, Mn, Ni, Se and Zn). Acute exposures revealed cladocerans (Daphnia carinata) and planarians (Dugesia sp.) to be the most sensitive species, exhibiting significant mortality after 48 and 96h exposure to CMW2, respectively. Neither wastewater was found to elicit acute toxicity in vertebrates, but a range of sub-lethal morphological effects were observed following the sub-chronic exposures. The overall response pattern was characterized by decreased condition factor and hepatosomatic index in the fish Hypseleotris compressa and Pseudomugil signifier, and in Limnodynastes peronii tadpoles. Tadpoles were generally more sensitive compared to the two fish species. Differences in responses were observed amongst CMW1 and CMW2, which likely relates to differences in physico-chemical properties between sites. Our results have identified several candidate vertebrate and invertebrate species that show promise for ongoing monitoring of water quality and toxicity risk in Central Queensland, Australia. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Shift work, job strain and changes in the body mass index among women: a prospective study.

    PubMed

    Fujishiro, Kaori; Lividoti Hibert, Eileen; Schernhammer, Eva; Rich-Edwards, Janet W

    2017-06-01

    The effects of job strain and shift work on weight gain have not been studied jointly. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies on shift work and weight gain have reported different results. This study examines potential effect modification by job strain on the link between shift work and weight gain, and concurrent and delayed effects of shift work on weight gain. Data came from 52 622 women who participated in the Nurses' Health Study II, a prospective cohort study. Using linear regression, we modelled change in body mass index (BMI) over 4 years as a function of change in job strain, cumulative exposure to rotating night shift previously and during the 4 years (ie, previous and concurrent exposures) and the interaction between job strain and concurrent shift work exposure. Age, race/ethnicity, pregnancy history, baseline BMI, job types and health behaviours at baseline were controlled for. Job strain and rotating shift work, concurrent and previous, all had independent associations with BMI change during the 4-year period. There was no evidence for effect modification by job strain. Concurrent and previous exposures to rotating night shift had different associations with BMI change: an inverted U-shape for concurrent exposure (ranging from 0.01 to 0.14 kg/m 2 increase), a dose-response for previous exposure (-0.02 to 0.09 kg/m 2 ). Job strain and rotating night shift work have independent contributions to weight gain. Reducing job strain and supporting night shift workers are both important intervention goals. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

  9. The use of dogs as second species in regulatory testing of pesticides. Part II: Subacute, subchronic and chronic studies in the dog.

    PubMed

    Spielmann, H; Gerbracht, U

    2001-03-01

    Data on 172 pesticides (fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and other pesticides) submitted for regulatory purposes during the past 40 years to the German Federal Institute for the Health Protection of Consumers and Veterinary Medicine (BgVV) were analysed to determine whether chronic studies in dogs (52/104 weeks) provide essential additional specific toxicological compared with subchronic (13 weeks) or subacute (4 weeks) studies in the same species. Comparison of the lowest observed effect levels (LOELs) in dogs revealed no significant differences between subchronic and chronic studies but a significant difference between subacute studies and subchronic or chronic studies. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between the LOELs determined in subchronic studies and those determined in chronic studies in dogs (r = 0.78-0.84). The distribution of target organ toxicity determined in chronic studies in dogs was not significantly different from the distribution determined in subchronic studies, except for effects on the spleen in studies on herbicides which were only observed in chronic studies and in combined subchronic/chronic studies, but never in subchronic studies. Organ-specific effects that were observed in chronic studies but not in subchronic studies were found in 30 of 55 studies on fungicides, in 25 of 44 on herbicides, in 17 of 38 on insecticides and in 10 of 16 on other pesticides. Compared with 26-week studies, additional organ-specific toxic effects were found in three of five, in three of four, in one of three and in one of one 52/104-week studies on fungicides, of herbicides, of insecticides and other pesticides, respectively. The organ-specific effects that were seen only in the chronic dog studies were evaluated according to their severity, e.g. significant damage to organs versus changes in enzyme activities that do not affect organ function or histology. Such effects were not considered to be specific for dogs in chronic studies if similar effects were also found in chronic studies in rodents (rat or mouse). In 15 of 141 studies in dogs serious side effects were observed in chronic studies that were not observed in subchronic studies. Furthermore, for 9 of 172 pesticides significant new effects were seen in 52/104-week studies when compared with 4- or 13-week studies and in 7 of 141 52/104-week studies when compared with 13-week studies. Analysis of the severity of organ-specific toxic effects of pesticides revealed that chronic long-term studies (52/104 weeks) in dogs do not provide specific additional information to 26-week studies in the same species.

  10. Murine pulmonary responses after sub-chronic exposure to aluminum oxide-based nanowhiskers

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Aluminum oxide-based nanowhiskers (AO nanowhiskers) have been used in manufacturing processes as catalyst supports, flame retardants, adsorbents, or in ceramic, metal and plastic composite materials. They are classified as high aspect ratio nanomaterials. Our aim was to assess in vivo toxicity of inhaled AO nanowhisker aerosols. Methods Primary dimensions of AO nanowhiskers specified by manufacturer were 2–4 nm x 2800 nm. The aluminum content found in this nanomaterial was 30% [mixed phase material containing Al(OH)3 and AlOOH]. Male mice (C57Bl/6 J) were exposed to AO nanowhiskers for 4 hrs/day, 5 days/wk for 2 or 4 wks in a dynamic whole body exposure chamber. The whiskers were aerosolized with an acoustical dry aerosol generator that included a grounded metal elutriator and a venturi aspirator to enhance deagglomeration. Average concentration of aerosol in the chamber was 3.3 ± 0.6 mg/m3 and the mobility diameter was 150 ± 1.6 nm. Both groups of mice (2 or 4 wks exposure) were necropsied immediately after the last exposure. Aluminum content in the lung, heart, liver, and spleen was determined. Pulmonary toxicity assessment was performed by evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid (enumeration of total and differential cells, total protein, activity of lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and cytokines), blood (total and differential cell counts), lung histopathology and pulmonary mechanics. Results Following exposure, mean Al content of lungs was 0.25, 8.10 and 15.37 μg/g lung (dry wt) respectively for sham, 2 wk and 4 wk exposure groups. The number of total cells and macrophages in BAL fluid was 2-times higher in animals exposed for 2 wks and 6-times higher in mice exposed for 4 wks, compared to shams (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively). However no neutrophilic inflammation in BAL fluid was found and neutrophils were below 1% in all groups. No significant differences were found in total protein, activity of LDH, or cytokines levels (IL-6, IFN-γ, MIP-1α, TNF-α, and MIP-2) between shams and exposed mice. Conclusions Sub-chronic inhalation exposures to aluminum-oxide based nanowhiskers induced increased lung macrophages, but no inflammatory or toxic responses were observed. PMID:22713230

  11. Murine pulmonary responses after sub-chronic exposure to aluminum oxide-based nanowhiskers.

    PubMed

    Adamcakova-Dodd, Andrea; Stebounova, Larissa V; O'Shaughnessy, Patrick T; Kim, Jong Sung; Grassian, Vicki H; Thorne, Peter S

    2012-06-19

    Aluminum oxide-based nanowhiskers (AO nanowhiskers) have been used in manufacturing processes as catalyst supports, flame retardants, adsorbents, or in ceramic, metal and plastic composite materials. They are classified as high aspect ratio nanomaterials. Our aim was to assess in vivo toxicity of inhaled AO nanowhisker aerosols. Primary dimensions of AO nanowhiskers specified by manufacturer were 2-4 nm x 2800 nm. The aluminum content found in this nanomaterial was 30% [mixed phase material containing Al(OH)3 and AlOOH]. Male mice (C57Bl/6 J) were exposed to AO nanowhiskers for 4 hrs/day, 5 days/wk for 2 or 4 wks in a dynamic whole body exposure chamber. The whiskers were aerosolized with an acoustical dry aerosol generator that included a grounded metal elutriator and a venturi aspirator to enhance deagglomeration. Average concentration of aerosol in the chamber was 3.3 ± 0.6 mg/m3 and the mobility diameter was 150 ± 1.6 nm. Both groups of mice (2 or 4 wks exposure) were necropsied immediately after the last exposure. Aluminum content in the lung, heart, liver, and spleen was determined. Pulmonary toxicity assessment was performed by evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid (enumeration of total and differential cells, total protein, activity of lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and cytokines), blood (total and differential cell counts), lung histopathology and pulmonary mechanics. Following exposure, mean Al content of lungs was 0.25, 8.10 and 15.37 μg/g lung (dry wt) respectively for sham, 2 wk and 4 wk exposure groups. The number of total cells and macrophages in BAL fluid was 2-times higher in animals exposed for 2 wks and 6-times higher in mice exposed for 4 wks, compared to shams (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively). However no neutrophilic inflammation in BAL fluid was found and neutrophils were below 1% in all groups. No significant differences were found in total protein, activity of LDH, or cytokines levels (IL-6, IFN-γ, MIP-1α, TNF-α, and MIP-2) between shams and exposed mice. Sub-chronic inhalation exposures to aluminum-oxide based nanowhiskers induced increased lung macrophages, but no inflammatory or toxic responses were observed.

  12. Proximal renal tubular injury in rats sub-chronically exposed to low fluoride concentrations

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Cárdenas-González, Mariana C.; Del Razo, Luz M.; Barrera-Chimal, Jonatan

    2013-11-01

    Fluoride is usually found in groundwater at a very wide range of concentration between 0.5 and 25 ppm. At present, few studies have assessed the renal effects of fluoride at environmentally relevant concentrations. Furthermore, most of these studies have used insensitive and nonspecific biomarkers of kidney injury. The aim of this study was to use early and sensitive biomarkers to evaluate kidney injury after fluoride exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations. Recently weaned male Wistar rats were exposed to low (15 ppm) and high (50 ppm) fluoride concentrations in drinking water for a period of 40 days. At the end ofmore » the exposure period, kidney injury biomarkers were measured in urine and renal mRNA expression levels were assessed by real time RT-PCR. Our results showed that the urinary kidney injury molecule (Kim-1), clusterin (Clu), osteopontin (OPN) and heat shock protein 72 excretion rate significantly increased in the group exposed to the high fluoride concentration. Accordingly, fluoride exposure increased renal Kim-1, Clu and OPN mRNA expression levels. Moreover, there was a significant dose-dependent increase in urinary β-2-microglobulin and cystatin-C excretion rate. Additionally, a tendency towards a dose dependent increase of tubular damage in the histopathological light microscopy findings confirmed the preferential impact of fluoride on the tubular structure. All of these changes occurred at early stages in which, the renal function was not altered. In conclusion using early and sensitive biomarkers of kidney injury, we were able to found proximal tubular alterations in rats sub-chronically exposed to fluoride. - Highlights: • Exposure to low concentrations of fluoride induced proximal tubular injury • Increase in urinary Kim-1, Clu, OPN and Hsp72 in 50 ppm fluoride-exposed group • Increase in urinary B2M and CysC in 15 and 50 ppm fluoride-exposed groups • Fluoride exposure increased renal Kim, Clu and OPN mRNA expression levels. • Fluoride increased kidney injury biomarkers at stages where eGFR was unaltered.« less

  13. Effects of subchronic benzo(a)pyrene exposure on neurotransmitter receptor gene expression in the rat hippocampus related with spatial learning and memory change.

    PubMed

    Qiu, Chongying; Cheng, Shuqun; Xia, Yinyin; Peng, Bin; Tang, Qian; Tu, Baijie

    2011-11-18

    Exposure of laboratory rats to Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), an environmental contaminant with its high lipophilicify which is widely dispersed in the environment and can easily cross the blood brain barrier presenting in the central nervous system, is associated with impaired learning and memory. The purpose of the research was to examine whether subchronic exposure to BaP affects spatial learning and memory, and how it alters normal gene expression in hippocampus, as well as selection of candidate genes involving neurotransmitter receptor attributed to learning and memory. Morris water maze (MWM) was used to evaluate behavioral differences between BaP-treated and vehicle-treated groups. To gain a better insight into the mechanism of BaP-induced neurotoxicity on learning and memory, we used whole genome oligo microarrays as well as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to assess the global impact of gene expression. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with 6.25mg/kg of BaP or vehicle for 14 weeks. The results from the Morris water maze (MWM) test showed that rats treated with BaP exhibited significantly higher mean latencies as compared to vehicle controls. BaP exposure significantly decreased the number of crossing the platform and the time spent in the target area. After the hippocampus was collected from each rat, total RNA was isolated. Microarray and PCR revealed that exposure to BaP affected mRNA expression of neurotransmitter receptors. The web tool DAVID was used to analyze the significantly enriched gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathways in the differentially expressed genes. Analysis showed that the most significantly affected gene ontology category was behavior. Furthermore, the fourth highest significantly affected gene ontology category was learning and memory. KEGG molecular pathway analysis showed that "neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction" was affected by BaP with highest statistical significance, and 9 candidate neurotransmitter receptor genes involving learning and memory were selected out. Our results revealed a close link between behavioral changes and altered neurotransmitter receptor gene expression in BaP-treated rats. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Biological Networks for Predicting Chemical Hepatocarcinogenicity Using Gene Expression Data from Treated Mice and Relevance across Human and Rat Species

    PubMed Central

    Thomas, Reuben; Thomas, Russell S.; Auerbach, Scott S.; Portier, Christopher J.

    2013-01-01

    Background Several groups have employed genomic data from subchronic chemical toxicity studies in rodents (90 days) to derive gene-centric predictors of chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity. Genes are annotated to belong to biological processes or molecular pathways that are mechanistically well understood and are described in public databases. Objectives To develop a molecular pathway-based prediction model of long term hepatocarcinogenicity using 90-day gene expression data and to evaluate the performance of this model with respect to both intra-species, dose-dependent and cross-species predictions. Methods Genome-wide hepatic mRNA expression was retrospectively measured in B6C3F1 mice following subchronic exposure to twenty-six (26) chemicals (10 were positive, 2 equivocal and 14 negative for liver tumors) previously studied by the US National Toxicology Program. Using these data, a pathway-based predictor model for long-term liver cancer risk was derived using random forests. The prediction model was independently validated on test sets associated with liver cancer risk obtained from mice, rats and humans. Results Using 5-fold cross validation, the developed prediction model had reasonable predictive performance with the area under receiver-operator curve (AUC) equal to 0.66. The developed prediction model was then used to extrapolate the results to data associated with rat and human liver cancer. The extrapolated model worked well for both extrapolated species (AUC value of 0.74 for rats and 0.91 for humans). The prediction models implied a balanced interplay between all pathway responses leading to carcinogenicity predictions. Conclusions Pathway-based prediction models estimated from sub-chronic data hold promise for predicting long-term carcinogenicity and also for its ability to extrapolate results across multiple species. PMID:23737943

  15. Biological networks for predicting chemical hepatocarcinogenicity using gene expression data from treated mice and relevance across human and rat species.

    PubMed

    Thomas, Reuben; Thomas, Russell S; Auerbach, Scott S; Portier, Christopher J

    2013-01-01

    Several groups have employed genomic data from subchronic chemical toxicity studies in rodents (90 days) to derive gene-centric predictors of chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity. Genes are annotated to belong to biological processes or molecular pathways that are mechanistically well understood and are described in public databases. To develop a molecular pathway-based prediction model of long term hepatocarcinogenicity using 90-day gene expression data and to evaluate the performance of this model with respect to both intra-species, dose-dependent and cross-species predictions. Genome-wide hepatic mRNA expression was retrospectively measured in B6C3F1 mice following subchronic exposure to twenty-six (26) chemicals (10 were positive, 2 equivocal and 14 negative for liver tumors) previously studied by the US National Toxicology Program. Using these data, a pathway-based predictor model for long-term liver cancer risk was derived using random forests. The prediction model was independently validated on test sets associated with liver cancer risk obtained from mice, rats and humans. Using 5-fold cross validation, the developed prediction model had reasonable predictive performance with the area under receiver-operator curve (AUC) equal to 0.66. The developed prediction model was then used to extrapolate the results to data associated with rat and human liver cancer. The extrapolated model worked well for both extrapolated species (AUC value of 0.74 for rats and 0.91 for humans). The prediction models implied a balanced interplay between all pathway responses leading to carcinogenicity predictions. Pathway-based prediction models estimated from sub-chronic data hold promise for predicting long-term carcinogenicity and also for its ability to extrapolate results across multiple species.

  16. Subchronic exposure of benzo(a)pyrene interferes with the expression of Bcl-2, Ki-67, C-myc and p53, Bax, Caspase-3 in sub-regions of cerebral cortex and hippocampus.

    PubMed

    He, Jianlong; Ji, Xiaoying; Li, Yongfei; Xue, Xiaochang; Feng, Guodong; Zhang, Huqin; Wang, Huichun; Gao, Meilii

    2016-01-01

    Benzo[a]pyrene [B(a)P], a representative substance of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, is an ubiquitous environmental contaminant. However, the mechanism of B(a)P neurotoxicity is still not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism by assay the expression of Bcl-2, C-myc, Ki-67 oncogene and p53, Bax, Caspase-3 proapoptotic gene in sub-regions of cerebral cortex and hippocampus in brain. Mice were administrated with subchronic intraperitoneal injection and oral gavage of B(a)P (2.5, 5, 10mg/kg body weight) for 13 weeks. We observed that B(a)P induced the significant increase in relative brain weights and the slight proliferation phenomenon in hippocampus in the experiment. Significant increase of C-myc, Ki-67 and p53, Bax, Caspase-3 and dramatic decrease of Bcl-2 protein levels were observed through immunohistochemical analysis. The relative higher interference of Bcl-2, C-myc, Ki-67 and p53, Bax, Caspase-3 proteins was observed in hippocampus sub-regions of dentate gyrus, cornu ammonis 3 and cornu ammonis 1. The relative lower interference of the examined genes was found in cerebral cortex sub-regions of frontal cortex, temporal cortex and parietal cortex. The results showed a region-difference manner with accompanying dose-dependent manner in brain hippocampus and cerebral cortex induced by B(a)P. These findings indicate that B(a)P-induced subchronic neural toxicity may occur through the enhancement in Bcl-2, C-myc, Ki-67 oncogenes and p53, Bax, Caspase-3 proapoptotic genes expression. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  17. Toxicity studies on agent GA (Phase 2): 90 day subchronic study of GA (Tabun) in cd rats. Appendices. Final report, July 1985-August 1991

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Not Available

    1992-03-01

    The purpose of the report is to provide essential toxicologic information on Tabun administration over a 90 day period. This toxicologic information may be used to adjust the maximum-tolerated dose for subsequent dominant-lethal and two-generation reproduction studies. The objectives were to determine the toxic effects of nerve agent exposure (e.g., target organs); and to determine the effects of nerve agent GA on sperm morphology and motility and vaginal cytology.

  18. IRIS Toxicological Review of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane ...

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    EPA is releasing the draft report, Toxicological Review of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane, that was distributed to Federal agencies and White House Offices for comment during the Science Discussion step of the IRIS Assessment Development Process. Comments received from other Federal agencies and White House Offices are provided below with external peer review panel comments. The draft Toxicological Review of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane provides scientific support and rationale for the hazard and dose-response assessment pertaining to subchronic and chronic exposure to 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane.

  19. Symposium Entitled: Particle Lung Interactions: ’Overload’ Related Phenomena. A Journal of Aerosol Medicine - Deposition, Clearance, and Effects in the Lung. Volume 3, Supplement 1

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1991-04-01

    week and two years (subchronic GMRL studies versus chronic ITRI and Fh-ITA studies ); exposure concentrations were changed by a factor of 40 (Fh-ITA...a forum for the publication of studies involving inhalation of particles and gases in the respiratory tract, covering the use of aerosols as tools to... study basic physiologic phenomena, their use as selective delivery systems for medication, and the toxic effects of inhaled agents. JOURNAL OF AEROSOL

  20. Predicting Drug-induced Hepatotoxicity Using QSAR and Toxicogenomics Approaches

    PubMed Central

    Low, Yen; Uehara, Takeki; Minowa, Yohsuke; Yamada, Hiroshi; Ohno, Yasuo; Urushidani, Tetsuro; Sedykh, Alexander; Muratov, Eugene; Fourches, Denis; Zhu, Hao; Rusyn, Ivan; Tropsha, Alexander

    2014-01-01

    Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) modeling and toxicogenomics are used independently as predictive tools in toxicology. In this study, we evaluated the power of several statistical models for predicting drug hepatotoxicity in rats using different descriptors of drug molecules, namely their chemical descriptors and toxicogenomic profiles. The records were taken from the Toxicogenomics Project rat liver microarray database containing information on 127 drugs (http://toxico.nibio.go.jp/datalist.html). The model endpoint was hepatotoxicity in the rat following 28 days of exposure, established by liver histopathology and serum chemistry. First, we developed multiple conventional QSAR classification models using a comprehensive set of chemical descriptors and several classification methods (k nearest neighbor, support vector machines, random forests, and distance weighted discrimination). With chemical descriptors alone, external predictivity (Correct Classification Rate, CCR) from 5-fold external cross-validation was 61%. Next, the same classification methods were employed to build models using only toxicogenomic data (24h after a single exposure) treated as biological descriptors. The optimized models used only 85 selected toxicogenomic descriptors and had CCR as high as 76%. Finally, hybrid models combining both chemical descriptors and transcripts were developed; their CCRs were between 68 and 77%. Although the accuracy of hybrid models did not exceed that of the models based on toxicogenomic data alone, the use of both chemical and biological descriptors enriched the interpretation of the models. In addition to finding 85 transcripts that were predictive and highly relevant to the mechanisms of drug-induced liver injury, chemical structural alerts for hepatotoxicity were also identified. These results suggest that concurrent exploration of the chemical features and acute treatment-induced changes in transcript levels will both enrich the mechanistic understanding of sub-chronic liver injury and afford models capable of accurate prediction of hepatotoxicity from chemical structure and short-term assay results. PMID:21699217

  1. An improved method for the isolation of rat alveolar type II lung cells: Use in the Comet assay to determine DNA damage induced by cigarette smoke.

    PubMed

    Dalrymple, Annette; Ordoñez, Patricia; Thorne, David; Dillon, Debbie; Meredith, Clive

    2015-06-01

    Smoking is a cause of serious diseases, including lung cancer, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and heart disease. DNA damage is thought to be one of the mechanisms by which cigarette smoke (CS) initiates disease in the lung. Indeed, CS induced DNA damage can be measured in vitro and in vivo. The potential of the Comet assay to measure DNA damage in isolated rat lung alveolar type II epithelial cells (AEC II) was explored as a means to include a genotoxicity end-point in rodent sub-chronic inhalation studies. In this study, published AEC II isolation methods were improved to yield viable cells suitable for use in the Comet assay. The improved method reduced the level of basal DNA damage and DNA repair in isolated AEC II. CS induced DNA damage could also be quantified in isolated cells following a single or 5 days CS exposure. In conclusion, the Comet assay has the potential to determine CS or other aerosol induced DNA damage in AEC II isolated from rodents used in sub-chronic inhalation studies. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Subchronic Oral Toxicity of the Insect Repellent N,N-Diethyl-m-Toluamide (m-DET), September 1978 - May 1979.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1980-02-08

    4 O. TIR.EP---- ... S T EOFREPORT PERIOO COVERED Subchronic Oral Toxicity of the Insect Repellent N , N -Diethyl-m-Tolumide (m-DET y Special,%udyj.... r...PROVING 811l1111 MI 211 PHASE 5 p1~ SUBCHRONIC ORAL TOXICITY STUDY OF THE INSECT REPELLENT N , N -DIETHYL-M-TOLUAMIDE (M-DET) 75-51-0034-80 SEPTEMBER 1978...DOWNGRAOING SCHEDULE to. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT (of this Repoet) N . TIsB doclunent has bei-, n approved, or pub Lic releLsn cmwd sale; iLa d(-ributfon

  3. E-submission Format for Sub-chronic and Chronic Studies

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    The purpose of this document is to suggest the format for final reports and to provide instructions for creation of Adobe PDF electronic submission documents for electronic submission of sub-chronic and chronic studies for pesticides.

  4. Effects of short- and long-term exposures to copper on lethal and reproductive endpoints of the harpacticoid copepod Tigriopus fulvus.

    PubMed

    Biandolino, Francesca; Parlapiano, Isabella; Faraponova, Olga; Prato, Ermelinda

    2018-01-01

    The long-term exposure provides a realistic measurement of the effects of toxicants on aquatic organisms. The harpacticoid copepod Tigriopus fulvus has a wide geographical distribution and is considered as an ideal model organism for ecotoxicological studies for its good sensitivity to different toxicants. In this study, acute, sub-chronic and chronic toxicity tests based on lethal and reproductive responses of Tigriopus fulvus to copper were performed. The number of moults during larval development was chosen as an endpoint for sub-chronic test. Sex ratio, inhibitory effect on larval development, hatching time, fecundity, brood number, nauplii/brood, total newborn production, etc, were calculated in the chronic test (28d). Lethal effect of copper to nauplii showed the LC50-48h of 310 ± 72µgCu/L (mean ± sd). It was observed a significant inhibition of larval development at sublethal copper concentrations, after 4 and 7 d. After 4d, the EC50 value obtained for the endpoint in "moult naupliar reduction" was of 55.8 ± 2.5µgCu/L (mean ± sd). The EC50 for the inhibition of naupliar development into copepodite stage, was of 21.7 ± 4.4µgCu/L (mean ± sd), after 7 days. Among the different traits tested, copper did not affect sex ratio and growth, while fecundity and total nauplii production were the most sensitive endpoints. The reproductive endpoints offer the advantage of being detectable at very low pollutant concentrations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Iron overload prevents oxidative damage to rat brain after chlorpromazine administration.

    PubMed

    Piloni, Natacha E; Caro, Andres A; Puntarulo, Susana

    2018-05-15

    The hypothesis tested is that Fe administration leads to a response in rat brain modulating the effects of later oxidative challenges such as chlorpromazine (CPZ) administration. Either a single dose (acute Fe overload) or 6 doses every second day (sub-chronic Fe overload) of 500 or 50 mg Fe-dextran/kg, respectively, were injected intraperitoneally (ip) to rats. A single dose of 10 mg CPZ/kg was injected ip 8 h after Fe treatment. DNA integrity was evaluated by quantitative PCR, lipid radical (LR · ) generation rate by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and catalase (CAT) activity by UV spectrophotometry in isolated brains. The maximum increase in total Fe brain was detected after 6 or 2 h in the acute and sub-chronic Fe overload model, respectively. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA integrity decreased after acute Fe overload at the time of maximal Fe content; the decrease in DNA integrity was lower after sub-chronic than after acute Fe overload. CPZ administration increased LR · generation rate in control rat brain after 1 and 2 h; however, CPZ administration after acute or sub-chronic Fe overload did not affect LR · generation rate. CPZ treatment did not affect CAT activity after 1-4 h neither in control rats nor in acute Fe-overloaded rats. However, CPZ administration to rats treated sub-chronically with Fe showed increased brain CAT activity after 2 or 4 h, as compared to control values. Fe supplementation prevented brain damage in both acute and sub-chronic models of Fe overload by selectively activating antioxidant pathways.

  6. SUBCHRONIC ENDOTOXIN INHALATION CAUSES PERSISTENT AIRWAY DISEASE

    EPA Science Inventory

    ABSTRACT

    The endotoxin component of organic dusts causes acute reversible airflow obstruction and airway inflammation. To test the hypothesis that endotoxin alone causes airway remodeling, we have compared the response of two inbred mouse strains to subchronic endotoxin ...

  7. Occupational exposure limit for silver nanoparticles: considerations on the derivation of a general health-based value.

    PubMed

    Weldon, Brittany A; M Faustman, Elaine; Oberdörster, Günter; Workman, Tomomi; Griffith, William C; Kneuer, Carsten; Yu, Il Je

    2016-09-01

    With the increased production and widespread commercial use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), human and environmental exposures to silver nanoparticles are inevitably increasing. In particular, persons manufacturing and handling silver nanoparticles and silver nanoparticle containing products are at risk of exposure, potentially resulting in health hazards. While silver dusts, consisting of micro-sized particles and soluble compounds have established occupational exposure limits (OELs), silver nanoparticles exhibit different physicochemical properties from bulk materials. Therefore, we assessed silver nanoparticle exposure and related health hazards in order to determine whether an additional OEL may be needed. Dosimetric evaluations in our study identified the liver as the most sensitive target organ following inhalation exposure, and as such serves as the critical target organ for setting an occupational exposure standard for airborne silver nanoparticles. This study proposes an OEL of 0.19 μg/m(3) for silver nanoparticles derived from benchmark concentrations (BMCs) from subchronic rat inhalation toxicity assessments and the human equivalent concentration (HEC) with kinetic considerations and additional uncertainty factors. It is anticipated that this level will protect workers from potential health hazards, including lung, liver, and skin damage.

  8. Effect of ammonium metavanadate on the murine immune response

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Cohen, M.D.; Wei, C.I.; Tan, H.

    1986-01-01

    Female B/sub 6/C/sub 3/F/sub 1/ mice were exposed to ammonium metavanadate (NH/sub 4/VO/sub 3/) by intraperitoneal injection every 3 d at 2.5, 5.0, or 10 mg V/kg for 3, 6, or 9 w and were then assayed for alterations in immunoresponsiveness. Resistance to Escherichia coli endotoxin lethality increased in a dose-dependent manner up to 6 w of exposure, while resistance to viable gram-positive Listeria lethality was depressed in a dose-dependent manner. Comparison of LD20 values indicated a 250-fold decrease in resistance to Listeria at the lowest vanadium exposure and a 40% increase in resistance to endotoxin after the highest vanadiummore » exposure. Peritoneal macrophage phagocytic capacities were decreased in a dose-dependent manner, but viabilities remained unaffected. Rosetting capacity of splenic lymphocytes was increased following vanadium exposure. Liver and splenic enlargement was observed, and examination of splenic tissue indicated enhanced formation of megakaryocytes and red blood cell precursors. Subchronic exposure to vanadium may thus disrupt the normal function of the immune system.« less

  9. Further development of the theory and mathematical description of combined toxicity: An approach to classifying types of action of three-factorial combinations (a case study of manganese-chromium-nickel subchronic intoxication).

    PubMed

    Katsnelson, Boris A; Panov, Vladimir G; Minigaliyeva, Ilzira A; Varaksin, Anatoly N; Privalova, Larisa I; Slyshkina, Tatyana V; Grebenkina, Svetlana V

    2015-08-06

    For characterizing the three-factorial toxicity, we proposed a new health risk-oriented approach, the gist of which is a classification of effects depending on whether a binary combined toxicity's type remains virtually the same or appears to be either more or less adverse when modeled against the background of a third toxic. To explore possibilities of this approach, we used results of an experiment in which rats had been injected ip 3 times a week (up to 20 injections) with a water solution of either one of the toxics (Mn, Ni or Cr-VI salts) in a dose equivalent to 0.05 LD50, or any two of them, or all the three in the same doses, the controls receiving injections of the same volume of distilled water (4mL per rat). Judging by more than 30 indices for the organism's status, all exposures caused subchronic intoxication of mild to moderate strength. For each two-factorial exposure, we found by mathematical modeling based on the isobolograms that the binary combined subchronic toxicity either was of additive type or departed from it (predominantly toward subadditivity) depending on the effect assessed, dose, and effect level. For the three-factorial combination, different classes of effects were observed rather consistently: class A - those regarding which the third toxic's addition made the binary toxicity type more unfavorable for the organism, class B - those regarding which the result was opposite, and class C - those regarding which the type of binary combined toxicity on the background of a third toxic virtually remained the same as in its absence. We found a complicated reciprocal influence of combined metals on their retention in kidneys, liver, spleen and brain which might presumably be one of the possible mechanisms of combined toxicity, but the lack of an explicit correspondence between the above influence and the influence on toxicity effects suggests that this mechanism is not always the most important one. The relevance of the proposed classification to health risk analysis and management is briefly discussed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Safety assessment of hydroethanolic rambutan rind extract: acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies.

    PubMed

    Thinkratok, Aree; Suwannaprapha, Parin; Srisawat, Rungrudee

    2014-10-01

    This study evaluated the safety of rambutan rind extract (RRE) in male Wistar rats. While acute toxicity was evaluated by feeding the rats with single doses of RRE (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 mg/kg) and its sub-chronic toxicity was observed in rats orally administered with RRE (500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg) daily for 30 days. In acute toxicity study, the LD50 was found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg of RRE. In sub-chronic toxicity study, no mortality and sign of toxicity was found up to 1000 mg/kg/day of RRE. At 2000 mg/kg/day dose, the mortality rate was 12.5%. Significant decreases in body weight gain and food consumption were found in both acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies. In acute toxicity study, all the studied doses of RRE did not alter serum levels of triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) andalanine aminotransferase (ALT). In sub-chronic toxicity study, all studied doses of RRE significantly decreased plasma levels of TG and blood urea nitrogen, but did not alter plasma levels of AST and ALT. TC levels did not show any significant change in both the studies. The obtained results provide basic information for in vivo experimental studies of the pharmacological potentiality of RRE.

  11. Combined treatment with subchronic lithium and acute intracerebral mirtazapine microinjection into the median raphe nucleus exerted an anxiolytic-like effect synergistically.

    PubMed

    An, Yan; Inoue, Takeshi; Kitaichi, Yuji; Chen, Chong; Nakagawa, Shin; Wang, Ce; Kusumi, Ichiro

    2016-07-15

    Although preclinical and clinical studies have established the efficacy of lithium augmentation of antidepressant drugs, the mechanism of action of lithium augmentation is not fully understood. Our previous study reported that subchronic lithium treatment enhanced the anxiolytic-like effect of systemic mirtazapine. In the present study, we examined the effect of subchronic lithium in combination with acute local intracerebral injection of mirtazapine on fear-related behaviors in a contextual fear conditioning test in rats to clarify the target brain region of lithium augmentation of mirtazapine. After conditioning by footshock, diet (food pellets) containing Li2CO3 at a concentration of 0.2% was administered for 7 days. Ten min before testing and 7 days after conditioning, mirtazapine (3μg/site) in a volume of 0.5µl was acutely injected into the median raphe nucleus (MRN), hippocampus or amygdala. The combination of subchronic lithium and acute mirtazapine microinjection into the MRN but not the hippocampus or the amygdala reduced fear expression synergistically. These results suggest that intra-MRN mirtazapine treatment with subchronic lithium exerts the anxiolytic-like effect through the facilitation of the MRN-5HT pathway. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Exposure to silver nanoparticles produces oxidative stress and affects macromolecular and metabolic biomarkers in the goodeid fish Chapalichthys pardalis.

    PubMed

    Valerio-García, Roberto Carlos; Carbajal-Hernández, Ana Laura; Martínez-Ruíz, Erika Berenice; Jarquín-Díaz, Víctor Hugo; Haro-Pérez, Catalina; Martínez-Jerónimo, Fernando

    2017-04-01

    Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the most commercialized nanomaterial worldwide, mainly due to their microbicidal activity. Although, AgNPs have been shown to be toxic to aquatic species, their effect on endemic fish, like Goodeidae, has not been demonstrated. Endemic species are under strong pressures by anthropogenic contamination and destruction of their habitat; therefore, we studied adult Chapalichthys pardalis, an endemic fish of Mexico. We evaluated the toxic effect of AgNPs through oxidative stress, macromolecular and metabolic biomarkers. We determined the LC 50 (96h) and performed subchronic tests (21days) using sublethal AgNPs concentrations (equivalent to CL 1 and CL 10 ). At the end of the bioassay, we quantified 10 stress biomarkers in the liver, gills, and muscle, including the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], and glutathione [GPx]), thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), protein oxidation (CO), macromolecules (proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates), and metabolites (glucose and lactate). In addition, we determined the integrated biomarkers response (IBR). LC 50 was of 10.32mgL -1 . Results of subchronic exposure (21days) revealed that AgNPs produce oxidative stress in C. pardalis adults, as evidenced by a diminution in antioxidant enzymes activity and an increase in TBARS and oxidized proteins. AgNPs also diminished levels of macromolecules and generated a high-energy consumption, reflected in the reduction of glucose levels, although lactate levels were not altered. The IBR analysis evidenced that the largest effect was produced in organisms exposed to LC 10 , being the liver and gills the organs with the greatest damage. Results demonstrated that exposure to AgNPs induces acute and chronic toxic effects on C. pardalis and forewarns about the impact that these nanomaterials can exert on these ecologically relevant aquatic organisms. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Subchronic Exposure to Arsenic Represses the TH/TRβ1-CaMK IV Signaling Pathway in Mouse Cerebellum.

    PubMed

    Guan, Huai; Li, Shuangyue; Guo, Yanjie; Liu, Xiaofeng; Yang, Yi; Guo, Jinqiu; Li, Sheng; Zhang, Cong; Shang, Lixin; Piao, Fengyuan

    2016-01-26

    We previously reported that arsenic (As) impaired learning and memory by down-regulating calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMK IV) in mouse cerebellum. It has been documented that the thyroid hormone receptor (TR)/retinoid X receptor (RXR) heterodimer and thyroid hormone (TH) may be involved in the regulation of CaMK IV. To investigate whether As affects the TR/RXR heterodimer and TH, we determined As concentration in serum and cerebellum, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4) levels in serum, and expression of CaMK IV, TR and RXR in cerebellum of mice exposed to As. Cognition function was examined by the step-down passive avoidance task and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Morphology of the cerebellum was observed by Hematoxylin-Eosin staining under light microscope. Our results showed that the concentrations of As in the serum and cerebellum of mice both increased with increasing As-exposure level. A significant positive correlation was found between the two processes. Adeficit in learning and memory was found in the exposed mice. Abnormal morphologic changes of Purkinje cells were observed in cerebellum of the exposed mice. Moreover, the cerebellar expressions of CaMK IV protein and the TRβ gene, and TRβ1 protein were significantly lower in As-exposed mice than those in controls. Subchronic exposure to As appears to increase its level in serum and cerebella of mice, impairing learning and memory and down-regulating expression of TRβ1 as well as down-stream CaMK IV. It is also suggested that the increased As may be responsible for down-regulation of TRβ1 and CaMK IV in cerebellum and that the down-regulated TRβ1 may be involved in As-induced impairment of learning and memory via inhibiting CaMK IV and its down-stream pathway.

  14. Predictive model accuracy in estimating last Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) intake from plasma and whole blood cannabinoid concentrations in chronic, daily cannabis smokers administered subchronic oral THC*

    PubMed Central

    Karschner, Erin L.; Schwope, David M.; Schwilke, Eugene W.; Goodwin, Robert S.; Kelly, Deanna L.; Gorelick, David A.; Huestis, Marilyn A.

    2012-01-01

    Background Determining time since last cannabis/Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure is important in clinical, workplace, and forensic settings. Mathematical models calculating time of last exposure from whole blood concentrations typically employ a theoretical 0.5 whole blood-to-plasma (WB/P) ratio. No studies previously evaluated predictive models utilizing empirically-derived WB/P ratios, or whole blood cannabinoid pharmacokinetics after subchronic THC dosing. Methods Ten male chronic, daily cannabis smokers received escalating around-the-clock oral THC (40-120 mg daily) for 8 days. Cannabinoids were quantified in whole blood and plasma by two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results Maximum whole blood THC occurred 3.0 h after the first oral THC dose and 103.5 h (4.3 days) during multiple THC dosing. Median WB/P ratios were THC 0.63 (n=196), 11-hydroxy-THC 0.60 (n=189), and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH) 0.55 (n=200). Predictive models utilizing these WB/P ratios accurately estimated last cannabis exposure in 96% and 100% of specimens collected within 1-5 h after a single oral THC dose and throughout multiple dosing, respectively. Models were only 60% and 12.5% accurate 12.5 and 22.5 h after the last THC dose, respectively. Conclusions Predictive models estimating time since last cannabis intake from whole blood and plasma cannabinoid concentrations were inaccurate during abstinence, but highly accurate during active THC dosing. THC redistribution from large cannabinoid body stores and high circulating THCCOOH concentrations create different pharmacokinetic profiles than those in less than daily cannabis smokers that were used to derive the models. Thus, the models do not accurately predict time of last THC intake in individuals consuming THC daily. PMID:22464363

  15. Resistance in cholinesterase activity after an acute and subchronic exposure to azinphos-methyl in the freshwater gastropod Biomphalaria straminea.

    PubMed

    Bianco, Karina; Otero, Sofía; Oliver, Agustina Balazote; Nahabedian, Daniel; Kristoff, Gisela

    2014-11-01

    Organophosphorous and carbamates insecticides are ones of the most popular classes of pesticides used in agriculture. Its success relies on their high acute toxicity and rapid environmental degradation. These insecticides inhibit cholinesterase and cause severe effects on aquatic non-target species, particularly in invertebrates. Since the properties of cholinesterases may differ between species, it is necessary to characterize them before their use as biomarkers. Also organophosphorous and carbamates inhibit carboxylesterases and the use of both enzymes for biomonitoring is suggested. Azinphos-methyl is an organophosphorous insecticide used in several parts of the word. In Argentina, it is the most applied insecticide in fruit production in the north Patagonian region. It was detected with the highest frequency in superficial and groundwater of the region. This work aims to evaluate the sensitivity of B. straminea cholinesterases and carboxylesterases to the OP azinphos-methyl including estimations of 48 h NOEC and IC50 of the pesticide and subchronic effects at environmentally relevant concentrations. These will allow us to evaluate the possibility of using cholinesterase and carboxylesterase of B. straminea as sensitive biomarkers. Previously a partial characterization of these enzymes will be performed. As in most invertebrates, acetylthiocholine was the preferred hydrolyzed substrate of B. straminea ChE, followed by propionylthiocholine and being butyrylthiocholine hydrolysis very low. Cholinesterase activity of B. straminea was significantly inhibited by the selective cholinesterases inhibitor (eserine) and by the selective inhibitor of mammalian acethylcholinesterase (BW284c51). In contrast, iso-OMPA, a specific inhibitor of butyrylcholinesterase, did not inhibit cholinesterase activity. These results suggest that cholinesterase activity in total soft tissue of B. straminea corresponds to acethylcholinesterase. Carboxylesterases activity was one order of magnitude higher than cholinesterase. A greater efficiency (Vmax/Km) was obtained using acetylthiocholine and p-nitrophenyl butyrate. Acute exposure to azinphos-methyl did not cause inhibition of cholinesterase activity until 10 mg L(-1) used. Carboxylesterases towards p-nitrophenyl butyrate was inhibited by azinphos-methyl being the IC502.20±0.75 mg L(-1) of azinphos-methyl. Subchronic exposure to environmental concentrations of azinphos-methyl (0.02 and 0.2 mg L(-1)) produced a decrease in survival, protein content and carboxylesterases activity despite no inhibition of cholinesterase activity was observed. B. straminea cholinesterase is not a sensible biomarker. On the contrary, carboxylesterases activity was inhibited by azinphos-methyl. Carboxylesterases could be protecting cholinesterase activity and therefore, protecting the organism from neurotoxicity. This work confirms the advantages of measuring cholinesterases and carboxylesterases jointly in aquatic biomonitoring of pesticide contamination. This becomes relevant in order to find more sensitive biomarkers and new strategies to protect non-target aquatic organisms from pesticide contamination. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Sub-chronic Hepatotoxicity of Anacardium occidentale (Anacardiaceae) Inner Stem Bark Extract in Rats

    PubMed Central

    Okonkwo, T. J. N.; Okorie, O.; Okonta, J. M.; Okonkwo, C. J.

    2010-01-01

    The extracts of Anacardium occidentale have been used in the management of different cardiovascular disorders in Nigeria. These have necessitated the assessment of the toxicity of this plant extract in sub-chronic administration. The inner stem bark of Anacardium occidentale was extracted with 80 % methanol and quantitatively analysed for antinutrients and some heavy metals. The phytochemical compositions and acute toxicity of the extract were determined also. Toxicity profiles of the extract on some liver function parameters were evaluated following a sub-chronic oral administration at doses of 1.44 and 2.87 g/kg. The phytochemical screening of extract revealed the presence of high amount of tannins, moderate saponins and trace of free reducing sugars. The antinutrient levels were 5.75 % (tannins), 2.50 % (oxalates), 2.00 % (saponins), 0.25 % (phytate) and 0.03 % (cyanide). The quantity of iron detected from dried crude was 8.92 mg/100 g, while lead and cadmium were non-detectable. The extract had LD50of 2.154g/kg p.o. in mice. Sub-chronic administration of the extract significantly increased the serum levels of alanine aminotransaminase and aspartate aminotransaminase, which are indicative of liver damage. The serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and total protein of the treated animals were not significantly increased. The effects of sub-chronically administered extract on hepatocytes were minimal as the serum alkaline phosphatase; total bilirubin and total protein levels in treated animals were not significant (p< 0.05). Thus, sub-chronic administrations of Anacardium occidentale inner stem bark extract did not significantly (p< 0.05) depress the function of hepatocytes in Wistar rats. PMID:21188045

  17. Pyrethroid insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin and its metabolites induce liver injury through the activation of oxidative stress and proinflammatory gene expression in rats following acute and subchronic exposure.

    PubMed

    Aouey, Bakhta; Derbali, Mohamed; Chtourou, Yassine; Bouchard, Michèle; Khabir, Abdelmajid; Fetoui, Hamadi

    2017-02-01

    Lambda-cyhalothrin (LTC) [α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclo-propanecarboxylate] is a synthetic type II pyrethroid insecticide commonly used in residential and agricultural areas. The potential hepatotoxicity of pyrethroids remains unclear and could easily be assessed by measuring common clinical indicators of liver disease. To understand more about the potential risks for humans associated with LTC exposure, male adult rats were orally exposed to 6.2 and 31.1 mg/kg bw of LTC for 7, 30, 45, and 60 days. Histopathological changes and alterations of main parameters related to oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in the liver were evaluated. Further, lambda-cyhalothrin metabolites [3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-enyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropane carboxylic acid (CFMP), 4-hydroxyphenoxybenzoic acid (4-OH-3-PBA), and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA)] in the liver tissues were identified and quantified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadripole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS-Q-ToF). Results revealed that LTC exposure significantly increased markers of hepatic oxidative stress in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner, and this was associated with an accumulation of CFMP and 3-PBA in the liver tissues. In addition, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL-6 and IL-1β) gene expressions were significantly increased in the liver of exposed rats compared to controls. Correlation analyses revealed that CFMP and 3-PBA metabolite levels in the liver tissues were significantly correlated with the indexes of oxidative stress, redox status, and inflammatory markers in rats exposed to lambda-cyhalothin. Overall, this study provided novel evidence that hepatic damage is likely due to increased oxidative stress and inflammation under the condition of acute and subchronic exposure to lambda-cyhalothrin and that LTC metabolites (CFMP and 3-PBA) could be used as potential biomarker in human biomonitoring studies.

  18. Subchronic administration of atomoxetine causes an enduring reduction in context-induced relapse to cocaine seeking without affecting impulsive decision making.

    PubMed

    Broos, Nienke; Loonstra, Rhianne; van Mourik, Yvar; Schetters, Dustin; Schoffelmeer, Anton N M; Pattij, Tommy; De Vries, Taco J

    2015-07-01

    Previous work has established a robust relationship between impulsivity and addiction, and revealed that impulsive decision making predisposes the vulnerability to cocaine-seeking behavior in rats. An important next step is to assess whether elevated relapse vulnerability can be treated via the reduction of impulsive decision making. Therefore, this study explored whether subchronic atomoxetine treatment can reduce relapse vulnerability by reducing impulsive decision making. Rats were trained in the delayed reward task and were subjected to 3 weeks of cocaine self-administration. Following drug self-administration, animals were divided to different experimental groups and received the noradrenaline transporter inhibitor and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder drug atomoxetine or vehicle subchronically for 20 days. On days 1 and 10 after treatment cessation, a context-induced reinstatement test was performed. Throughout the entire experiment, changes in impulsive decision making were continuously monitored. Subchronic treatment with atomoxetine reduced context-induced reinstatement both 1 and 10 days after treatment cessation, only in animals receiving no extinction training. Interestingly, neither subchronic nor acute atomoxetine treatments affected impulsive decision making. Our data indicate that the enduring reduction in relapse sensitivity by atomoxetine occurred independent of a reduction in impulsive decision making. Nonetheless, repeated atomoxetine administration seems a promising pharmacotherapeutical strategy to prevent relapse to cocaine seeking in abstinent drug-dependent subjects. © 2014 Society for the Study of Addiction.

  19. Effects of MDMA on olfactory memory and reversal learning in rats

    PubMed Central

    Hawkey, Andrew; April, L. Brooke; Galizio, Mark

    2014-01-01

    The effects of acute and sub-chronic MDMA were assessed using a procedure designed to test rodent working memory capacity: the odor span task (OST). Rats were trained to select an odor that they had not previously encountered within the current session, and the number of odors to remember was incremented up to 24 during the course of each session. In order to separate drug effects on the OST from more general performance impairment, a simple olfactory discrimination was also assessed in each session. In Experiment 1, acute doses of MDMA were administered prior to select sessions. MDMA impaired memory span in a dose-dependent fashion, but impairment was seen only at doses (1.8 and 3.0 mg/kg) that also increased response omissions on both the simple discrimination and the OST. In Experiment 2, a sub-chronic regimen of MDMA (10.0 mg/kg, twice daily over four days) was administered after OST training. There was no evidence of reduced memory span following sub-chronic MDMA, but a temporary increase in omission errors on the OST was observed. In addition, rats exposed to sub-chronic MDMA showed delayed learning when the simple discrimination was reversed. Overall, the disruptive effects of both acute and sub-chronic MDMA appeared to be due to non-mnemonic processes, rather than effects on specific memory functions. PMID:25017644

  20. Antidepressant-like effects of the acute and chronic administration of nicotine in the rat forced swimming test and its interaction with fluoxetine [correction of flouxetine].

    PubMed

    Vázquez-Palacios, G; Bonilla-Jaime, H; Velázquez-Moctezuma, J

    2004-05-01

    An antidepressant action of nicotine (NIC) has recently been suggested. Flouxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is currently the most widely used antidepressant. In the present study, we analyzed the effects of the administration of NIC, fluoxetine (FLX), and the combination of both drugs given acutely, subchronically, and chronically as well as 7 days after chronic administration of these drugs on the forced swim test. Results showed that NIC induced a significant reduction of the time in immobility during the forced swim test (antidepressant effect), with a concomitant increase in swimming activity (serotonergic activation), after acute administration. These effects remain the same after subchronic and chronic administration. FLX failed to induce any effect after acute administration but did induce a significant decrease of immobility and an increase of swimming after subchronic administration. The effect of the chronic administration was significantly larger compared to subchronic administration. The combination of both drugs induced a larger effect than that observed after a single administration but only after subchronic treatment. No effect was observed after the end of the 7-day treatments. Data suggest that NIC has an antidepressant action that is expressed faster than FLX but remains the same later. Thus, cholinergic-serotonergic interactions could play an important role in the treatment of depression.

  1. Ninety-Day Subchronic Oral Toxicity Study of Pyridostigmine Bromide in Rats. Volume 1

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1990-05-01

    myasthenia gravis because of its relative lack of untoward effects in comparison with other anticholinesterases (2). This relative lack of clinical...treatment of myasthenia gravis . Objecrive of Study The objective of this study was to determine the 90-day subchronic toxicity of pyridostigmine bromide in

  2. DOMINANT LETHAL EFFECTS OF SUBCHRONIC ACRYLAMIDE ADMINISTRATION IN THE MALE LONG-EVANS RAT

    EPA Science Inventory

    Acrylamide, a widely used vinyl monomer, is well known as a neurotoxin but inactive as a mutagen in bacterial test systems. The experiments reported demonstrate that after subchronic oral dosing in the male rat, acrylamide induced significant elevations in both pre and post impla...

  3. Longitudinal two-photon imaging in somatosensory cortex of behaving mice reveals dendritic spine formation enhancement by subchronic administration of low-dose ketamine.

    PubMed

    Pryazhnikov, Evgeny; Mugantseva, Ekaterina; Casarotto, Plinio; Kolikova, Julia; Fred, Senem Merve; Toptunov, Dmytro; Afzalov, Ramil; Hotulainen, Pirta; Voikar, Vootele; Terry-Lorenzo, Ryan; Engel, Sharon; Kirov, Sergei; Castren, Eero; Khiroug, Leonard

    2018-04-24

    Ketamine, a well-known anesthetic, has recently attracted renewed attention as a fast-acting antidepressant. A single dose of ketamine induces rapid synaptogenesis, which may underlie its antidepressant effect. To test whether repeated exposure to ketamine triggers sustained synaptogenesis, we administered a sub-anesthetic dose of ketamine (10 mg/kg i.p.) once-daily for 5 days, and repeatedly imaged dendritic spines of the YFP-expressing pyramidal neurons in somatosensory cortex of awake female mice using in vivo two-photon microscopy. We found that the spine formation rate became significantly higher at 72-132 h after the first ketamine injection (but not at 6-24 h), while the rate of elimination of pre-existing spines remained unchanged. In contrast to the net gain of spines observed in ketamine-treated mice, the vehicle-injected control mice exhibited a net loss typical for young-adult animals undergoing synapse pruning. Ketamine-induced spinogenesis was correlated with increased PSD-95 and phosphorylated actin, consistent with formation of new synapses. Moreover, structural synaptic plasticity caused by ketamine was paralleled by a significant improvement in the nest building behavioral assay. Taken together, our data show that subchronic low-dose ketamine induces a sustained shift towards spine formation.

  4. Olanzapine-induced hyperphagia and weight gain associate with orexigenic hypothalamic neuropeptide signaling without concomitant AMPK phosphorylation.

    PubMed

    Fernø, Johan; Varela, Luis; Skrede, Silje; Vázquez, María Jesús; Nogueiras, Rubén; Diéguez, Carlos; Vidal-Puig, Antonio; Steen, Vidar M; López, Miguel

    2011-01-01

    The success of antipsychotic drug treatment in patients with schizophrenia is limited by the propensity of these drugs to induce hyperphagia, weight gain and other metabolic disturbances, particularly evident for olanzapine and clozapine. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in antipsychotic-induced hyperphagia remain unclear. Here, we investigate the effect of olanzapine administration on the regulation of hypothalamic mechanisms controlling food intake, namely neuropeptide expression and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in rats. Our results show that subchronic exposure to olanzapine upregulates neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti related protein (AgRP) and downregulates proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC). This effect was evident both in rats fed ad libitum and in pair-fed rats. Of note, despite weight gain and increased expression of orexigenic neuropeptides, subchronic administration of olanzapine decreased AMPK phosphorylation levels. This reduction in AMPK was not observed after acute administration of either olanzapine or clozapine. Overall, our data suggest that olanzapine-induced hyperphagia is mediated through appropriate changes in hypothalamic neuropeptides, and that this effect does not require concomitant AMPK activation. Our data shed new light on the hypothalamic mechanism underlying antipsychotic-induced hyperphagia and weight gain, and provide the basis for alternative targets to control energy balance.

  5. Olanzapine-Induced Hyperphagia and Weight Gain Associate with Orexigenic Hypothalamic Neuropeptide Signaling without Concomitant AMPK Phosphorylation

    PubMed Central

    Fernø, Johan; Vázquez, María Jesús; Nogueiras, Rubén; Diéguez, Carlos; Vidal-Puig, Antonio; Steen, Vidar M.; López, Miguel

    2011-01-01

    The success of antipsychotic drug treatment in patients with schizophrenia is limited by the propensity of these drugs to induce hyperphagia, weight gain and other metabolic disturbances, particularly evident for olanzapine and clozapine. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in antipsychotic-induced hyperphagia remain unclear. Here, we investigate the effect of olanzapine administration on the regulation of hypothalamic mechanisms controlling food intake, namely neuropeptide expression and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in rats. Our results show that subchronic exposure to olanzapine upregulates neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti related protein (AgRP) and downregulates proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC). This effect was evident both in rats fed ad libitum and in pair-fed rats. Of note, despite weight gain and increased expression of orexigenic neuropeptides, subchronic administration of olanzapine decreased AMPK phosphorylation levels. This reduction in AMPK was not observed after acute administration of either olanzapine or clozapine. Overall, our data suggest that olanzapine-induced hyperphagia is mediated through appropriate changes in hypothalamic neuropeptides, and that this effect does not require concomitant AMPK activation. Our data shed new light on the hypothalamic mechanism underlying antipsychotic-induced hyperphagia and weight gain, and provide the basis for alternative targets to control energy balance. PMID:21695181

  6. A subchronic 90-day oral toxicity study of Origanum vulgare essential oil in rats.

    PubMed

    Llana-Ruiz-Cabello, M; Maisanaba, S; Puerto, M; Pichardo, S; Jos, A; Moyano, R; Cameán, A M

    2017-03-01

    Oregano essential oil (Origanum vulgare L. virens) (OEO) is being used in the food industry due to its useful properties to develop new active packaging systems. In this concern, the safety assessment of this natural extract is of great interest before being commercialized. The European Food Safety Authority requests different in vivo assays to ensure the safety of food contact materials. One of these studies is a 90 days repeated-dose oral assay in rodents. In the present work, 40 male and 40 female Wistar rats were orally exposed to 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) OEO during 90 days following the OECD guideline 408. Data revealed no mortality and no treatment-related adverse effects of the OEO in food/water consumption, body weight, haematology, biochemistry, necropsy, organ weight and histopathology. These findings suggest that the oral no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of this OEO is 200 mg/kg b.w. in Wistar rats, the highest dose tested. In conclusion, the use of this OEO in food packaging appears to be safe based on the lack of toxicity during the subchronic study at doses 330-fold higher than those expected to be in contact consumers in the worst scenario of exposure. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Comparative effects of inhaled diesel exhaust and ambient fine particles on inflammation, atherosclerosis, and vascular dysfunction

    PubMed Central

    Quan, Chunli; Sun, Qinghua; Lippmann, Morton; Chen, Lung-Chi

    2011-01-01

    Ambient air PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter) has been associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but the underlying mechanisms affecting CVDs are unknown. The authors investigated whether subchronic inhalation of concentrated ambient PM2.5 (CAPs), whole diesel exhaust (WDE), or diesel exhaust gases (DEGs) led to exacerbation of atherosclerosis, pulmonary and systemic inflammation, and vascular dysfunction; and whether DEG interactions with CAPs alter cardiovascular effects. ApoE−/− mice were simultaneously exposed via inhalation for 5 hours/day, 4 days/week, for up to 5 months to one of five different exposure atmospheres: (1) filtered air (FA); (2) CAPs (105 μg/m3); (3) WDE (DEP = 436 μg/m3); (4) DEG (equivalent to gas levels in WDE group); and (5) CAPs+DEG (PM2.5: 113 μg/m3; with DEG equivalent to WDE group). After 3 and 5 months, lung lavage fluid and blood sera were analyzed, and atherosclerotic plaques were quantified by ultrasound imaging, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E stain), and en face Sudan IV stain. Vascular functions were assessed after 5 months of exposure. The authors showed that (1) subchronic CAPs, WDE, and DEG inhalations increased serum vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 levels and enhanced phenylephrine (PE)-induced vasoconstriction; (2) for plaque exacerbation, CAPs > WDE > DEG = FA, thus PM components (not present in WDE) were responsible for plaque development; (3) atherosclerosis can exacerbated through mechanistic pathways other than inflammation and vascular dysfunction; and (4) although there were no significant interactions between CAPs and DEG on plaque exacerbation, it is less clear whether the effects of CAPs on vasomotor dysfunction and pulmonary/systemic inflammation were enhanced by the DEG coexposure. PMID:20462391

  8. Congo red dye affects survival and reproduction in the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia. Effects of direct and dietary exposure.

    PubMed

    Hernández-Zamora, Miriam; Martínez-Jerónimo, Fernando; Cristiani-Urbina, Eliseo; Cañizares-Villanueva, Rosa Olivia

    2016-12-01

    Nearly 7 00000 tons of dyes are produced annually throughout the world. Azo dyes are widely used in the textile and paper industries due to their low cost and ease of application. Their extensive use results in large volumes of wastewater being discharged into aquatic ecosystems. Large volume discharges constitute a health risk since many of these dyes, such as Congo Red, are elaborated with benzidine, a known carcinogenic compound. Information regarding dye toxicity in aquatic ecosystems is limited. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Congo Red on survival and reproduction of Ceriodaphnia dubia. We determined the 48 h median lethal concentration (LC 50 ) and evaluated the effects of sublethal concentrations in subchronic exposures by using as food either fresh algae or algae previously exposed to the dye. LC 50 was 13.58 mg L -1 . In subchronic assays, survival was reduced to 80 and 55 %, and fertility to 40 and 70 %, as compared to the control, in C. dubia fed with intoxicated cells or with the mix of intoxicated + fresh algae, respectively, so the quantity and type of food had a significant effect. We determined that Congo Red is highly toxic to C. dubia since it inhibits survival and fertility in concentrations exceeding 3 mg L -1 . Our results show that this dye produces negative effects at very low concentrations. Furthermore, our findings warn of the risk associated with discharging dyes into aquatic environments. Lastly, the results emphasize the need to regulate the discharge of effluents containing azo dyes.

  9. Combined Subchronic Toxicity of Aluminum (III), Titanium (IV) and Silicon (IV) Oxide Nanoparticles and Its Alleviation with a Complex of Bioprotectors.

    PubMed

    Minigalieva, Ilzira A; Katsnelson, Boris A; Privalova, Larisa I; Sutunkova, Marina P; Gurvich, Vladimir B; Shur, Vladimir Y; Shishkina, Ekaterina V; Valamina, Irene E; Makeyev, Oleg H; Panov, Vladimir G; Varaksin, Anatoly N; Bushueva, Tatiana V; Sakhautdinova, Renata R; Klinova, Svetlana V; Solovyeva, Svetlana N; Meshtcheryakova, Ekaterina Y

    2018-03-13

    Stable suspensions of metal/metalloid oxide nanoparticles (MeO-NPs) obtained by laser ablation of 99.99% pure elemental aluminum, titanium or silicon under a layer of deionized water were used separately, or in three binary combinations, or in a ternary combination to induce subchronic intoxications in rats. To this end, the MeO-NPs were repeatedly injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) 18 times during 6 weeks before measuring a large number of functional, biochemical, morphological and cytological indices for the organism's status. In many respects, the Al₂O₃-NP was found to be the most toxic species alone and the most dangerous component of the combinations studied. Mathematical modeling with the help of the Response Surface Methodology showed that, as well as in the case of any other binary toxic combinations previously investigated by us, the organism's response to a simultaneous exposure to any two of the MeO-NP species under study was characterized by a complex interaction between all possible types of combined toxicity (additivity, subadditivity or superadditivity of unidirectional action and different variants of opposite effects) depending on which outcome this type was estimated for and on effect and dose levels. With any third MeO-NP species acting in the background, the type of combined toxicity displayed by the other two remained virtually the same or changed significantly, becoming either more or less unfavorable. Various harmful effects produced by the (Al₂O₃-NP + TiO₂-NP + SiO₂-NP)-combination, including its genotoxicity, were substantially attenuated by giving the rats per os during the entire exposure period a complex of innocuous bioactive substances expected to increase the organism's antitoxic resistance.

  10. Combined Subchronic Toxicity of Aluminum (III), Titanium (IV) and Silicon (IV) Oxide Nanoparticles and Its Alleviation with a Complex of Bioprotectors

    PubMed Central

    Minigalieva, Ilzira A.; Katsnelson, Boris A.; Privalova, Larisa I.; Sutunkova, Marina P.; Gurvich, Vladimir B.; Shur, Vladimir Y.; Shishkina, Ekaterina V.; Valamina, Irene E.; Makeyev, Oleg H.; Panov, Vladimir G.; Varaksin, Anatoly N.; Bushueva, Tatiana V.; Sakhautdinova, Renata R.; Klinova, Svetlana V.; Solovyeva, Svetlana N.; Meshtcheryakova, Ekaterina Y.

    2018-01-01

    Stable suspensions of metal/metalloid oxide nanoparticles (MeO-NPs) obtained by laser ablation of 99.99% pure elemental aluminum, titanium or silicon under a layer of deionized water were used separately, or in three binary combinations, or in a ternary combination to induce subchronic intoxications in rats. To this end, the MeO-NPs were repeatedly injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) 18 times during 6 weeks before measuring a large number of functional, biochemical, morphological and cytological indices for the organism’s status. In many respects, the Al2O3-NP was found to be the most toxic species alone and the most dangerous component of the combinations studied. Mathematical modeling with the help of the Response Surface Methodology showed that, as well as in the case of any other binary toxic combinations previously investigated by us, the organism’s response to a simultaneous exposure to any two of the MeO-NP species under study was characterized by a complex interaction between all possible types of combined toxicity (additivity, subadditivity or superadditivity of unidirectional action and different variants of opposite effects) depending on which outcome this type was estimated for and on effect and dose levels. With any third MeO-NP species acting in the background, the type of combined toxicity displayed by the other two remained virtually the same or changed significantly, becoming either more or less unfavorable. Various harmful effects produced by the (Al2O3-NP + TiO2-NP + SiO2-NP)-combination, including its genotoxicity, were substantially attenuated by giving the rats per os during the entire exposure period a complex of innocuous bioactive substances expected to increase the organism’s antitoxic resistance. PMID:29534019

  11. DNA damage and oxidative stress induced by imidacloprid exposure in the earthworm Eisenia fetida.

    PubMed

    Wang, Juan; Wang, Jinhua; Wang, Guangchi; Zhu, Lusheng; Wang, Jun

    2016-02-01

    To investigate the soil ecological effect of imidacloprid, earthworm Eisenia fetida was exposed to various concentrations of imidacloprid (0.10, 0.50, and 1.00 mg kg(-1) soil) respectively after 7, 14, 21, and 28 d. The effect of imidacloprid on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, antioxidant enzymes activity [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase enzyme (GST)], malondialdehyde (MDA) content and DNA damage of the E. fetida was investigated. Significant increase of the ROS level was observed. The SOD and GST activity were significantly induced at most exposure intervals. CAT activity was inhibited and reflected a dose-dependent relationship on days 7, 14 and 21. High MDA levels were observed and the olive tail moment (OTM) as well as the percentage of DNA in the comet tail (tail DNA%) in comet assay declined with increasing concentrations and exposure time after 7 d. Our results suggested that the sub-chronic exposure of imidacloprid caused DNA damage and lipid peroxidation (LPO) leading to antioxidant responses in earthworm E. fetida. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. Transcriptional response of mysid crustacean, Americamysis bahia, is affected by subchronic exposure to nonylphenol.

    PubMed

    Uchida, Masaya; Hirano, Masashi; Ishibashi, Hiroshi; Kobayashi, Jun; Kagami, Yoshihiro; Koyanagi, Akiko; Kusano, Teruhiko; Koga, Minoru; Arizono, Koji

    2016-11-01

    Nonylphenol (NP) has been classified as an endocrine-disrupting chemical. In this study, we conducted mysid DNA microarray analysis with which has 2240 oligo DNA probes to observe differential gene expressions in mysid crustacean (Americamysis bahia) exposed to 1, 3, 10 and 30 μg/l of NP for 14 days. As a result, we found 31, 27, 39 and 68 genes were differentially expressed in the respective concentrations. Among these genes, the expressions of five particular genes were regulated in a similar manner at all concentrations of the NP exposure. So, we focused on one gene encoding cuticle protein, and another encoding cuticular protein analogous to peritrophins 1-H precursor. These genes were down-regulated by NP exposure in a dose-dependent manner, and it suggested that they were related in a reduction of the number of molting in mysids. Thus, they might become useful molecular biomarker candidates to evaluate molting inhibition in mysids. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Impact of colour pigments on biochemical parameters of bivalve, Lamellidens marginalis.

    PubMed

    Phadnis, S D; Chandagade, C A; Jadhav, V V; Raut, P D

    2013-03-01

    The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of colour pigments used for painting the decorative articles like idols, on the freshwater bivalve, Lamellidens marginalis. The effects of subchronic exposure were studied by the changes in the biochemical constituents like total protein, glycogen and lactic acid, in different tissues like muscle, mantle, gills, foot, hepatopancreas and gonads for 10 and 20 days period. The glycogen contents in the muscle, mantle and gonads were significantly decreased with increase in concentration of colour pigments. It decreased from 26.77 mg gm(-1) in control to 19.17 mg gm(-1) at 900 ppm after 20 days of exposure; whereas protein contents in the tissues studied decreased significantly from 22.5 mg gm(-1) in control to 15.5 mg gm(-1) at 900 ppm after 10 days of exposure. The increase in lactic acid content in all the tissues except gills and gonads may be due to acute hypoxia.

  14. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Edwards, Joshua R.; Prozialeck, Walter C.

    Recent epidemiological studies suggest a positive association between exposure to the environmental pollutant cadmium (Cd) and the incidence and severity of diabetes. In this review, we examine the literature suggesting a relationship between Cd exposure, elevated blood glucose levels, and the development of diabetes. In addition we review human and animal studies indicating that Cd potentiates or exacerbates diabetic nephropathy. We also review the various possible cellular mechanisms by which Cd may alter blood glucose levels. In addition, we present some novel findings from our own laboratories showing that Cd elevates fasting blood glucose levels in an animal model ofmore » subchronic Cd exposure before overt signs of renal dysfunction are evident. These studies also show that Cd reduces insulin levels and has direct cytotoxic effects on the pancreas. Together, these findings indicate that Cd may be a factor in the development of some types of diabetes and they raise the possibility that Cd and diabetes-related hyperglycemia may act synergistically to damage the kidney.« less

  15. Toxicity study of dimethylethoxysilane (DMSES), the waterproofing agent for the Orbiter heat protective system

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lam, Chiu-Wing; James, John T.; Dodd, Darol; Stuart, Bruce; Rothenberg, Simon; Kershaw, Mary Ann; Thilagar, A.

    1993-01-01

    DMES, a volatile liquid, is used by NASA to waterproof the Orbiter thermal protective system. During waterproofing operations at the Oribter Processing Facility at KSC, workers could be exposed to DMES vapor. To assess the toxicity of DMES, acute and subchronic (2-week and 13-week) inhalation studies were conducted with rats. Studies were also conducted to assess the potential of DMES. Inhalation exposure concentrations ranged from 40 ppm to 4000 ppm. No mortality was observed during the studies. Exposures to 2100 ppm produced narcosis and ataxia. Post-exposure recovery from these CNS effects was rapid (less than 1 hr). These effects were concentration-dependent and relatively independent of exposure length. Exposure to 3000 ppm for 2 weeks (5 h/d, 5 d/wk) produced testicular toxicity. The 13-week study yielded similar results. Results from the genotoxicity assays (in vivo/in vitro unscheduled DNA synthesis in rat primary heptaocytes, chromosomal aberrations in rat bone marrow cells; reverse gene mutation in Salmonella typhimurium; and forward mutation in Chinese hamster culture cells) were negative. These studies indicated that DMES is mildly to moderately toxic but not a multagen.

  16. SUBCHRONIC ENDOTOXIN INHALATION CAUSES CHRONIC AIRWAY DISEASE IN ENDOTOXIN-SENSITIVE BUT NOT ENDOTOXIN-RESISTANT MICE

    EPA Science Inventory

    SUBCHRONIC ENDOTOXIN INHALATION CAUSES CHRONIC AIRWAY DISEASE IN ENDOTOXIN-SENSITIVE BUT NOT ENDOTOXIN-RESISTANT MICE. D. M. Brass, J. D. Savov, *S. H. Gavett, ?C. George, D. A. Schwartz. Duke Univ Medical Center Durham, NC, *U.S. E.P.A. Research Triangle Park, NC, ?Univ of Iowa,...

  17. Acute And Subchronic Toxicity Studies Of SNEDDS (Self Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems) From Ethyl Acetate Extract Of Bay Leaf (Eugenia polyantha W.) with Virgin Coconut Oil As Oil Phase

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Prihapsara, F.; Alamsyah, R. I.; Widiyani, T.; Artanti, A. N.

    2018-03-01

    Bay leaf (Eugenia polyantha) is widely used as an alternative therapy for diabetic and hypercholesterol. However, the administration of the extract has a low oral bioavailability, therefore it is prepared by Self Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SNEDDS) ethyl acetate extract of bay leaf. Therefore, acute and subchronic toxicity test is required. The toxicity test performed was an experimental study, including acute and subchronic toxicity tests. Animal experiments were used using Wistar strain rats. Acute toxicity test using 5 groups (n=5) consisted of 1 control group and 4 groups of SNEDDS dose with 48 mg/kgBW 240 mg/kg, 1200 mg/kg, and 6000 mg/kg, while for subchronic toxicity test with 1 group control and 3 groups of doses of SNEDDS with dose group variation 91.75 mg/kgBW, 183.5 mg/kg, and 367 mg/kg. Duration of observation at acute toxicity test for 14 days while for subcronic toxicity test for 28 days with continuous SNEDDS dosage. The results of the acute toxicity test showed toxic symptoms and obtained median lethal dose (LD50) values from SNEDDS from ethyl acetate extract of bay leaf 1409.30 mg/kgBW belonging to slightly toxic category. Subchronic toxicity studies show that the test drug has minor damage in liver and kidneys and moderate damage in pancreas.

  18. Effects of acute and subchronic AT1 receptor blockade on cardiovascular, hydromineral and neuroendocrine responses in female rats.

    PubMed

    Araujo, Iracema Gomes; Elias, Lucila Leico Kagohara; Antunes-Rodrigues, José; Reis, Luís Carlos; Mecawi, Andre Souza

    2013-10-02

    Female Wistar rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and separated into two groups that received either estradiol cypionate (EC, 40 μg/kg, sc; OVX-EC) or vehicle (corn oil, sc; OVX-oil) for 14 consecutive days. On the 7th day of treatment, a subset of animals from both the OVX-oil and OVX-EC groups was subjected to subchronic losartan (AT1 receptor antagonist) treatment (0.1g/L in drinking water; ~15 mg/kg/day) for 7 days. Other group of OVX-oil and OVX-EC rats was submitted to an acute losartan injection (100mg/kg, ip) on the 14th day of hormone replacement. In both protocols, the following parameters were measured: I) mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR); II) water and 0.3M saline intake; III) angiotensin II (ANG II), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) plasma concentrations; and IV) urinary and plasma sodium concentrations. Acute AT1 blockade induced a significant reduction in the MAP in the OVX rats, resulting in increased HR and water intake, which were attenuated by estradiol therapy. Acute AT1 blockade also increased ANG II and OT and reduced ANP plasma concentrations, with no changes in AVP secretion. In addition, acute hypotension was accompanied by a decrease in natriuresis, which was unaltered by estradiol. Subchronic AT1 blockade induced a significant decrease in MAP without changing HR in both groups. Additionally, subchronic losartan treatment induced sodium appetite in OVX rats. Prolonged AT1 blockade increased ANG II and AVP and reduced ANP plasma concentrations. Moreover, it increased natriuresis but did not alter plasma OT concentrations. Finally, estradiol treatment attenuated the increase in salt intake and plasma ANG II concentrations induced by subchronic AT1 blockade. In conclusion, our results suggest differential adaptive responses to the acute or subchronic losartan treatment in OVX and OVX-EC rats. © 2013.

  19. Ultra-accelerated natural sunlight exposure testing

    DOEpatents

    Jorgensen, Gary J.; Bingham, Carl; Goggin, Rita; Lewandowski, Allan A.; Netter, Judy C.

    2000-06-13

    Process and apparatus for providing ultra accelerated natural sunlight exposure testing of samples under controlled weathering without introducing unrealistic failure mechanisms in exposed materials and without breaking reciprocity relationships between flux exposure levels and cumulative dose that includes multiple concurrent levels of temperature and relative humidity at high levels of natural sunlight comprising: a) concentrating solar flux uniformly; b) directing the controlled uniform sunlight onto sample materials in a chamber enclosing multiple concurrent levels of temperature and relative humidity to allow the sample materials to be subjected to accelerated irradiance exposure factors for a sufficient period of time in days to provide a corresponding time of about at least a years worth of representative weathering of the sample materials.

  20. The effects of a standardized Acanthopanax koreanum extract on stress-induced behavioral alterations in mice.

    PubMed

    Jung, Jun Man; Park, Se Jin; Lee, Young Woo; Lee, Hyung Eun; Hong, Sung In; Lew, Jae Hwan; Hong, Eunyoung; Shim, Jae Seok; Cheong, Jae Hoon; Ryu, Jong Hoon

    2013-07-30

    The roots and stem bark of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai (Araliaceae), a well-known herbal medicine in Jeju Island, Korea, has been used as a tonic agent in treating stress-related states. Despite its popular application, the anti-anxiety or anti-depressive action of Acanthopanax koreanum is not yet known. This study aimed to determine the effects of Acanthopanax koreanum on stress-induced behavioral alterations such as anxiety and depression. Mice in the acute stress group were exposed to immobilization stress for 2h followed by electric foot shocks (0.5 mA in 1 s duration with a 10 s inter-shock interval) for 2 min, while sub-chronically stressed mice were exposed to these stresses for 2 weeks, once per day. 70% ethanolic extract of Acanthopanax koreanum (EEAK) (25, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) was administered once or sub-chronically (for 2 weeks) 1h prior to stress induction. Anxiety- or depression-like behavioral changes were evaluated using the elevated plus-maze (EPM) test and the forced swimming test (FST) a day after the final stress induction. Corticosterone levels and spleen weight were measured after conducting all the behavioral assays. The numbers of BrdU- or DCX-immunopositive cells in the hippocampal region of sub-chronically stressed mice were measured 2 days after EEAK treatment. The percentage of time spent in the open arms was decreased in both the acutely and chronically stressed mice. In the FST, the immobility time was increased by only chronic stress, but not by acute stress. Acute or sub-chronic administration of EEAK significantly prevented the anxiety- or depression-like behavioral changes caused by stress. EEAK also attenuated stress-induced decrease and increase of spleen weight and corticosterone levels, respectively. Furthermore, the sub-chronic administration of EEAK (100 or 200 mg/kg, for 2 weeks) increased the number of BrdU-, doublecortin-, and neuropeptide Y-positive cells in the hippocampal region of the sub-chronically stressed mice. EEAK attenuated the behavioral and biochemical changes in acute or sub-chronic stressed mice. These results suggest the therapeutic potential of Acanthopanax koreanum for the treatment of stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders including anxiety disorders or major depressive disorder. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, α-Ionone, CAS Registry Number 127-41-3.

    PubMed

    Api, A M; Belsito, D; Bhatia, S; Bruze, M; Calow, P; Dagli, M L; Dekant, W; Fryer, A D; Kromidas, L; La Cava, S; Lalko, J F; Lapczynski, A; Liebler, D C; Miyachi, Y; Politano, V T; Ritacco, G; Salvito, D; Schultz, T W; Shen, J; Sipes, I G; Wall, B; Wilcox, D K

    2016-11-01

    The use of this material under current use conditions is supported by the existing information. This material was evaluated for genotoxicity, repeated dose toxicity, developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, local respiratory toxicity, phototoxicity, skin sensitization potential, as well as, environmental safety. Repeated dose toxicity was determined to have the most conservative systemic exposure derived NO[A]EL of 10 mg/kg/day. A dietary 90-day subchronic toxicity study conducted in rats resulted in a MOE of 182 while assuming 100% absorption from skin contact and inhalation. A MOE of >100 is deemed acceptable. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, isoeugenol, CAS Registry Number 97-54-1.

    PubMed

    Api, A M; Belsito, D; Bhatia, S; Bruze, M; Calow, P; Dagli, M L; Dekant, W; Fryer, A D; Kromidas, L; La Cava, S; Lalko, J F; Lapczynski, A; Liebler, D C; Miyachi, Y; Politano, V T; Ritacco, G; Salvito, D; Schultz, T W; Shen, J; Sipes, I G; Wall, B; Wilcox, D K

    2016-11-01

    The use of this material under current use conditions is supported by the existing information. This material was evaluated for genotoxicity, repeated dose toxicity, developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, local respiratory toxicity, phototoxicity, skin sensitization potential, as well as, environmental safety. Repeated dose toxicity was determined to have the most conservative systemic exposure derived NO[A]EL of 37.5 mg/kg/day. A gavage 13-week subchronic toxicity study conducted in mice resulted in a MOE of 5769 while considering 38.4% absorption from skin contact and 100% from inhalation. A MOE of >100 is deemed acceptable. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. SUBCHRONIC TOXICITY OF 1,3,5-TRINITROBENZENE IN FISCHER 344 RATS

    EPA Science Inventory

    The subchronic toxicity of 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB) in male and female Fischer 344 rats was evaluated by feeding a powdered certified laboratory diet containing 0, 66.7, 400 and 800 mg TNB/kg diet for 90 days. The calculated average TNB intake was 4.29, 24.70, and 49.28 mg/kg...

  4. FORMATION OF 8-OXO-7, 8-DIHYDRO-2'-DEOXYGUANOSINE IN RAT LUNG FOLLOWING SUB-CHRONIC INHALATION OF CARBON BLACK

    EPA Science Inventory

    ABSTRACT
    Formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine, an oxidative adduct in the lung DNA of rats following sub-chronic inhalation of carbon black. Gallagher, J., Sams II, R.L., Inmon, J., Gelein, R., Elder, A., Oberdorster, G., Prahalad, A. (2002). Toxicol. Appl. Pharm...

  5. The immunotoxicological pattern of subchronic and chronic benzene exposure in rats.

    PubMed

    Karaulov, Alexander V; Mikhaylova, Irina V; Smolyagin, Alexander I; Boev, Viktor M; Kalogeraki, Alexandra; Tsatsakis, Aristides M; Engin, Ayse Basak

    2017-06-05

    Exposure to benzene and its inevitable metabolites can result in deleterious effects on human health, including lymphocytopenia, hematotoxicity and cancer. However, the duration of exposure might alter the effects including immune consequences. The aim of this study was to determine whether benzene could modulate lymphocyte proliferation induced by the T cell mitogen concanavalin A, in rats, at different exposure durations. 386 Wistar rats were assigned into control and treatment groups which were subdivided into groups for 45, 90 and 135days for 0,6mL/kg of drinking water mixed benzene treatment. The percentage of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ spleen lymphocytes was defined using the flow cytometer. Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-10 and interferon-gamma, in supernatants of splenocyte cultures stimulated with Concanavalin A, were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. The decrease in the total lymphocyte and T cell counts were associated with increased benzene exposure duration. Th2-type cytokine, IL-4 significantly increased, whereas IL-6, CD4+T cells, CD4+/CD8+ ratio and CD3+ T cells decreased. Despite the positive correlation between benzene toxicity and indicated increased immune responses, 45-day exposure to benzene appeared to be the most sensitive time point for evaluating benzene cytotoxicity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Cardiovascular effects in rats following exposure to a high-boiling coal liquid.

    PubMed

    Zangar, R C; Sasser, L B; Mahlum, D D; Abhold, R H; Springer, D L

    1987-11-01

    In previous work, increased blood pressure was observed in anesthetized rats following a subchronic aerosol exposure to solvent-refined coal heavy distillate (HD). To determine if this increase is a permanent, dose-related response, 11-week-old male rats were exposed by inhalation to 0, 0.24, or 0.70 mg/liter (control, low-exposure, and high-exposure groups, respectively) of HD for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week, for 6 weeks. In addition to blood pressure, select cardiovascular parameters were measured to obtain information on other possible toxic effects of the HD and also to gain some insight into potentially altered regulatory mechanisms that could be affecting the blood pressure. The angiotensin-aldosterone hormonal system, body fluid regulation, cardiac function and regulation, and pulmonary gas-exchange capabilities were examined. Two weeks after the end of exposure, mean blood pressures and heart rates of anesthetized animals in the low-and high-exposure groups were elevated relative to the controls. Plasma angiotensin concentrations decreased with increasing dose, whereas aldosterone concentrations were unaffected. In the high-dose group, blood and plasma volumes were 20 and 28%, respectively, higher than those of controls. Seven weeks after exposure, all measured cardiovascular parameters were similar to control values. Results from this study show that a 6-week exposure to HD resulted in dose-dependent, transient changes in a variety of physiological factors considered important in cardiovascular function.

  7. Subchronic chloroform priming protects mice from a subsequently administered lethal dose of chloroform

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Philip, Binu K.; Anand, Sathanandam S.; Palkar, Prajakta S.

    2006-10-01

    Protection offered by pre-exposure priming with a small dose of a toxicant against the toxic and lethal effects of a subsequently administered high dose of the same toxicant is autoprotection. Although autoprotection has been extensively studied with diverse toxicants in acute exposure regimen, not much is known about autoprotection after priming with repeated exposure. The objective of this study was to investigate this concept following repeated exposure to a common water contaminant, chloroform. Swiss Webster (SW) mice, exposed continuously to either vehicle (5% Emulphor, unprimed) or chloroform (150 mg/kg/day po, primed) for 30 days, were challenged with a normally lethalmore » dose of chloroform (750 mg chloroform/kg po) 24 h after the last exposure. As expected, 90% of the unprimed mice died between 48 and 96 h after administration of the lethal dose in contrast to 100% survival of mice primed with chloroform. Time course studies indicated lower hepato- and nephrotoxicity in primed mice as compared to unprimed mice. Hepatic CYP2E1, glutathione levels (GSH), and covalent binding of {sup 14}C-chloroform-derived radiolabel did not differ between livers of unprimed and primed mice after lethal dose exposure, indicating that protection in liver is neither due to decreased bioactivation nor increased detoxification. Kidney GSH and glutathione reductase activity were upregulated, with a concomitant reduction in oxidized glutathione in the primed mice following lethal dose challenge, leading to decreased renal covalent binding of {sup 14}C-chloroform-derived radiolabel, in the absence of any change in CYP2E1 levels. Buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) intervention led to 70% mortality in primed mice challenged with lethal dose. These data suggest that higher detoxification may play a role in the lower initiation of kidney injury observed in primed mice. Exposure of primed mice to a lethal dose of chloroform led to 40% lower chloroform levels (AUC{sub 15-360min}) in the systemic circulation. Exhalation of {sup 14}C-chloroform was unchanged in primed as compared to unprimed mice (AUC{sub 1-6h}). Urinary excretion of {sup 14}C-chloroform was higher in primed mice after administration of the lethal dose. However, neither slightly higher urinary elimination nor unchanged expiration can account for the difference in systemic levels of chloroform. Liver and kidney regeneration was inhibited by the lethal dose in unprimed mice leading to progressive injury, organ failure, and 90% mortality. In contrast, sustained and highly stimulated compensatory hepato- and nephrogenic repair prevented the progression of injury resulting in 100% survival of primed mice challenged with the lethal dose. These findings affirm the critical role of tissue regeneration and favorable detoxification (only in kidney) of the lethal dose of chloroform in subchronic chloroform priming-induced autoprotection.« less

  8. Subchronic atrazine exposure changes defensive behaviour profile and disrupts brain acetylcholinesterase activity of zebrafish.

    PubMed

    Schmidel, Ademir J; Assmann, Karla L; Werlang, Chariane C; Bertoncello, Kanandra T; Francescon, Francini; Rambo, Cassiano L; Beltrame, Gabriela M; Calegari, Daiane; Batista, Cibele B; Blaser, Rachel E; Roman Júnior, Walter A; Conterato, Greicy M M; Piato, Angelo L; Zanatta, Leila; Magro, Jacir Dal; Rosemberg, Denis B

    2014-01-01

    Animal behaviour is the interaction between environment and an individual organism, which also can be influenced by its neighbours. Variations in environmental conditions, as those caused by contaminants, may lead to neurochemical impairments altering the pattern of the behavioural repertoire of the species. Atrazine (ATZ) is an herbicide widely used in agriculture that is frequently detected in surface water, affecting non-target species. The zebrafish is a valuable model organism to assess behavioural and neurochemical effects of different contaminants since it presents a robust behavioural repertoire and also all major neurotransmitter systems described for mammalian species. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of subchronic ATZ exposure in defensive behaviours of zebrafish (shoaling, thigmotaxis, and depth preference) using the split depth tank. Furthermore, to investigate a putative role of cholinergic signalling on ATZ-mediated effects, we tested whether this herbicide alters acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in brain and muscle preparations. Fish were exposed to ATZ for 14days and the following groups were tested: control (0.2% acetone) and ATZ (10 and 1000μg/L). The behaviour of four animals in the same tank was recorded for 6min and biological samples were prepared. Our results showed that 1000μg/L ATZ significantly increased the inter-fish distance, as well as the nearest and farthest neighbour distances. This group also presented an increase in the shoal area with decreased social interaction. No significant differences were detected for the number of animals in the shallow area, latency to enter the shallow and time spent in shallow and deep areas of the apparatus, but the ATZ 1000 group spent significantly more time near the walls. Although ATZ did not affect muscular AChE, it significantly reduced AChE activity in brain. Exposure to 10μg/L ATZ did not affect behaviour or AChE activity. These data suggest that ATZ impairs defensive behaviours of zebrafish, which could be related to its action on brain cholinergic neurotransmission. Moreover, the use of the split depth tank could be an alternative strategy to assess group behaviour and depth preference after exposure to chemical compounds. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Testicular effects of sub-chronic administration of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx aqueous extract in rats.

    PubMed

    Orisakwe, Orish Ebere; Husaini, Danladi Chiroma; Afonne, Onyenmechi Johnson

    2004-01-01

    The sub-chronic effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) calyx aqueous extract on the rat testes was investigated with a view to evaluate the pharmacological basis for the use of HS calyx extract as an aphrodisiac. Three test groups received different doses of 1.15, 2.30, and 4.60 g/kg based on the LD(50). The extracts were dissolved in the drinking water. The control group was given equivalent volume of water only. The animals were allowed free access to drinking solution during the 12-week period of exposure. At the expiration of the treatment period, animals were sacrificed, testes excised and weighed, and epididymal sperm number recorded. The testes were processed for histological examination. Results did not show any significant (P>0.05) change in the absolute and relative testicular weights. There was, however, a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the epididymal sperm counts in the 4.6 g/kg group, compared to the control. The 1.15 g/kg dose group showed distortion of tubules and a disruption of normal epithelial organization, while the 2.3 g/kg dose showed hyperplasia of testis with thickening of the basement membrane. The 4.6 g/kg dose group, on the other hand, showed disintegration of sperm cells. The results indicate that aqueous HS calyx extract induces testicular toxicity in rats.

  10. Characterisation and toxicological assessment of Neutral Methacrylate Copolymer for GRAS evaluation.

    PubMed

    Eisele, Johanna; Haynes, Geoff; Kreuzer, Knut; Rosamilia, Tiana

    2013-12-01

    Neutral Methacrylate Copolymer is a fully polymerised copolymer used in the pharmaceutical industry to permit pH-independent delayed release of active ingredients from oral dosage forms. This function has potential use with food supplements and this article describes available information on the safety of the substance. Oral administration of radiolabelled copolymer to rats resulted in the detection of chemically unchanged copolymer in the faeces, with negligible absorption. Safety studies revealed no adverse toxicity following repeated administration at doses of up to 2000 mg/kg bw/d in a sub-chronic study in rats or 250 mg/kg bw/d in a sub-chronic study in dogs. No reproductive toxicity occurred at up to 2000 mg/kg bw/d in rats or rabbits. The substance shows no evidence of genotoxicity, has low acute toxicity and no irritation or sensitisation potential. An ADI value of 20 mg/kg bw was concluded from two alternative approaches. Daily exposure from use in dietary supplements is estimated as up to 10.0 mg/kg bw in adults and 13.3 mg/kg bw in children. There would therefore appear to be no safety concerns under the intended conditions of use. The information provided is intended to support an evaluation that the substance may be "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS). Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Subchronic, Low-Level Intraperitoneal Injections of Manganese (IV) Oxide and Manganese (II) Chloride Affect Rat Brain Neurochemistry.

    PubMed

    Nielsen, Brian S; Larsen, Erik H; Ladefoged, Ole; Lam, Henrik R

    Manganese (Mn) is neurotoxic and can induce manganism, a Parkinson-like disease categorized as being a serious central nervous system irreversible neurodegenerative disease. An increased risk of developing symptoms of Parkinson disease has been linked to work-related exposure, for example, for workers in agriculture, horticulture, and people living near areas with frequent use of Mn-containing pesticides. In this study, the focus was placed on neurochemical effects of Mn. Rats were dosed intraperitoneally with 0.9% NaCl (control), 1.22 mg Mn (as MnO 2 )/kg bodyweight (bw)/day, or 2.5 mg Mn (as MnCl 2 )/kg bw/day for 7 d/wk for 8 or 12 weeks. This dosing regimen adds relevant new knowledge about Mn neurotoxicity as a consequence of low-dose subchronic Mn dosing. Manganese concentrations increased in the striatum, the rest of the brain, and in plasma, and regional brain neurotransmitter concentrations, including noradrenaline, dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytrytamine, glutamate, taurine, and γ-amino butyric acid, and the activity of acetylcholinesterase changed. Importantly, a target parameter for Parkinson disease and manganism, the striatal DA concentration, was reduced after 12 weeks of dosing with MnCl 2 . Plasma prolactin concentration was not significantly affected due to a potentially reduced dopaminergic inhibition of the prolactin release from the anterior hypophysis. No effects on the striatal α-synuclein and synaptophysin protein levels were detected.

  12. Prolonged Exposure to NMDAR Antagonist Induces Cell-type Specific Changes of Glutamatergic Receptors in Rat Prefrontal Cortex

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Huai-Xing; Gao, Wen-Jun

    2011-01-01

    N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors are critical for both normal brain functions and the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. We investigated the functional changes of glutamatergic receptors in the pyramidal cells and fast-spiking (FS) interneurons in the adolescent rat prefrontal cortex in MK-801 model of schizophrenia. We found that although both pyramidal cells and FS interneurons were affected by in vivo subchronic blockade of NMDA receptors, MK-801 induced distinct changes in αamino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and NMDA receptors in the FS interneurons compared with pyramidal cells. Specifically, the amplitude, but not the frequency, of AMPA-mediated miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in FS interneurons was significantly decreased whereas both the frequency and amplitude in pyramidal neurons were increased. In addition, MK-801-induced new presynaptic NMDA receptors were detected in the glutamatergic terminals targeting pyramidal neurons but not FS interneurons. MK-801 also induced distinct alterations in FS interneurons but not in pyramidal neurons, including significantly decreased rectification index and increased calcium permeability. These data suggest a distinct cell-type specific and homeostatic synaptic scaling and redistribution of AMPA and NMDA receptors in response to the subchronic blockade of NMDA receptors and thus provide a direct mechanistic explanation for the NMDA hypofunction hypothesis that have long been proposed for the schizophrenia pathophysiology. PMID:22182778

  13. Decreased Hippocampal Neuroplasticity and Behavioral Impairment in an Animal Model of Inhalant Abuse

    PubMed Central

    Malloul, Hanaa; Bennis, Mohammed; Bonzano, Sara; Gambarotta, Giovanna; Perroteau, Isabelle; De Marchis, Silvia; Ba-M'hamed, Saadia

    2018-01-01

    Thinners are highly toxic chemicals widely employed as organic solvents in industrial and domestic use. They have psychoactive properties when inhaled, and their chronic abuse as inhalants is associated with severe long-term health effects, including brain damage and cognitive-behavioral alterations. Yet, the sites and mechanisms of action of these compounds on the brain are far from being fully understood. Here, we investigated the consequences of paint thinner inhalation in adult male mice. Depression-like behaviors and an anxiolytic effect were found following repeated exposure in chronic treatments lasting 12 weeks. Both subchronic (6 weeks) and chronic treatments impaired learning and memory functions, while no changes were observed after acute treatment. To investigate possible molecular/structural alterations underlying such behavioral changes, we focused on the hippocampus. Notably, prolonged, but not acute thinner inhalation strongly affected adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG), reducing progenitor cell proliferation after chronic treatments and impairing the survival of newborn neurons following both chronic and subchronic treatments. Furthermore, a down-regulation in the expression of BDNF and NMDA receptor subunits as well as a reduction in CREB expression/phosphorylation were found in the hippocampi of chronically treated mice. Our findings demonstrate for the first time significant structural and molecular changes in the adult hippocampus after prolonged paint thinner inhalation, indicating reduced hippocampal neuroplasticity and strongly supporting its implication in the behavioral dysfunctions associated to inhalant abuse. PMID:29472835

  14. Subchronic organophosphorus ester-induced delayed neurotoxicity in mallards

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hoffman, D.J.; Sileo, L.; Murray, H.C.

    1984-01-01

    Eighteen-week-old mallard hens received 0, 10, 30, 90, or 270 ppm technical grade EPN (phenylphosphonothioic acid O-ethyl-O-4-nitrophenyl ester) in the diet for 90 days. Ataxia was first observed in the 270-ppm group after 16 days, in the 90-ppm group after 20 days, in the 30-ppm group after 38 days; 10 ppm failed to produce ataxia. By the end of 90 days all 6 birds in the 270-ppm group exhibited ataxia or paralysis whereas 5 of 6 birds in the 90-ppm group and 2 of 6 birds in the 30-ppm group were visibly affected. Treatment with 30 ppm or more resulted in a significant reduction in body weight. Brain neurotoxic esterase activity was inhibited by averages of 16, 69, 73, and 74% in the 10-, 30-, 90-, and 270-ppm groups, respectively. Brain acetylcholinesterase, plasma cholinesterase, and plasma alkaline phosphatase were significantly inhibited as well. Distinct histopathological effects were seen in the 30-, 90-, and 270-ppm groups which included demyelination and degeneration of axons of the spinal cord. Additional ducks were exposed in a similar manner to 60-, 270-, or 540-ppm leptophos (phosphonothioic acid O-4-bromo-2,5-dichlorophenyl-O-methylphenyl ester) which resulted in similar behavioral, biochemical, and histopathological alterations. These findings indicate that adult mallards are probably somewhat less sensitive than chickens to subchronic dietary exposure to organophosphorus insecticides that induce delayed neurotoxicity.

  15. Bioaccumulation and Subchronic Toxicity of 14 nm Gold Nanoparticles in Rats.

    PubMed

    Rambanapasi, Clinton; Zeevaart, Jan Rijn; Buntting, Hylton; Bester, Cornelius; Kotze, Deon; Hayeshi, Rose; Grobler, Anne

    2016-06-10

    Colloidal suspensions of 14 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were repeatedly administered intravenously at three dose levels (0.9, 9 and 90 µg) to male Sprague Dawley rats weekly for 7 weeks, followed by a 14-day washout period. After sacrificing, the amount of gold was quantified in the liver, lungs, spleen, skeleton and carcass using neutron activation analysis (NAA). During the study, pre- and post (24 h) administration blood samples were collected from both the test and control groups, the latter which received an equal injection volume of normal saline. General health indicators were monitored together with markers of kidney and liver damage for acute and subchronic toxicity assessment. Histopathological assessments were done on the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs and spleen to assess any morphological changes as a result of the exposure to AuNPs. The mass measurements of all the groups showed a steady increase with no signs of overt toxicity. The liver had the highest amount of gold (µg) per gram of tissue after 56 days followed by the spleen, lungs, skeleton and carcass. Markers of kidney and liver damage showed similar trends between the pre and post samples within each group and across groups. The histopathological examination also showed no hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. There was accumulation of Au in tissues after repeated dosing, albeit with no observable overt toxicity, kidney or liver damage.

  16. Anxiety does not contribute to social withdrawal in the subchronic phencyclidine rat model of schizophrenia.

    PubMed

    Seillier, Alexandre; Giuffrida, Andrea

    2017-10-01

    Social withdrawal should not be considered a direct measure of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia as it may result not only from asociality (primary negative symptom) but also from other altered processes such as anxiety. To understand the contribution of these two factors to social deficit, we investigated whether the social withdrawal observed in the subchronic phencyclidine (PCP) rat model of schizophrenia could be attributed to increased anxiety. Compared to saline controls, PCP-treated rats (5 mg/kg, twice daily for 7 days, followed by a washout period) spent significantly less time in social interaction, but did not show anxiety-like behaviors in different relevant behavioral paradigms. In addition, their social deficit was not affected by a behavioral procedure known to reduce anxiety-like behavior (repeated exposure to the same partner) nor by systemic administration of the classical anxiolytic diazepam. In contrast, PCP-induced social withdrawal was reversed by the cannabinoid agonist CP55,940, a drug with known anxiogenic properties. Furthermore, when using the social approach task, PCP-treated animals performed similarly to control animals treated with diazepam, but not to those treated with the anxiogenic compound pentylenetetrazole. Taken together, our results indicate that PCP-induced social withdrawal cannot be attributed to increased anxiety. These data are discussed in the context of primary versus secondary negative symptoms and the deficit syndrome of schizophrenia.

  17. ALTERNATIVE EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT DESIGNS TO IMPROVE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY DESIGNS: USE OF HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDY DATA TO IDENTIFY EXPOSURE QUESTIONS FOR USE IN THE NCS

    EPA Science Inventory

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey in Maryland (NHEXAS-MD) was a longitudinal study of multimedia exposure to metals, pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs). Measurements were made and questionnaires were concurrently administered to identify sources o...

  18. Strategies to assess systemic exposure of chemicals in subchronic/chronic diet and drinking water studies.

    PubMed

    Saghir, Shakil A; Mendrala, Alan L; Bartels, Michael J; Day, Sue J; Hansen, Steve C; Sushynski, Jacob M; Bus, James S

    2006-03-15

    Strategies were developed for the estimation of systemically available daily doses of chemicals, diurnal variations in blood levels, and rough elimination rates in subchronic feeding/drinking water studies, utilizing a minimal number of blood samples. Systemic bioavailability of chemicals was determined by calculating area under the plasma concentration curve over 24 h (AUC-24 h) using complete sets of data (> or =5 data points) and also three, two, and one selected time points. The best predictions of AUC-24 h were made when three time points were used, corresponding to Cmax, a mid-morning sample, and C(min). These values were found to be 103 +/- 10% of the original AUC-24 h, with 13 out of 17 values ranging between 96 and 105% of the original. Calculation of AUC-24 h from two samples (Cmax and Cmin) or one mid-morning sample afforded slightly larger variations in the calculated AUC-24 h (69-136% of the actual). Following drinking water exposure, prediction of AUC-24 h using 3 time points (Cmax, mid-morning, and Cmin) was very close to actual values (80-100%) among mice, while values for rats were only 63% of the original due to less frequent drinking behavior of rats during the light cycle. Collection and analysis of 1-3 blood samples per dose may provide insight into dose-proportional or non-dose-proportional differences in systemic bioavailability, pointing towards saturation of absorption or elimination or some other phenomenon warranting further investigation. In addition, collection of the terminal blood samples from rats, which is usually conducted after 18 h of fasting, will be helpful in rough estimation of blood/plasma half-life of the compound. The amount of chemical(s) and/or metabolite(s) in excreta and their possible use as biomarkers in predicting the daily systemic exposure levels are also discussed. Determining these parameters in the early stages of testing will provide critical information to improve the appropriate design of other longer-term toxicity studies.

  19. Oxidative DNA damage and its repair in rat spleen following subchronic exposure to aniline

    PubMed Central

    Ma, Huaxian; Wang, Jianling; Abdel-Rahman, Sherif Z.; Boor, Paul J.; Khan, M. Firoze

    2008-01-01

    The mechanisms by which aniline exposure elicits splenotoxic response, especially the tumorigenic response, are not well-understood. Splenotoxicity of aniline is associated with iron overload and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which can cause oxidative damage to DNA, proteins and lipids (oxidative stress). 8-Hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is one of the most abundant oxidative DNA lesions resulting from ROS, and 8-oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (OGG1), a specific DNA glycosylase/lyase enzyme, plays a key role in the removal of 8-OHdG adducts. This study focused on examining DNA damage (8-OHdG) and repair (OGG1) in the spleen in an experimental condition preceding a tumorigenic response. To achieve that, male Sprague-Dawley rats were subchronically exposed to aniline (0.5 mmol/kg/day via drinking water for 30 days), while controls received drinking water only. Aniline treatment led to a significant increase in splenic oxidative DNA damage, manifested as a 2.8-fold increase in 8-OHdG levels. DNA repair activity, measured as OGG1 base excision repair (BER) activity, increased by ~1.3 fold in the nuclear protein extracts (NE) and ~1.2 fold in the mitochondrial protein extracts (ME) of spleens from aniline-treated rats as compared to the controls. Real-time PCR analysis for OGG1 mRNA expression in the spleen revealed a 2-fold increase in expression in aniline-treated rats than the controls. Likewise, OGG1 protein expression in the NEs of spleens from aniline-treated rats was ~1.5 fold higher, whereas in the MEs it was ~1.3 fold higher than the controls. Aniline treatment also led to stronger immunostaining for both 8-OHdG and OGG1 in the spleens, confined to the red pulp areas. It is thus evident from our studies that aniline-induced oxidative stress is associated with increased oxidative DNA damage. The BER pathway was also activated, but not enough to prevent the accumulation of oxidative DNA damage (8-OHdG). Accumulation of mutagenic oxidative DNA lesions in the spleen following exposure to aniline could play a critical role in the tumorigenic process. PMID:18793663

  20. Personality traits in rats predict vulnerability and resilience to developing stress-induced depression-like behaviors, HPA axis hyper-reactivity and brain changes in pERK1/2 activity.

    PubMed

    Castro, Jorge E; Diessler, Shanaz; Varea, Emilio; Márquez, Cristina; Larsen, Marianne H; Cordero, M Isabel; Sandi, Carmen

    2012-08-01

    Emerging evidence indicates that certain behavioral traits, such as anxiety, are associated with the development of depression-like behaviors after exposure to chronic stress. However, single traits do not explain the wide variability in vulnerability to stress observed in outbred populations. We hypothesized that a combination of behavioral traits might provide a better characterization of an individual's vulnerability to prolonged stress. Here, we sought to determine whether the characterization of relevant behavioral traits in rats could aid in identifying individuals with different vulnerabilities to developing stress-induced depression-like behavioral alterations. We also investigated whether behavioral traits would be related to the development of alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and in brain activity - as measured through phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2)--in response to an acute stressor following either sub-chronic (2 weeks) or chronic (4 weeks) unpredictable stress (CUS). Sprague-Dawley rats were characterized using a battery of behavioral tasks, and three principal traits were identified: anxiety, exploration and activity. When combined, the first two traits were found to explain the variability in the stress responses. Our findings confirm the increased risk of animals with high anxiety developing certain depression-like behaviors (e.g., increased floating time in the forced swim test) when progressively exposed to stress. In contrast, the behavioral profile based on combined low anxiety and low exploration was resistant to alterations related to social behaviors, while the high anxiety and low exploration profile displayed a particularly vulnerable pattern of physiological and neurobiological responses after sub-chronic stress exposure. Our findings indicate important differences in animals' vulnerability and/or resilience to the effects of repeated stress, particularly during initial or intermediate levels of stress exposure, and they highlight that the behavioral inhibition profile of an animal provides a particular susceptibility to responding in a deleterious manner to stress. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. Effects of whole-body exposure to 915 MHz RFID on secretory functions of the thyroid system in rats.

    PubMed

    Kim, Hye Sun; Paik, Man-Jeong; Kim, Yeon Ju; Lee, Gwang; Lee, Yun-Sil; Choi, Hyung-Do; Kim, Byung Chan; Pack, Jeong-Ki; Kim, Nam; Ahn, Young Hwan

    2013-10-01

    As a part of an investigation on the potential risks of radiofrequency identification (RFID) on human health, we studied whether exposure to 915 MHz RFID in rats significantly affected the secretory function of the thyroid system. A reverberation chamber was used as a whole-body exposure system. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed for 8 h per day, 5 days per week, for a duration of 2, 4, 8, or 16 weeks. The estimated whole-body average specific absorption rate (SAR) varied from 3.2 to 4.6 W/kg depending on the age/mass of the animals for the field of the 915 MHz RFID reader. Plasma levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were evaluated via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Morphological changes in the thyroid gland were then analyzed. No changes in T3, T4, or TSH were observed over time between the sham- and RFID-exposed groups. We suggest that subchronic exposure to 915 MHz RFID at a SAR of 4 W/kg does not cause significant effects on thyroid secretory function. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  2. Antioxidant status in oral subchronic toxicity of fipronil and fluoride co-exposure in buffalo calves.

    PubMed

    Gill, Kamalpreet Kaur; Dumka, Vinod Kumar

    2016-02-01

    The effects of fipronil and fluoride co-exposure were investigated on antioxidant status of buffalo calves. A total of 24 healthy male buffalo calves divided into 4 groups were treated for 98 consecutive days. Group I, receiving no treatment, served as the control. Animals of groups II and III were orally administered with fipronil at the dosage of 0.5 mg/kg/day and sodium fluoride (NaF) at the dosage of 6.67 mg/kg/day, respectively, for 98 days. Group IV was coadministered with fipronil and NaF at the same dosages as groups II and III. Administration of fipronil alone produced significant elevation in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decrease in the levels of nonenzymatic antioxidant glutathione (GSH). However, it did not produce any significant effect on the activities of enzymatic antioxidants including glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). NaF exposure led to enhanced oxidative stress as shown by significant increase in the LPO and SOD activities while GPx and CAT activities and GSH levels were significantly decreased. Co-exposure to fipronil and NaF showed additive effects on LPO, GPx activity, and GSH levels. © The Author(s) 2013.

  3. Calibration study on subchronic inhalation toxicity of man-made vitreous fibers in rats.

    PubMed

    Bellmann, Bernd; Muhle, Hartwig; Creutzenberg, Otto; Ernst, Heinrich; Müller, Meike; Bernstein, David M; Riego Sintes, Juan M

    2003-10-01

    This 3-mo inhalation study investigated the biological effects of a special-purpose glass microfiber (E-glass microfiber), the stone wool fiber MMVF21, and a new high-temperature application fiber (calcium-magnesium-silicate fiber, CMS) in Wistar rats. Rats were exposed 6 h/day, 5 days/wk for 3 mo to fiber aerosol concentrations of approximately 15, 50, and 150 fibers/ml (fiber length >20 microm) for E-glass microfiber and MMVF21. For the CMS fiber only the highest exposure concentration was used. During a 3-mo postexposure period, recovery effects were studied. In the highest exposure concentration groups, gravimetric concentrations were 17.2 mg/m3 for E-glass microfiber, 37 mg/m3 for MMVF21, and 49.5 mg/m3 for the CMS fiber. After 3 mo of exposure, lung retention of fibers longer than 20 micro m per lung was 17 x 10(6) for E-glass microfiber, 5.7 x 10(6) for MMVF21, and 0.88 x 10(6) for CMS. After 3 mo of recovery the concentration of the long fiber fraction was decreased to 38.4%, 63.9%, and 3.0% compared to original lung burden for the E-glass microfiber, MMVF21, and CMS, respectively. Biological effects measured included inflammatory and proliferative potential, histopathology lesions, and the persistence of these effects over a recovery period of 3 mo. Generally, observed effects were higher for E-glass microfiber when compared to MMVF21. The following clear dose-dependent effects on E-glass microfiber and MMVF21 exposure were observed as main findings of the study: increase in lung weight, in measured biochemical parameters and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), in cell proliferation (BrdU-response) of terminal bronchiolar epithelium, and in interstitial fibrosis. The values observed in the proliferation assay on the carcinogenic E-glass microfiber indicate that this assay has an important predictive value with regards to potential carcinogenicity. Surprisingly, for the biosoluble CMS fiber, fibrogenic potential was detected in this study. The results of the CMS exposure group indicate that effects may be dominated by the presence of nonfibrous particles and that fibrosis may not be a predictor of carcinogenic activity of fiber samples, if the fiber preparation contains a significant fraction of nonfibrous particles. In summary, this study demonstrates the importance of fiber dust contamination by granular components. For future subchronic studies a longer posttreatment observation period would be advisable.

  4. ALTERNATIVE EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT DESIGNS TO IMPROVE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY DESIGNS: DETERMINANTS OF TEMPORAL VARIABILITY IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONCENTRATIONS, EXPOSURES, AND BIOMARKERS

    EPA Science Inventory

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey in Maryland (NHEXAS-MD) was a longitudinal study of multimedia exposure to metals, pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs). Measurements were made and questionnaires were concurrently administered to identify sources o...

  5. Morphological evidence of neurotoxicity in retina after methylmercury exposure.

    PubMed

    Mela, Maritana; Grötzner, Sonia Regina; Legeay, Alexia; Mesmer-Dudons, Nathalie; Massabuau, Jean-Charles; Ventura, Dora Fix; de Oliveira Ribeiro, Ciro Alberto

    2012-06-01

    The visual system is particularly sensitive to methylmercury (MeHg) exposure and, therefore, provides a useful model for investigating the fundamental mechanisms that direct toxic effects. During a period of 70 days, adult of a freshwater fish species Hoplias malabaricus were fed with fish prey previously labeled with two different doses of methylmercury (0.075 and 0.75 μgg(-1)) to determine the mercury distribution and morphological changes in the retina. Mercury deposits were found in the photoreceptor layer, in the inner plexiform layer and in the outer plexiform layer, demonstrating a dose-dependent bioaccumulation. The ultrastructure analysis of retina revealed a cellular deterioration in the photoreceptor layer, morphological changes in the inner and outer segments of rods, structural changes in the plasma membrane of rods and double cones, changes in the process of removal of membranous discs and a structural discontinuity. These results lead to the conclusion that methylmercury is able to cross the blood-retina barrier, accumulate in the cells and layers of retina and induce changes in photoreceptors of H. malabaricus even under subchronic exposure. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. A STUDY OF FISCHER 344 RATS EXPOSED TO SILICA DUST AT CONCENTRATIONS OF 0, 2, 10 OR 20 MG/M3, THEN MAINTAINED FOR SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO ASSESSMENT.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    KUTZMAN,R.S.

    1984-11-01

    The major objective of this study was to relate the results of a series of functional tests to the compositional and structural alterations in the rat lung induced by subchronic exposure to silica dust. To induce a fibrotic lesion, Fischer-344 rats were exposed to either 0, 2, 10, or 20 mg Si0{sub 2}/m{sup 3} for 6 hours/day, 5 days/week for six months and then maintained in an animal room, equipped with a laminar flow unit, for six months prior to assessment of the end points.

  7. Part 1. Biologic responses in rats and mice to subchronic inhalation of diesel exhaust from U.S. 2007-compliant engines: report on 1-, 3-, and 12-month exposures in the ACES bioassay.

    PubMed

    Mcdonald, Jacob D; Doyle-Eisele, Melanie; Gigliotti, Andrew; Miller, Rodney A; Seilkop, Steve; Mauderly, Joe L; Seagrave, JeanClare; Chow, Judith; Zielinska, Barbara

    2012-09-01

    The Health Effects Institute and its partners conceived and funded a program to characterize the emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines compliant with the 2007 and 2010 on-road emissions standards in the United States and to evaluate indicators of lung toxicity in rats and mice exposed repeatedly to diesel exhaust (DE*) from 2007-compliant engines. The preliminary hypothesis of this Advanced Collaborative Emissions Study (ACES) was that 2007-compliant on-road diesel emissions ". . . will not cause an increase in tumor formation or substantial toxic effects in rats and mice at the highest concentration of exhaust that can be used . . . although some biological effects may occur." This hypothesis is being tested at the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute (LRRI) by exposing rats by chronic inhalation as a carcinogenicity bioassay, measuring indicators of pulmonary toxicity in rats after 1, 3, 12, and 24-30 months of exposure (final time point depends on the survival of animals), and measuring similar indicators of pulmonary toxicity in mice after 1 and 3 months of exposure. This report provides results of exposures through 3 months in rats and mice. Emissions from a 2007-compliant, 500-horsepower-class engine and aftertreatment system operated on a variable-duty cycle were used to generate the animal inhalation test atmospheres. Four treatment groups were exposed to one of three concentrations (dilutions) of exhaust combined with crankcase emissions, or to clean air as a negative control. Dilutions of exhaust were set to yield average integrated concentrations of 4.2, 0.8, and 0.1 ppm nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Exposure atmospheres were analyzed by daily measurements of key components and periodic detailed physical-chemical characterizations. Exposures were conducted 16 hr/dy (overnight), 5 dy/wk. Rats were evaluated for hematology, serum chemistry, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), lung cell proliferation, and histopathology after 1 month of exposure, and the same indicators plus pulmonary function after 3 months. Mice were evaluated for BAL, lung cell proliferation, and respiratory tract histopathology after 1 month of exposure, and the same indicators plus hematology and serum chemistry after 3 months. Samples from both species were collected for ancillary studies performed by investigators who were not at LRRI and were funded separately. Exposures were accomplished as planned, with average integrated exposure concentrations within 20% of the target dilutions. The major components were the gaseous inorganic compounds, nitrogen monoxide (NO), NO2, and carbon monoxide (CO). Minor components included low concentrations of diesel particulate matter (DPM) and volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs). There were no exposure-related differences in mortality or clinically evident morbidity. Among the more than 100 biologic response variables evaluated, the majority showed no significant difference from control as a result of exposure to DE. There was evidence of early lung changes in the rats, accompanied by a number of statistically significant increases in inflammatory and oxidative stress indicators, and some evidence of subtle changes in pulmonary function. In general, statistically significant effects were observed only at the highest exposure level. The mice did not have the same responses as the rats, but did have small but statistically significant increases in lavage neutrophils and the cytokine IL-6 at 1 month (but not at 3 months). These findings suggest that the rats were more sensitive than mice to the subchronic exposures.

  8. Vortioxetine Treatment Reverses Subchronic PCP Treatment-Induced Cognitive Impairments: A Potential Role for Serotonin Receptor-Mediated Regulation of GABA Neurotransmission

    PubMed Central

    Pehrson, Alan L.; Pedersen, Christian S.; Tølbøl, Kirstine Sloth; Sanchez, Connie

    2018-01-01

    Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with cognitive impairments that may contribute to poor functional outcomes. Clinical data suggests that the multimodal antidepressant vortioxetine attenuates some cognitive impairments in MDD patients, but the mechanistic basis for these improvements is unclear. One theory suggests that vortioxetine improves cognition by suppressing γ-amino butyric acid (GABA)ergic neurotransmission, thereby increasing glutamatergic activation. Vortioxetine’s effects on cognition, GABA and glutamate neurotransmission have been supported in separate experiments, but no empirical work has directly connected vortioxetine’s cognitive effects to those on GABA and glutamate neurotransmission. In this paper, we attempt to bridge this gap by evaluating vortioxetine’s effects in the subchronic PCP (subPCP) model, which induces impaired cognitive function and altered GABA and glutamate neurotransmission. We demonstrate that acute or subchronic vortioxetine treatment attenuated subPCP-induced deficits in attentional set shifting (AST) performance, and that the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron or the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor escitalopram could mimic this effect. Furthermore, acute vortioxetine treatment reversed subPCP-induced object recognition (OR) deficits in rats, while subchronic vortioxetine reversed subPCP-induced Object Recognition and object placement impairments in mice. Finally, subPCP treatment reduced GABAB receptor expression in a manner that was insensitive to vortioxetine treatment, and subchronic vortioxetine treatment alone, but not in combination with subPCP, significantly increased GABA’s affinity for the GABAA receptor. These data suggest that vortioxetine reverses cognitive impairments in a model associated with altered GABA and glutamate neurotransmission, further supporting the hypothesis that vortioxetine’s GABAergic and glutamatergic effects are relevant for cognitive function. PMID:29559911

  9. Acute and subchronic oral toxicity of Coriolus versicolor standardized water extract in Sprague-Dawley rats.

    PubMed

    Hor, Sook Yee; Ahmad, Mariam; Farsi, Elham; Lim, Chung Pin; Asmawi, Mohd Zaini; Yam, Mun Fei

    2011-10-11

    Coriolus versicolor, which is known as Yun Zhi, is one of the commonly used Chinese medicinal herbs. Recent studies have demonstrated its antitumor activities on cancer cells which led to its widespread use in cancer patient. However, little toxicological information is available regarding its safety. The present study evaluated the potential toxicity of Coriolus versicolor standardized water extract after acute and subchronic administration in rats. In acute toxicity study, Coriolus versicolor water extract was administered by oral gavage to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (6 males, 6 females) at single doses of varying concentrations 1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg. In subchronic toxicity study, the extract was administered orally at doses of 1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg/day for 28 days to male and female SD rats respectively. General behavior, adverse effects and mortality were determined throughout the experimental period. Haematological and biochemical parameters, relative organ weights and histopathological were evaluated at the end of the experiment. There were no mortality and signs of toxicity in acute and subchronic toxicity studies. In the single dose acute toxicity and repeated dose 28-day subchronic toxicity studies, there were no significant difference in body weight, relative organ weight, haematological parameters, clinical chemistry, gross pathology and histopathology between treatment and control groups. Coriolus versicolor water extract did not cause remarkable adverse effect in SD rats. The oral lethal dose of Coriolus versicolor water extract is more than 5000 mg/kg and no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of the extract for both male and female rats is 5000 mg/kg per day for 28 days. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. GLYX-13 (rapastinel) ameliorates subchronic phencyclidine- and ketamine-induced declarative memory deficits in mice

    PubMed Central

    Rajagopal, Lakshmi; Burgdorf, Jeffrey S.; Moskal, Joseph R.; Meltzer, Herbert Y.

    2016-01-01

    GLYX-13 (rapastinel), a tetrapeptide (Thr-Pro-Pro-Thr-amide), has been reported to have fast acting antidepressant properties in man based upon its N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) glycine site functional partial agonism. Ketamine, a non-competitive NMDAR antagonist, also reported to have fast acting antidepressant properties, produces cognitive impairment in rodents and man, whereas rapastinel has been reported to have cognitive enhancing properties in rodents, without impairing cognition in man, albeit clinical testing has been limited. The goal of this study was to compare the cognitive impairing effects of rapastinel and ketamine in novel object recognition (NOR), a measure of declarative memory, in male C57BL/6J mice treated with phencyclidine (PCP), another NMDAR noncompetitive antagonist known to severely impair cognition, in both rodents and man. C57BL/6J mice given a single dose or subchronic ketamine (30 mg/kg. i.p.) showed acute or persistent deficits in NOR, respectively. Acute i.v. rapastinel (1.0 mg/kg), did not induce NOR deficit. Pre-treatment with rapastinel significantly prevented acute ketamine-induced NOR deficit. Rapastinel (1.0 mg/kg, but not 0.3 mg/kg, iv) significantly reversed both subchronic ketamine- and subchronic PCP-induced NOR deficits. Rapastinel also potentiated the atypical antipsychotic drug with antidepressant properties, lurasidone, to restore NOR in subchronic ketamine-treated mice. These findings indicate that rapastinel, unlike ketamine, does not induce a declarative memory deficit in mice, and can prevent or reverse the ketamine-induced NOR deficit. Further study is required to determine if these differences translate during clinical use of ketamine and rapastinel as fast acting antidepressant drugs and if rapastinel could have non-ionotropic effects as an add-on therapy with antipsychotic/antidepressant medications. PMID:26632337

  11. Role of cholinergic receptors in memory retrieval depends on gender and age of memory.

    PubMed

    Rashid, Habiba; Mahboob, Aamra; Ahmed, Touqeer

    2017-07-28

    The phenomenon of utilizing information acquired in the past to make decision and performance in present depends on memory retrieval, which is affected in retrograde amnesia. Role of cholinergic receptors in memory retrieval is not much explored. In this study we evaluated the gender specific role of cholinergic receptors, i.e. muscarinic and nicotinic receptors, in memory retrieval in young Balb/c mice. Acute (only one injection, 30min before test) and sub-chronic (five days) muscarinic blockade (using scopolamine=1mg/kg) before test impaired retrieval of contextual fear memory in male (31.45±5.39% and 33.36±3.78% respectively) and female mice (22.88±5.73%; P<0.05), except sub-chronically treated female group (33.31±4.90%; P>0.05). Only sub-chronic nicotinic receptor antagonism (using methyllycaconitine MLA=87.5μg/kg and dihydro β erythroidine DHβE=1mg/kg) in female showed significantly higher freezing response than control during contextual fear memory retrieval (60.85±7.71% and 40.91±7.53% respectively; P<0.001). Acute and sub-chronic muscarinic antagonism (but not nicotinic antagonism) impaired spatial memory retrieval in male (P<0.05) but not in female mice (P>0.05). There was no effect of acute and sub-chronic cholinergic receptor antagonism on discriminating novel object from the familiar one in male and female mice, however, nicotinic receptor blockade affected the working memory of all male and female mice on test day compared to the training sessions. Our results suggested that cholinergic receptors involvement in retrieving spatial and fear memories depends on the age of the memory and gender. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Concurrent and prospective analyses of peer, television and social media influences on body dissatisfaction, eating disorder symptoms and life satisfaction in adolescent girls.

    PubMed

    Ferguson, Christopher J; Muñoz, Mónica E; Garza, Adolfo; Galindo, Mariza

    2014-01-01

    The degree to which media contributes to body dissatisfaction, life satisfaction and eating disorder symptoms in teenage girls continues to be debated. The current study examines television, social media and peer competition influences on body dissatisfaction, eating disorder symptoms and life satisfaction in a sample of 237 mostly Hispanic girls. 101 of these girls were reassessed in a later 6-month follow-up. Neither television exposure to thin ideal media nor social media predicted negative outcomes either concurrently nor prospectively with the exception of a small concurrent correlation between social media use and life satisfaction. Social media use was found to contribute to later peer competition in prospective analysis, however, suggesting potential indirect but not direct effects on body related outcomes. Peer competition proved to be a moderate strong predictor of negative outcomes both concurrently and prospectively. It is concluded that the negative influences of social comparison are focused on peers rather than television or social media exposure.

  13. Developing and Evaluating New Methods for Assessing Concurrent Environmental Exposures

    EPA Science Inventory

    Summary of purpose and scope (no longer than 200 words): One limitation to current environmental health research is the focus on single contaminant exposures. Each exposure estimated in epidemiologic models accounts for a relatively small proportion of observed variance in health...

  14. Developmental subchronic exposure to diphenylarsinic acid induced increased exploratory behavior, impaired learning behavior, and decreased cerebellar glutathione concentration in rats.

    PubMed

    Negishi, Takayuki; Matsunaga, Yuki; Kobayashi, Yayoi; Hirano, Seishiro; Tashiro, Tomoko

    2013-12-01

    In Japan, people using water from the well contaminated with high-level arsenic developed neurological, mostly cerebellar, symptoms, where diphenylarsinic acid (DPAA) was a major compound. Here, we investigated the adverse effects of developmental exposure to 20mg/l DPAA in drinking water (early period [0-6 weeks of age] and/or late period [7-12]) on behavior and cerebellar development in male rats. In the open field test at 6 weeks of age, early exposure to DPAA significantly increased exploratory behaviors. At 12 weeks of age, late exposure to DPAA similarly increased exploratory behavior independent of the early exposure although a 6-week recovery from DPAA could reverse that change. In the passive avoidance test at 6 weeks of age, early exposure to DPAA significantly decreased the avoidance performance. Even at 12 weeks of age, early exposure to DPAA significantly decreased the test performance, which was independent of the late exposure to DPAA. These results suggest that the DPAA-induced increase in exploratory behavior is transient, whereas the DPAA-induced impairment of passive avoidance is long lasting. At 6 weeks of age, early exposure to DPAA significantly reduced the concentration of cerebellar total glutathione. At 12 weeks of age, late, but not early, exposure to DPAA also significantly reduced the concentration of cerebellar glutathione, which might be a primary cause of oxidative stress. Early exposure to DPAA induced late-onset suppressed expression of NMDAR1 and PSD95 protein at 12 weeks of age, indicating impaired glutamatergic system in the cerebellum of rats developmentally exposed to DPAA.

  15. Acute and Subchronic Oral Toxicity Evaluation of Aqueous Root Extract of Dicoma anomala Sond. in Wistar Rats

    PubMed Central

    Balogun, Fatai Oladunni; Tom Ashafa, Anofi Omotayo

    2016-01-01

    The present study evaluated the safety of aqueous root extract of Dicoma anomala (AQRED) through acute and subchronic toxicity studies. Single oral dose of AQRED at the concentration of 0, 5, 300, and 2000 mg/kg as well as 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day was administered to rats for 14-day acute and 90-day subchronic oral toxicity studies. The results revealed no mortalities or observed clinical signs of toxicity in all the rats during both investigation periods. In subchronic toxicity testing, administration of AQRED also did not cause any changes in body weight as well as food and water consumption patterns. The haematological parameters and blood chemistry revealed no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the treatment and the control except in platelet count, alkaline phosphatase, and sodium levels where there was a significant increase (p < 0.05), although there was also a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and creatinine when compared to control. However, these changes were not reflecting the results from histology. Conclusively, the obtained results suggested that the LD50 of AQRED is in excess of 2000 mg/kg and its oral administration for 90 days revealed that it is unlikely to be toxic, hence, safe. PMID:27200099

  16. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies of honokiol microemulsion.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Qianqian; Li, Jianguo; Zhang, Wei; An, Quan; Wen, Jianhua; Wang, Aiping; Jin, Hongtao; Chen, Shizhong

    2015-04-01

    The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute and sub-chronic toxicity of honokiol microemulsion. In the acute toxicity tests, the mice were intravenously injected graded doses of honokiol microemulsion and were observed for toxic symptoms and mortality daily for 14 days. In the sub-chronic toxicity study, rats were injected honokiol microemulsion at doses of 100, 500, 2500 μg/kg body weight (BW) for 30 days. After 30 days treatment and 14 days recovery, the rats were sacrificed for hematological, biochemical and histological examination. In the acute toxicity tests, the estimated median lethal dosage (LD50) was 50.5mg/kg body weight in mice. In the sub-chronic toxicity tests, the non-toxic reaction dose was 500 μg/kg body weight. In each treatment group, degeneration or/and necrosis in vascular endothelial cells and structure change of vessel wall can be observed in the injection site (cauda vein) of a few animals while there were no changes in the vessels of other organs. The overall findings of this study indicate that the honokiol microemulsion is non-toxic up to 500 μg/kg body weight, and it has irritation to the vascular of the injection site which should be paid attention to in clinical medication. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  17. Subchronic inhalation of coal dust particulate matter 10 induces bronchoalveolar hyperplasia and decreases MUC5AC expression in male Wistar rats.

    PubMed

    Kania, Nia; Setiawan, Bambang; Widjadjanto, Edi; Nurdiana, Nurdiana; Widodo, M Aris; Kusuma, H M S Chandra

    2014-10-01

    Coal dust is a pollutant found in coal mines that are capable of inducing oxidative stress and inflammation, but the effects on lung metaplasia as an early step of carcinogenesis remain unknown. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of PM10 coal dust on lung histology, MUC5AC expression, epidermal growth factor (EGF) expression, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. An experimental study was done on male Wistar rats, which were divided into the following groups: control groups exposed to coal dust for 14 days (at doses of 6.25 mg/m(3), 12.5 mg/m(3), and 25 mg/m(3)), and the groups exposed to coal dust for 28 days (at doses of 6.25 mg/m(3), 12.5 mg/m(3), and 25 mg/m(3)). EGF expressions in rat lungs were measured by ELISA. EGFR and MUC5AC were measured by a confocal laser scanning microscope. The bronchoalveolar epithelial image of the group exposed to coal dust for 14 and 28 days showed a epithelial rearrangement, hyperplastic (metaplastic) goblet cells, and scattered massive inflammatory cells. The pulmonary parenchymal image of the group of exposed to coal dust for 14 and 28 days showed scattered inflammatory cells filling up the pulmonary alveolar networks, leading to an appearance of thickened parenchymal alveoli until emphysema-like structure. There was no significant difference in MUC5AC, EGF, and EGFR expressions for 14-d exposure (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in EGF and EGFR expressions for 28-d exposure (p>0.05), but there was a significant difference in MUC5AC expression (p<0.05). We concluded that subchronic inhalation of coal dust particulate matter 10 induces bronchoalveolar reactive hyperplasia and rearrangement of epithelial cells which accompanied by decrease expression MUC5AC in male rats. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  18. Potential subchronic food safety of the stacked trait transgenic maize GH5112E-117C in Sprague-Dawley rats.

    PubMed

    Han, Shiwen; Zou, Shiying; He, Xiaoyun; Huang, Kunlun; Mei, Xiaohong

    2016-08-01

    The food safety of stacked trait genetically modified (GM) maize GH5112E-117C containing insect-resistance gene Cry1Ah and glyphosate-resistant gene G2-aroA was evaluated in comparison to non-GM Hi-II maize fed to Sprague-Dawley rats during a 90-day subchronic feeding study. Three different dietary concentrations (12.5, 25 and 50 %, w/w) of the GM maize were used or its corresponding non-GM maize. No biologically significant differences in the animals' clinical signs, body weights, food consumption, hematology, clinical chemistry, organ weights and histopathology were found between the stacked trait GM maize groups, and the non-GM maize groups. The results of the 90-day subchronic feeding study demonstrated that the stacked trait GM maize GH5112E-117C is as safe as the conventional non-GM maize Hi-II.

  19. Effects of concurrent exposure to tributyltin and 1,1-dichloro-2,2 bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (p,p'-DDE) on immature male Wistar rats.

    PubMed

    Makita, Yuji; Omura, Minoru; Tanaka, Akiyo; Kiyohara, Chikako

    2005-12-01

    Tributyltin and 1, 1-dichloro-2, 2 bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (p,p'-DDE) have been ubiquitously distributed over the world. In Japan, p,p'-DDE and tributyltin are ingested through marine products, in which these substances are accumulated through bio-concentration and the food chain. However, the consequence of potential combined hazards of these substances remains unknown. Therefore, the effects of concurrent exposure to 125 ppm p,p'-DDE and 25 ppm tributyltin were investigated in immature male Wistar rats by oral administration during puberty. In this study, tributyltin promoted the growth of pubertal male rats, while p,p'-DDE itself did not affect the growth but inhibited the growth enhancement by tributyltin. Furthermore, tributyltin reduced thymus weight but p,p'-DDE also prevented this weight reduction. Neither development of male sexual accessory organs nor sexual maturation was affected even by concurrent exposure to p,p'-DDE and tributyltin. No significant changes of serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations, and epididymal sperm numbers were observed with the administration of p,p'-DDE and/or tributyltin. These results indicate that sexual maturation, male reproductive organ development and sperm production is scarcely affected in immature male Wistar rats even by concurrent exposure to p,p'-DDE and tributyltin at a daily dose of ca. 2 mg/kg tributyltin and 10 mg/kg p,p'-DDE. Moreover, the simultaneous administration of p,p'-DDE with tributyltin counterbalanced the effects that were attributed to tributyltin alone.

  20. Does a concomitant exposure to lead influence unfavorably the naphthalene subchronic toxicity and toxicokinetics?

    PubMed

    Katsnelson, Boris A; Minigaliyeva, Ilzira A; Degtyareva, Tamara D; Privalova, Larisa I; Beresneva, Tatyana A

    2014-01-01

    Rats were given 20 times during 40 d either naphthalene per gavage or the same and lead acetate intraperitoneally in single doses corresponding to 5% of the respective 50% lethal doses. The concomitant exposure to lead not only added some typical indicators of lead toxicity to the moderate naphthalene intoxication picture but also exaggerated some less specific indices for intoxication. However, a number of such indices testified to attenuation of naphthalene's adverse effects under the impact of lead. Lead also lowered urinary excretion of both total and conjugated naphthalene, while the free- to total naphthalene ratio in urine sharply increased. These results corroborate implicitly the initial hypothesis that lead, being an inhibitor of cytochrome P450, hinders phase I of the naphthalene biotransformation and, thus, the formation of derivates which can be more toxic but are capable of entering into reactions of conjugation with resulting detoxication and elimination of naphthalene from the body. © 2013 SETAC.

  1. Survival, Reproduction, Avoidance Behavior and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in the Earthworm Octolasion cyaneum Exposed to Glyphosate.

    PubMed

    Salvio, Carla; Menone, Mirta L; Rafael, Sergio; Iturburu, Fernando G; Manetti, Pablo L

    2016-03-01

    The massive use of glyphosate (GLY) in several countries has increased the interest in investigating its potential adverse effects in non-target organisms. The aim of the present study was to assess the potential effects in survival and reproduction; avoidance behavior and oxidative stress under short-term (48 h) and subchronic exposures (28 days) to GLY in the earthworm Octolasion cyaneum. After 48 h no significant changes in the behavior was observed. In addition, a lower catalase activity at 498 μg GLY kg(-1) dry soil section relative to earthworms from the control section was obtained. After 28 days of exposure inhibition of glutathione S-transferase activity was observed at 535 μg GLY kg(-1) dry soil while no changes in the other endpoints were detected. These results indicate that environmentally relevant concentrations of GLY (up to 996 µg GLY kg(-1) dry soil) did not exert a toxic effect to O. cyaneum.

  2. Ninety-Day Oral Toxicity Assessment of an Alternative Biopolymer for Controlled Release Drug Delivery Systems Obtained from Cassava Starch Acetate.

    PubMed

    Jesus, Douglas Rossi; Barbosa, Lorena Neris; Prando, Thiago Bruno Lima; Martins, Leonardo Franco; Gasparotto, Francielli; Guedes, Karla Moraes Rocha; Dragunski, Douglas Cardoso; Lourenço, Emerson Luiz Botelho; Dalsenter, Paulo Roberto; Gasparotto Junior, Arquimedes

    2015-01-01

    The large consumption of biodegradable films from cassava starch acetate (FCSA) as ingredients in food and pharmaceutical products requires the assessment of the possible toxicity of these products. The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicity of biodegradable film from cassava starch acetate after oral exposure of Wistar rats for 90 days. The amount of food consumed and the body weight were weekly monitored. Blood and urine samples were obtained for the assessment of serum parameters and renal function. Histopathological analyses in target organs were also performed. No evidence of clinical toxicity in hematological, biochemical, or renal parameters in the FCSA-treated animals was found. In addition, relative organ weight and histopathological evaluations did not differ between groups treated with FCSA and control. Data obtained suggest that the subchronic exposure to FCSA does not cause obvious signs of toxicity in Wistar rats, indicating possible safety of this biofilm.

  3. The para isomer of dinitrobenzene disrupts redox homeostasis in liver and kidney of male wistar rats.

    PubMed

    Sangodele, Janet Olayemi; Olaleye, Mary Tolulope; Monsees, Thomas K; Akinmoladun, Afolabi Clement

    2017-07-01

    Para - Dinitrobenzene (p -DNB) is one of the isomers of dinitrobenzene which have been detected as environmental toxicants. Skin irritation and organ toxicities are likely for industrial workers exposed to p -DNB. This study evaluated the effect of sub-chronic exposure of rats to p -DNB on cellular redox balance, hepatic and renal integrity. Forty eight male Wistar rats weighing 160-180 g were administered 50, 75, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg b.wt (body weight) of p -DNB or an equivalent volume of vehicle (control) orally and topically for 14 days. After the period of treatment, the activities of kidney and liver catalase (CAT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as extent of renal and hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) were determined. Serum ALP activity and plasma urea concentration were also evaluated. Compared with control animals, p -DNB -administered rats showed decrease in the body and relative kidney and liver weights as well as increased renal and hepatic hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation levels accompanied by decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. However, p -DNB caused a significant increase in plasma urea concentration and serum, liver and kidney ALP activities relative to control. In addition, p -DNB caused periportal infiltration, severe macro vesicular steatosis and hepatic necrosis in the liver. Our findings show that sub-chronic oral and sub-dermal administration of p -DNB may produce hepato-nephrotoxicity through oxidative stress.

  4. Influence of Genista tinctoria L. or methylparaben on subchronic toxicity of bisphenol A in rats.

    PubMed

    Popa, Daniela-Saveta; Bolfa, Pompei; Kiss, Bela; Vlase, Laurian; Păltinean, Ramona; Pop, Anca; Cătoi, Cornel; Crişan, Gianina; Loghin, Felicia

    2014-02-01

    To evaluate the influence of an extract of Genista tinctoria L. herba (GT) or methylparaben (MP) on histopathological changes and 2 biomarkers of oxidative stress in rats subchronicly exposed to bisphenol A (BPA). Adult female Wistar rats were orally exposed for 90 d to BPA (50 mg/kg), BPA+GT (35 mg isoflavones/kg) or BPA+MP (250 mg/kg). Plasma and tissue samples were taken from liver, kidney, thyroid, uterus, ovary, and mammary gland after 30, 60, and 90 d of exposure respectively. Lipid peroxidation and in vivo hydroxyl radical production were evaluated by histological analysis along with malondialdehyde and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid detection. The severity of histopathological changes in liver and kidneys was lower after GT treatment than after BPA or BPA+MP treatment. A minimal thyroid receptor antagonist effect was only observed after BPA+MP treatment. The abnormal folliculogenesis increased in a time-dependent manner, and the number of corpus luteum decreased. No significant histological alterations were found in the uterus. The mammary gland displayed specific estrogen stimulation changes at all periods. Both MP and GT revealed antioxidant properties reducing lipid peroxidation and BPA-induced hydroxyl radical generation. GT L. extract ameliorates the toxic effects of BPA and is proved to have antioxidant potential and antitoxic effect. MP has antioxidant properties, but has either no effect or exacerbates the BPA-induced histopathological changes. Copyright © 2014 The Editorial Board of Biomedical and Environmental Sciences. Published by China CDC. All rights reserved.

  5. Subchronic rat inhalation study with Skydrol 500B-4 fire resistant hydraulic fluid.

    PubMed

    Healy, C E; Nair, R S; Ribelin, W E; Bechtel, C L

    1992-03-01

    Skydrol 500B-4 fire resistant hydraulic fluid, a proprietary phosphate ester mixture composed principally of dibutyl phenyl phosphate (DBPP) and tributyl phosphate (TBP) and used as a commercial airline hydraulic fluid, was evaluated in an inhalation toxicity study of Sprague-Dawley rats. Target exposure levels used in the study were 0, 5, 100, and 300 mg/m3, and exposures were maintained for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week. Mass median aerodynamic diameters determined for particles in the mid- and high-exposure inhalation chambers were 2.85 microns and 3.31 microns, with geometric standard deviations of 1.99 microns and 1.92 microns, respectively. The percentage of particles less than 10 microns in diameter were 96.4% in the mid-exposure chamber and 95.5% in the high-exposure chamber. After 6 weeks of Skydrol exposure, 10 rats/sex/group were euthanized and then assessed for indications of possible chemical toxicity. Another 15 rats/sex/group were studied for a total of 13 weeks of exposure. The only clinical sign of chemical toxicity was the observation of a reddish nasal discharge with accompanying oral salivation in mid- and high-exposure animals of both sexes, indicative of an irritant response. Statistically significant reduced body weights; increased absolute and relative liver weights; and decreased erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin levels, and hematocrit values were observed in high-exposure female rats euthanized after 13 weeks of Skydrol exposure. High-exposure male rats also had increased absolute and relative liver weights and decreased hematocrit values after 13 weeks. Plasma cholinesterase levels were decreased in high-exposure female rats both 6 and 13 weeks after the study was initiated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  6. Toxicological, medical and industrial hygiene aspects of glutaraldehyde with particular reference to its biocidal use in cold sterilization procedures.

    PubMed

    Ballantyne, B; Jordan, S L

    2001-01-01

    Aqueous solutions of > or =5% glutaraldehyde (GA) are of moderate acute peroral toxicity and those of < or =2% are of slight toxicity. By single sustained skin contact, aqueous GA solutions of > or =45% are of moderate acute percutaneous toxicity, those of 25% are of slight toxicity and those of or =5%. Primary skin irritation depends on the duration and contact site, occlusion and solvent. By sustained contact, the threshold for skin irritation is 1%, above which erythema and edema are dose related. With 45% and higher, skin corrosion may occur. There is a low incidence of skin sensitizing reactions, with an eliciting threshold of 0.5% aqueous GA. However, GA is neither phototoxic nor photosensitizing. Subchronic repeated exposure studies by the peroral route show only renal physiological compensatory effects, secondary to reduced water consumption. Repeated skin contact shows only minor skin irritant effects without systemic toxicity. By subchronic vapor exposure, effects are limited to the nasal mucosa at 1.0 ppm, with a no-effect concentration generally at 0.1 ppm. There is no evidence for systemic target organ or tissue toxicity by subchronic repeated exposure by any route. A chronic drinking water study showed an apparent increase, in females only, of large granular cell lymphocytic leukemia but this was not dosage related. This is most likely the result of a modifying effect on the factor(s) responsible for the expression of this commonly occurring rat neoplasm. A chronic (2-year) inhalation toxicity/oncogenicity study showed inflammatory changes in the anterior nasal cavity but no neoplasms or systemic toxicity. In vitro genotoxicity studies--bacterial mutagenicity, forward gene mutation (HGPRT and TK loci), sister chromatid exchange, chromosome aberration, UDS and DNA repair tests--have given variable results, ranging from no effect through to weak positive. In vivo genotoxicity studies--micronucleus, chromosome aberration, dominant lethal and Drosophila tests--generally have shown no activity but one mouse intraperitoneal study showed bone marrow cell chromosome aberrations. Developmental toxicity studies show GA not to be teratogenic, and a two-generation study showed no adverse reproductive effects. Percutaneous pharmacokinetic studies showed low skin penetration, with lowest values measured in vitro in rats and human skin. Overexposure of humans produces typical sensory irritant effects on the eye, skin and respiratory tract. Some reports have described an asthmatic-like reaction by overexposure to GA vapor. In most cases this resembles reactive airways dysfunction syndrome, and the role of immune mechanisms is uncertain. Local mucosal effects may occur if medical instruments or endoscopes are not adequately decontaminated. Protection of individuals from the potential adverse effects of GA exposure requires that there be adequate protection of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. The airborne concentration of GA vapor should be kept below the recommended safe exposure level (e.g. the threshold limit value) by the use of engineering controls. Those who work with GA should, through a training program, be aware of the properties of GA, its potential adverse effects, how to handle the material safely and how to deal with accidental situations involving GA. If effects develop in exposed workers, the reasons should be determined immediately and corrective methods initiated. (c) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  7. Acute and subchronic toxicity as well as mutagenic evaluation of essential oil from turmeric (Curcuma longa L).

    PubMed

    Liju, Vijayasteltar B; Jeena, Kottarapat; Kuttan, Ramadasan

    2013-03-01

    The present study investigated the acute, subchronic and genotoxicity of turmeric essential oil (TEO) from Curcuma longa L. Acute administration of TEO was done as single dose up to 5 g of TEO per kg body weight and subchronic toxicity study for thirteen weeks was done by daily oral administration of TEO at doses 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 g/kg b.wt. in Wistar rats. There were no mortality, adverse clinical signs or changes in body weight; water and food consumption during acute as well as subchronic toxicity studies. Indicators of hepatic function such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were unchanged in treated animals compared to untreated animals. Oral administration of TEO for 13 weeks did not alter total cholesterol, triglycerides, markers of renal function, serum electrolyte parameters and histopathology of tissues. TEO did not produce any mutagenicity to Salmonella typhimurium TA-98, TA-100, TA-102 and TA-1535 with or without metabolic activation. Administration of TEO to rats (1 g/kg b.wt.) for 14 days did not produce any chromosome aberration or micronuclei in rat bone marrow cells and did not produce any DNA damage as seen by comet assay confirming the non toxicity of TEO. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. Reversal of social deficits by subchronic oxytocin in two autism mouse models

    PubMed Central

    Teng, Brian L.; Nikolova, Viktoriya D.; Riddick, Natallia V.; Agster, Kara L.; Crowley, James J.; Baker, Lorinda K.; Koller, Beverly H.; Pedersen, Cort A.; Jarstfer, Michael B.; Moy, Sheryl S.

    2016-01-01

    Social deficits are a hallmark feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related developmental syndromes. Although there is no standard treatment for social dysfunction, clinical studies have identified oxytocin as a potential therapeutic with prosocial efficacy. We have previously reported that peripheral oxytocin treatment can increase sociability and ameliorate repetitive stereotypy in adolescent mice from the C58/J model of ASD-like behavior. In the present study, we determined that prosocial oxytocin effects were not limited to the adolescent period, since C58/J mice, tested in adulthood, demonstrated significant social preference up to 2 weeks following subchronic oxytocin treatment. Oxytocin was also evaluated in adult mice with underexpression of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor NR1 subunit (encoded by Grin1), a genetic model of autism- and schizophrenia- like behavior. Subchronic oxytocin had striking prosocial efficacy in male Grin1 knockdown mice; in contrast, chronic regimens with clozapine (66 mg/kg/day) or risperidone (2 mg/kg/day) failed to reverse deficits in sociability. Neither the subchronic oxytocin regimen, nor chronic treatment with clozapine or risperidone, reversed impaired prepulse inhibition in the Grin1 knockdown mice. Overall, these studies demonstrate oxytocin can enhance sociability in mouse models with divergent genotypes and behavioral profiles, adding to the evidence that this neurohormone could have therapeutic prosocial efficacy across a spectrum of developmental disorders. PMID:26748053

  9. Nephroprotective effect of bee honey and royal jelly against subchronic cisplatin toxicity in rats.

    PubMed

    Ibrahim, Abdelazim; Eldaim, Mabrouk A Abd; Abdel-Daim, Mohamed M

    2016-08-01

    Cisplatin is one of the most potent and effective chemotherapeutic agents. However, its antineoplastic use is limited due to its cumulative nephrotoxic side effects. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to examine the nephroprotective potential of dietary bee honey and royal jelly against subchronic cisplatin toxicity in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into controls, cisplatin-treated, bee honey-pretreated cisplatin-treated and royal jelly-pretreated cisplatin-treated groups. Bee honey and royal jelly were given orally at doses of 20 and 100 mg/kg, respectively. Subchronic toxicity was induced by cisplatin (1 mg/kg bw, ip), twice weekly for 10 weeks. Cisplatin treated animals revealed a significant increase in serum level of renal injury products (urea, creatinine and uric acid). Histopathologically, cisplatin produced pronounced tubulointerstitial injuries, upregulated the fibrogenic factors, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1), and downregulated the cell proliferation marker, bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu). Dietary bee honey and royal jelly normalized the elevated serum renal injury product biomarkers, improved the histopathologic changes, reduced the expression of α-SMA and TGF-β1 and increased the expression of Brdu. Therefore, it could be concluded that bee honey, and royal jelly could be used as dietary preventive natural products against subchronic cisplatin-induced renal injury.

  10. Post-weaning social isolation increases activity in a novel environment but decreases defensive burying and subchronic MK-801 enhances the activity but not the burying effect in rats.

    PubMed

    Simpson, Sarah M; Menard, Janet L; Reynolds, James N; Beninger, Richard J

    2010-03-01

    Subchronic treatment with a non-competitive glutamate NMDA-receptor antagonist [e.g., MK-801 or phencyclidine] or social isolation (SI) from weaning (age 21 days) to adulthood (age 56 days) produce deficits similar to some of the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Few studies have evaluated the effects of these treatments on emotional behavior. We hypothesized that subchronic MK-801, post-weaning SI or the two in combination would alter activity in a novel environment, anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus-maze, coping responses in the defensive burying paradigm and social behavior. In experiment 1, SI rats (n=17) showed increased locomotor activity when exposed to a novel environment, no change in plus-maze behavior and decreased defensive burying when compared to group housed rats (n=16). Subchronic MK-801 enhanced the increase in activity but not the decrease in burying in SI rats. Experiment 2 evaluated the effects on social behavior of post-weaning SI. The locomotor and burying results of experiment 1 were replicated and SI rats (n=9) were found to decrease orientation towards a novel conspecific social target when compared to group housed rats (n=8). The behavioral abnormalities of SI rats may be a manifestation of GABAergic dysfunction that has recently become evident in schizophrenia. (c) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Polymer degradation and ultrafine particles - Potential inhalation hazards for astronauts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ferin, J.; Oberdoerster, G.

    1992-01-01

    To test the hypothesis that exposure to ultrafine particles results in an increased interstiatilization of the particles which is accompanied by an acute pathological inflammation, rats were exposed to titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles by intratracheal instillation and by inhalation. Both acute intratracheal instillation and subchronic inhalation studies on rats show that ultrafine TiO2 particles access the pulmonary interstitium to a larger extent than fine particles and that they elicit an inflammatory response as indicated by PMN increase in lavaged cells. The release of ultrafine particles into the air of an enclosed environment from a thermodegradation event or from other sources is a potential hazard for astronauts. Knowing the mechanisms of action is a prerequisite for technical or medical countermeasures.

  12. Decrease of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in rat liver with subchronic exposure to genotoxic carcinogens riddelliine and aristolochic acid.

    PubMed

    Lian, Christine Guo; Xu, Shuyun; Guo, Weimin; Yan, Jian; Frank, Maximilian Y M; Liu, Robert; Liu, Cynthia; Chen, Ying; Murphy, George F; Chen, Tao

    2015-11-01

    The level of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) converted by ten-eleven translocation (TET) family is decreased in cancers. However, whether 5-hmC level is perturbed in early stages of carcinogenesis caused by genotoxic carcinogens is not defined. 5-hmC levels and TET2 expression were measured in liver of rats treated with genotoxic carcinogens, riddelliine, or aristolochic acid. Levels of 5-hmC and TET2 expression decreased in the liver of the carcinogens-treated rats. Loss of 5-hmC correlates well with documented induction of genetic mutations by the carcinogens, suggesting that TET2-mediated 5-hydroxymethylation plays an epigenetic role in early state of carcinogenesis. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  13. Decrease of 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine in Rat Liver with Subchronic Exposure to Genotoxic Carcinogens Riddelliine and Aristolochic Acid

    PubMed Central

    Lian, Christine Guo; Xu, Shuyun; Guo, Weimin; Yan, Jian; Frank, Maximilian Y M; Liu, Robert; Liu, Cynthia; Chen, Ying; Murphy, George F.; Chen, Tao

    2018-01-01

    The level of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) converted by ten-eleven translocation (TET) family is decreased in cancers. However, whether 5-hmC level is perturbed in early stages of carcinogenesis caused by genotoxic carcinogens is not defined. 5-hmC levels and TET2 expression were measured in liver of rats treated with genotoxic carcinogens, riddelliine, or aristolochic acid. Levels of 5-hmC and TET2 expression decreased in the liver of the carcinogens-treated rats. Loss of 5-hmC correlates well with documented induction of genetic mutations by the carcinogens, suggesting that TET2-mediated 5-hydroxymethylation plays an epigenetic role in early state of carcinogenesis. PMID:25154389

  14. A Health Assessment of Technical Grade Dinitrotoluene ...

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Technical grade dinitrotoluene (tgDNT) is a mixture of dinitrotoluene isomers. It is composed of 76% 2,4 DNT and 19% 2,6 DNT with the remaining 5% a combination of the other four dinitrotoluene isomers (2,3 , 2,5 , 3,4 , and 3,5 DNT). The toxicological effects of tgDNT were reviewed and the critical effects were identified by evaluating available human occupational and animal studies mainly via inhalation and oral exposure routes. In occupational studies of workers from DNT manufacturing plants, tgDNT exposure (predominately via the inhalation route) associates with clinical symptoms, adverse reproductive effects, and adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. However, these occupational studies are limited due to co-exposure to other known and/or unknown chemicals and lack of useful exposure information. Oral studies in F344 rats showed that tgDNT has a broad toxicity profile in both males and females including significantly increased reticulocytes and Heinz bodies, increased relative liver weight and kidney weight, spleen hemosiderin and extramedullary hematopoiesis, increased incidence of chronic interstitial nephritis, and hepatotoxicity characterized by increased incidences of hepatocyte necrosis, hyperbasophilic hepatocytes, and hepatocyte megalocytosis . The incidence of testicular degeneration in male rats is also significantly increased by tgDNT. In order to identify the most sensitive non-cancer effect(s), all toxicological endpoints from subchron

  15. Evaluation of the inhalation toxicity of diethylethanolamine (DEEA) in rats.

    PubMed

    Hinz, J P; Thomas, J A; Ben-Dyke, R

    1992-04-01

    Diethylethanolamine (DEEA), an industrial anticorrosive additive, was evaluated in rats for its potential toxicity. A 2-week inhalation exposure to 10 ppm revealed no signs of toxicity. At 56 ppm, rats exhibited signs of nasal irritation and corneal opacities. Significant mortality (males, 90%; females, 50%) occurred at 301 ppm. Histopathology revealed inflammatory cell infiltrations of the nasal turbinate mucosa and squamous metaplasia after exposure to 56 ppm. In the 14-week subchronic study, rats were exposed to 0, 11, 25, or 76 ppm. During exposure to DEEA, transient signs of mild to moderate respiratory irritation (noises or rales) were observed with a frequency and severity that was dose dependent. These signs usually cleared within 1 hr post-exposure. However, at 76 ppm some rats continued to exhibit these respiratory signs overnight. There were no significant DEEA-induced changes in either blood chemistry or neurobehavioral parameters. Nasal cavities of rats exposed to 25 or 76 ppm revealed evidence of inflammatory cell infiltration, focal hyperplasia, and squamous metaplasia in the respiratory epithelium of the anterior nasal turbinates. Hypertrophic goblet cells, focal necrosis, and exudate in the nasal lumen were also seen at 76 ppm. DEEA vapors failed to produce persistent ocular or respiratory tract toxicity below 26 ppm. The no-observed-effect-level in this study was 10 ppm.

  16. Adolescent Corticosterone and TrkB Pharmaco-Manipulations Sex-Dependently Impact Instrumental Reversal Learning Later in Life

    PubMed Central

    Barfield, Elizabeth T.; Gourley, Shannon L.

    2017-01-01

    Early-life trauma can increase the risk for, and severity of, several psychiatric illnesses. These include drug use disorders, and some correlations appear to be stronger in women. Understanding the long-term consequences of developmental stressor or stress hormone exposure and possible sex differences is critically important. So-called “reversal learning” tasks are commonly used in rodents to model cognitive deficits in stress- and addiction-related illnesses in humans. Here, we exposed mice to the primary stress hormone corticosterone (CORT) during early adolescence (postnatal days 31–42), then tested behavioral flexibility in adulthood using an instrumental reversal learning task. CORT-exposed female, but not male, mice developed perseverative errors. Despite resilience to subchronic CORT exposure, males developed reversal performance impairments following exposure to physical stressors. Administration of a putative tyrosine kinase receptor B (trkB) agonist, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), during adolescence blocked CORT-induced errors in females and improved performance in males. Conversely, blockade of trkB by ANA-12 impaired performance. These data suggest that trkB-based interventions could have certain protective benefits in the context of early-life stressor exposure. We consider the implications of our findings in an extended “Discussion” section. PMID:29270114

  17. Inhalation toxicology of diesel fuel obscurant aerosol in Sprague-Dawley rats. Final report, Phase 3, subchronic exposures

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lock, S.; Dalbey, W.; Schmoyer, R.

    1984-12-01

    Inhalation exposures were performed twice per week, for 13 weeks, to determine whether there was any potential toxicity to rats of comparatively low concentrations of a condensation aerosol from diesel fuel. Changes in breathing frequency and the response of animals to a loud sharp sound (startle response) were measured in selected animals prior to the start of the exposures, at various time points during the thirteen week exposure period, and at monthly intervals during the recovery period. Assays were performed on selected animals at the end of the exposure period, and again after the two month recovery period. Endpoints includedmore » pulmonary function tests, numbers of alveolar free cells, clinical chemistry, hematology, organ weights and histopathology. No mortalities were recorded during the exposure or recovery periods. Slight toxicity occurred at these low aerosol concentrations with the loss in body weight of all treated animals during the exposure period. During the exposure period there were also some slight changes in startle reflex, however, these were apparently acute effects, and there appeared to be no permanent CNS involvement as measured by this endpoint. Immediately post-exposure, the numbers of lavaged alveolar macrophages were slightly elevated in all aerosol exposed animals. Pulmonary function tests, pulmonary gas exchange and dynamic lung tests were all apparently unaffected by these low diesel fuel aerosol exposures. Changes in tissue weights in aerosol exposed animals were minor and the few histopathological lesions were randomly scattered amongst all groups included in this study and were more attributable to the age of the animals than any specific treatment group. No significant cumulative toxicity may be attributed to these diesel fuel aerosol exposures. 14 references, 1 figure, 42 tables.« less

  18. Developmental Subchronic Exposure to Diphenylarsinic Acid Induced Increased Exploratory Behavior, Impaired Learning Behavior, and Decreased Cerebellar Glutathione Concentration in Rats

    PubMed Central

    Negishi, Takayuki; Matsunaga, Yuki

    2013-01-01

    In Japan, people using water from the well contaminated with high-level arsenic developed neurological, mostly cerebellar, symptoms, where diphenylarsinic acid (DPAA) was a major compound. Here, we investigated the adverse effects of developmental exposure to 20mg/l DPAA in drinking water (early period [0–6 weeks of age] and/or late period [7–12]) on behavior and cerebellar development in male rats. In the open field test at 6 weeks of age, early exposure to DPAA significantly increased exploratory behaviors. At 12 weeks of age, late exposure to DPAA similarly increased exploratory behavior independent of the early exposure although a 6-week recovery from DPAA could reverse that change. In the passive avoidance test at 6 weeks of age, early exposure to DPAA significantly decreased the avoidance performance. Even at 12 weeks of age, early exposure to DPAA significantly decreased the test performance, which was independent of the late exposure to DPAA. These results suggest that the DPAA-induced increase in exploratory behavior is transient, whereas the DPAA-induced impairment of passive avoidance is long lasting. At 6 weeks of age, early exposure to DPAA significantly reduced the concentration of cerebellar total glutathione. At 12 weeks of age, late, but not early, exposure to DPAA also significantly reduced the concentration of cerebellar glutathione, which might be a primary cause of oxidative stress. Early exposure to DPAA induced late-onset suppressed expression of NMDAR1 and PSD95 protein at 12 weeks of age, indicating impaired glutamatergic system in the cerebellum of rats developmentally exposed to DPAA. PMID:24008832

  19. Paracetamol causes endocrine disruption and hepatotoxicity in male fish Rhamdia quelen after subchronic exposure.

    PubMed

    Guiloski, Izonete Cristina; Ribas, João Luiz Coelho; Piancini, Laercio Dante Stein; Dagostim, Ana Carolina; Cirio, Silvana Maris; Fávaro, Luis Fernando; Boschen, Suelen Lúcio; Cestari, Marta Margarete; da Cunha, Cláudio; Silva de Assis, Helena Cristina

    2017-07-01

    Paracetamol is one of the most widely sold non-prescription drugs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the paracetamol on reproductive, biochemical, genetic, histopathological and hematogical biomarkers by waterborne exposure. Male fish of Rhamdia quelen were exposed to environmental concentrations of paracetamol (0, 0.25, 2.5μg/L) in a semi-static bioassay for 21days. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were reduced upon exposure to 0.25μg/L of paracetamol. Leukocytes and thrombocytes increased after paracetamol exposure. Paracetamol reduced testosterone levels in all exposed groups and increased estradiol levels at higher concentration. Serotonin and dopamine levels increased at exposure to 0.25μg/L. Paracetamol also caused protein carbonyls and increased SOD activity in fish exposed to 2.5μg/L and in addition led to an inhibition of EROD and GST activities in both concentrations. Hepatic genotoxicity occurred at the 0.25μg/L concentration. Hepatic tissues of exposed fish showed mild blood congestion and leucocytes infiltration. The results showed that paracetamol disrupted the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, changed hematological parameters and caused hepatotoxicity in Rhamdia quelen. The findings suggest that this drug merits attention relative to its potential endocrine disrupter effect and hepatotoxicity, even at concentrations found in the aquatic environment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. In vivo genotoxicity assessment in rats exposed to Prestige-like oil by inhalation.

    PubMed

    Valdiglesias, Vanessa; Kiliç, Gözde; Costa, Carla; Amor-Carro, Óscar; Mariñas-Pardo, Luis; Ramos-Barbón, David; Méndez, Josefina; Pásaro, Eduardo; Laffon, Blanca

    2012-01-01

    One of the largest oil spill disasters in recent times was the accident of the oil tanker Prestige in front of the Galician coast in 2002. Thousands of people participated in the cleanup of the contaminated areas, being exposed to a complex mixture of toxic substances. Acute and prolonged respiratory symptoms and genotoxic effects were reported, although environmental exposure measurements were restricted to current determinations, such that attribution of effects observed to oil exposure is difficult to establish. The aim of this study was to analyze peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) harvested from a rat model of subchronic exposure to a fuel oil with similar characteristics to that spilled by the Prestige tanker, in order to determine potential genotoxic effects under strictly controlled, in vivo exposure. Wistar Han and Brown Norway rats were exposed to the oil for 3 wk, and micronucleus test (MN) and comet assay, standard and modified with 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) enzyme, were employed to assess genotoxicity 72 h and 15 d after the last exposure. In addition, the potential effects of oil exposure on DNA repair capacity were determined by means of mutagen sensitivity assay. Results obtained from this study showed that inhalation oil exposure induced DNA damage in both Brown Norway and Wistar Han rats, especially in those animals evaluated 15 d after exposure. Although alterations in the DNA repair responses were noted, the sensitivity to oil substances varied depending on rat strain. Data support previous positive genotoxicity results reported in humans exposed to Prestige oil during cleanup tasks.

  1. Safety assessment of myristic acid as a food ingredient.

    PubMed

    Burdock, George A; Carabin, Ioana G

    2007-04-01

    Myristic acid is used in the food industry as a flavor ingredient. It is found widely distributed in fats throughout the plant and animal kingdom, including common human foodstuffs, such as nutmeg. Myristic acid (a 14-carbon, straight-chain saturated fatty acid) has been shown to have a low order of acute oral toxicity in rodents. It may be irritating in pure form to skin and eyes under exaggerated exposure conditions, but is not known or predicted to induce sensitization responses. Myristic acid did not induce a mutagenic response in either bacterial or mammalian systems in vitro. Relevant subchronic toxicity data are available on closely related fatty acid analogs. In particular, a NOEL of >6000mg/kg was reported for lauric acid (a 12-carbon, straight-chain saturated fatty acid) following dietary exposure to male rats for 18 weeks and a NOEL of >5000mg/kg was reported for palmitic acid (a 16-carbon, straight-chain saturated fatty acid) following dietary exposure to rats for 150 days. The data and information that are available indicate that at the current level of intake, food flavoring use of myristic acid does not pose a health risk to humans.

  2. Preclinical Toxicological Evaluation of IDM01: The Botanical Composition of 4-Hydroxyisoleucine- and Trigonelline-based Standardized Fenugreek Seed Extract.

    PubMed

    Deshpande, Pallavi O; Mohan, Vishwaraman; Thakurdesai, Prasad Arvind

    2017-01-01

    To evaluate acute oral toxicity (AOT), subchronic (90-day repeated dose) toxicity, mutagenicity, and genotoxicity potential of IDM01, the botanical composition of 4-hydroxyisoleucine- and trigonelline-based standardized fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum-graecum L) seed extract in laboratory rats. The AOT and subchronic (90-day repeated dose) toxicity were evaluated using Sprague-Dawley rats as per the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines No. 423 and No. 408, respectively. During the subchronic study, the effects on body weight, food and water consumption, organ weights with hematology, clinical biochemistry, and histology were studied. The mutagenicity and genotoxicity of IDM01 were evaluated by reverse mutation assay (Ames test, OECD guideline No. 471) and chromosome aberration test (OECD guideline No. 473), respectively. The IDM01 did not show mortality or treatment-related adverse signs during acute (limit dose of 2000 mg/kg) and subchronic (90-day repeated dose of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg with 28 days of recovery period) administration. The IDM01 showed oral median lethal dose (LD50) >2000 mg/kg during AOT study. The no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of IDM01 was 500 mg/kg. IDM01 did not show mutagenicity up to a concentration of 5000 μg/plate during Ames test and did not induce structural chromosomal aberrations up to 50 mg/culture. IDM01 was found safe during preclinical acute and subchronic (90-day repeated dose) toxicity in rats without mutagenicity or genotoxicity. Acute oral toxicity, subchronic (90-day) oral toxicity, mutagenicity and genotoxicity of IDM01 (4-hydroxyisoleucine- and trigonelline-based standardized fenugreek seed extract) was evaluated.The median lethal dose, LD50, of IDM01 was more than 2000 mg/kg of body weight in rats.No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of IDM01 was 500 mg/kg of body weight in rats.IDM01 was found safe during acute and subchronic oral toxicity studies in rats without mutagenicity or genotoxicity potetial. Abbreviations Used: 2-AA: 2-aminoanthracene; 2-AF: 2-aminofluorene; 4 NQNO: 4-nitroquinolene-N-oxide; 4HI: 4-hydroxyisoleucine; ANOVA: Analysis of variance; AOT: Acute oral toxicity; DM: Diabetes mellitus; IDM01: The Botanical composition of 4-hydroxyisoleucine- and trigonelline-based standardized fenugreek seed extract; LD50: Median lethal dose; MMS: Methyl methanesulfonate; NAD: No abnormality detected; OECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; SD: Standard deviation; UV: Ultraviolet; VC: Vehicle control. 2-AA: 2-aminoanthracene; 2-AF: 2-aminofluorene; 4 NQNO: 4-nitroquinolene-N-oxide; 4HI: 4-hydroxyisoleucine; ANOVA: Analysis of variance; AOT: Acute oral toxicity; DM: Diabetes mellitus; IDM01: The Botanical composition of 4-hydroxyisoleucine- and trigonelline-based standardized fenugreek seed extract; LD50: Median lethal dose; MMS: Methyl methanesulfonate; NAD: No abnormality detected; OECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; SD: Standard deviation; UV: Ultraviolet; VC: Vehicle control.

  3. Preclinical Toxicological Evaluation of IDM01: The Botanical Composition of 4-Hydroxyisoleucine- and Trigonelline-based Standardized Fenugreek Seed Extract

    PubMed Central

    Deshpande, Pallavi O.; Mohan, Vishwaraman; Thakurdesai, Prasad Arvind

    2017-01-01

    Objective: To evaluate acute oral toxicity (AOT), subchronic (90-day repeated dose) toxicity, mutagenicity, and genotoxicity potential of IDM01, the botanical composition of 4-hydroxyisoleucine- and trigonelline-based standardized fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L) seed extract in laboratory rats. Materials and Methods: The AOT and subchronic (90-day repeated dose) toxicity were evaluated using Sprague-Dawley rats as per the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines No. 423 and No. 408, respectively. During the subchronic study, the effects on body weight, food and water consumption, organ weights with hematology, clinical biochemistry, and histology were studied. The mutagenicity and genotoxicity of IDM01 were evaluated by reverse mutation assay (Ames test, OECD guideline No. 471) and chromosome aberration test (OECD guideline No. 473), respectively. Results: The IDM01 did not show mortality or treatment-related adverse signs during acute (limit dose of 2000 mg/kg) and subchronic (90-day repeated dose of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg with 28 days of recovery period) administration. The IDM01 showed oral median lethal dose (LD50) >2000 mg/kg during AOT study. The no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of IDM01 was 500 mg/kg. IDM01 did not show mutagenicity up to a concentration of 5000 μg/plate during Ames test and did not induce structural chromosomal aberrations up to 50 mg/culture. Conclusions: IDM01 was found safe during preclinical acute and subchronic (90-day repeated dose) toxicity in rats without mutagenicity or genotoxicity. SUMMARY Acute oral toxicity, subchronic (90-day) oral toxicity, mutagenicity and genotoxicity of IDM01 (4-hydroxyisoleucine- and trigonelline-based standardized fenugreek seed extract) was evaluated.The median lethal dose, LD50, of IDM01 was more than 2000 mg/kg of body weight in rats.No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of IDM01 was 500 mg/kg of body weight in rats.IDM01 was found safe during acute and subchronic oral toxicity studies in rats without mutagenicity or genotoxicity potetial. Abbreviations Used: 2-AA: 2-aminoanthracene; 2-AF: 2-aminofluorene; 4 NQNO: 4-nitroquinolene-N-oxide; 4HI: 4-hydroxyisoleucine; ANOVA: Analysis of variance; AOT: Acute oral toxicity; DM: Diabetes mellitus; IDM01: The Botanical composition of 4-hydroxyisoleucine- and trigonelline-based standardized fenugreek seed extract; LD50: Median lethal dose; MMS: Methyl methanesulfonate; NAD: No abnormality detected; OECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; SD: Standard deviation; UV: Ultraviolet; VC: Vehicle control. 2-AA: 2-aminoanthracene; 2-AF: 2-aminofluorene; 4 NQNO: 4-nitroquinolene-N-oxide; 4HI: 4-hydroxyisoleucine; ANOVA: Analysis of variance; AOT: Acute oral toxicity; DM: Diabetes mellitus; IDM01: The Botanical composition of 4-hydroxyisoleucine- and trigonelline-based standardized fenugreek seed extract; LD50: Median lethal dose; MMS: Methyl methanesulfonate; NAD: No abnormality detected; OECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; SD: Standard deviation; UV: Ultraviolet; VC: Vehicle control PMID:28539737

  4. Paleointensity and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of basalts at Gamarri, Ethiopia: Correlation with the Réunion subchron and Huckleberry Ridge excursion?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kindley, C.; Macho, A.; Tsegaye, M. A.; Feinberg, J. M.; Singer, B. S.; Jicha, B. R.; Brown, M. C.; Birke, T. K.

    2012-12-01

    Characterization of the geomagnetic field during subchrons, reversals, and excursions is vital to understanding geodynamo processes and interactions across the core-mantle boundary. Moreover, an accurate timescale for geomagnetic field instabilities is critical to global high resolution stratigraphy. The Réunion subchron and Huckleberry Ridge excursion are ideal candidates for study due to globally distributed recordings in both sedimentary and igneous rocks. We present new full-vector paleomagnetic data for 30 basaltic flows from the Gamarri volcanic section in the Afar region of Ethiopia and 11 40Ar/39Ar ages. Paleointensities were calculated using the LTD-DHT Shaw technique and results generally agree with those of Carlut et al. (1999). Two geomagnetic instabilities are recorded, an older excursion and a younger period of normal polarity within the reversed Matuyama chron. Our results show a longer duration of low (<20 μT) paleointensity in the oldest flows and more variable low paleointensity values in the younger flows, and are generally lower than Thellier-style values of Carlut et al. (1999). Relative to 28.201 Ma Fish Canyon sanidine, plateau 40Ar/39Ar ages of the youngest (GB21) and oldest (GA02) flows are 2.029 ± 0.041 (2σ) and 2.410 ± 0.130 Ma, respectively. This eruptive duration is longer than that reported by Kidane et al. (1999), where the unspiked K-Ar method yields ages for GB23 (2 flows overlying GB21) and GA02 of 2.02 ± 0.08 (2σ) and 2.14 ± 0.12 Ma, respectively. 40Ar/39Ar ages of 4 lavas within the normal polarity zone in the upper section are between 2.063 ± 0.044 and 2.118 ± 0.057 Ma, but are indistinguishable at 2σ. These flows may sample the Huckleberry Ridge excursion (2.086 ± 0.016 Ma, Singer et al. 2004), the Réunion subchron (2.153-2.115 Ma, Channell et al. 2003), or both. Given several 40Ar/39Ar ages >2.2 Ma, the older excursion in the Gamarri section is not consistent with the Réunion subchron, and can be linked to any of several excursions occurring between ~2.2 and ~2.5 Ma. These excursions have been observed within records from ODP 982 (Channell & Guyodo, 2004) and IODP U1314 (Ohno et al., 2012), as well as within the GPTS as cryptochron C2r.2r-1 (originally dated as 2.420 to 2.441 Ma by Cande & Kent, 1995). Thus, we no longer interpret the excursion recorded in the lower portion of the Gamarri section to be part of the Réunion subchron and recommend that it be omitted from efforts to construct integrated global field models across the Huckleberry Ridge excursion and Réunion subchron.

  5. Short-term effects of subchronic low-level hydrogen sulfide exposure on oil field workers.

    PubMed

    Mousa, Haider Abdul-Lateef

    2015-01-01

    To investigate the short-term effects of low-level hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exposure on oil field workers. Observational study included 34 patients who work at an oil field. All patients were males with age range of 22-60 years (mean 37 years). The data were collected by systematic questionnaire about symptoms. The inclusion criteria of patients were symptoms related to inhalation of H2S gas in the oil field. The complaints should be frequent and relapsed after each gas exposure and disappeared when there was no gas exposure. Exclusion criteria were the symptoms which experienced with or without H2S exposure. The presence of H2S gas was confirmed by valid gas detector devices. The most frequent presenting symptom was nasal bleeding. It was revealed in 18 patients (52.9%). This followed by pharyngeal bleeding, gum bleeding, and bloody saliva (mouth bleeding) which were encountered in five cases for each complaint (14.7%). Other less frequent presenting symptoms were tongue bleeding, bloody sputum, headache, abdominal colic, pharyngeal soreness, fatigue, and sleepiness. Nasal mucosa was the most vulnerable part to H2S effect. Inhalation of H2S produced upper respiratory tract epithelial damage that led to bleeding from nose, pharynx, gum, tongue, trachea, and bronchi. There were no complaints of asthmatic attack upon exposure to low level of H2S. Sunlight had a significant role in reduction of ambient air H2S level.

  6. Paradoxical effects of injection stress and nicotine exposure experienced during adolescence on learning in a serial multiple choice (SMC) task in adult female rats.

    PubMed

    Renaud, Samantha M; Pickens, Laura R G; Fountain, Stephen B

    2015-01-01

    Nicotine exposure in adolescent rats has been shown to cause learning impairments that persist into adulthood long after nicotine exposure has ended. This study was designed to assess the extent to which the effects of adolescent nicotine exposure on learning in adulthood can be accounted for by adolescent injection stress experienced concurrently with adolescent nicotine exposure. Female rats received either 0.033 mg/h nicotine (expressed as the weight of the free base) or bacteriostatic water vehicle by osmotic pump infusion on postnatal days 25-53 (P25-53). Half of the nicotine-exposed rats and half of the vehicle rats also received twice-daily injection stress consisting of intraperitoneal saline injections on P26-53. Together these procedures produced 4 groups: No Nicotine/No Stress, Nicotine/No Stress, No Nicotine/Stress, and Nicotine/Stress. On P65-99, rats were trained to perform a structurally complex 24-element serial pattern of responses in the serial multiple choice (SMC) task. Four general results were obtained in the current study. First, learning for within-chunk elements was not affected by either adolescent nicotine exposure, consistent with past work (Pickens, Rowan, Bevins, and Fountain, 2013), or adolescent injection stress. Thus, there were no effects of adolescent nicotine exposure or injection stress on adult within-chunk learning typically attributed to rule learning in the SMC task. Second, adolescent injection stress alone (i.e., without concurrent nicotine exposure) caused transient but significant facilitation of adult learning restricted to a single element of the 24-element pattern, namely, the "violation element," that was the only element of the pattern that was inconsistent with pattern structure. Thus, adolescent injection stress alone facilitated violation element acquisition in adulthood. Third, also consistent with past work (Pickens et al., 2013), adolescent nicotine exposure, in this case both with and without adolescent injection stress, caused a learning impairment in adulthood for the violation element in female rats. Thus, adolescent nicotine impaired adult violation element learning typically attributed to multiple-item learning in the SMC task. Fourth, a paradoxical interaction of injection stress and nicotine exposure in acquisition was observed. In the same female rats in which violation-element learning was impaired by adolescent nicotine exposure, adolescent nicotine experienced without adolescent injection stress produced better learning for chunk-boundary elements in adulthood compared to all other conditions. Thus, adolescent nicotine without concurrent injection stress facilitated adult chunk-boundary element learning typically attributed to concurrent stimulus-response discrimination learning and serial-position learning in the SMC task. To the best of our knowledge, the current study is the first to demonstrate facilitation of adult learning caused by adolescent nicotine exposure. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Paradoxical Effects of Injection Stress and Nicotine Exposure Experienced During Adolescence on Learning in a Serial Multiple Choice (SMC) Task in Adult Female Rats

    PubMed Central

    Renaud, Samantha M.; Pickens, Laura R. G.; Fountain, Stephen B.

    2015-01-01

    Nicotine exposure in adolescent rats has been shown to cause learning impairments that persist into adulthood long after nicotine exposure has ended. This study was designed to assess the extent to which the effects of adolescent nicotine exposure on learning in adulthood can be accounted for by adolescent injection stress experienced concurrently with adolescent nicotine exposure. Female rats received either 0.033 mg/hr nicotine (expressed as the weight of the free base) or bacteriostatic water vehicle by osmotic pump infusion on postnatal days 25-53 (P25-53). Half of the nicotine-exposed rats and half of the vehicle rats also received twice-daily injection stress consisting of intraperitoneal saline injections on P26-53. Together these procedures produced 4 groups: No Nicotine / No Stress, Nicotine / No Stress, No Nicotine / Stress, and Nicotine / Stress. On P65-99, rats were trained to perform a structurally complex 24-element serial pattern of responses in the serial multiple choice (SMC) task. Four general results were obtained in the current study. First, learning for within-chunk elements was not affected by either adolescent nicotine exposure, consistent with past work (Pickens, Rowan, Bevins, & Fountain, 2013), or adolescent injection stress. Thus, there were no effects of adolescent nicotine exposure or injection stress on adult within-chunk learning typically attributed to rule learning in the SMC task. Second, adolescent injection stress alone (i.e., without concurrent nicotine exposure) caused transient but significant facilitation of adult learning restricted to a single element of the 24-element pattern, namely, the “violation element,” that was the only element of the pattern that was inconsistent with pattern structure. Thus, adolescent injection stress alone facilitated violation element acquisition in adulthood. Third, also consistent with past work (Pickens et al., 2013), adolescent nicotine exposure, in this case both with and without adolescent injection stress, caused a learning impairment in adulthood for the violation element in female rats. Thus, adolescent nicotine impaired adult violation element learning typically attributed to multiple-item learning in the SMC task. Fourth, a paradoxical interaction of injection stress and nicotine exposure in acquisition was observed. In the same female rats in which violation-element learning was impaired by adolescent nicotine exposure, adolescent nicotine experienced without adolescent injection stress produced better learning for chunk-boundary elements in adulthood compared to all other conditions. Thus, adolescent nicotine without concurrent injection stress facilitated adult chunk-boundary element learning typically attributed to concurrent stimulus-response discrimination learning and serial-position learning in the SMC task. To the best of our knowledge, the current study is the first to demonstrate facilitation of adult learning caused by adolescent nicotine exposure. PMID:25527003

  8. Increased Drinking following Social Isolation Rearing: Implications for Polydipsia Associated with Schizophrenia

    PubMed Central

    Hawken, Emily R.; Delva, Nicholas J.; Beninger, Richard J.

    2013-01-01

    Primary polydipsia, excessive drinking without known medical cause, is especially associated with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. We used animal models of schizophrenia-like symptoms to examine the effects on schedule-induced polydipsia: post-weaning social isolation rearing, subchronic MK-801 treatment (an NMDA-receptor antagonist) or the two combined. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats reared in groups or in isolation beginning at postnatal day 21 were further divided to receive subchronic MK-801 (0.5 mg/kg twice daily) or saline for 7 days beginning on postnatal day 62. Following a 4-day withdrawal period, all groups were trained on a schedule-induced polydipsia paradigm. Under food-restriction, animals reared in isolation and receiving food pellets at 1-min intervals developed significantly more drinking behavior than those reared with others. The addition of subchronic MK-801 treatment did not significantly augment the amount of water consumed. These findings suggest a predisposition to polydipsia is a schizophrenia-like behavioral effect of post-weaning social isolation. PMID:23441161

  9. New High Throughput Methods to Estimate Chemical Exposure

    EPA Science Inventory

    EPA has made many recent advances in high throughput bioactivity testing. However, concurrent advances in rapid, quantitative prediction of human and ecological exposures have been lacking, despite the clear importance of both measures for a risk-based approach to prioritizing an...

  10. Acute and Subchronic Toxicological Evaluations of Allium rotundum L.: A Dietary Plant from Iran.

    PubMed

    Hosseinzadeh, Leila; Farhangian, Sajad; Hajialyani, Marziyeh; Bahari, Arash; Farzaei, Mohammad Hosein

    2018-04-25

    Allium rotundum L. is a dietary plant with diverse nutritional and herbal applications. According to its widespread application in Iranians' diets, understanding the possible adverse effects and toxic activities could be of major importance. The aim of this study was to establish the acute and subchronic toxicity profile of the hydroalcoholic extract of Allium rotundum on male and female Wistar rats. The acute study indicated no adverse effect or toxic activity after administration of the extract, suggesting that the LD 50 value is up to 5,000 mg/kg body weight for the extract. The subchronic study at three doses (250, 500, and 750 mg/kg body weight/day) supported the results of acute study and revealed that no abnormal change or toxicity was induced by the extract in both male and female Wistar rats. All the biochemical and hematological parameters of the treated rats were in historical range after long-term administration of the extract. The histopathological examination also revealed no lesion or alteration in the tissue of vital organs (kidney, liver, heart, lung, and spleen). The NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) value was high enough (greater than 750 mg/kg body weight/ day) to conclude the nontoxic nature of this extract. The safety of this extract was affirmed by the acute and subchronic toxic studies and suggested that this plant could be a proper and effective dietary plant due to its high nutritive value and inherent therapeutic properties.

  11. Ethanol-induced dopamine elevation in the rat--modulatory effects by subchronic treatment with nicotinic drugs.

    PubMed

    Löf, Elin; Chau, Pei Pei; Stomberg, Rosita; Söderpalm, Bo

    2007-01-26

    Chronic nicotine administration is associated with increased ethanol consumption in laboratory animals and in humans. Some smokers report less sedation during acute ethanol intoxication after nicotine administration and the sedative effects from ethanol are mediated by inhibitory GABA(A)-receptors. In a series of in vivo microdialysis experiments we investigated whether subchronic pre-treatment with nicotinic drugs known to enhance ethanol consumption in the rat (nicotine or the peripheral nicotinic antagonist hexamethonium) could modulate the alterations in extracellular dopamine observed in response to administration of ethanol or the sedative GABA(A)-agonist diazepam. In the nucleus accumbens and the dorsal striatum, systemic and/or local ethanol administration resulted in transient increases in extracellular dopamine levels that returned to baseline before the local levels of ethanol started to decline. In hexamethonium pre-treated rats, however, the nucleus accumbens dopamine levels were time-locked to the ethanol levels in the same area after systemic or local ethanol administration. Perfusion of diazepam into the nucleus accumbens produced a significant reduction in nucleus accumbens dopamine in controls. Prior subchronic treatment with nicotine or hexamethonium abolished this effect. The present results suggest that subchronic treatment with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist hexamethonium reduces a GABA(A)-R mediated counteraction of the nucleus accumbens dopamine response to ethanol. Additionally, we demonstrate that modulation of nicotinic receptors may reduce the sensitivity of GABA(A) receptors to benzodiazepines. These phenomena may offer a novel explanation to why nicotine and alcohol are often co-abused.

  12. Sensitization to caffeine and cross-sensitization to amphetamine: influence of individual response to caffeine.

    PubMed

    Simola, Nicola; Cauli, Omar; Morelli, Micaela

    2006-09-15

    The present study evaluated the ability of a subchronic intermittent administration of caffeine to induce a sensitized motor response and correlated the individual susceptibility of rats to acute caffeine to the development of sensitization. Moreover, individual susceptibility to caffeine and development of motor behaviour sensitization were correlated to the behavioural response obtained after a challenge with amphetamine. To this end, rats were subdivided in "low" and "high" responders according to their individual susceptibility to acute caffeine established on the basis of the motor activity observed after the first caffeine administration. "Low" and "high" responder rats were then repeatedly and intermittently treated with caffeine (15 mg/kg, i.p.), or vehicle, every other day for fourteen days. Three days after treatment discontinuation, behavioural activation induced by acute amphetamine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) was measured in vehicle- and caffeine-pretreated rats. Subchronic caffeine resulted in motor sensitization of a variable degree among rats and no difference were observed between "low" and "high" responders. Moreover, caffeine pretreatment potentiated the behavioural effects of amphetamine according to the degree of caffeine sensitization but not to individual susceptibility to acute caffeine. These results demonstrate that individual susceptibility to acute caffeine does not influence the modifications in caffeine motor effects produced by its subchronic administration and does not affect the enhancement of acute behavioural effects of amphetamine in caffeine-pretreated rats, rather sensitization to subchronic caffeine administration critically influences the behavioural effects of amphetamine.

  13. Haematological, biochemical and histopathological aspects of Hericium erinaceus ingestion in a rodent model: A sub-chronic toxicological assessment.

    PubMed

    Lakshmanan, Hariprasath; Raman, Jegadeesh; David, Pamela; Wong, Kah-Hui; Naidu, Murali; Sabaratnam, Vikineswary

    2016-12-24

    Hericium erinaceus is a culinary-medicinal mushroom and has a long history of usage in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic for stomach disorders, ulcers and gastrointestinal ailments. The present investigation was aimed to evaluate the potential toxic effects of the aqueous extract from the fruiting bodies of H. erinaceus in rats by a sub-chronic oral toxicity study. In this sub-chronic toxicity study, rats were orally administered with the aqueous extract of H. erinaceus (HEAE) at doses of 250, 500 and 1000mg/kg body weight (b.w.) for 90 days. Body weights were recorded on a weekly basis and general behavioural changes were observed. The blood samples were subjected to haematological, biochemical, serum electrolyte, and antioxidant enzyme estimations. The rats were sacrificed and organs were processed and examined for histopathological changes. No mortality or morbidity was observed in all the treated and control rats. The results showed that the oral administration of HEAE daily at three different doses for 90 days had no adverse effect on the general behaviour, body weight, haematology, clinical biochemistry, and relative organ weights. Histopathological examination at the end of the study showed normal architecture except for few non-treatment related histopathological changes observed in liver, heart and spleen. The results of this sub-chronic toxicity study provides evidence that oral administration of HEAE is safe up to 1000mg/kg and H. erinaceus consumption is relatively non-toxic. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Exposures of 129 preschool children to organochlorines, organophosphates, pyrethroids, and acid herbicides at their homes and daycares in North Carolina

    EPA Science Inventory

    Few data exist on the concurrent exposures of young children to past-use and current-use pesticides in their everyday environments. In this further analysis of study data, we quantified the potential exposures and intake doses of 129 preschool children, ages 20 to 66 months, to 1...

  15. Media Exposure, Aggression and Prosocial Behavior during Early Childhood: A Longitudinal Study

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ostrov, Jamie M.; Gentile, Douglas A.; Crick, Nicki R.

    2006-01-01

    Preschool children (N = 78) enrolled in multi-informant, multi-method longitudinal study were participants in a study designed to investigate the role of media exposure (i.e., violent and educational) on concurrent and future aggressive and prosocial behavior. Specifically, the amount of media exposure and the nature of the content was used to…

  16. Occupational tellurium exposure and garlic odour.

    PubMed

    Berriault, C J; Lightfoot, N E

    2011-03-01

    Few studies have considered garlic odour as a socially important outcome of occupational tellurium (Te) exposure or concurrent exposures, and most known guidelines focus on other signs and symptoms (e.g. weight loss and somnolence). This study considers workers exposed to tellurium and selenium (Se) at an Ontario, Canada silver refinery. To establish the relation of urinary tellurium concentrations to reporting garlic odour, while considering other work-related factors such as concurrent urinary selenium concentrations. Historical surveillance records of urinary analyses for tellurium and selenium concentrations (μmol Te or Se/mol creatinine in urine) and symptom self-reports were used. Records were available from December 1986 to June 2002. Logistic regression models were fitted using age at sampling, tellurium and selenium urine concentration and duration of employment. Individual main effects were age adjusted and the final model was fitted for tellurium and selenium urine concentration and duration of employment. Urinary tellurium concentration was significantly associated with garlic odour reporting (odds ratio = 1.74, 95% confidence interval 1.01-2.97, P < 0.05). Furthermore, the likelihood of reporting garlic odour rose as workers reached urinary tellurium concentrations >1 μmol/mol creatinine. Tellurium urinary concentrations of <1 μmol/mol creatinine appear to limit, but not eliminate, the likelihood of reporting garlic odour. Future studies should consider the effect of concurrent selenium exposure as well as other workplace factors and hygiene.

  17. EXPERIMENTAL AND MATHEMATICAL MODELING METHODS FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF TOXICOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS

    EPA Science Inventory

    While procedures have been developed and used for many years to assess risk and determine acceptable exposure levels to individual chemicals, most cases of environmental contamination can result in concurrent or sequential exposure to more than one chemical. Toxicological predict...

  18. Brief Report: Fast Mapping Predicts Differences in Concurrent and Later Language Abilities among Children with ASD

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Venker, Courtney E.; Kover, Sara T.; Weismer, Susan Ellis

    2016-01-01

    This study investigated whether the ability to learn word-object associations following minimal exposure (i.e., fast mapping) was associated with concurrent and later language abilities in children with ASD. Children who were poor learners at age 3½ had significantly lower receptive language abilities than children who successfully learned the new…

  19. Concurrent and Longitudinal Contribution of Exposure to Bullying in Childhood to Mental Health

    PubMed Central

    Singham, Timothy; Viding, Essi; Schoeler, Tabea; Arseneault, Louise; Ronald, Angelica; Cecil, Charlotte M.; McCrory, Eamon; Rijsdijk, Frülhing

    2017-01-01

    Importance Exposure to bullying is associated with poor mental health. However, the degree to which observed associations reflect direct detrimental contributions of exposure to bullying to mental health remains uncertain, as noncausal relationships may arise from genetic and environmental confounding (eg, preexisting vulnerabilities). Determining to what extent exposure to bullying contributes to mental health is an important concern, with implications for primary and secondary interventions. Objective To characterize the concurrent and longitudinal contribution of exposure to bullying to mental health in childhood and adolescence using a twin differences design to strengthen causal inference. Design, Setting, and Participants Participants were drawn from the Twins Early Development Study, a population-based cohort recruited from population records of births in England and Wales between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 1996. Data collection took place when the participants were between 11 and 16 years of age from December 1, 2005, to January 31, 2013. Data analysis was conducted from January 1, 2016, to June 20, 2017. Exposures Participants completed the Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale at 11 and 14 years of age. Main Outcomes and Measures Mental health assessments at 11 and 16 years of age included anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and impulsivity, inattention, conduct problems, and psychotic-like experiences (eg, paranoid thoughts or cognitive disorganization). Results The 11 108 twins included in the final sample (5894 girls and 5214 boys) were a mean age of 11.3 years at the first assessment and 16.3 years at the last assessment. The most stringent twin differences estimates (monozygotic) were consistent with causal contribution of exposure to bullying at 11 years to concurrent anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and impulsivity, inattention, and conduct problems. Effects decreased over time; that is, substantial concurrent contributions to anxiety (β = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.22-0.33) persisted for 2 years (β = 0.12; 95% CI, 0.04-0.20) but not 5 years. Direct contributions to paranoid thoughts and cognitive disorganization persisted for 5 years. Conclusions and Relevance This study is the largest to date to characterize the contribution of exposure to bullying in childhood to mental health using a twin differences design and multi-informant, multiscale data. Stringent evidence of the direct detrimental contribution of exposure to bullying in childhood to mental health is provided. Findings also suggest that childhood exposure to bullying may partly be viewed as a symptom of preexisting vulnerabilities. Finally, the dissipation of effects over time for many outcomes highlights the potential for resilience in children who were bullied. In addition to programs that aim to reduce exposure to bullying, interventions may benefit from addressing preexisting vulnerabilities and focus on resilience. PMID:28979965

  20. Comparison of laser Doppler and laser speckle contrast imaging using a concurrent processing system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Shen; Hayes-Gill, Barrie R.; He, Diwei; Zhu, Yiqun; Huynh, Nam T.; Morgan, Stephen P.

    2016-08-01

    Full field laser Doppler imaging (LDI) and single exposure laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) are directly compared using a novel instrument which can concurrently image blood flow using both LDI and LSCI signal processing. Incorporating a commercial CMOS camera chip and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) the flow images of LDI and the contrast maps of LSCI are simultaneously processed by utilizing the same detected optical signals. The comparison was carried out by imaging a rotating diffuser. LDI has a linear response to the velocity. In contrast, LSCI is exposure time dependent and does not provide a linear response in the presence of static speckle. It is also demonstrated that the relationship between LDI and LSCI can be related through a power law which depends on the exposure time of LSCI.

  1. Demographic and clinical characteristics of treatment seeking women with full and subthreshold PTSD and concurrent cannabis and cocaine use disorders.

    PubMed

    Ruglass, Lesia M; Shevorykin, Alina; Brezing, Christina; Hu, Mei-Chen; Hien, Denise A

    2017-09-01

    While the detrimental effects of concurrent substance use disorders (SUDs) are now being well documented, very few studies have examined this comorbidity among women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Data for these analyses were derived from the "Women and Trauma" study conducted within the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network. Women with full or subthreshold PTSD and co-occurring cannabis use disorder (CUD) and cocaine use disorder (COD; N=99) were compared to their counterparts with co-occurring CUD only (N=26) and co-occurring COD only (N=161) on rates of trauma exposure, psychiatric disorders, psychosocial problems, and other substance use utilizing a set of multivariate logistic regressions. In models adjusted for age and race/ethnicity, women with PTSD and COD only were significantly older than their counterparts with CUD only and concurrent CUD+COD. Relative to those with CUD only, women with concurrent CUD+COD had higher odds of adult sexual assault. Relative to those with COD only, women with concurrent CUD+COD had higher odds of alcohol use disorder in the past 12months. Finally, relative to those with CUD only, women with COD only had higher odds of ever being arrested/convicted and adult sexual assault. The higher rates of adult sexual assault and alcohol use disorder among those with concurrent CUD+COD suggest the need for trauma-informed approaches that can respond to the needs of this dually-diagnosed population. Moreover, the causal link between repeated traumatic stress exposure and polysubstance use requires further examination. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Involvement of the central melanocortin system in the effects of caffeine on anxiety-like behavior in mice.

    PubMed

    Bhorkar, Amita A; Dandekar, Manoj P; Nakhate, Kartik T; Subhedar, Nishikant K; Kokare, Dadasaheb M

    2014-01-30

    To investigate the role of the melanocortin (MC) system in the framework of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) in the differential effects of the adenosine receptor blocker caffeine on anxiety-like behavior, using the social interaction (SI) test. Caffeine was injected intraperitoneally, alone or in combination with alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), the MC4 receptor agonist RO27-3225 or the antagonist HS014 via the intra-CeA route. The effects of chronic (21 days) caffeine, given alone or concurrently with α-MSH, or RO27-3225, were investigated. The effects of withdrawal of these treatments on SI time were also evaluated. Furthermore, the acute effects of HS014 were investigated in different sets of caffeine-withdrawn mice. Acute injection of caffeine, RO27-3225, or α-MSH produced anxiety-like behavior. Prior treatment with α-MSH, or RO27-3225 potentiated the caffeine-induced anxiety-like behavior. Subchronic treatment with HS014 increased the SI time, which was attenuated by caffeine. Chronic administration of caffeine resulted in tolerance to caffeine's anxiogenic effect, while abrupt discontinuation of the treatment produced peak anxiety-like behavior at 72 h post-withdrawal. Concurrent administration of α-MSH, or RO27-3225 with chronic caffeine delayed the development of tolerance and prevented withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behavior. Moreover, acute treatment with HS014 at 72 h post-withdrawal attenuated the anxiety-like behavior. α-MSH, possibly via MC4 receptor in the neuroanatomical framework of the CeA, may contribute to the acute, chronic and withdrawal actions of caffeine associated with anxiety-like behavior in the neuroanatomical framework of the CeA. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Acute and subchronic oral toxicity studies in rats with nanoscale and pigment grade titanium dioxide particles.

    PubMed

    Warheit, D B; Brown, S C; Donner, E M

    2015-10-01

    Data generated using standardized testing protocols for toxicity studies generally provide reproducible and reliable results for establishing safe levels and formulating risk assessments. The findings of three OECD guideline-type oral toxicity studies of different duration in rats are summarized in this publication; each study evaluated different titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles of varying sizes and surface coatings. Moreover, each study finding demonstrated an absence of any TiO2 -related hazards. To briefly summarize the findings: 1) In a subchronic 90-day study (OECD TG 408), groups of young adult male and female rats were dosed with rutile-type, surface-coated pigment-grade TiO2 test particles (d50 = 145 nm - 21% nanoparticles by particle number criteria) by oral gavage for 90 days. The no-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for both male and female rats in this study was 1000 mg/kg bw/day, the highest dose tested. The NOAEL was determined based on a lack of TiO2 particle-related adverse effects on any in-life, clinical pathology, or anatomic/microscopic pathology parameters; 2) In a 28-day repeated-dose oral toxicity study (OECD TG 407), groups of young adult male rats were administered daily doses of two rutile-type, uncoated, pigment-grade TiO2 test particles (d50 = 173 nm by number) by daily oral gavage at a dose of 24,000 mg/kg bw/day. There were no adverse effects measured during or following the end of the exposure period; and the NOAEL was determined to be 24,000 mg/kg bw/day; 3) In an acute oral toxicity study (OECD TG 425), female rats were administered a single oral exposure of surface-treated rutile/anatase nanoscale TiO2 particles (d50 = 73 nm by number) with doses up to 5000 mg/kg and evaluated over a 14-day post-exposure period. Under the conditions of this study, the oral LD50 for the test substance was >5000 mg/kg bw. In summary, the results from these three toxicity studies - each with different TiO2 particulate-types, demonstrated an absence of adverse toxicological effects. Apart from reporting the findings of these three studies, this publication also focuses on additional critical issues associated with particle and nanotoxicology studies. First, describing the detailed methodology requirements and rigor upon which the standardized OECD 408 guideline subchronic oral toxicity studies are conducted. Moreover, an attempt is made to reconcile the complex issue of particle size distribution as it relates to measurements of nanoscale and pigment-grade TiO2 particles. Clearly this has been a confusing issue and often misrepresented in the media and the scientific literature. It is clear that the particle-size distribution for pigment-grade TiO2, contains a small ("tail") component of nanoscale particles (i.e., 21% by particle number and <1% by weight in the test material used in the 90-day study). However, this robust particle characterization finding should not be confused with mislabeling the test materials as exclusively in the nanoscale range. Moreover, based upon the findings presented herein, there appears to be no significant oral toxicity impact contributed by the nanoscale component of the TiO2 Test Material sample in the 90-day study. Finally, it seems reasonable to conclude that the study findings should be considered for read-across purposes to food-grade TiO2 particles (e.g., E171), as the physicochemical characteristics are quite similar. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Radioprotective effect of the Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra L.) against radiopharmaceutical iodine-131 in Wistar rats in vivo.

    PubMed

    Düsman, Elisângela; Berti, Alessandra Paim; Mariucci, Rosinete Gonçalves; Lopes, Nilson Benedito; Tonin, Lilian Tatiani Düsman; Vicentini, Veronica Elisa Pimenta

    2014-01-31

    The increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables has contributed to the improvement of populational health, due in part, to the abundance of antioxidants in these foods. Antioxidants reduce the level of oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals and ionizing radiation, including the radioisotope iodine-131 (131I). This isotope is used for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid injuries, such as hyperthyroidism and cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the radioprotective and cytotoxic activity of acute and subchronic treatments with Barbados Cherry (BC) (Malpighia glabra L.) fruit juice (5 mg), which is rich in potent antioxidants such as vitamin C, phenols, carotenoids, anthocyanins and yellow flavonoids and its activity against the mutagenic activity of the therapeutic dose of 25 μCi of radioiodine for hyperthyroidism. The test system used was the bone marrow cells of Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) that were treated in vivo by gavage. BC showed radioprotective activity in acute treatments, which is most likely due to the joint action of its antioxidant components. In subchronic treatments, the continuous treatment presented an effective radioprotective activity, which was significantly different from treatment with the radiopharmaceutical only. Treatment with BC prior to (PRE) and simultaneous with (SIM) ionizing radiation decreased the number of induced chromosomal alterations, while post-treatment produced no protective effect. In addition, BC exhibited no cytotoxic activity. These data serve as evidence that BC can be used as a preventive health measure to improve public health quality by countering the action of inevitable exposure to mutagens, such as 131I.

  5. Radioprotective effect of the Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra L.) against radiopharmaceutical Iodine-131 in Wistar rats in vivo

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background The increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables has contributed to the improvement of populational health, due in part, to the abundance of antioxidants in these foods. Antioxidants reduce the level of oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals and ionizing radiation, including the radioisotope iodine-131 (131I). This isotope is used for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid injuries, such as hyperthyroidism and cancer. Methods This study aimed to evaluate the radioprotective and cytotoxic activity of acute and subchronic treatments with Barbados Cherry (BC) (Malpighia glabra L.) fruit juice (5 mg), which is rich in potent antioxidants such as vitamin C, phenols, carotenoids, anthocyanins and yellow flavonoids and its activity against the mutagenic activity of the therapeutic dose of 25 μCi of radioiodine for hyperthyroidism. The test system used was the bone marrow cells of Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) that were treated in vivo by gavage. Results BC showed radioprotective activity in acute treatments, which is most likely due to the joint action of its antioxidant components. In subchronic treatments, the continuous treatment presented an effective radioprotective activity, which was significantly different from treatment with the radiopharmaceutical only. Treatment with BC prior to (PRE) and simultaneous with (SIM) ionizing radiation decreased the number of induced chromosomal alterations, while post-treatment produced no protective effect. In addition, BC exhibited no cytotoxic activity. Conclusions These data serve as evidence that BC can be used as a preventive health measure to improve public health quality by countering the action of inevitable exposure to mutagens, such as 131I. PMID:24479389

  6. Differential Rearing Alters Forced Swim Test Behavior, Fluoxetine Efficacy, and Post-Test Weight Gain in Male Rats.

    PubMed

    Arndt, David L; Peterson, Christy J; Cain, Mary E

    2015-01-01

    Environmental factors play a key role in the etiology of depression. The rodent forced swim test (FST) is commonly used as a preclinical model of depression, with increases in escape-directed behavior reflecting antidepressant effects, and increases in immobility reflecting behavioral despair. Environmental enrichment leads to serotonergic alterations in rats, but it is unknown whether these alterations may influence the efficacy of common antidepressants. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were reared in enriched (EC), standard (SC), or isolated (IC) conditions. Following the rearing period, fluoxetine (10 or 20 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 23.5 hrs, 5 hrs, and 1 hr before locomotor and FST measures. Following locomotor testing and FST exposure, rats were weighed to assess fluoxetine-, FST-, and environmental condition-induced moderations in weight gain. Results revealed an antidepressant effect of environmental enrichment and a depressant effect of isolation. Regardless of significant fluoxetine effects on locomotor activity, fluoxetine generally decreased swimming and increased immobility in all three environmental conditions, with IC-fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) rats and EC-fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) rats swimming less than vehicle counterparts. Subchronic 20 mg/kg fluoxetine also induced significant weight loss, and differential rearing appeared to moderate weight gain following FST stress. These results suggest that differential rearing has the ability to alter FST behaviors, fluoxetine efficacy, and post-stressor well-being. Moreover, 20 mg/kg fluoxetine, administered subchronically, may lead to atypical effects of those commonly observed in the FST, highlighting the importance and impact of both environmental condition and dosing regimen in common animal models of depression.

  7. Antidepressant-like behavioral effects of impaired cannabinoid receptor type 1 signaling coincide with exaggerated corticosterone secretion in mice

    PubMed Central

    Steiner, Michel A; Marsicano, Giovanni; Nestler, Eric J; Holsboer, Florian; Lutz, Beat; Wotjak, Carsten T

    2008-01-01

    Summary Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis hyperactivity is associated with major depressive disorders, and treatment with classical antidepressants ameliorates not only psychopathological symptoms, but also the dysregulation of the HPA axis. Here, we further elucidated the role of impaired cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor signaling for neuroendocrine and behavioral stress coping in the mouse forced swim test (FST). We demonstrate that the genetic inactivation of CB1 is accompanied by increased plasma corticosterone levels both under basal conditions and at different time points following exposure to the FST. The latter effect could be mimicked in C57BL/6N mice by acute, subchronic and chronic administration of the selective CB1 antagonist SR141716. Further experiments confirmed the specificity of corticosterone-elevating SR141716 actions for CB1 in CB1-deficient mice. Subchronic and chronic pharmacological blockade of CB1, but not its genetic deletion, induced antidepressant-like behavioral responses in the FST that were characterized by decreased floating and/or increased struggling behavior. The antidepressant-like behavioral effects of acute desipramine treatment in the FST were absent in CB1-deficient mice, but the dampening effects of desipramine on FST stress-induced corticosterone secretion were not compromised by CB1-deficiency. However, antidepressant-like behavioral desipramine effects were intact in C57BL/6N mice pre-treated with SR141716, indicating potential developmental deficits in CB1-deficient mice. We conclude that pharmacological blockade of CB1 signaling shares antidepressant-like behavioral effects with desipramine, but reveals opposite effects on HPA axis activity. PMID:17976922

  8. Toxicity of naproxen sodium and its mixture with tramadol hydrochloride on fish early life stages.

    PubMed

    Sehonova, Pavla; Plhalova, Lucie; Blahova, Jana; Doubkova, Veronika; Prokes, Miroslav; Tichy, Frantisek; Fiorino, Emma; Faggio, Caterina; Svobodova, Zdenka

    2017-12-01

    Pharmaceuticals occur in water bodies as a consequence of their incomplete removal during waste water treatment processes. The occurence of pharmaceuticals in surface waters as well as their possible impact on aquatic vertebrates have received considerable attention in recent years. However, there is still a lack of informations on the chronic effects of widely used drugs as well as their possible mixture toxicity on non-target aquatic vertebrates as well as their possible mixture toxicity. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of naproxen sodium on early life stages of fish and evaluate its mixture toxicity with tramadol hydrochloride, which was assessed in our earlier study as a single substance. Two embryo-larval toxicity tests with common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were performed according to the OECD guideline 210 (Fish, Early-life Stage Toxicity Test) in order to assess the subchronic toxicity of naproxen sodium and tramadol hydrochlorid-naproxen sodium mixture at the concentrations of 10; 50; 100 and 200 μg/L. These experiments were conducted for 32 days. The subchronic exposure to naproxen sodium and naproxen sodium and tramadol hydrochloride mixture had a strong effect on the early life stages of common carp. Hatching, developmental rate, morphology, histopathology and, in the case of the naproxen sodium and tramadol hydrochloride mixture, mortality were influenced. The bioindicators of oxidative stress were also influenced. The LOEC was determined at 10 μg/L for both naproxen sodium and naproxen sodium and tramadol hydrochloride mixture. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Proteomic analysis of rat cerebral cortex following subchronic acrolein toxicity

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Rashedinia, Marzieh; Lari, Parisa; Abnous, Khalil, E-mail: Abnouskh@mums.ac.r

    2013-10-01

    Acrolein, a member of reactive α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, is a major environmental pollutant. Acrolein is also produced endogenously as a toxic by-product of lipid peroxidation. Because of high reactivity, acrolein may mediate oxidative damages to cells and tissues. It has been shown to be involved in a wide variety of pathological states including pulmonary, atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases. In this study we employed proteomics approach to investigate the effects of subchronic oral exposures to 3 mg/kg of acrolein on protein expression profile in the brain of rats. Moreover effects of acrolein on malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and reduced glutathione (GSH) content weremore » investigated. Our results revealed that treatment with acrolein changed levels of several proteins in diverse physiological process including energy metabolism, cell communication and transport, response to stimulus and metabolic process. Interestingly, several differentially over-expressed proteins, including β-synuclein, enolase and calcineurin, are known to be associated with human neurodegenerative diseases. Changes in the levels of some proteins were confirmed by Western blot. Moreover, acrolein increases the level of MDA, as a lipid peroxidation biomarker and decreased GSH concentrations, as a non-enzyme antioxidant in the brain of acrolein treated rats. These findings suggested that acrolein induces the oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the brain, and so that may contribute to the pathophysiology of neurological disorders. - Highlights: • Acrolein intoxication increased lipid peroxidation and deplete GSH in rat brain. • Effect of acrolein on protein levels of cerebral cortex was analyzed by 2DE-PAGE. • Levels of a number of proteins with different biological functions were increased.« less

  10. Differential Rearing Alters Forced Swim Test Behavior, Fluoxetine Efficacy, and Post-Test Weight Gain in Male Rats

    PubMed Central

    Arndt, David L.; Peterson, Christy J.; Cain, Mary E.

    2015-01-01

    Environmental factors play a key role in the etiology of depression. The rodent forced swim test (FST) is commonly used as a preclinical model of depression, with increases in escape-directed behavior reflecting antidepressant effects, and increases in immobility reflecting behavioral despair. Environmental enrichment leads to serotonergic alterations in rats, but it is unknown whether these alterations may influence the efficacy of common antidepressants. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were reared in enriched (EC), standard (SC), or isolated (IC) conditions. Following the rearing period, fluoxetine (10 or 20 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 23.5 hrs, 5 hrs, and 1 hr before locomotor and FST measures. Following locomotor testing and FST exposure, rats were weighed to assess fluoxetine-, FST-, and environmental condition-induced moderations in weight gain. Results revealed an antidepressant effect of environmental enrichment and a depressant effect of isolation. Regardless of significant fluoxetine effects on locomotor activity, fluoxetine generally decreased swimming and increased immobility in all three environmental conditions, with IC-fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) rats and EC-fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) rats swimming less than vehicle counterparts. Subchronic 20 mg/kg fluoxetine also induced significant weight loss, and differential rearing appeared to moderate weight gain following FST stress. These results suggest that differential rearing has the ability to alter FST behaviors, fluoxetine efficacy, and post-stressor well-being. Moreover, 20 mg/kg fluoxetine, administered subchronically, may lead to atypical effects of those commonly observed in the FST, highlighting the importance and impact of both environmental condition and dosing regimen in common animal models of depression. PMID:26154768

  11. Linking pesticides and human health: a geographic information system (GIS) and Landsat remote sensing method to estimate agricultural pesticide exposure.

    PubMed

    VoPham, Trang; Wilson, John P; Ruddell, Darren; Rashed, Tarek; Brooks, Maria M; Yuan, Jian-Min; Talbott, Evelyn O; Chang, Chung-Chou H; Weissfeld, Joel L

    2015-08-01

    Accurate pesticide exposure estimation is integral to epidemiologic studies elucidating the role of pesticides in human health. Humans can be exposed to pesticides via residential proximity to agricultural pesticide applications (drift). We present an improved geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing method, the Landsat method, to estimate agricultural pesticide exposure through matching pesticide applications to crops classified from temporally concurrent Landsat satellite remote sensing images in California. The image classification method utilizes Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values in a combined maximum likelihood classification and per-field (using segments) approach. Pesticide exposure is estimated according to pesticide-treated crop fields intersecting 500 m buffers around geocoded locations (e.g., residences) in a GIS. Study results demonstrate that the Landsat method can improve GIS-based pesticide exposure estimation by matching more pesticide applications to crops (especially temporary crops) classified using temporally concurrent Landsat images compared to the standard method that relies on infrequently updated land use survey (LUS) crop data. The Landsat method can be used in epidemiologic studies to reconstruct past individual-level exposure to specific pesticides according to where individuals are located.

  12. Developmental and metabolic responses of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and larvae to short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) exposure.

    PubMed

    Ren, Xiaoqian; Zhang, Haijun; Geng, Ningbo; Xing, Liguo; Zhao, Yu; Wang, Feidi; Chen, Jiping

    2018-05-01

    Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are highly toxic to aquatic organisms, but their toxicity is yet not well characterized. In this study, the developmental toxicity of SCCPs to zebrafish embryos/larvae was evaluated, and a metabolomics approach was adopted to explore the impact of SCCPs exposure on the metabolism in zebrafish embryos. Exposure to SCCPs at concentrations of 1-200μg/L did not produce an observable effect on the hatching rate and morphological deformities of zebrafish embryos/larvae. However, the survival rate of zebrafish larvae in SCCPs exposure groups decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The 13-day 50% lethal concentration (LC 50 ) value of SCCPs was calculated to be 34.4μg/L. Exposure to SCCPs induced a significant change of overall metabolism, even at environmentally relevant concentrations (1-5μg/L). The most relevant pathways affected by SCCPs exposure were glycerophospholipid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism and purine metabolism. Exposure to SCCPs at concentrations of 1-5μg/L had begun to accelerate the β-oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids and very long chain fatty acids, and affect the transformation of guanine to xanthine in the pathway of purine metabolism. Furthermore, when the exposure concentrations of SCCPs were increased to 50-200μg/L, the levels of phospholipids and amino acids were significantly raised; whereas the levels of fatty acids, carnitines and inosine were significantly decreased. In view of the significant effect on metabolism, the sub-chronic and chronic toxicity of SCCPs to fish should be concerned. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Exposure of mice to secondhand smoke elicits both transient and long-lasting transcriptional changes in cancer-related functional networks.

    PubMed

    Tommasi, Stella; Zheng, Albert; Besaratinia, Ahmad

    2015-05-15

    Secondhand smoke (SHS) has long been linked to lung cancer and other diseases in nonsmokers. Yet, the underlying mechanisms of SHS carcinogenicity in nonsmokers remain to be elucidated. We investigated the immediate and long-lasting effects of SHS exposure on gene expression in mice in vivo. We exposed mice whole body to SHS for 5 h/day, 5 days/week for 4 months in exposure chambers of a microprocessor-controlled smoking machine. Subsequently, we performed microarray gene expression profiling, genome-wide, to construct the pulmonary transcriptome of SHS-exposed mice, immediately after discontinuation of exposure (T0) and following 1-month (T1) and 7-month (T2) recoveries in clean air. Sub-chronic exposure of mice to SHS elicited a robust transcriptomic response, including both reversible and irreversible changes in gene expression. There were 674 differentially expressed transcripts immediately after treatment (T0), of which the majority were involved in xenobiotic metabolism, signaling, and innate immune response. Reduced, yet, substantial numbers of differentially expressed transcripts were detectable in mice after cessation of SHS-exposure (254 transcripts at T1 and 30 transcripts at T2). Top biofunctional networks disrupted in SHS-exposed mice, even after termination of exposure, were implicated in cancer, respiratory disease, and inflammatory disease. Our data show that exposure of mice to SHS induces both transient and long-lasting changes in gene expression, which impact cancer-related functional networks. The pattern of transcriptional changes in SHS-exposed mice may provide clues on the underlying mechanisms of lung tumorigenesis in nonsmokers. Our findings underscore the importance of eliminating SHS from environments where nonsmokers are unavoidably exposed to this carcinogen. © 2014 UICC.

  14. Concurrent and Longitudinal Contribution of Exposure to Bullying in Childhood to Mental Health: The Role of Vulnerability and Resilience.

    PubMed

    Singham, Timothy; Viding, Essi; Schoeler, Tabea; Arseneault, Louise; Ronald, Angelica; Cecil, Charlotte M; McCrory, Eamon; Rijsdijk, Frülhing; Pingault, Jean-Baptiste

    2017-11-01

    Exposure to bullying is associated with poor mental health. However, the degree to which observed associations reflect direct detrimental contributions of exposure to bullying to mental health remains uncertain, as noncausal relationships may arise from genetic and environmental confounding (eg, preexisting vulnerabilities). Determining to what extent exposure to bullying contributes to mental health is an important concern, with implications for primary and secondary interventions. To characterize the concurrent and longitudinal contribution of exposure to bullying to mental health in childhood and adolescence using a twin differences design to strengthen causal inference. Participants were drawn from the Twins Early Development Study, a population-based cohort recruited from population records of births in England and Wales between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 1996. Data collection took place when the participants were between 11 and 16 years of age from December 1, 2005, to January 31, 2013. Data analysis was conducted from January 1, 2016, to June 20, 2017. Participants completed the Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale at 11 and 14 years of age. Mental health assessments at 11 and 16 years of age included anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and impulsivity, inattention, conduct problems, and psychotic-like experiences (eg, paranoid thoughts or cognitive disorganization). The 11 108 twins included in the final sample (5894 girls and 5214 boys) were a mean age of 11.3 years at the first assessment and 16.3 years at the last assessment. The most stringent twin differences estimates (monozygotic) were consistent with causal contribution of exposure to bullying at 11 years to concurrent anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and impulsivity, inattention, and conduct problems. Effects decreased over time; that is, substantial concurrent contributions to anxiety (β = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.22-0.33) persisted for 2 years (β = 0.12; 95% CI, 0.04-0.20) but not 5 years. Direct contributions to paranoid thoughts and cognitive disorganization persisted for 5 years. This study is the largest to date to characterize the contribution of exposure to bullying in childhood to mental health using a twin differences design and multi-informant, multiscale data. Stringent evidence of the direct detrimental contribution of exposure to bullying in childhood to mental health is provided. Findings also suggest that childhood exposure to bullying may partly be viewed as a symptom of preexisting vulnerabilities. Finally, the dissipation of effects over time for many outcomes highlights the potential for resilience in children who were bullied. In addition to programs that aim to reduce exposure to bullying, interventions may benefit from addressing preexisting vulnerabilities and focus on resilience.

  15. Exogenous Ketone Supplements Reduce Anxiety-Related Behavior in Sprague-Dawley and Wistar Albino Glaxo/Rijswijk Rats

    PubMed Central

    Ari, Csilla; Kovács, Zsolt; Juhasz, Gabor; Murdun, Cem; Goldhagen, Craig R.; Koutnik, Andrew P.; Poff, Angela M.; Kesl, Shannon L.; D’Agostino, Dominic P.

    2016-01-01

    Nutritional ketosis has been proven effective for seizure disorders and other neurological disorders. The focus of this study was to determine the effects of ketone supplementation on anxiety-related behavior in Sprague-Dawley (SPD) and Wistar Albino Glaxo/Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rats. We tested exogenous ketone supplements added to food and fed chronically for 83 days in SPD rats and administered sub-chronically for 7 days in both rat models by daily intragastric gavage bolus followed by assessment of anxiety measures on elevated plus maze (EPM). The groups included standard diet (SD) or SD + ketone supplementation. Low-dose ketone ester (LKE; 1,3-butanediol-acetoacetate diester, ~10 g/kg/day, LKE), high dose ketone ester (HKE; ~25 g/kg/day, HKE), beta-hydroxybutyrate-mineral salt (βHB-S; ~25 g/kg/day, KS) and βHB-S + medium chain triglyceride (MCT; ~25 g/kg/day, KSMCT) were used as ketone supplementation for chronic administration. To extend our results, exogenous ketone supplements were also tested sub-chronically on SPD rats (KE, KS and KSMCT; 5 g/kg/day) and on WAG/Rij rats (KE, KS and KSMCT; 2.5 g/kg/day). At the end of treatments behavioral data collection was conducted manually by a blinded observer and with a video-tracking system, after which blood βHB and glucose levels were measured. Ketone supplementation reduced anxiety on EPM as measured by less entries to closed arms (sub-chronic KE and KS: SPD rats and KSMCT: WAG/Rij rats), more time spent in open arms (sub-chronic KE: SPD and KSMCT: WAG/Rij rats; chronic KSMCT: SPD rats), more distance traveled in open arms (chronic KS and KSMCT: SPD rats) and by delayed latency to entrance to closed arms (chronic KSMCT: SPD rats), when compared to control. Our data indicates that chronic and sub-chronic ketone supplementation not only elevated blood βHB levels in both animal models, but reduced anxiety-related behavior. We conclude that ketone supplementation may represent a promising anxiolytic strategy through a novel means of inducing nutritional ketosis. PMID:27999529

  16. Acute and subchronic effects of MDMA ("ecstasy") on anxiety in male mice tested in the elevated plus-maze.

    PubMed

    Navarro, José Francisco; Maldonado, Enrique

    2002-10-01

    3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a compound structurally similar to methamphetamine, which has become one of the most widely used illicit substances. Animal studies investigating acute effects of MDMA on anxiety are unclear since, although an anxiogenic-like action of MDMA in different animal models of anxiety has been mainly described, there is also evidence supporting an anxiolytic-like effect for this drug. An attempt was made to clarify the possible anxiogenic-like profile of MDMA (1, 8 and 15 mg/kg i.p.) by analyzing its effect on behavior of male mice in the elevated plus-maze test. Moreover, the possible development of tolerance to the effects of MDMA on anxiety after its subchronic administration for 5 consecutive days was examined. The parameters evaluated included: (1) total time in open arms, (2) total time in closed arms, (3) total time in central area, (4) number of open arm entries, (5) number of closed arm entries and (6) number of central area entries. Acute treatment with MDMA (8 mg/kg) significantly reduced the time spent in the open arms, as well as markedly increasing the number of entries in the closed arms and in the central area, as compared with the control group, suggesting that MDMA, at this dose, has an anxiogenic-like activity. Mice subchronically treated with the drug (1 and 8 mg/kg) displayed a notable reduction in the time spent in the open arms, accompanied by an increase in the time spent in the closed arms and in the central platform. These results indicate that the anxiogenic-like effect found after acute treatment is not only maintained but also more marked after subchronic treatment. In contrast, mice treated subchronically with the highest dose of MDMA (15 mg/kg) exhibited a significant increase in the time spent in the open arms as well as a marked reduction in the time spent in the closed arms, supporting an anxiolytic-like activity of the drug. A possible dual pharmacological property of MDMA on anxiety is suggested.

  17. Biochemical alterations induced by oral subchronic exposure to fipronil, fluoride and their combination in buffalo calves.

    PubMed

    Gill, Kamalpreet Kaur; Dumka, Vinod Kumar

    2013-11-01

    The effects of various pesticides and minerals on biochemical parameters have been explored in different species, but hardly any data exist regarding the combined toxicological effect of pesticides and minerals on these parameters in animals. The present study investigated the effects of fipronil and fluoride co-exposure on biochemical parameters in buffalo calves. Twenty-four healthy male buffalo calves divided into four groups were treated for 98 consecutive days. Group I, receiving no treatment served as the control. Animals of groups II and III were orally administered with fipronil @ 0.5mg/kg/day and sodium fluoride (NaF) @ 6.67 mg/kg/day, respectively, for 98 days. An additional group IV was co-administered fipronil and NaF at the same dosages as groups II and III. Administration of fipronil alone produced mild toxic signs, significant elevation in plasma proteins, blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and significant decline in the plasma cholesterol levels. NaF exposure produced toxic signs specifically of muscle weakness and brown and black discoloration of teeth. Significant elevation was seen in whole blood cholinesterase, BUN and creatinine levels. However, it produced significant decline in blood glucose, cholesterol and plasma protein levels. Combined exposure to fipronil and sodium fluoride produced toxic signs with greater intensity while biochemical alterations produced were similar to those that were produced by their individual exposures. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Pharmacokinetic and Genomic Effects of Arsenite in Drinking Water on Mouse Lung in a 30-Day Exposure

    PubMed Central

    Chilakapati, Jaya; Wallace, Kathleen; Hernandez-Zavala, Araceli; Moore, Tanya; Ren, Hongzu

    2015-01-01

    The 2 objectives of this subchronic study were to determine the arsenite drinking water exposure dependent increases in female C3H mouse liver and lung tissue arsenicals and to characterize the dose response (to 0, 0.05, 0.25, 1, 10, and 85 ppm arsenite in drinking water for 30 days and a purified AIN-93M diet) for genomic mouse lung expression patterns. Mouse lungs were analyzed for inorganic arsenic, monomethylated, and dimethylated arsenicals by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy. The total lung mean arsenical levels were 1.4, 22.5, 30.1, 50.9, 105.3, and 316.4 ng/g lung tissue after 0, 0.05, 0.25, 1, 10, and 85 ppm, respectively. At 85 ppm, the total mean lung arsenical levels increased 14-fold and 131-fold when compared to either the lowest noncontrol dose (0.05 ppm) or the control dose, respectively. We found that arsenic exposure elicited minimal numbers of differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 77, 38, 90, 87, and 87 DEGs) after 0.05, 0.25, 1, 10, and 85 ppm, respectively, which were associated with cardiovascular disease, development, differentiation, apoptosis, proliferation, and stress response. After 30 days of arsenite exposure, this study showed monotonic increases in mouse lung arsenical (total arsenic and dimethylarsinic acid) concentrations but no clear dose-related increases in DEG numbers. PMID:26674514

  19. Pharmacokinetic and Genomic Effects of Arsenite in Drinking Water on Mouse Lung in a 30-Day Exposure.

    PubMed

    Chilakapati, Jaya; Wallace, Kathleen; Hernandez-Zavala, Araceli; Moore, Tanya; Ren, Hongzu; Kitchin, Kirk T

    2015-01-01

    The 2 objectives of this subchronic study were to determine the arsenite drinking water exposure dependent increases in female C3H mouse liver and lung tissue arsenicals and to characterize the dose response (to 0, 0.05, 0.25, 1, 10, and 85 ppm arsenite in drinking water for 30 days and a purified AIN-93M diet) for genomic mouse lung expression patterns. Mouse lungs were analyzed for inorganic arsenic, monomethylated, and dimethylated arsenicals by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy. The total lung mean arsenical levels were 1.4, 22.5, 30.1, 50.9, 105.3, and 316.4 ng/g lung tissue after 0, 0.05, 0.25, 1, 10, and 85 ppm, respectively. At 85 ppm, the total mean lung arsenical levels increased 14-fold and 131-fold when compared to either the lowest noncontrol dose (0.05 ppm) or the control dose, respectively. We found that arsenic exposure elicited minimal numbers of differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 77, 38, 90, 87, and 87 DEGs) after 0.05, 0.25, 1, 10, and 85 ppm, respectively, which were associated with cardiovascular disease, development, differentiation, apoptosis, proliferation, and stress response. After 30 days of arsenite exposure, this study showed monotonic increases in mouse lung arsenical (total arsenic and dimethylarsinic acid) concentrations but no clear dose-related increases in DEG numbers.

  20. Improved sexual behavior in male rats treated with a Chinese herbal extract: hormonal and neuronal implications.

    PubMed

    Zanoli, Paola; Benelli, Augusta; Zavatti, Manuela; Rivasi, Marianna; Baraldi, Claudia; Baraldi, Mario

    2008-11-01

    To investigate the influence of an extract obtained from five Chinese medicinal plants on sexual behavior of adult male rats. The extract was administered at doses of 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg by oral gavage, acutely (one time, 45 min before mating test) or subchronically (daily for 10 days) in sexually potent and sexually sluggish/impotent rats. Sexual behavior, serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) were evaluated in treated rats and compared with controls receiving vehicle. The effect of the extract on central dopaminergic neurotransmission was assessed in the nucleus accumbens using a microdialysis technique. In sexually potent rats, both acute and subchronic treatment with the extract dosed at 30 and 60 mg/kg reduced mount latency and intromission latency. In sluggish/impotent rats, the acutely administered extract at the dose of 60 mg/kg shortened ejaculation latency, whereas subchronically administered at the doses of 30 and 60 mg/kg, reduced mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies, increasing also the percentage of mounting and ejaculating rats. The extract dosed at 60 mg/kg significantly increased LH and T following acute and subchronic administration and increased 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels in the nucleus accumbens, 30 min after the acute administration. The improvement in both appetitive and consummatory components of sexual behavior observed in male rats treated with the extract could be ascribed to increased serum T level in parallel with the activation of the central dopaminergic system. (c) 2008, Asian Journal of Andrology, SIMM and SJTU. All rights reserved.

  1. Safety Assessment of Ocimum Basilicum Hydroalcoholic Extract in Wistar Rats: Acute and Subchronic Toxicity Studies

    PubMed Central

    Rasekh, Hamid Reza; Hosseinzadeh, Leila; Mehri, Soghra; Kamli-Nejad, Mohammad; Aslani, Majid; Tanbakoosazan, Farahnaz

    2012-01-01

    Objective(s) Ocimum basilicum L. is widely used in folk medicine of many countries including . Both O. basilicum and its oil extract have received considerable attention for their potential medicinal properties, but there are a few reports about possible toxicity of this plant. Therefore, in the present study, acute and subchronic toxicity of O. basilicum hydroalcohlic extract have been evaluated in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods For the acute toxicity assessment, five groups of 10 animals (5 male, 5 female) received four different single dose of extract orally, the animals were, then, kept under observation for 14 days. For subchronic toxicity, the animals were divided into four groups (5 male, 5 female) and were gavaged daily by 50, 200 and 500 mg/kg of extract. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, food and water consumption, and hematological and biochemical parameters were monitored during the study period. On the 45th day, animals were sacrificed and gross findings, weight of liver and left kidney and liver histological markers were assessed. Results The results of acute study indicated that LD50 of O. basilicum is higher than 5 mg/kg. In subchronic study, no adverse effects were observed on serum parameters in male and female rats. The hematological results showed a reduction in the hematocrit, platelets and RBC in both sexes. No abnormalities were observed in other parameters. Conclusion Based on the results of this study, present data suggest that hematologic system could serve as a target organ in oral toxicity of this plant. PMID:23493182

  2. Appraisal of levels and patterns of occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene.

    PubMed

    Scarselli, Alberto; Corfiati, Marisa; Di Marzi, Davide; Iavicoli, Sergio

    2017-09-01

    Objectives 1,3-butadiene is classified as carcinogenic to human by inhalation and the association with leukemia has been observed in several epidemiological studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate data about occupational exposure levels to 1,3-butadiene in the Italian working force. Methods Airborne concentrations of 1,3-butadiene were extracted from the Italian database on occupational exposure to carcinogens in the period 1996-2015. Descriptive statistics were calculated for exposure-related variables. An analysis through linear mixed model was performed to determine factors influencing the exposure level. The probability of exceeding the exposure limit was predicted using a mixed-effects logistic model. Concurrent exposures with other occupational carcinogens were investigated using the two-step cluster analysis. Results The total number of exposure measurements selected was 23 885, with an overall arithmetic mean of 0.12 mg/m3. The economic sector with the highest number of measurements was manufacturing of chemicals (18 744). The most predictive variables of the exposure level resulted to be the occupational group and its interaction with the measurement year. The highest likelihood of exceeding the exposure limit was found in the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products. Concurrent exposures were frequently detected, mainly with benzene, acrylonitrile and ethylene dichloride, and three main clusters were identified. Conclusions Exposure to 1,3-butadiene occurs in a wide variety of activity sectors and occupational groups. The use of several statistical analysis methods applied to occupational exposure databases can help to identify exposure situations at high risk for workers' health and better target preventive interventions and research projects.

  3. Fifty-ninth Christmas Bird Count. 176. Ocean City, Md

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Rattner, B.A.; Michael, S.D.

    1983-01-01

    Some organophosphorus insecticides have been reported to interfere with reproduction and even cause the decline of small mammal populations. The effects of such anticholinesterases on plasma LH concentrations were examined in male mice (Peromyscus leucopus noveboracensis) intubated with water (OW) or acephate (50 and 100 mg/kg) and sacrificed after 4 h. Brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was inhibited by 45 and 56%, and basal LH levels were reduced by 29 and 25% in mice receiving the 2 doses of acephate. Responsiveness to LHRH did not appear to be affected 4 h after intubation with 100 mg/kg acephate, as 5 ug/kg LHRH ip evoked a comparable rise in plasma LH after 30 min (2.4 and 3.6 fold) in OW-control and treated mice. Subchronic dietary exposure to 0, 25, 100, and 400 ppm acephate for 5 days resulted in a dose-dependent decline in brain AChE activity (23, 42, and 57%), but did not affect LH concentration or the weights of testes and seminal vesicles. These findings suggest that acute exposure to organophosphorus insecticides may impair reproductive function by altering LH secretion.

  4. Immunotoxicity of clonazepam in adult albino rats.

    PubMed

    Rabei, Hanan Mostafa

    2013-01-01

    Clonazepam as an addictive drug is studied to elucidate its destructive effects on rats' immune system. The aim of the current work was to study the immunologic changes induced by sub-chronic administration of clonazepam for three weeks followed by a withdrawal period in adult male albino rats. Seventy-two Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three equal groups. The first group was used as control; the second and third groups were treated with clonazepam. Six rats from each group were sacrificed weekly. Data showed that clonazepam induced a significant suppression in the level of IFN-gamma cortisol production, total splenocytes count and lymphocytes transformation induced by PHA mitogen along the experimental period especially in the third group. However, subchronic doses of clonazepam increased the production of IL-10 in both treated groups. Moreover, significant DNA damage in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of both treated groups was observed along the duration of the study. In conclusion, the immune system responses can be adversely affected to a greater extent by sub-chronic administration of clonazepam and should be prescribed cautiously as patients may turn addict to it.

  5. Military mental health: the role of daily hassles while deployed.

    PubMed

    Heron, Elizabeth A; Bryan, Craig J; Dougherty, Craig A; Chapman, William G

    2013-12-01

    This study sought to identify factors contributing to symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in recently deployed combat veterans. A sample of 168 active duty military personnel completed measures of combat exposure, deployment-related daily hassles, depression symptoms, and PTSD symptoms at six time points across their deployment: predeployment and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postdeployment. Mixed-effects linear modeling with repeated measures was used to identify factors associated with depression and PTSD severity over time. Postdeployment depression severity did not change over time, but PTSD severity decreased slightly over time after returning home. Postdeployment depression severity was predicted by past (but not recent) combat exposure, daily hassles, and concurrent PTSD symptoms. Postdeployment PTSD severity was predicted by past and recent combat exposure, concurrent depression symptoms, and male sex. Depression severity mediated the relationship between daily hassles and postdeployment PTSD severity.

  6. Subchronic cadmium exposure upregulates the mRNA level of genes associated to hepatic lipid metabolism in adult female CD1 mice.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jun; Wang, Yan; Fu, Lin; Feng, Yu-Jie; Ji, Yan-Li; Wang, Hua; Xu, De-Xiang

    2018-07-01

    Cadmium (Cd) is a persistent environmental and occupational contaminant that accumulates in humans and shows adverse effects on health. Accumulating evidence reveals that environmental Cd exposure is associated with hepatic lipid accumulation and metabolic alterations in adult male mice. However, whether Cd exposure induces hepatic lipid accumulation and metabolic alterations in female mice remains poorly understood. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Cd exposure on insulin resistance, hepatic lipid accumulation and associated metabolic pathways. Female CD1 mice were administrated with CdCl 2 (10 and 100 mg l -1 ) by drinking water. We found that Cd exposure did not induce obesity, insulin resistance and hepatic lipid accumulation. By contrary, mice in the Cd-100 mg l -1 group presented a significant reduction of the glucose area under the curve during the glucose tolerance test. However, there was a significant elevation in the mRNA level of Fasn and Scd-1, which were critical genes during hepatic fatty acid synthesis. Moreover, hepatic Fabp1 and Fabp4, two genes for hepatic fatty acid uptake were upregulated in Cd-treated mice. Of interest, Lpl, a key gene for hepatic lipoprotein lysis, was also upregulated in Cd-treated mice. Collectively, our results suggest that Cd exposure upregulated mRNA level of genes related to hepatic lipid metabolism although there was no insulin resistance and hepatic lipid accumulation shown in the present study. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  7. Health effects of subchronic inhalation exposure to gasoline engine exhaust.

    PubMed

    Reed, M D; Barrett, E G; Campen, M J; Divine, K K; Gigliotti, A P; McDonald, J D; Seagrave, J C; Mauderly, J L; Seilkop, S K; Swenberg, J A

    2008-10-01

    Gasoline engine emissions are a ubiquitous source of exposure to complex mixtures of particulate matter (PM) and non-PM pollutants; yet their health hazards have received little study in comparison with those of diesel emissions. As a component of the National Environmental Respiratory Center (NERC) multipollutant research program, F344 and SHR rats and A/J, C57BL/6, and BALBc mice were exposed 6 h/day, 7 days/week for 1 week to 6 months to exhaust from 1996 General Motors 4.3-L engines burning national average fuel on a simulated urban operating cycle. Exposure groups included whole exhaust diluted 1:10, 1:15, or 1:90, filtered exhaust at the 1:10 dilution, or clean air controls. Evaluations included organ weight, histopathology, hematology, serum chemistry, bronchoalveolar lavage, cardiac electrophysiology, micronuclei in circulating cells, DNA methylation and oxidative injury, clearance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the lung, and development of respiratory allergic responses to ovalbumin. Among the 120 outcome variables, only 20 demonstrated significant exposure effects. Several statistically significant effects appeared isolated and were not supported by related variables. The most coherent and consistent effects were those related to increased red blood cells, interpreted as likely to have resulted from exposure to 13-107 ppm carbon monoxide. Other effects supported by multiple variables included mild lung irritation and depression of oxidant production by alveolar macrophages. The lowest exposure level caused no significant effects. Because only 6 of the 20 significant effects appeared to be substantially reversed by PM filtration, the majority of effects were apparently caused by non-PM components of exhaust.

  8. Linkages between internet and other media violence with seriously violent behavior by youth.

    PubMed

    Ybarra, Michele L; Diener-West, Marie; Markow, Dana; Leaf, Philip J; Hamburger, Merle; Boxer, Paul

    2008-11-01

    The goal was to examine the association between violence in the media and the expression of seriously violent behavior among older children and teenagers in a national sample. The Growing up with Media survey was a national, online survey of 1588 youths that was conducted in August and September 2006. Participants were 10- to 15-year-old youths who had used the Internet at least once in the past 6 months. The main outcome measure was self-reported seriously violent behavior, including (1) shooting or stabbing someone, (2) aggravated assault, (3) robbery, and (4) sexual assault. Five percent of youths reported engaging in seriously violent behavior in the past 12 months. Thirty-eight percent reported exposure to violence online. Exposures to violence in the media, both online and off-line, were associated with significantly elevated odds for concurrently reporting seriously violent behavior. Compared with otherwise similar youths, those who indicated that many, most, or all of the Web sites they visited depicted real people engaged in violent behavior were significantly more likely to report seriously violent behavior. After adjustment for underlying differences in youth characteristics, respondents' alcohol use, propensity to respond to stimuli with anger, delinquent peers, parental monitoring, and exposures to violence in the community also were associated with significantly increased odds of concurrently reporting seriously violent behavior. Exposure to violence in the media is associated with concurrent reports of seriously violent behavior across media (eg, games and music). Newer forms of violent media seem to be especially concerning.

  9. Maladaptive Sexual Behavior Following Concurrent Methamphetamine and Sexual Experience in Male Rats is Associated with Altered Neural Activity in Frontal Cortex.

    PubMed

    Kuiper, Lindsey B; Frohmader, Karla S; Coolen, Lique M

    2017-09-01

    The use of psychostimulants is often associated with hypersexuality, and psychostimulant users have identified the effects of drug on sexual behavior as a reason for further use. It was previously demonstrated in male rats that methamphetamine (Meth), when administered concurrently with sexual behavior results in impairment of inhibition of sexual behavior in a conditioned sex aversion (CSA) paradigm where mating is paired with illness. This is indicative of maladaptive sex behavior following Meth and sex experience. The present study examined the neural pathways activated during inhibition of sexual behavior in male rats and the effects of concurrent Meth and sexual behavior on neural activity, using ERK phosphorylation (pERK). First, exposure to conditioned aversive stimuli in males trained to inhibit sexual behavior in the CSA paradigm increased pERK expression in medial prefrontal (mPFC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and areas in striatum and amygdala. Second, effects of concurrent Meth and sex experience were tested in males that were exposed to four daily sessions of concurrent Meth (1 mg/kg) or saline and mating and subsequently exposed to CSA one week after last treatment. Meth and mating-treated males showed significant impairment of inhibition of mating, higher pERK expression under baseline conditions, and disrupted pERK induction by exposure to the conditioned aversive stimuli in mPFC and OFC. These alterations of pERK occurred in CaMKII-expressing neurons, suggesting changes in efferent projections of these areas. Altogether, these data show that concurrent Meth and mating experience causes maladapative sexual behavior that is associated with alterations in neural activation in mPFC and OFC.

  10. Comparative Human Health and Environmental Toxicology Review of Seven Candidate Obscurant Smokes for Replacement of M83 Grenade

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-03-01

    day; acute oral and dermal LD50 > 2000 mg/kg; inhalation LD50 > 20 mg/L Mixed evidence for carcinogenicity and mutagenicity (B2, 2...subchronic oral LOAEL 5–200 mg/kg/day; acute oral 25 < LD50 < 2000 mg/kg; dermal 50 < LD50 < 2000 mg/kg; inhalation 0.5 < LD50 < 20 mg/L Positive...corroborative evidence for carcinogenicity and mutagenicity; subchronic LOAEL < 5 mg/kg/day; acute oral LD50 ≤ 25 mg/kg; dermal LD50 ≤ 50 mg/kg

  11. Longitudinal patterns of poverty and health in early childhood: exploring the influence of concurrent, previous, and cumulative poverty on child health outcomes

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Although the links between poverty and health have often been studied , the dynamics of poverty and physical health in early childhood remain under-investigated. In particular, it is not known whether the health of young children is affected differently from that of adults by patterns of poverty unique to them. Methods We examined patterns of health from 5 to 41 months of age as a function of concurrent, lagged, and chronic exposure to insufficient income. Using data from the first four rounds of the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development, we performed multilevel logistic and multilevel Poisson regressions and latent growth curve analyses to explore associations between exposure to poverty and mother-reported asthma-like attacks, and maternal perception of health status controlling for neonatal, maternal, and environmental characteristics. Results The mean number of mother-reported asthma-like attacks significantly decreased as children aged. The likelihood of being perceived in a poorer health status also decreased across time. Concurrent poverty was associated with more mother-reported asthma-like attacks and with a higher risk of being perceived in poorer health status. One-period-lagged poverty was associated with more mother-reported asthma-like attacks and this remained significant after controlling for concurrent poverty. The number of mother-reported asthma-like attacks was significantly higher among children in the chronic poverty class compared to those in the never-poor class, particularly at 17 and 29 months. Perceived health status at 5-months was significantly poorer among chronically poor children compared to never-poor children. Conclusion Exposure to poverty negatively affects two major health indicators in early childhood – maternal perception of child health and mother-reported asthma-like attacks. Patterns of the effects vary according to timing and duration of poverty exposure. Further longitudinal research is warranted to disentangle time-specific from cumulative effects of poverty on child health. PMID:22947499

  12. Longitudinal patterns of poverty and health in early childhood: exploring the influence of concurrent, previous, and cumulative poverty on child health outcomes.

    PubMed

    Béatrice, Nikiéma; Lise, Gauvin; Victoria, Zunzunegui Maria; Louise, Séguin

    2012-09-04

    Although the links between poverty and health have often been studied , the dynamics of poverty and physical health in early childhood remain under-investigated. In particular, it is not known whether the health of young children is affected differently from that of adults by patterns of poverty unique to them. We examined patterns of health from 5 to 41 months of age as a function of concurrent, lagged, and chronic exposure to insufficient income. Using data from the first four rounds of the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development, we performed multilevel logistic and multilevel Poisson regressions and latent growth curve analyses to explore associations between exposure to poverty and mother-reported asthma-like attacks, and maternal perception of health status controlling for neonatal, maternal, and environmental characteristics. The mean number of mother-reported asthma-like attacks significantly decreased as children aged. The likelihood of being perceived in a poorer health status also decreased across time. Concurrent poverty was associated with more mother-reported asthma-like attacks and with a higher risk of being perceived in poorer health status. One-period-lagged poverty was associated with more mother-reported asthma-like attacks and this remained significant after controlling for concurrent poverty. The number of mother-reported asthma-like attacks was significantly higher among children in the chronic poverty class compared to those in the never-poor class, particularly at 17 and 29 months. Perceived health status at 5-months was significantly poorer among chronically poor children compared to never-poor children. Exposure to poverty negatively affects two major health indicators in early childhood - maternal perception of child health and mother-reported asthma-like attacks. Patterns of the effects vary according to timing and duration of poverty exposure. Further longitudinal research is warranted to disentangle time-specific from cumulative effects of poverty on child health.

  13. How many Slovenian family practice attendees are victims of intimate partner violence? A re-evaluation cross-sectional study report.

    PubMed

    Selic, Polona; Svab, Igor; Gucek, Nena Kopcavar

    2013-08-01

    Intimate partner violence (IPV) can be considered a leading public health problem affecting approximately 50% of women during the course of their lifetimes. This study was carried out with the aim of re-testing the prevalence data and providing sufficient grounds for decision-makers in family medicine in Slovenia to adopt much-needed protocols for IPV management in the field. In January 2012, every tenth general practitioner (GP) registered in Slovenia, of a total of 958, was invited to participate in a multi-centre cross-sectional study, and 9.4% of them, working in 90 family practices, agreed to participate. From February 1 to March 1, 2012, they asked every fifth family practice attendee aged 18 years and above, regardless of gender, to participate in the study. The short version of Domestic Violence Exposure Questionnaire was administered to 2572 patients. In the sample, there were more women (62.9% (n = 1617)). The average age of all the participants was 49.0 ± 16.1 years. Of 2572 participants (95.3% response rate), 17.1% people had been exposed to either emotional or both physical and emotional abuse. The prevalence of psychological violence was 10.3%, and that of concurrent physical and psychological abuse 6.8%, with all the patients exposed to physical IPV disclosing concurrent psychological violence. Female gender and previous formal divorce were risk factors identified in all three multivariate logistic regression models. The odds of concurrent physical and psychological and either type of IPV exposure in patients were lessened by an age of 65 years or above. The odds for either type of IPV were also lower in single people, while in concurrent physical and psychological IPV exposure, living in urban settings acted as a protective factor. In Slovenian family practice attendees, an IPV exposure prevalence of approximately 17% should be considered a valid estimation.

  14. HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS DOCUMENT ...

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Health and Environmental Effects Documents (HEEDS) are prepared for the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER). This document series is intended to support listings under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) as well as to provide health-related limits and goals for emergency and remedial actions under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). Both published literature and information obtained from Agency Program Office files are evaluated as they pertain to potential human health, aquatic life and environmental effects of hazardous waste constituents. Several quantitative estimates are presented provided sufficient data are available. For systemic toxicants, these include Reference Doses (RfDs) for chronic and subchronic exposures for both the inhalation and oral exposures. In the case of suspected carcinogens, RfDs may not be estimated. Instead, a carcinogenic potency factor, or q1*, is provided. These potency estimates are derived for both oral and inhalation exposures where possible. In addition, unit risk estimates for air and drinking water are presented based on inhalation and oral data, respectively. Reportable quantities (RQs) based on both chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity are derived. The RQ is used to determine the quantity of a hazardous substance for which notification is required in the event of a release as specified under CERCLA.

  15. Influence of Study Design on Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Study Outcomes.

    PubMed

    Foster, Paul M D

    2017-01-01

    Regulatory studies of developmental and reproductive toxicity (DART) studies have remained largely unchanged for decades, with exposures occurring at various phases of the reproductive cycle and toxicity evaluations at different ages/times depending on the study purpose. The National Toxicology Program has conducted studies examining the power to detect adverse effects where there is a prenatal exposure, but evaluations occur postnatally. In these studies, examination is required of only 1 male and female pup from each litter beyond weaning. This provides poor resolving power to detect rare events (e.g., reproductive tract malformations). If an adverse effect is detected, there is little confidence in the shape of the dose-response curve (and the Benchmark Dose or No Observed Adverse Effect Level [NOAEL]). We have developed a new protocol to evaluate DART, the modified one generation study, with exposure commencing with pregnant animals and retention of 4 males and females from each litter beyond weaning to improve statistical power. These animals can be allocated to specific cohorts that examine subchronic toxicity, teratology, littering, and neurobehavioral toxicity in the same study. This approach also results in a reduction in animal numbers used, compared with individual stand-alone studies, and offers increased numbers of end points evaluated compared with recent Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development proposals.

  16. Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on the growth and development of medicinal maggots.

    PubMed

    Sherman, Ronald A; Khavari, Borna; Werner, Darryl

    2013-01-01

    Some wound care therapists use both maggot debridement therapy (MDT) and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy to treat non-healing wounds. Some practitioners have reported success using both MDT and HBO2 therapy concurrently; others have not. To begin evaluating the utility of using MDT and HBO2 therapy concurrently, we assessed the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) on maggot growth and development, as a surrogate for debridement capacity. Replicate sets of medical-grade blowfly larvae were placed on liver-agar wound models and exposed to HBO2 at 2.0 atmospheres absolute (atm abs) for 90 minutes on 0 (control), 1, 2 or 3 sequential days. The effects of HBO2 exposure were quantified by measuring the maggots' subsequent growth and development. Exposure to HBO2 was most lethal to young larvae (second instars), but not to older larvae (third instars). There was no dose-relationship between the number of HBO2 treatments and rate of larval survival. Our findings suggest that maggot therapy and HBO2 therapy may be administered concurrently, as long as the larvae are not too immature (that is, as long as they are beyond the second instar) by the time they take their first dive. A clinical trial evaluating the clinical benefits of concurrent HBO2 therapy and MDT is warranted.

  17. Systemic and cerebral exposure to and pharmacokinetics of flavonols and terpene lactones after dosing standardized Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts to rats via different routes of administration.

    PubMed

    Chen, Feng; Li, Li; Xu, Fang; Sun, Yan; Du, Feifei; Ma, Xutao; Zhong, Chenchun; Li, Xiuxue; Wang, Fengqing; Zhang, Nating; Li, Chuan

    2013-09-01

    Flavonols and terpene lactones are putatively responsible for the properties of Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts that relate to prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease and cerebral insufficiency. Here, we characterized rat systemic and cerebral exposure to these ginkgo compounds after dosing, as well as the compounds' pharmacokinetics. Rats received single or multiple doses of ShuXueNing injection (prepared from GBE50 for intravenous administration) or GBE50 (a standardized extract of G. biloba leaves for oral administration). Brain delivery of the ginkgo compounds was assessed with microdialysis. Various rat samples were analysed using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Slow terminal elimination features of the flavonols counterbalanced the influence of poor oral bioavailability on their systemic exposure levels, which also resulted in significant accumulation of the compounds in plasma during the subchronic treatment with ShuXueNing injection and GBE50. Unlike the flavonols, the terpene lactones had poor enterohepatic circulation due to their rapid renal excretion and unknown metabolism. The flavonol glycosides occurred as major forms in plasma after dosing with ShuXueNing injection, while the flavonol aglycone conjugates were predominant in plasma after dosing with GBE50. Cerebral exposure was negligible for the flavonols and low for the terpene lactones. Unlike the significant systemic exposure levels, the levels of cerebral exposure to the flavonols and terpene lactones are low. The elimination kinetic differences between the two classes of ginkgo compounds influence their relative systemic exposure levels. The information gained is relevant to linking ginkgo administration to the medicinal effects. © 2013 The Authors. British Journal of Pharmacology published by John Wiley &. Sons Ltd on behalf of The British Pharmacological Society.

  18. Systemic and cerebral exposure to and pharmacokinetics of flavonols and terpene lactones after dosing standardized Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts to rats via different routes of administration

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Feng; Li, Li; Xu, Fang; Sun, Yan; Du, Feifei; Ma, Xutao; Zhong, Chenchun; Li, Xiuxue; Wang, Fengqing; Zhang, Nating; Li, Chuan

    2013-01-01

    BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Flavonols and terpene lactones are putatively responsible for the properties of Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts that relate to prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease and cerebral insufficiency. Here, we characterized rat systemic and cerebral exposure to these ginkgo compounds after dosing, as well as the compounds’ pharmacokinetics. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Rats received single or multiple doses of ShuXueNing injection (prepared from GBE50 for intravenous administration) or GBE50 (a standardized extract of G. biloba leaves for oral administration). Brain delivery of the ginkgo compounds was assessed with microdialysis. Various rat samples were analysed using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. KEY RESULTS Slow terminal elimination features of the flavonols counterbalanced the influence of poor oral bioavailability on their systemic exposure levels, which also resulted in significant accumulation of the compounds in plasma during the subchronic treatment with ShuXueNing injection and GBE50. Unlike the flavonols, the terpene lactones had poor enterohepatic circulation due to their rapid renal excretion and unknown metabolism. The flavonol glycosides occurred as major forms in plasma after dosing with ShuXueNing injection, while the flavonol aglycone conjugates were predominant in plasma after dosing with GBE50. Cerebral exposure was negligible for the flavonols and low for the terpene lactones. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Unlike the significant systemic exposure levels, the levels of cerebral exposure to the flavonols and terpene lactones are low. The elimination kinetic differences between the two classes of ginkgo compounds influence their relative systemic exposure levels. The information gained is relevant to linking ginkgo administration to the medicinal effects. PMID:23808355

  19. Altered Expression of Genes in Signaling Pathways Regulating Proliferation of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Mice with Subchronic Benzene Exposure

    PubMed Central

    Sun, Rongli; Zhang, Juan; Xiong, Mengzhen; Wei, Haiyan; Tan, Kehong; Yin, Lihong; Pu, Yuepu

    2015-01-01

    Leukemias and hematopoietic disorders induced by benzene may arise from the toxicity of benzene to hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells (HS/PCs). Since there is a latency period between initial benzene exposure and the development of leukemia, subsequent impact of benzene on HS/PCs are crucial for a deeper understanding of the carcinogenicity and hematotoxicity in post-exposure stage. This study aims to explore the effects of benzene on HS/PCs and gene-expression in Wnt, Notch and Hh signaling pathways in post-exposure stage. The C3H/He mice were injected subcutaneously with benzene (0, 150, 300 mg/kg/day) for three months and were monitored for another 10 months post-exposure. The body weights were monitored, the relative organ weights, blood parameters and bone marrow smears were examined. Frequency of lineage- sca-1+ c-kit+ (LSK) cells, capability of colony forming and expression of genes in Wnt, Notch and Hedghog (Hh) signaling pathways were also analyzed. The colony formation of the progenitor cells for BFU-E, CFU-GEMM and CFU-GM was significantly decreased with increasing benzene exposure relative to controls, while no significant difference was observed in colonies for CFU-G and CFU-M. The mRNA level of cyclin D1 was increased and Notch1 and p53 were decreased in LSK cells in mice exposed to benzene but with no statistical significance. These results suggest that subsequent toxic effects of benzene on LSK cells and gene expression in Wnt, Notch and Hh signaling pathways persist in post-exposure stage and may play roles in benzene-induced hematotoxicity. PMID:26262635

  20. Altered Expression of Genes in Signaling Pathways Regulating Proliferation of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Mice with Subchronic Benzene Exposure.

    PubMed

    Sun, Rongli; Zhang, Juan; Xiong, Mengzhen; Wei, Haiyan; Tan, Kehong; Yin, Lihong; Pu, Yuepu

    2015-08-07

    Leukemias and hematopoietic disorders induced by benzene may arise from the toxicity of benzene to hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells (HS/PCs). Since there is a latency period between initial benzene exposure and the development of leukemia, subsequent impact of benzene on HS/PCs are crucial for a deeper understanding of the carcinogenicity and hematotoxicity in post-exposure stage. This study aims to explore the effects of benzene on HS/PCs and gene-expression in Wnt, Notch and Hh signaling pathways in post-exposure stage. The C3H/He mice were injected subcutaneously with benzene (0, 150, 300 mg/kg/day) for three months and were monitored for another 10 months post-exposure. The body weights were monitored, the relative organ weights, blood parameters and bone marrow smears were examined. Frequency of lineage(-) sca-1(+) c-kit(+) (LSK) cells, capability of colony forming and expression of genes in Wnt, Notch and Hedghog (Hh) signaling pathways were also analyzed. The colony formation of the progenitor cells for BFU-E, CFU-GEMM and CFU-GM was significantly decreased with increasing benzene exposure relative to controls, while no significant difference was observed in colonies for CFU-G and CFU-M. The mRNA level of cyclin D1 was increased and Notch 1 and p53 were decreased in LSK cells in mice exposed to benzene but with no statistical significance. These results suggest that subsequent toxic effects of benzene on LSK cells and gene expression in Wnt, Notch and Hh signaling pathways persist in post-exposure stage and may play roles in benzene-induced hematotoxicity.

  1. A STUDY OF FISCHER 344 RATS EXPOSED TO SILICA DUST FOR SIX MONTHS AT CONCENTRATIONS OF 0, 2, 10 OR 20 MG / M3.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    KUTZMAN,R.S.

    1984-02-01

    The major objective of this study was to relate the results of a series of functional tests to the compositional and structural alterations in the rat lung induced by subchronic exposure to silica dust. Fischer-344 rats were exposed for 6 hours/day, 5 days/week for 6 months to either 0, 2, 10, or 20 mg SiO{sub 2}/m{sup 3}. The general appearance of the exposed rats was not different from that of the controls. Interestingly, female rats exposed to silica dust, at all tested concentrations, gained more weight than the controls. The lung weight and the lung-to-body weight ratio was greater inmore » the male rats exposed to the highest concentration of silica dust.« less

  2. Heptachlor induced nigral dopaminergic neuronal loss and Parkinsonism-like movement deficits in mice

    PubMed Central

    Hong, Seokheon; Hwang, Joohyun; Kim, Joo Yeon; Shin, Ki Soon; Kang, Shin Jung

    2014-01-01

    Epidemiological studies have suggested an association between pesticide exposure and Parkinson's disease. In this study, we examined the neurotoxicity of an organochlorine pesticide, heptachlor, in vitro and in vivo. In cultured SH-SY5Y cells, heptachlor induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. When injected into mice intraperitoneally on a subchronic schedule, heptachlor induced selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. In addition, the heptachlor injection induced gliosis of microglia and astrocytes selectively in the ventral midbrain area. When the general locomotor activities were monitored by open field test, the heptachlor injection did not induce any gross motor dysfunction. However, the compound induced Parkinsonism-like movement deficits when assessed by a gait and a pole test. These results suggest that heptachlor can induce Parkinson's disease-related neurotoxicities in vivo. PMID:24577234

  3. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity of Cajanus cajan leaf extracts.

    PubMed

    Tang, Rong; Tian, Ru-Hua; Cai, Jia-Zhong; Wu, Jun-Hui; Shen, Xiao-Ling; Hu, Ying-Jie

    2017-12-01

    The leaves of Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (Fabaceae) have diverse bioactivities, but little safety data are reported. This study examines the toxicological profiles of C. cajan leaf extracts. The leaves were extracted by water or 90% ethanol to obtain water or ethanol extract (WEC or EEC). EEC was suspended in water and successively fractionated into dichloroform and n-butanol extracts (DEC and BEC). Marker compounds of the extracts were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Kunming mice were administered with a single maximum acceptable oral dose (15.0 g/kg for WEC, EEC and BEC and 11.3 g/kg for DEC) to determine death rate or maximal tolerated doses (MTDs). In sub-chronic toxicity investigation, Sprague-Dawley rats were orally given WEC or EEC at 1.5, 3.0 or 6.0 g/kg doses for four weeks and observed for two weeks after dosing to determine toxicological symptoms, histopathology, biochemistry and haematology. Flavonoids and stilbenes in the extracts were assayed. In acute toxicity test, no mortality and noted alterations in weight and behavioural abnormality were observed, and the maximum oral doses were estimated as MTDs. In sub-chronic toxicity study, no mortality and significant variances in haematological and biochemical parameters or organ histopathology were observed, but increased kidney weight in 3.0 g/kg WEC- or 3.0 and 6.0 g/kg EEC-treated female rats, and reduced testes and epididymis weight in EEC-treated male rats were recorded. These changes returned to the level of control after recovery period. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity of Cajanus cajan leaf extracts was not observed.

  4. Metabotropic glutamate receptor modulation of dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens shell is unaffected by phencyclidine pretreatment: In vitro assessment using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry rat brain slices.

    PubMed

    Gupta, Ishan; Young, Andrew M J

    2018-05-15

    The non-competitive glutamate antagonist, phencyclidine is used in rodents to model behavioural deficits see in schizophrenia. Importantly, these deficits endure long after the cessation of short-term chronic treatment (sub-chronic), indicating that the drug treatment causes long-term changes in the physiology and/or chemistry of the brain. There is evidence that this may occur through glutamatergic modulation of mesolimbic dopamine release, perhaps involving metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR). This study sought to investigate the effect of sub-chronic phencyclidine pretreatment on modulation of dopamine neurotransmission by metabotropic glutamate receptors 2 and 5 (mGluR2 and mGluR5) in the nucleus accumbens shell in vitro, with the hypothesis that phencyclidine pretreatment would disrupt the mGluR-mediated modulation of dopamine release. We showed that the orthosteric mGluR2 agonist LY379268 (0.1 µM, 1 µM and 10 µM) and mGluR5 positive allosteric modulator CDPPB (1 µM and 10 µM) both attenuated potassium-evoked dopamine release, underscoring their role in modulating dopamine neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens. Sub-chronic PCP treatment, which caused cognitive deficits measured by performance in the novel object recognition task, modelling aspects of behavioral deficits seen in schizophrenia, induced neurobiological changes that enhanced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens, but had no effect on mGluR2 or mGluR5 mediated changes in dopamine release. Therefore it is unlikely that schizophrenia-related behavioural changes seen after sub-chronic phencyclidine pre-treatment are mediated through mGluR modulation of dopamine release. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. A preliminary safety evaluation of polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride.

    PubMed

    Asiedu-Gyekye, Isaac Julius; Mahmood, Seidu Abdulai; Awortwe, Charles; Nyarko, Alexander Kwadwo

    2014-01-01

    Polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHMGH) is used worldwide as an antimicrobial agent with broad spectra of activity and also for treating pool water. This non-GLP preliminary study aims at investigating in a subchronic toxicity study possible effects at supra-optimal doses of this biocide. Both acute and subchronic toxicity studies were conducted. LD(50) for PHMGH was estimated to be 600 mg/kg (ie LC(50) 2 ml of 7.5% solution) when administered as a single dose by gavage via a stomach tube in accordance with the expected route of administration. The acute studies showed that the median lethal dose (LD(50)) of 600 mg/kg was accompanied by signs of neurotoxicity. Haematological and biochemical parameters of subchronic toxicity studies were non-significant. Subchronic doses of 0.006 mg/kg, 0.012 mg/kg and 0.036 mg/kg were administered. 20% of the animals at a dose of 0.006 mg/kg and 0.036 mg/kg showed mild degrees of hydropic changes in proximal tubules while 10% of animals at all the doses had their liver tissues showing local areas of mild pericentral hepatocytes degeneration. PHMGH did not produce any major organ defect with regard to the kidney, heart, and liver. The LD(50) was much higher than the recommended dosage by a factor of about 50,000. The recommended residual concentration is far less than the median lethal dose using rats as test subjects. These results could serve as a basis for investigating the full toxicological profile if it is to be used for the treatment of raw water to make it potable. © The Author(s) 2014.

  6. Community violence exposure in early adolescence: Longitudinal associations with hippocampal and amygdala volume and resting state connectivity.

    PubMed

    Saxbe, Darby; Khoddam, Hannah; Piero, Larissa Del; Stoycos, Sarah A; Gimbel, Sarah I; Margolin, Gayla; Kaplan, Jonas T

    2018-06-11

    Community violence exposure is a common stressor, known to compromise youth cognitive and emotional development. In a diverse, urban sample of 22 adolescents, participants reported on community violence exposure (witnessing a beating or illegal drug use, hearing gun shots, or other forms of community violence) in early adolescence (average age 12.99), and underwent a neuroimaging scan 3-5 years later (average age 16.92). Community violence exposure in early adolescence predicted smaller manually traced left and right hippocampal and amygdala volumes in a model controlling for age, gender, and concurrent community violence exposure, measured in late adolescence. Community violence continued to predict hippocampus (but not amygdala) volumes after we also controlled for family aggression exposure in early adolescence. Community violence exposure was also associated with stronger resting state connectivity between the right hippocampus (using the manually traced structure as a seed region) and bilateral frontotemporal regions including the superior temporal gyrus and insula. These resting state connectivity results held after controlling for concurrent community violence exposure, SES, and family aggression. Although this is the first study focusing on community violence in conjunction with brain structure and function, these results dovetail with other research linking childhood adversity with smaller subcortical volumes in adolescence and adulthood, and with altered frontolimbic resting state connectivity. Our findings suggest that even community-level exposure to neighborhood violence can have detectable neural correlates in adolescents. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  7. CHANGING ATTITUDES ABOUT CONCURRENCY AMONG YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICANS: RESULTS OF A RADIO CAMPAIGN

    PubMed Central

    Adimora, Adaora A.; Schoenbach, Victor J.; Cates, Joan R.; Cope, Anna B.; Ramirez, Catalina; Powell, Wizdom; Agans, Robert P.

    2018-01-01

    We created and evaluated an 8-month campaign of provocative radio ads to change attitudes about concurrent (overlapping) sexual partnerships among young African Americans. Using focus groups, vignette-based items, and factor analysis, we created a concurrency attitude scale and compared its score distributions in independent samples of African Americans, ages 18-34 years, interviewed by telephone before (n=678) and after (n=479) the campaign. Pre-and post-campaign samples reflected similar response rates (pre: 32.6%; post: 31.8%) and distributions of personal characteristics. Reported exposure to concurrency messages was greater after the campaign (pre: 6.3%, post: 30.9%), and mean scores became less accepting of concurrency (pre: 3.40 (95% confidence interval: 3.23, 3.57); post: 2.62 (2.46, 2.78)). Score differences were not a function of differences in composition of the two samples (adjusted means: pre: 3.37 (3.21, 3.53); post: 2.62 (2.47, 2.76)). Findings demonstrate that a carefully targeted, intensive mass media campaign can change attitudes about concurrency, which should facilitate behavior change. PMID:28825864

  8. Experimental Therapeutics Against the Toxic and Lethal Effects Resulting from Acute Exposure to Nerve Agents Without Carbamate Pretreatment in Guinea Pigs

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-09-01

    or VX. Guinea pigs chronically instrumented for concurrent recordings of EEG, cardiorespiratory activities , diaphragm and skeletal muscle EMG were... activities , or any debilitating effects. The animals were asymptomatic within 30 min following therapy and survived the agent challenge 24 hr later. In...For a thorough efficacy evaluation, the animals were chronically instrumented to permit concurrent recordings of central nervous system activity

  9. Influences of Chlorella vulgaris dietary supplementation on growth performance, hematology, immune response and disease resistance in Oreochromis niloticus exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of penoxsulam herbicide.

    PubMed

    Galal, Azza A A; Reda, Rasha M; Abdel-Rahman Mohamed, Amany

    2018-06-01

    Little is known regarding the impact of penoxsulam, a fluorinated benzenesulfonamid rice herbicide, on Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus). Therefore, the current study was undertaken to highlight the effects of penoxsulam exposure on O. niloticus and to evaluate the advantages of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) dietary supplementation against the induced effects. The 96-h lethal concentration 50 (LC 50 ) penoxsulam value for O. niloticus was estimated at 8.948 mg/L by probit analysis in a static bioassay experiment. Next, 360 healthy fish were randomly allocated into 6 treatment groups. The T1 group served as the negative control and was fed a basal diet. The T2 group served as the positive control and was fed a basal diet supplemented with 10% CV. The fish in the T3 and T4 groups were exposed to 1/10 the 96-h LC 50 of penoxsulam (0.8948 mg/L) and were fed the basal diet alone or the basal diet supplemented with 10% CV, respectively. The fish in the T5 and T6 groups were exposed to 1/5 the 96-h LC 50 of penoxsulam (1.7896 mg/L) and fed the basal diet alone or the basal diet supplemented with 10% CV, respectively. Sub-acute penoxsulam exposure significantly altered hematological indices, as well as compromised the fish's immune defense mechanisms, including the phagocytic percentage, phagocytic index, nitric oxide production, immunoglobulin M levels and lysozyme, anti-trypsin and bactericidal activities subsequently decreasing O. niloticus's resistance to the Aeromonus sobria challenge and increasing disease symptoms and the mortality rate. Furthermore, sub-chronic penoxsulam exposure markedly altered growth performance, oxidant/antioxidant status and liver status and down-regulated the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis-α (TNF-α). Interestingly, incorporating 10% CV into the diet protects fish against sub-acute penoxsulam-induced immunotoxicity via improvement of immune responses that increases the resistance against bacterial infection. Further, it improved the growth performance, oxidant/antioxidant status, liver status and markedly up-regulated immune-related gene expression, IL-1β and TNF-α, in the spleens of fish sub-chronically exposed to penoxsulam. These outcomes showed that dietary CV supplementation can protect the commercially valuable freshwater fish O. niloticus against penoxsulam toxicity and may be a potential feed supplement for Nile tilapia in aquaculture. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Decreased hepatic contents of coenzyme A molecular species in mice after subchronic mild social defeat stress.

    PubMed

    Kubota, Yoshifumi; Goto, Tatsuhiko; Hagiya, Yuki; Chohnan, Shigeru; Toyoda, Atsushi

    2016-01-01

    Social stress may precipitate psychiatric disorders such as depression, which is related to the occurrence of the metabolic syndrome, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. We have evaluated the effects of social stress on central and peripheral metabolism using a model of depression in mice. In the present study, we focused on coenzyme A (CoA) molecular species [i.e. non-esterified CoA (CoASH), acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA] which play important roles in numerous metabolic pathways, and we analyzed changes in expression of these molecules in the hypothalamus and liver of adult male mice (C57BL/6J) subjected to 10 days of subchronic mild social defeat stress (sCSDS) with ICR mice as aggressors. Mice (n = 12) exposed to showed hyperphagia- and polydipsia-like symptoms and increased body weight gain compared with control mice which were not affected by exposure to ICR mice (n = 12). To elucidate the underlying metabolic features in the sCSDS model, acetyl-CoA, malonyl-CoA and CoASH tissue levels were analyzed using the acyl-CoA cycling method. The levels of hypothalamic malonyl-CoA, which decreases feeding behavior, were not influenced by sCSDS. However, sCSDS reduced levels of acetyl-CoA, malonyl-CoA and total CoA (sum of the three CoA molecular species) in the liver. Hence, hyperphagia-like symptoms in sCSDS mice evidently occurred independently of hypothalamic malonyl-CoA, but might consequently lead to down-regulation of hepatic CoA via altered expression of nudix hydrolase 7. Future studies should investigate the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the down-regulation of liver CoA pools in sCSDS mice.

  11. Effects of diet quality on vulnerability to mild subchronic social defeat stress in mice.

    PubMed

    Goto, Tatsuhiko; Kubota, Yoshifumi; Toyoda, Atsushi

    2016-09-01

    The chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) mouse model is a potentially useful system for understanding stress responses to social environments. We previously developed a mouse model of subchronic and mild social defeat stress (sCSDS) that exhibits increased body weight gain and food intake following polydipsia-like features. sCSDS mice also show avoidance behavior in a social interaction test. In this study, we examined the effects of diet quality on susceptibility to sCSDS by feeding these mice semi- and non-purified diets. Male C57BL/6J (B6; n = 82) mice were exposed to sCSDS using male ICR mice. The B6 mice were divided into four test groups: semi-purified pellet diet + sCSDS, non-purified pellet diet + sCSDS, semi-purified diet + control (no sCSDS), and non-purified diet + control. Although increased body weight, and food and water intake following sCSDS exposure were consistently observed in the groups that were fed semi- and non-purified diets, social avoidance behavior was influenced by food type (i.e., sCSDS mice fed semi-purified diet showed the greatest social avoidance behavior). In addition, the rates of stress susceptibility were estimated at 73.9 and 34.8% in sCSDS mice fed semi-purified and non-purified diets, respectively (P < 0.05). For comparison, the susceptible-like phenotype rates were estimated at 12.5 and 8.3% in healthy control mice fed semi-purified and non-purified diets, respectively. These results suggest that diet quality affects the vulnerability of mice to social defeat stress.

  12. Prenatal stress-induced increases in hippocampal von Willebrand factor expression are prevented by concurrent prenatal escitalopram

    PubMed Central

    Neigh, Gretchen N.; Nemeth, Christina L; Kelly, Sean D.; Hardy, Emily E.; Bourke, Chase; Stowe, Zachary N.; Owens, Michael J.

    2016-01-01

    Prenatal stress has been linked to deficits in neurological function including deficient social behavior, alterations in learning and memory, impaired stress regulation, and susceptibility to adult disease. In addition, prenatal environment is known to alter cardiovascular health; however, limited information is available regarding the cerebrovascular consequences of prenatal stress exposure. Vascular disturbances late in life may lead to cerebral hypoperfusion which is linked to a variety of neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. The known impact of cerebrovascular compromise on neuronal function and behavior highlights the importance of characterizing the impact of stress on not just neurons and glia, but also cerebrovasculature. Von Willebrand factor has previously been shown to be impacted by prenatal stress and is predictive of cerebrovascular health. Here we assess the impact of prenatal stress on von Willebrand factor and related angiogenic factors. Furthermore, we assess the potential protective effects of concurrent anti-depressant treatment during in utero stress exposure on the assessed cerebrovascular endpoints. Prenatal stress augmented expression of von Willebrand factor which was prevented by concurrent in utero escitalopram treatment. The functional implications of this increase in von Willebrand factor remain elusive, but the presented data demonstrate that although prenatal stress did not independently impact total vascularization, exposure to chronic stress in adulthood decreased blood vessel length. In addition, the current study demonstrates that production of reactive oxygen species in the hippocampus is decreased by prenatal exposure to escitalopram. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the prenatal experience can cause complex changes in adult cerebral vascular structure and function. PMID:27422674

  13. [Subchronic toxicity testing of mold-ripened cheese].

    PubMed

    Schoch, U; Lüthy, J; Schlatter, C

    1984-08-01

    The biological effects of known mycotoxins of Penicillium roqueforti or P. camemberti and other still unknown, but potentially toxic metabolites in mould ripened cheese (commercial samples of Blue- and Camembert cheese) were investigated. High amounts of mycelium (equivalents of 100 kg cheese/man and day) were fed to mice in a subchronic feeding trial. The following parameters were determined: development of body weight, organ weights, hematology, blood plasma enzymes. No signs of adverse effects produced by cheese mycotoxins could be detected after 28 days. No still unknown toxic metabolites could be demonstrated. From these results no health hazard from the consumption of mould ripened cheese, even in high amounts, appears to exist.

  14. Subchronic Toxicity Studies on 1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene, 1,3- Dinitrobenzene, and Tetryl in Rats. Subchronic Toxicity Evaluation of 1,3,5- Trinitrobenzene in Fischer 344 Rats

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1994-05-01

    cton ofMO,,natt. ’"An saqe jr~n ’edw tc.ngin o...rm to Wailoqto. HeCdos11#, ¶ n1e i Oueftoc D or.,e fwaft at~on OOWctl~t~ and AeoOat. 12 11 J~flfflOI 0S...controls in both sexes.3 14. SUBJECT TERMS 115 . NUMBER OF PAGES 16. PRICE CODE 17. SECURITv CLASSIFICATION 13. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 19. SECURITY...NJ). Total red and white blood cell counts, platelet count, differential leukocyte count, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume were measured and

  15. Normal Magnetization at ca. 1.5 Ma at Three Sites in Yukon Territory, Canada: The Gilsa Sub-chron?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Froese, D. G.; Westgate, J. A.; Barendregt, R. W.; Villeneuve, M.; Jackson, L. E.; Baker, J.; Enkin, R.; Irving, E.; Hart, C.; Preece, S. J.; Sandhu, A.

    2001-12-01

    Normally magnetized sediment is associated with Fort Selkirk and Paradise Hill tephras in central Yukon Territory. The Fort Selkirk tephra, sourced in the Wrangell Mountains of southeastern Alaska, is dated by the isothermal plateau fission track method (ITPFT) at 1.48 +/- 0.11 Ma. Fort Selkirk tephra is reversely magnetized, however a normal polarity interval occurs between the tephra and an overlying reversely magnetized basalt flow, dated by the Ar-Ar method, at 1.37 +/- 0.03 Ma. This succession is found at two sites in the Fort Selkirk area. At Paradise Hill, 120 km to the northwest, the Paradise Hill tephra, also sourced in the Wrangell Mountains of southeastern Alaska, has an ITPFT age of 1.54 +/- 0.13 Ma and is normally magnetized. The Paradise Hill and Fort Selkirk normal polarity intervals are certainly older than the Jaramillo (1.07-0.99 Ma) and Cobb Mountain (1.24-1.21 Ma) sub-chrons, and younger than the Olduvai (1.95-1.77 Ma). Our age estimates for this normal interval indicate a more plausible correlation to the Gilsa sub-chron estimated at 1.55 Ma from marine records and 1.6 Ma from Icelandic lavas.

  16. Gender dependent contribution of muscarinic receptors in memory retrieval under sub-chronic stress.

    PubMed

    Rashid, Habiba; Ahmed, Touqeer

    2018-05-15

    Stress induces retrograde amnesia in humans and rodents. Muscarinic antagonism under normal physiological conditions causes gender dependent impairment in episodic memory retrieval. We aimed to explore the gender dependent role of muscarinic receptors in memory retrieval under sub-chronic stress condition. Male and female mice were trained for Morris water maze test and contextual fear conditioning, followed by 3 h restraint stress per day for five days. Stress was either given alone or in combination with a daily subcutaneous injection of scopolamine (1 mg/kg) or donepezil (1 mg/kg). Control mice were given saline without any stress. Sub-chronic stress (induced for five days) impaired spatial memory retrieval in males (P < 0.005) but not in females (P > 0.05). Stress induced spatial memory recall deficit in male mice was independent of muscarinic receptor activity (P > 0.05). However, stress induced contextual fear memory recall impairment was reversed by donepezil treatment in male (P < 0.005) and female (P < 0.0001) mice. These findings suggest that differential role of muscarinic activity in retrieving different types of memories under stress depends on gender of subjects. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Effects of chronic mild stress on the development of drug dependence in rats.

    PubMed

    Papp, Mariusz; Gruca, Piotr; Lason-Tyburkiewicz, Magdalena; Litwa, Ewa; Willner, Paul

    2014-09-01

    There is high comorbidity between depression and addiction. Features of addiction relevant to depression have been studied extensively, but less is known about features of depression relevant to addiction. Here, we have studied the effects of chronic mild stress (CMS), a valid animal model of depression, on measures of physical and psychological dependence resulting from subchronic treatment of rats with three drugs of abuse that act through disparate neurobiological mechanisms: morphine, nicotine and diazepam. In animals not treated subchronically with drugs of abuse, CMS increased the withdrawal-like effects of the opiate antagonist naloxone, but not those of the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine or the benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil. In animals treated subchronically with drugs of abuse, CMS exacerbated, precipitated and conditioned withdrawal effects associated with all three antagonists. CMS also potentiated withdrawal-induced and cue-induced place aversions associated with all three antagonists. All of the effects of CMS were reversed by chronic treatment with the specific serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram. These results suggest that treatment of comorbid depression, although not a primary treatment for addiction, may facilitate other treatments for addiction, by decreasing the severity of withdrawal symptoms and the likelihood of relapse.

  18. Subchronic Oral Bromocriptine Methanesulfonate Enhances Open Field Novelty-Induced Behavior and Spatial Memory in Male Swiss Albino Mice.

    PubMed

    Onaolapo, Olakunle James; Onaolapo, Adejoke Yetunde

    2013-01-01

    This study set out to assess the neurobehavioral effects of subchronic, oral bromocriptine methanesulfonate using the open field and the Y-maze in healthy male mice. Sixty adult Swiss albino mice were assigned into three groups. Controls received normal saline, while test groups received bromocriptine methanesulfonate at 2.5 and 5 mg/kg/day, respectively, for a period of 21 days. Neurobehavioral tests were carried out on days 1 and 21 after administration. Open field assessment on day 1 after administration revealed significant increase in grooming at 2.5 and 5 mg/kg, while horizontal and vertical locomotion showed no significant changes. Day 1 also showed no significant changes in Y-maze alternation. On day 21, horizontal locomotion, rearing, and grooming were increased significantly at 2.5 and 5 mg/kg doses after administration; also, spatial memory was significantly enhanced at 2.5 mg/kg. In conclusion, the study demonstrates the ability of oral bromocriptine to affect neurobehavior in normal mice. It also suggests that there is a cumulative effect of oral bromocriptine on the behaviors studied with more changes being seen after subchronic administration rather than after a single oral dose.

  19. Phosgene

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bast, Cheryl B; Glass-Mattie, Dana F

    2009-01-01

    Inhalation is the most important route of exposure for phosgene. A latency period occurs before phosgene affects the target organ, the lungs. The odor threshold is between 0.5 and 1.5 ppm, and the odor has been described as similar to newly-mown hay. Toxic effects have been reported at concentrations below the threshold. On initial exposure, phosgene can undergo hydrolysis and form hydrogen chloride which can be slightly irritating to the upper respiratory tract and eyes; the amount formed is limited by the low water solubility of phosgene. Once inhaled to the lower respiratory tract, phosgene undergoes an acylation reaction withmore » amino, hydroxyl and sulfhydryl groups causing destruction of protein, lipids, and disruption of cellular functions. In response to this destruction, after a latency period of 1-24 hours, a breakdown in the blood-air barrier occurs and protein rich fluid accumulates in the lungs. Most commonly, death occurs within 48 hours after exposure from a progressive pulmonary edema and anoxia. At very high concentrations, death can occur from acute heart failure prior to the start of the pulmonary edema. Data on humans are limited to occupational exposures or accounts from the use of phosgene in World War I. Animal studies with phosgene show a steep dose-response curve for pulmonary edema and mortality. Animal studies also indicate little species variability as all species exposed developed similar clinical signs (dyspnea, pulmonary edema, labored breathing) and histopathological lesions in the lungs. While there are no chronic animal data, subchronic studies indicate little accumulation of phosgene or increased severity of lesions with continuous exposure.« less

  20. Combined subchronic fluoride-lead intoxication and its attenuation with the help of a complex of bioprotectors.

    PubMed

    Katsnelson, B A; Privalova, L I; Kireyeva, Y P; Yeremenko, O S; Sutunkova, M P; Valamina, I E; Varaksin, A N; Panov, V G; Kazmer, J I

    2012-01-01

    Combined toxicity of lead and fluoride has been studied insufficiently, and there is no known information about attempts to inhibit it with any bioprotectors. Lead acetate and sodium fluoride, administered separately or in combination, were injected i.p. to rats at isoeffective sublethal doses 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Some of the rats were exposed to the same combination against the background of oral administration of a bioprotector complex (BPC) comprising pectin, glutamate, and multivitamin/multimineral preparations. Following exposure, functional and biochemical indices and histopathological examinations of the femur of exposed and control rats were evaluated for signs of toxicity. We have shown that with regard to a number of effects on the organism level the combined toxicity of lead and fluoride may be evaluated as additive or even superadditive, but lead reduces fluoride accumulation in the bone, and pathological changes in the bone tissue proved to be less marked for combined exposure compared with separate exposures. The BPC has been demonstrated to attenuate a range of the combined harmful effects of lead and fluoride, including those on the bone tissue. In spite of the fact that fluoride and lead may reciprocally attenuate their harmful effects on the bone tissue in case of combined exposure, they prove to be more toxic for soft tissues just in combination than when administered separately. The development of combined intoxication may be substantially inhibited by means of the tested set of innocuous biologically active agents.

  1. Capsaicinoids, Chloropicrin and Sulfur Mustard: Possibilities for Exposure Biomarkers

    PubMed Central

    Pesonen, Maija; Vähäkangas, Kirsi; Halme, Mia; Vanninen, Paula; Seulanto, Heikki; Hemmilä, Matti; Pasanen, Markku; Kuitunen, Tapio

    2010-01-01

    Incapacitating and irritating agents produce temporary disability persisting for hours to days after the exposure. One can be exposed to these agents occupationally in industrial or other working environments. Also general public can be exposed in special circumstances, like industrial accidents or riots. Incapacitating and irritating agents discussed in this review are chloropicrin and capsaicinoids. In addition, we include sulfur mustard, which is an old chemical warfare agent and known to cause severe long-lasting injuries or even death. Chloropicrin that was used as a warfare agent in the World War I is currently used mainly as a pesticide. Capsaicinoids, components of hot pepper plants, are used by police and other law enforcement personnel as riot control agents. Toxicity of these chemicals is associated particularly with the respiratory tract, eyes, and skin. Their acute effects are relatively well known but the knowledge of putative long-term effects is almost non-existent. Also, mechanisms of effects at cellular level are not fully understood. There is a need for further research to get better idea of health risks, particularly of long-term and low-level exposures to these chemicals. For this, exposure biomarkers are essential. Validated exposure biomarkers for capsaicinoids, chloropicrin, and sulfur mustard do not exist so far. Metabolites and macromolecular adducts have been suggested biomarkers for sulfur mustard and these can already be measured qualitatively, but quantitative biomarkers await further development and validation. The purpose of this review is, based on the existing mechanistic and toxicokinetic information, to shed light on the possibilities for developing biomarkers for exposure biomonitoring of these compounds. It is also of interest to find ideas for early effect biomarkers considering the need for studies on subchronic and chronic toxicity. PMID:21833179

  2. Concurrent beneficial (vitamin D production) and hazardous (cutaneous DNA damage) impact of repeated low-level summer sunlight exposures.

    PubMed

    Felton, S J; Cooke, M S; Kift, R; Berry, J L; Webb, A R; Lam, P M W; de Gruijl, F R; Vail, A; Rhodes, L E

    2016-12-01

    The concurrent impact of repeated low-level summer sunlight exposures on vitamin D production and cutaneous DNA damage, potentially leading to mutagenesis and skin cancer, is unknown. This is an experimental study (i) to determine the dual impact of repeated low-level sunlight exposures on vitamin D status and DNA damage/repair (via both skin and urinary biomarkers) in light-skinned adults; and (ii) to compare outcomes following the same exposures in brown-skinned adults. Ten white (phototype II) and six South Asian volunteers (phototype V), aged 23-59 years, received 6 weeks' simulated summer sunlight exposures (95% ultraviolet A/5% ultraviolet B, 1·3 standard erythemal doses three times weekly) wearing summer clothing exposing ~35% body surface area. Assessments made were circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], immunohistochemistry for cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD)-positive nuclei and urinary biomarkers of direct and oxidative (8-oxo-deoxyguanosine) DNA damage. Serum 25(OH)D rose from mean 36·5 ± 13·0 to 54·3 ± 10·5 nmol L -1 (14·6 ± 5·2 to 21·7 ± 4·2 ng mL -1 ) in phototype II vs. 17·2 ± 6·3 to 25·5 ± 9·5 nmol L -1 (6·9 ± 2·5 to 10·2 ± 3·8 ng mL -1 ) in phototype V (P < 0·05). Phototype II skin showed CPD-positive nuclei immediately postcourse, mean 44% (range 27-84) cleared after 24 h, contrasting with minimal DNA damage and full clearance in phototype V (P < 0·001). The findings did not differ from those following single ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. Urinary CPDs remained below the detection threshold in both groups; 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine was higher in phototype II than V (P = 0·002), but was unaffected by UVR. Low-dose summer sunlight exposures confer vitamin D sufficiency in light-skinned people concurrently with low-level, nonaccumulating DNA damage. The same exposures produce minimal DNA damage but less vitamin D in brown-skinned people. This informs tailoring of sun-exposure policies. © 2016 The Authors. British Journal of Dermatology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Association of Dermatologists.

  3. (−)-Epicatechin Prevents Blood Pressure Increase and Reduces Locomotor Hyperactivity in Young Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

    PubMed Central

    Berenyiova, A.; Drobna, M.; Lukac, S.

    2016-01-01

    This study investigated the effects of subchronic (−)-epicatechin (Epi) treatment on locomotor activity and hypertension development in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Epi was administered in drinking water (100 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. Epi significantly prevented the development of hypertension (138 ± 2 versus 169 ± 5 mmHg, p < 0.001) and reduced total distance traveled in the open-field test (22 ± 2 versus 35 ± 4 m, p < 0.01). In blood, Epi significantly enhanced erythrocyte deformability, increased total antioxidant capacity, and decreased nitrotyrosine concentration. In the aorta, Epi significantly increased nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) activity and elevated the NO-dependent vasorelaxation. In the left heart ventricle, Epi increased NOS activity without altering gene expressions of nNOS, iNOS, and eNOS. Moreover, Epi reduced superoxide production in the left heart ventricle and the aorta. In the brain, Epi increased nNOS gene expression (in the brainstem and cerebellum) and eNOS expression (in the cerebellum) but had no effect on overall NOS activity. In conclusion, Epi prevented the development of hypertension and reduced locomotor hyperactivity in young SHR. These effects resulted from improved cardiovascular NO bioavailability concurrently with increased erythrocyte deformability, without changes in NO production in the brain. PMID:27885334

  4. Development of an acceptable factor to estimate chronic end points from acute toxicity data

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Venman, B.C.; Flaga, C.

    1985-12-01

    Acceptable daily intake (ADI) values are routinely developed for threshold toxicants from NOAELs determined from human or animal chronic or subchronic data. These NOAELs are then divided by appropriate uncertainty factors ranging from 10 to 1000 depending on the quality of the data. However, for the vast majority of chemicals used industrially, adequate toxicity data needed to use this process are not available. Thus, a procedure to estimate a chronic toxicity endpoint from acute toxicity data, such as an oral rat LD50, becomes necessary. An acute-to-chronic application factor of 0.0001 was developed, which when multiplied by an oral LD50 formore » an individual chemical, yields a surrogate chronic NOAEL. This figure can then be used to estimate an acceptable daily exposure for humans. The process used to estimate this application factor is detailed.« less

  5. Effects of subchronic extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure on biochemical parameters in rats.

    PubMed

    Luo, Xue; Ma, Lingjuan; Gao, Peng; Zhang, Yanwen

    2017-04-01

    The objective of the present study was to systematically determine the effects of 50 Hertz (Hz) magnetic fields (MFs) on biochemical parameters in rats. Sixty-four adult (5 weeks old, 140-165 g) male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham, 20 µTesla (µT), 100 µT, and 500 µT 50 Hz MF ( n = 16 in each group). The rats in the MF groups were exposed for 2 h daily for up to 4 weeks. Under these experimental conditions, body weight, organ coefficients, biochemical parameters (blood lipids, myocardial enzymes, liver function, and renal function) were measured. We found that 50 Hz MFs had no significant effects on growth or on the majority of blood biochemical parameters, with the exception of creatinine and cholesterol. However, the changes in creatinine and cholesterol were relatively small and unlikely to be clinically relevant.

  6. Apoptosis of rat renal cells by organophosphate pesticide, quinalphos: Ultrastructural study.

    PubMed

    Eid, Refaat A

    2017-01-01

    Quinalphos or Ekalux, an organophosphate pesticide, is used in controlling the pests of a variety of crops. Quinalphos was studied on male Sprague-Dawley albino rats. The acute po LD50 of technical Ekalux was 19.95 mg/kg in males. Ekalux, produced several pathological changes in the kidney. A glomerulus demonstrated capillary lumina occluded by degenerated cellular debris. Basement membrane showed irregular wrinkling and branching. The proximal tubular cells showed damage such as dilation of endoplasmic reticulum, accumulation of glycogen granules, and pyknotic nucleus. The changes also included swelling of the mitochondria and reduction of the cristae up to total destruction. The distal tubular changes included electron lucency and vacuolation of cytoplasm. The distal convoluted tubule wall showed edematous epithelial cells, formation of blebs, and microvilli loss. These results suggest that subchronic exposure of rats to Ekalux causes ultrastructural changes in renal corpuscle and marked ultrastructural changes in proximal and distal tubules.

  7. Predictors of pulmonary toxicity in limited stage small cell lung cancer patients treated with induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and 70 Gy daily radiotherapy: CALGB 30904.

    PubMed

    Salama, Joseph K; Pang, Herbert; Bogart, Jeffrey A; Blackstock, A William; Urbanic, James J; Hogson, Lydia; Crawford, Jeffrey; Vokes, Everett E

    2013-12-01

    Standard therapy for limited stage small cell lung cancer (L-SCLC) is concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed by prophylactic cranial radiotherapy. Predictors of post chemoradiotherapy pulmonary toxicity in limited stage (LS) small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients are not well defined. Current guidelines are derived from non-small cell lung cancer regimens, and do not account for the unique biology of this disease. Therefore, we analyzed patients on three consecutive CALGB LS-SCLC trials treated with concurrent chemotherapy and daily high dose radiotherapy (70 Gy) to determine patient and treatment related factors predicting for post-treatment pulmonary toxicity. Patients treated on CALGB protocols 39808, 30002, 30206 investigating two cycles of chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemotherapy and 70 Gy daily thoracic radiation therapy were pooled. Patient, tumor, and treatment related factors were evaluated to determine predictors of grade 3–5 pulmonary toxicities after concurrent chemoradiotherapy. 100 patients were included. No patient experienced grade 4–5 post-treatment pulmonary toxicity. Patients who experienced post-treatment pulmonary toxicity were more likely to be older (median age 69 vs 60, p = 0.09) and have smaller total lung volumes (2565 cc vs 3530 cc, p = 0.05).). Furthermore,exposure of larger volumes of lung to lower (median V5 = 70%, p = 0.09, median V10 = 63%, p = 0.07), inter-mediate (median V20 = 50, p = 0.04) and high (median V60 = 25%, p = 0.01) doses of radiation were all associated with post-treatment grade 3 pulmonary toxicity, as was a larger mean lung radiation dose(median 31 Gy) p = 0.019. Post-treatment pulmonary toxicity following the completion of 2 cycles of chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemotherapy and high dose daily radiation therapy was uncommon. Care should be taken to minimize mean lung radiation exposure, as well as volumes of low, intermediate and high doses of radiation.

  8. Reproduction and subchronic feeding study of carnauba wax in rats.

    PubMed

    Parent, R A; Re, T A; Babish, J G; Cox, G E; Voss, K A; Becci, P J

    1983-02-01

    The reproductive performance of Wistar rats fed carnauba wax at levels of 0.1, 0.3 or 1% in the diet and the effects of subchronic administration of carnauba wax at these dose levels on the resultant progeny were studied. Reproductive indices, body-weight gain, food consumption, haematological and clinical chemical data, ophthalmic, gross and histopathological examinations were used to study the possible toxic or pathological effects. Serum free fatty acid levels were found to be decreased in male and female rats fed carnauba wax at dietary levels of 0.3 and 1.0%. No other effects of feeding carnauba wax at levels up to 1.0% of the diet were observed.

  9. Neurotoxicity induced by arsenic in Gallus Gallus: Regulation of oxidative stress and heat shock protein response.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Panpan; Guo, Ying; Zhang, Wen; Chai, Hongliang; Xing, Houjuan; Xing, Mingwei

    2017-01-01

    Arsenic, a naturally occurring heavy metal pollutant, is one of the functioning risk factors for neurological toxicity in humans. However, little is known about the effects of arsenic on the nervous system of Gallus Gallus. To investigate whether arsenic induce neurotoxicity and influence the oxidative stress and heat shock proteins (Hsps) response in chickens, seventy-two 1-day-old male Hy-line chickens were treated with different doses of arsenic trioxide (As 2 O 3 ). The histological changes, antioxidant enzyme activity, and the expressions of Hsps were detected. Results showed slightly histology changes were obvious in the brain tissues exposure to arsenic. The activities of Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) were decreased compared to the control, whereas the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was increased gradually along with increase in diet-arsenic. The mRNA levels of Hsps and protein expressions of Hsp60 and Hsp70 were up-regulated. These results suggested that sub-chronic exposure to arsenic induced neurotoxicity in chickens. Arsenic exposure disturbed the balance of oxidants and antioxidants. Increased heat shock response tried to protect chicken brain tissues from tissues damage caused by oxidative stress. The mechanisms of neurotoxicity induced by arsenic include oxidative stress and heat shock protein response in chicken brain tissues. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Early histological and functional effects of chronic copper exposure in rat liver.

    PubMed

    Cisternas, Felipe A; Tapia, Gladys; Arredondo, Miguel; Cartier-Ugarte, Denise; Romanque, Pamela; Sierralta, Walter D; Vial, María T; Videla, Luis A; Araya, Magdalena

    2005-10-01

    Cu is an essential trace element capable of producing toxic effects in animals and man when ingested acutely or chronically in excess. Although chronic Cu exposure is increasingly recognized as a public health issue, its early effects remain largely unknown. We approached the significance of a moderate chronic Cu load in young rats to correlate early hepatic histopathological changes with functional alterations of liver cells. For this purpose, supplementation with 1,200 ppm of Cu in rat food for 16 weeks was chosen. In these conditions, Cu load elicited a significant decrease in growth curves. There were mild light microscopy alterations in Cu-treated rats, although increasing intracellular Cu storage was correlated with longer Cu exposure both by histological and biochemical measurements. Ultrastructural alterations included lysosomal inclusions as well as mitochondrial and nuclear changes. Liver perfusion studies revealed higher rates of basal O(2) consumption and colloidal carbon-induced O(2) uptake in Cu-treated rats, with enhanced carbon-induced O(2)/carbon uptake ratios and NF-kappaB DNA binding activity. These changes were time-dependent and returned to control values after 12 or 16 weeks. It is concluded that subchronic Cu loading in young rats induces early hepatic morphological changes, with enhancement in Küpffer cell-dependent respiratory burst activity and NF-kappaB DNA binding, cellular responses that may prevent or alleviate the hepatotoxicity of the metal.

  11. Neuro-inflammatory response in rats chronically exposed to (137)Cesium.

    PubMed

    Lestaevel, Philippe; Grandcolas, Line; Paquet, François; Voisin, Philippe; Aigueperse, Jocelyne; Gourmelon, Patrick

    2008-03-01

    After the Chernobyl nuclear accident, behavioural disorders and central nervous system diseases were frequently observed in populations living in the areas contaminated by (137)Cs. Until now, these neurological disturbances were not elucidated, but the presence of a neuro-inflammatory response could be one explanation. Rats were exposed for 3 months to drinking water contaminated with (137)Cs at a dose of 400Bqkg(-1), which is similar to that ingested by the population living in contaminated areas in the former USSR countries. Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes were assessed by real-time PCR in the frontal cortex and the hippocampus. At this level of exposure, gene expression of TNF-alpha and IL-6 increased in the hippocampus and gene expression of IL-10 increased in the frontal cortex. Concentration of TNF-alpha, measured by ELISA assays, was also increased in the hippocampus. The central NO-ergic pathway was also studied: iNOS gene expression and cNOS activity were significantly increased in the hippocampus. In conclusion, this study showed for the first time that sub-chronic exposure with post-accidental doses of (137)Cs leads to molecular modifications of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and NO-ergic pathway in the brain. This neuro-inflammatory response could contribute to the electrophysiological and biochemical alterations observed after chronic exposure to (137)Cs.

  12. Derivation of an oral reference dose (RfD) for the plasticizer, di-(2-propylheptyl)phthalate (Palatinol® 10-P).

    PubMed

    Bhat, Virunya S; Durham, Jennifer L; English, J Caroline

    2014-10-01

    Di-(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (DPHP) is a high molecular weight polyvinyl chloride plasticizer. Since increasing production volume and broad utility may result in human exposure, an oral reference dose (RfD) was derived from laboratory animal data due to the lack of human data. In addition to liver and kidney, target organs were the thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands in rats, recognizing that reproductive performance was not altered in two successive generations of DPHP-exposed rats. DPHP caused a reduction in pup and maternal body weights but not developmental or testicular effects typical of "phthalate syndrome." DPHP was not genotoxic. Due to the lack of carcinogenicity data, there is inadequate information to assess carcinogenic potential. The RfD of 0.1mg/kg-day was derived from the human equivalent BMDL10 of 10mg/kg-day for thyroid hypertrophy/hyperplasia in male F1 adults from the two-generation study. While in utero exposure did not alter sensitivity to thyroid lesions compared to subchronic exposures beginning at 6weeks of age, F1 adult males were the longest-term exposed population. The total uncertainty factor of 100x was comprised of intraspecies (10x), study duration (3x), and database (3x) factors but not an interspecies factor since rodents are more sensitive than humans to thyroid gland effects. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Exposure to the cytokine EGF leads to abnormal hyperactivity of pallidal GABA neurons: implications for schizophrenia and its modeling.

    PubMed

    Sotoyama, Hidekazu; Namba, Hisaaki; Chiken, Satomi; Nambu, Atsushi; Nawa, Hiroyuki

    2013-08-01

    Previous studies on a cytokine model for schizophrenia reveal that the hyperdopaminergic innervation and neurotransmission in the globus pallidus (GP) is involved in its behavioral impairments. Here, we further explored the physiological consequences of the GP abnormality in the indirect pathway, using the same schizophrenia model established by perinatal exposure to epidermal growth factor (EGF). Single-unit recordings revealed that the neural activity from the lateral GP was elevated in EGF-treated rats in vivo and in vitro (i.e., slice preparations), whereas the central area of the GP exhibited no significant differences. The increase in the pallidal activity was normalized by subchronic treatment with risperidone, which is known to ameliorate their behavioral deficits. We also monitored extracellular GABA concentrations in the substantia nigra, one of the targets of pallidal efferents. There was a significant increase in basal GABA levels in EGF-treated rats, whereas high potassium-evoked GABA effluxes and glutamate levels were not affected. A neurotoxic lesion in the GP of EGF-treated rats normalized GABA concentrations to control levels. Corroborating our in vivo results, GABA release from GP slices was elevated in EGF-treated animals. These findings suggest that the hyperactivity and enhanced GABA release of GP neurons represent the key pathophysiological features of this cytokine-exposure model for schizophrenia. © 2013 International Society for Neurochemistry.

  14. THE USE OF AIR QUALITY FORECASTS TO ASSESS IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON CROPS: METHODOLOGY AND CASE STUDY

    EPA Science Inventory

    It has been reported that ambient ozone (O3), either alone or in concurrence with acid rain precursors, accounts for up to 90% of U.S. crop losses resulting from exposure to all major air pollutants. Crop damage due to O3 exposure is of particular concern as...

  15. Subchronic toxicity study of corn silk with rats.

    PubMed

    Wang, Cuina; Zhang, Tiehua; Liu, Jun; Lu, Shuang; Zhang, Cheng; Wang, Erlei; Wang, Zuozhao; Zhang, Yan; Liu, Jingbo

    2011-09-01

    Corn silk is a traditional herbal medicine in China, which has been used in many parts of the world for the treatment of edema as well as for cystitis, gout, kidney stones, nephritis, prostatitis and similar ailments. However, there is little scientific evidence about its safety. As a part of its safety assessment, a subchronic toxicity was performed in this paper. The subchronic toxicity was investigated in male and female Wistar rats by dietary administration at concentrations of 0.5%, 2.0% and 8.0% (w/w) for 90 days. Overall health, body weight, food consumption, hematology, blood chemistry, organ weights, gross and microscopic appearance of tissues were compared between test and control groups. A number of significant differences were seen between groups, but none of them was considered to be adverse. Based on the present study, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of corn silk is at least 8.0% which corresponds to a mean daily corn silk intake of approximately 9.354 and 10.308 g/day/kg body weight for males and females, respectively. The results obtained in the present study suggest that consumption of corn silk has no adverse effects and support the safety of corn silk for humans. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Effects of sub-chronic oral cyanide on endothelial function in rabbit aortic rings.

    PubMed

    Ozolu, R I; Okolie, N P; Ebeigbe, A B; Karikari, N

    2007-02-01

    We have investigated how the endothelium affects vascular responses following sub-chronic low dose cyanide administration. Cyanide exists in low levels in cassava foods, which are widely consumed in tropical Africa. Adult rabbits were administered 0.38 mg/kg per day KCN po for 25 days, and responses of the isolated aortic rings to noradrenaline (NA), calcium chloride (Ca2+) and acetylcholine (ACh) were measured in vitro in the presence and absence of the endothelium. In order to establish that the dose was not toxic, animal weight, some haematological indices, plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured. Results show that endothelium denudation significantly (P <0.05) attenuates NA-induced contraction in rings from cyanide-treated rabbits. There was a similar reduction in response in Ca2+-depleted NA-precontracted endothelium-denuded aortic rings from cyanide-treated rabbits. Endothelium-denuded rings from cyanide-treated rabbits showed significantly (P <0.05) enhanced relaxation to ACh. In rings from control animals, the responses to NA and Ca2+ were not significantly altered, whether in the presence or absence of the endothelium. There were no significant changes in the studied toxicological indices. We conclude that endothelial compromise is necessary for low-dose sub-chronic cyanide-induced to alter vascular reactivity to NA and ACh.

  17. Acute and Subchronic Toxicity of Self Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SNEDDS) from Chloroform Bay Leaf Extract (Eugenia Polyantha W.) with Palm Kernel Oil as A Carrier

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Prihapsara, F.; Mufidah; Artanti, A. N.; Harini, M.

    2018-03-01

    The present study was aimed to study the acute and subchronic toxicity of Self Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SNEDDS) from chloroform bay leaf extract with Palm Kernel Oil as carrier. In acute toxicity test, five groups of rat (n=5/groups) were orally treated with Self Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SNEDDS) from chloroform bay leaf extract with doses at 48, 240, 1200 and 6000 mg/kg/day respectively, then the median lethal dose LD50, advers effect and mortality were recorded up to 14 days. Meanwhile, in subchronic toxicity study, 4 groups of rats (n=6/group) received by orally treatment of SNEDDS from chloroform bay leaf extract with doses at 91.75; 183.5; 367 mg/kg/day respectively for 28 days, and biochemical, hematological and histopatological change in tissue such as liver, kidney, and pancreatic were determined. The result show that LD50 is 1045.44 mg/kg. Although histopathological examination of most of the organs exhibited no structural changes, some moderate damage was observed in high‑ dose group animals (367 mg/kg/day). The high dose of SNEDDS extract has shown mild signs of toxicity on organ function test.

  18. Acute and sub-chronic toxicological evaluation of hydro-methanolic extract of Coriandrum sativum L. seeds

    PubMed Central

    Patel, Dipak; Desai, Swati; Devkar, Ranjitsinh; Ramachandran, A.V.

    2012-01-01

    Coriandrum sativum L. (CS) seeds are known to possess therapeutic potentials against a variety of physiological disorders. This study assesses acute and sub-chronic toxicity profile of hydro-methanolic extract of CS seeds using OECD guidelines. In acute toxicity study, mice were once orally administered 1000, 3000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight of CS extract. There were no any behavioral alterations or mortality recorded in CS treated groups. The LD50 value was more than 5000 mg/kg body weight. In the sub-chronic oral toxicity study, the animals were orally administered with CS extract (1000, 2000 and 3000mg/kg body weight) daily for 28 days whereas; vehicle control group received 0.5 % carboxy methyl cellulose. There was significant reduction in food intake, body weight gain and plasma lipid profiles of CS2 and CS3 (2000 and 3000 mg/kg body weight respectively) groups as compared to the control group. However, there were no alterations in haematological profile, relative organ weights, histology and plasma markers of damage of vital organs (heart, liver and kidney). The overall finding of this study indicates that CS extract is non-toxic up to 3000 mg/kg body weight and can be considered as safe for consumption. PMID:27847445

  19. Subchronic (13-week) oral toxicity study of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) oil in rats.

    PubMed

    Kawashima, Hiroshi; Toyoda-Ono, Yoshiko; Suwa, Yoshihide; Kiso, Yoshinobu

    2009-06-01

    Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) is one of the essential fatty acids, and has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. To assess the toxicity of a novel DGLA oil produced by the fungus Mortierella alpina, we examined it in the Ames test and in acute and subchronic oral toxicity tests in rats. In the Ames test, no mutagenicity was found up to 5000 microg/plate. The acute toxicity test revealed no toxicity related to DGLA oil at 10 g/kg. In the subchronic toxicity test, DGLA oil (500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg) was orally administered. Water and soybean oil (2000 mg/kg) were used for the no-oil control and soybean oil control groups, respectively. There was no death in either sex. Because of administration of large amounts of oil, food consumption was low in the soybean oil control and the three test groups, which appeared to mildly decrease urinary excretion of Na, K, and Cl, as well as total serum protein, albumin, and blood urea nitrogen levels. There were no toxicological changes in body weight, food consumption, ophthalmological examination, urinalysis, hematological examination, blood biochemical examination, necropsy, organ weight, or histopathological examination. These findings show that the no-observed-adverse-effect level of the DGLA oil was 2000 mg/kg.

  20. Safety evaluation of phytosterol esters. Part 8. Lack of genotoxicity and subchronic toxicity with phytosterol oxides.

    PubMed

    Lea, L J; Hepburn, P A; Wolfreys, A M; Baldrick, P

    2004-05-01

    Vegetable oil spreads containing phytosterol-esters are marketed as a cholesterol-lowering functional food in more than 20 countries worldwide. An extensive package of safety data has shown phytosterol-esters to be safe for human use. However, even though phytosterols are very stable molecules, oxidation may occur at low levels under extreme heating conditions, resulting in phytosterol oxides. As there is some suggestion of adverse biological effects in the literature for the related cholesterol oxidation products, safety data have been generated for phytosterol oxides. A phytosterol oxide concentrate (POC) was generated by prolonged heating of phytosterol-esters in the presence of oxygen. The genotoxicity and subchronic toxicity of this mixture was assessed in a series of in vitro genotoxicity assays (bacterial mutation, chromosome aberration and micronucleus) and a subchronic feeding study in the rat. Results showed that a phytosterol oxide concentrate containing approximately 30% phytosterol oxides did not possess genotoxic potential and no obvious evidence of toxicity when administered in the diet of the rat for 90 consecutive days. In the latter study, a NOEL was established at an estimated dietary level of phytosterol oxides of 128 mg/kg/day for males and 144 mg/kg/day for females. In conclusion, these materials have been shown to raise no obvious concerns for human safety.

  1. Acute and Subchronic Toxic Effects of the Fruits of Physalis peruviana L.

    PubMed

    Perk, Basak Ozlem; Ilgin, Sinem; Atli, Ozlem; Duymus, Hale Gamze; Sirmagul, Basar

    2013-01-01

    The fruit of Physalis peruviana L. (PPL) has been traditionally used as antispasmodic, diuretic, antiseptic, sedative, and analgesic all over the world. We aimed to perform qualitative content analysis of the fruits of PPL and to clarify the in vitro genotoxicity and in vivo acute and subchronic toxicity of the fruit. Lyophilized fruit juice does not induce genetic damage. In the acute toxicity studies, LD50 value of the fruit was found to be more than 5000 mg kg(-1) for both sexes. According to the subchronic toxicity studies, hepatic, renal, and hematological toxic effects were not induced in both sexes. Plasma troponin I (only in the group treated with 5000 mg kg(-1) of lyophilized fruit juice) and troponin T levels were significantly increased in male groups treated with lyophilized fruit juice compared to the control group. Furthermore, potassium level was significantly increased in the male group treated with 5000 mg kg(-1) of lyophilized fruit juice. These findings were considered to indicate the myocardial damage particularly in the male group treated with 5000 mg kg(-1) of lyophilized fruit juice. In conclusion, lyophilized fruit juice of PPL is shown to induce cardiac toxicity only at high doses and in male gender.

  2. Acute and Subchronic Toxic Effects of the Fruits of Physalis peruviana L.

    PubMed Central

    Perk, Basak Ozlem; Ilgin, Sinem; Atli, Ozlem; Duymus, Hale Gamze; Sirmagul, Basar

    2013-01-01

    The fruit of Physalis peruviana L. (PPL) has been traditionally used as antispasmodic, diuretic, antiseptic, sedative, and analgesic all over the world. We aimed to perform qualitative content analysis of the fruits of PPL and to clarify the in vitro genotoxicity and in vivo acute and subchronic toxicity of the fruit. Lyophilized fruit juice does not induce genetic damage. In the acute toxicity studies, LD50 value of the fruit was found to be more than 5000 mg kg−1 for both sexes. According to the subchronic toxicity studies, hepatic, renal, and hematological toxic effects were not induced in both sexes. Plasma troponin I (only in the group treated with 5000 mg kg−1 of lyophilized fruit juice) and troponin T levels were significantly increased in male groups treated with lyophilized fruit juice compared to the control group. Furthermore, potassium level was significantly increased in the male group treated with 5000 mg kg−1 of lyophilized fruit juice. These findings were considered to indicate the myocardial damage particularly in the male group treated with 5000 mg kg−1 of lyophilized fruit juice. In conclusion, lyophilized fruit juice of PPL is shown to induce cardiac toxicity only at high doses and in male gender. PMID:24369482

  3. Acute and subchronic toxicological evaluation of Mequindox in Wistar rats.

    PubMed

    Ihsan, Awais; Wang, Xu; Huang, Xian-ju; Liu, Yu; Liu, Qin; Zhou, Wen; Yuan, Zong-hui

    2010-01-01

    We studied an acute and subchronic oral toxicity of Mequindox (MEQ), a quinoxaline 1,4-dioxide antimicrobial promoter, in Wistar rats according to OECD guidelines. For acute toxicity study, single doses of MEQ at 175, 550 and 2000 mg/kg b.w. were administered to rats by oral gavage. The calculated LD(50) was 550 mg/kg b.w. In subchronic study, rats were fed diets containing 0, 55, 110 or 275 mg MEQ/kg. There was a reduction in body weight of rats fed 275 mg MEQ/kg diet. At 90 days autopsy, a significant decrease in the kidney weight was observed in males while an increase in relative liver and adrenal weights were observed in females fed 275 mg MEQ/kg diet. There was a significant increased in alanineaminotransferase (ALT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in males, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in females, and aspartateaminotransferase (AST) levels in serum of both genders fed 275 mg MEQ/kg diet. Other toxic effects of 275 mg MEQ/kg diet included significant decrease in sodium and significant increase in potassium concentrations in serum in both genders. We may conclude that MEQ can induce hepatic and adrenal histological changes as well as leaking of different serum constituents in Wistar rats. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Effect of subchronic administration of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) ethanolic extract to hematological parameters in rat

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bachri, M. S.; Yuliani, S.; Sari, A. K.

    2017-11-01

    Nutmeg is dried kernel of broadly ovoid seed of Myristica fragrans Houtt. It has been mentioned in ethnomedical literature as aphrodisiac, stomachic, carminative, tonic, and nervous stimulant. In order to establish the safety of nutmeg, the effect of the repeated administration of nutmeg is needed. The study was aimed to determine the toxic effect of subchronic administration of nutmeg ethanolic extract to hematological parameters in rat. A total of 28 male adult Wistar rats divided into 4 groups. Group I as control was given by 0.5% CMC-suspension, group II, III, and IV were given by 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg bw, respectively, of nutmeg ethanolic extract. The treatments were administered daily for 31 days. On day 31 bloods were taken from orbital sinus. The hematological parameter consisted of the numbers of erythrocyte and leukocyte as well as hemoglobin and total protein levels were measured. The data were statistically analyzed by one way Anova followed by LSD test. All of observed hematological parameters in rats showed that there were no significant difference between the nutmeg ethanolic extract treated groups and control group. The result indicated that the subchronic administration of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg bw of nutmeg ethanolic extract did not cause the change of hematological parameters in rat.

  5. Antioxidant and Toxicity Studies of 50% Methanolic Extract of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth

    PubMed Central

    Lim, Chung Pin; Fung Ang, Lee; Por, Lip Yee; Wong, Siew Tung; Asmawi, Mohd. Zaini

    2013-01-01

    The present study evaluated the antioxidant activity and potential toxicity of 50% methanolic extract of Orthosiphon stamineus (Lamiaceae) leaves (MEOS) after acute and subchronic administration in rats. Superoxide radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and ferrous ion chelating methods were used to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the extract. In acute toxicity study, single dose of MEOS, 5000 mg/kg, was administered to rats by oral gavage, and the treated rats were monitored for 14 days. While in the subchronic toxicity study, MEOS was administered orally, at doses of 1250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg/day for 28 days. From the results, MEOS showed good superoxide radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, ferrous ion chelating, and antilipid peroxidation activities. There was no mortality detected or any signs of toxicity in acute and subchronic toxicity studies. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in bodyweight, relative organ weight, and haematological and biochemical parameters between both male and female treated rats in any doses tested. No abnormality of internal organs was observed between treatment and control groups. The oral lethal dose determined was more than 5000 mg/kg and the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of MEOS for both male and female rats is considered to be 5000 mg/kg per day. PMID:24490155

  6. Acute, subacute and subchronic safety assessment of betalains rich Rivina humilis L. berry juice in rats.

    PubMed

    Khan, Mohammad Imtiyaj; Denny Joseph, K M; Muralidhara; Ramesh, H P; Giridhar, P; Ravishankar, G A

    2011-12-01

    Rivina humilis L. (Phytolaccaceae) accumulates vacuolar pigments betalains. These pigments are synthesized by plants of 11 families in the order caryophyllales. Red beet is the only industrial source of these hydrophilic and low acidic pigments. Betalains rich R. humilis berry juice (RBJ) could be used as alternative source of these pigments. However, there is no information on safety of these berries. In this research work, RBJ was fed to adult (single-dose: 1, 2 and 5 g RBJ/kg bw) and growing (repeated-dosing: 2.5 and 5 g RBJ/kg bw for 35 days; dietary feeding: 0.5%, 1% and 2% RBJ in diet, w/w for 90 days) male rats to assess acute, subacute and subchronic toxic responses. In all the three studies, RBJ was well tolerated plus the feed intake, body and organ weights of RBJ administered groups were comparable to that of untreated control rats. Data on hematology, histology of vital organs, biochemical measurements in serum and liver of RBJ treated rats were comparable to that of control in repeated-dosing and subchronic dietary study. These results suggest that intake of RBJ does not affect growth and normal biochemical homeostasis. Hence, RBJ is safe to consume without any adverse effects in the body. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Enhanced prefrontal serotonin 2A receptor signaling in the subchronic phencyclidine mouse model of schizophrenia.

    PubMed

    Santini, Martin A; Ratner, Cecilia; Aznar, Susana; Klein, Anders B; Knudsen, Gitte M; Mikkelsen, Jens D

    2013-05-01

    Prefrontal serotonin 2A receptors (5-HT2A Rs) have been linked to the pathogenesis and treatment of schizophrenia. Many antipsychotics fully occupy 5-HT2A R at clinical relevant doses, and activation of 5-HT2A receptors by lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and LSD-like drugs induces a schizophrenia-like psychosis in humans. Subchronic phencyclidine (PCP) administration is a well-established model for schizophrenia-like symptoms in rodents. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether subchronic PCP administration changes expression, binding, or functionality of cortical 5-HT2A Rs. As a measure of 5-HT2A R functionality, we used the 5-HT2A R agonist 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI)-induced head-twitch response (HTR) and mRNA expression of the immediate-early genes (IEGs) activity-related cytoskeletal associated-protein (Arc), c-fos, and early growth response protein 2 (egr-2) in the frontal cortex. Mice were treated with PCP (10 mg/kg) or saline for 10 days, followed by a 5-day washout period. The PCP pretreatment increased the overall induction of HTR and frontal cortex IEG mRNA expression following a single challenge with DOI. These functional changes were not associated with changes in 5-HT2A R binding. Also, binding of the 5-HT1A R and the 5-HT transporter was unaffected. Finally, basal mRNA level of Arc was increased in the prefrontal cortex after subchronic PCP administration as revealed with in situ hybridization. Together these findings indicate that PCP administration produces changes in the brain that result in an increase in the absolute effect of DOI. Therefore, neurotransmission involving the 5-HT2A R could contribute to the behavioral deficits observed after PCP treatment. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  8. Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Coriandrum sativum L. in Meriones shawi rats.

    PubMed

    Aissaoui, Abderrahmane; Zizi, Soumia; Israili, Zafar H; Lyoussi, Badiâa

    2011-09-01

    The use of an aqueous extract of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.; Apiaceae, Umbelliferae) seeds (CS-extract) in Moroccan traditional treatment of diabetes remains to be experimentally validated. The study aim was to investigate potential hypoglycemic (and hypolipidemic) activity of CS-extract after a single oral dose and after daily dosing for 30 days (sub-chronic study) in normal and obese-hyperglycemic-hyperlipidemic (OHH) Meriones shawi rats. After a single oral dose of CS-extract (20mg/kg; predetermined as optimum), plasma glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG) were measured in normal and OHH rats (hypercaloric diet and forced limited physical activity); glibenclamide (GLB; 2.5mg/kg) was used as reference. In the sub-chronic study, the effect of CS-extract and GLB (at the above doses) on body weight (BW), plasma glucose, insulin, TC, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, TG, urea and creatinine was determined in normal and OHH rats; insulin resistance (IR as HOMA-IR), atherosclerotic and cardioprotective indices were calculated. A single dose of CS-extract or GLB suppressed hyperglycemia in OHH rats, and normo-glycemia was achieved at 6-h post-dose; there was no effect on lipids, TG or insulin, but IR decreased significantly. The hypoglycemic effect was lower in normal rats. In the sub-chronic study in OHH rats, the test substances (CS-extract>GLB) reduced plasma glucose (normoglycemia on Day 21), insulin and IR, TC, LDL-cholesterol, and TG. Atherosclerotic index decreased while cardioprotective indices increased only by CS-extract, with no effect on BW, urea or creatinine. Sub-chronic administration of CS-extract in OHH Meriones shawi rats normalized glycemia and decreased the elevated levels of insulin, IR, TC, LDL-cholesterol and TG. Since, the CS-extract decreased several components of the metabolic syndrome and decreased atherosclerotic and increased cardioprotective indices, CS-extract may have cardiovascular protective effect. The present study validates the traditional use of coriander in diabetes. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. The top of the Olduvai subchron in a high-resolution magnetostratigraphy from the West Turkana core WTK13, Hominin Sites and Paleolakes Drilling Project (HSPDP)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sier, Mark; Langereis, Cor; Dupont-Nivet, Guillaume; Feibel, Craig; Jordeens, Jose; van der Lubbe, Jeroen; Beck, Catherine; Olago, Daniel; Cohen, Andrew

    2017-04-01

    One of the major challenges in understanding the evolution of our own species is identifying the role climate change has played in the evolution of earlier hominin species. To clarify the influence of climate, we need long and continuous high-resolution paleoclimate records, preferably obtained from hominin-bearing sediments, that are well-dated by tephro- and magnetostratigraphy and other methods. This is hindered, however, by the fact that fossil-bearing sediments are often discontinuous, and subject to weathering, which may lead to oxidation and remagnetization. To obtain fresh, unweathered sediments, the Hominin Sites and Paleolakes Drilling Project (HSPDP) collected a 216- meter core (WTK13) in 2013 from deposits of Early Pleistocene paleolake Lorenyang in the western Turkana Basin (Kenya). Here, we present the magnetostratigraphy of the core. Rock magnetic analyses reveal the presence of iron sulphides carrying the remanent magnetizations. To recover polarity orientation from the near-equatorial WTK13 core drilled at 5°N, we developed and successfully applied two independent drill-core reorientation methods taking advantage of (1) the sedimentary fabric as expressed in the Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) and (2) the occurrence of a viscous component oriented in the present day field. The reoriented directions reveal a normal to reversed polarity reversal identified as the top of the Olduvai subchron. From this excellent record, we find no evidence for the 'Vrica subchron' previously reported in the area. We suggest that outcrop-based interpretations supporting the presence of the Vrica subchron have been affected by the oxidation of iron sulphides initially present in the sediments as evident in the core record, and by subsequent remagnetization. Based on our new high-resolution magnetostratigraphy and stratigraphic markers, we provide constraints for an initial age model of the WTK13 core. We discuss the implications of the observed geomagnetic record for human evolution studies.

  10. Stimulation of the metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) 2 receptor attenuates the MK-801-induced increase in the immobility time in the forced swimming test in rats.

    PubMed

    Kawaura, Kazuaki; Karasawa, Jun-Ichi; Hikichi, Hirohiko

    2016-02-01

    Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are poorly managed using the currently available antipsychotics. Previous studies indicate that agonists of the metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) 2/3 receptors may provide a novel approach for the treatment of schizophrenia. However, the effects of mGlu2/3 receptor agonists or mGlu2 receptor positive allosteric modulators have not yet been clearly elucidated in animal models of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Recently, we reported that the forced swimming test in rats treated with subchronic MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist, may be regarded as a useful test to evaluate the activities of drugs against the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. We evaluated the effects of LY379268, an mGlu2/3 receptor agonist, and BINA, an mGlu2 receptor positive allosteric modulator, on the hyperlocomotion induced by acute administration of MK-801 (0.15mg/kg, sc) and on the increase in the immobility time in the forced swimming test induced by subchronic treatment with MK-801 (0.5mg/kg, sc, twice a day for 7 days) in rats. Both LY379268 (3mg/kg, sc) and BINA (100mg/kg, ip) attenuated the increase in the immobility time induced by subchronic treatment with MK-801 at the same doses at which they attenuated the MK-801-induced increase in locomotor activity, but had no effect on the immobility time in saline-treated rats. The present results suggest that stimulation of the mGlu2 receptor attenuates the increase in the immobility time in the forced swimming test elicited by subchronic administration of MK-801, and may be potentially useful for treatment of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Copyright © 2015 Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.

  11. Effects of 7-day repeated treatment with the 5-HT2A inverse agonist/antagonist pimavanserin on methamphetamine vs. food choice in male rhesus monkeys.

    PubMed

    Banks, Matthew L

    2016-08-01

    Preclinical drug vs. food choice is an emerging group of drug self-administration procedures that have shown predictive validity to clinical drug addiction. Emerging data suggest that serotonin (5-HT)2A receptors modulate mesolimbic dopamine function, such that 5-HT2A antagonists blunt the abuse-related neurochemical effects of monoamine transporter substrates, such as amphetamine or methamphetamine. Whether subchronic 5-HT2A antagonist treatment attenuates methamphetamine reinforcement in any preclinical drug self-administration procedure is unknown. The study aim was therefore to determine 7-day treatment effects with the 5-HT2A inverse agonist/antagonist pimavanserin on methamphetamine vs. food choice in monkeys. Behavior was maintained under a concurrent schedule of food delivery (1g pellets, fixed-ratio 100 schedule) and intravenous methamphetamine injections (0-0.32 mg/kg/injection, fixed-ratio 10 schedule) in male rhesus monkeys (n=3). Methamphetamine choice dose-effect functions were determined daily before and during 7-day repeated pimavanserin (1.0-10mg/kg/day, intramuscular) treatment periods. Under control conditions, increasing methamphetamine doses resulted in a corresponding increase in methamphetamine vs. food choice. Repeated pimavanserin administration failed to attenuate methamphetamine choice and produce a reciprocal increase in food choice in any monkey up to doses (3.2-10mg/kg) that suppressed rates of operant responding primarily during components where behavior was maintained by food pellets. Repeated 5-HT2A receptor inverse agonist/antagonist treatment did not attenuate methamphetamine reinforcement under a concurrent schedule of intravenous methamphetamine and food presentation in nonhuman primates. Overall, these results do not support the therapeutic potential of 5-HT2A inverse agonists/antagonists as candidate medications for methamphetamine addiction. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.

  12. Postnatal iron-induced motor behaviour alterations following chronic neuroleptic administration in mice.

    PubMed

    Fredriksson, A; Eriksson, P; Archer, T

    2006-02-01

    C57/BL6 mice were administered either 7.5 mg Fe(2+)/kg or vehicle (saline) postnatally on days 10-12 after birth. From 61 days of age onwards for 21 days, groups of mice were administered either clozapine (1 or 5 mg/kg, s.c.) or haloperidol (1 mg/kg, s.c.) or vehicle (Tween-80). Twenty-four hours after the final injection of either neuroleptic compound or vehicle, spontaneous motor activity was measured over a 60-min interval. Following this, each animal was removed, injected apomorphine (1 mg/kg, s.c.) and replaced in the same test chamber. It was found that postnatal administration of Fe(2+) at the 7.5 mg/kg dose level reduced activity during the initial 20-min periods (0-20 and 20-40 min) and then induced hyperactivity during the final 20-min period over all three parameters of activity. Subchronic treatment with the higher, 5 mg/kg, dose of clozapine abolished or attenuated the hypoactivity in by postnatal Fe(2+) during the 1(st) two 20-min periods over all three parameters of activity. Subchronic treatment with the higher, 5 mg/kg, dose of clozapine abolished or attenuated the hyperactivity in by postnatal Fe(2+) during the 3(rd) and final 20-min period. Subchronic administration of haloperidol, without postnatal iron, increased the level of both locomotion (1(st) 20 min) and rearing (2(nd) 20 min) activity. Postnatal administration of Fe(2+) at the 7.5 mg/kg dose increased the levels of both locomotion and rearing, but not total activity, following administration of apomorphine (1 mg/kg). Subchronic administration of clozapine, at both the 1 and 5 mg/kg doses, reduced the increased locomotor activity caused by postnatal Fe(2+), whereas clozapine, 5 mg/kg, elevated further the postnatal Fe(2+)-induced increased in rearing. Subchronic administration of clozapine, at both the 1 and 5 mg/kg doses, and haloperidol, 1 mg/kg, increased the level of locomotor following administration of apomorphine (1 mg/kg) in mice treated postnatally with vehicle, whereas only clozapine increased the level of rearing. Correlational analyses indicated that both apomorphine-induced locomotion and rearing were highly correlated with the total iron content in the basal ganglia, thereby offering direct evidence of the linear relationship between iron content in the basal ganglia and the behavioural expression of DA D(2)-receptor supersensitivity in mice.

  13. Biological and statistical approaches to predicting human lung cancer risk from silica.

    PubMed

    Kuempel, E D; Tran, C L; Bailer, A J; Porter, D W; Hubbs, A F; Castranova, V

    2001-01-01

    Chronic inflammation is a key step in the pathogenesis of particle-elicited fibrosis and lung cancer in rats, and possibly in humans. In this study, we compute the excess risk estimates for lung cancer in humans with occupational exposure to crystalline silica, using both rat and human data, and using both a threshold approach and linear models. From a toxicokinetic/dynamic model fit to lung burden and pulmonary response data from a subchronic inhalation study in rats, we estimated the minimum critical quartz lung burden (Mcrit) associated with reduced pulmonary clearance and increased neutrophilic inflammation. A chronic study in rats was also used to predict the human excess risk of lung cancer at various quartz burdens, including mean Mcrit (0.39 mg/g lung). We used a human kinetic lung model to link the equivalent lung burdens to external exposures in humans. We then computed the excess risk of lung cancer at these external exposures, using data of workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica and using Poisson regression and lifetable analyses. Finally, we compared the lung cancer excess risks estimated from male rat and human data. We found that the rat-based linear model estimates were approximately three times higher than those based on human data (e.g., 2.8% in rats vs. 0.9-1% in humans, at mean Mcrit lung burden or associated mean working lifetime exposure of 0.036 mg/m3). Accounting for variability and uncertainty resulted in 100-1000 times lower estimates of human critical lung burden and airborne exposure. This study illustrates that assumptions about the relevant biological mechanism, animal model, and statistical approach can all influence the magnitude of lung cancer risk estimates in humans exposed to crystalline silica.

  14. Neurotoxicogenomic investigations to assess mechanisms of action of the munitions constituents RDX and 2,6-DNT in Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus).

    PubMed

    Gust, Kurt A; Pirooznia, Mehdi; Quinn, Michael J; Johnson, Mark S; Escalon, Lynn; Indest, Karl J; Guan, Xin; Clarke, Joan; Deng, Youping; Gong, Ping; Perkins, Edward J

    2009-07-01

    Munitions constituents (MCs) including hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), and TNT derivatives are recognized to elicit aberrant neuromuscular responses in many species. The onset of seizures resulting in death was observed in the avian model Northern bobwhite after oral dosing with RDX beginning at 8 mg/kg/day in subacute (14 days) exposures, whereas affective doses of the TNT derivative, 2,6-dinitrotoluene (2,6-DNT), caused gastrointestinal impacts, lethargy, and emaciation in subacute and subchronic (60 days) exposures. To assess and contrast the potential neurotoxicogenomic effects of these MCs, a Northern bobwhite microarray was developed consisting of 4119 complementary DNA (cDNA) features enriched for differentially-expressed brain transcripts from exposures to RDX and 2,6-DNT. RDX affected hundreds of genes in brain tissue, whereas 2,6-DNT affected few (

  15. Aluminum Exposure at Human Dietary Levels for 60 Days Reaches a Threshold Sufficient to Promote Memory Impairment in Rats.

    PubMed

    Martinez, Caroline S; Alterman, Caroline D C; Peçanha, Franck M; Vassallo, Dalton V; Mello-Carpes, Pâmela B; Miguel, Marta; Wiggers, Giulia A

    2017-01-01

    Aluminum (Al) is a significant environmental contaminant. While a good deal of research has been conducted on the acute neurotoxic effects of Al, little is known about the effects of longer-term exposure at human dietary Al levels. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 60-day Al exposure at low doses for comparison with a model of exposure known to produce neurotoxicity in rats. Three-month-old male Wistar rats were divided into two major groups: (1) low aluminum levels, and (2) a high aluminum level. Group 1 rats were treated orally by drinking water for 60 days as follows: (a) control-received ultrapure drinking water; (b) aluminum at 1.5 mg/kg b.w., and (c) aluminum at 8.3 mg/kg b.w. Group 2 rats were treated through oral gavages for 42 days as follows: (a) control-received ultrapure water; (b) aluminum at 100 mg/kg b.w. We analyzed cognitive parameters, biomarkers of oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Al treatment even at low doses promoted recognition memory impairment seen in object recognition memory testing. Moreover, Al increased hippocampal reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation, reduced antioxidant capacity, and decreased AChE activity. Our data demonstrate that 60-day subchronic exposure to low doses of Al from feed and added to the water, which reflect human dietary Al intake, reaches a threshold sufficient to promote memory impairment and neurotoxicity. The elevation of oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction highlight pathways of toxic actions for this metal.

  16. Effects of subchronic inhalation exposure of rats to emissions from a diesel engine burning soybean oil-derived biodiesel fuel.

    PubMed

    Finch, G L; Hobbs, C H; Blair, L F; Barr, E B; Hahn, F F; Jaramillo, R J; Kubatko, J E; March, T H; White, R K; Krone, J R; Ménache, M G; Nikula, K J; Mauderly, J L; Van Gerpen, J; Merceica, M D; Zielinska, B; Stankowski, L; Burling, K; Howell, S

    2002-10-01

    There is increasing interest in diesel fuels derived from plant oils or animal fats ("biodiesel"), but little information on the toxicity of biodiesel emissions other than bacterial mutagenicity. F344 rats were exposed by inhalation 6 h/day, 5 days/wk for 13 wk to 1 of 3 dilutions of emissions from a diesel engine burning 100% soybean oil-derived fuel, or to clean air as controls. Whole emissions were diluted to nominal NO(x) concentrations of 5, 25, or 50 ppm, corresponding to approximately 0.04, 0.2, and 0.5 mg particles/m(3), respectively. Biologically significant, exposure-related effects were limited to the lung, were greater in females than in males, and were observed primarily at the highest exposure level. There was a dose-related increase in the numbers of alveolar macrophages and the numbers of particles in the macrophages, as expected from repeated exposure, but no neutrophil response even at the highest exposure level. The macrophage response was reduced 28 days after cessation of the exposure. Among the high-level females, the group mean lung weight/body weight ratio was increased, and minimal, multifocal bronchiolar metaplasia of alveolar ducts was observed in 4 of 30 rats. Lung weights were not significantly increased, and metaplasia of the alveolar ducts was not observed in males. An increase in particle-laden macrophages was the only exposure-related finding in lungs at the intermediate and low levels, with fewer macrophages and fewer particles per macrophage at the low level. Alveolar histiocytosis was observed in a few rats in both exposed and control groups. There were statistically significant, but minor and not consistently exposure-related, differences in body weight, nonpulmonary organ weights, serum chemistry, and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the brain. There were no significant exposure-related effects on survival, clinical signs, feed consumption, ocular toxicity, hematology, neurohistology, micronuclei in bone marrow, sister chromatid exchanges in peripheral blood lymphocytes, fertility, reproductive toxicity, or teratology. This study demonstrated modest adverse effects at the highest exposure level, and none other than the expected physiological macrophage response to repeated particle exposure at the intermediate level.

  17. Hurricane-Related Exposure Experiences and Stressors, Other Life Events, and Social Support: Concurrent and Prospective Impact on Children's Persistent Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    La Greca, Annette M.; Silverman, Wendy K.; Lai, Betty; Jaccard, James

    2010-01-01

    Objective: We investigated the influence of hurricane exposure, stressors occurring during the hurricane and recovery period, and social support on children's persistent posttraumatic stress (PTS). Method: Using a 2-wave, prospective design, we assessed 384 children (54% girls; mean age = 8.74 years) 9 months posthurricane, and we reassessed 245…

  18. How Subchronic and Chronic Health Effects can be Neglected for GMOs, Pesticides or Chemicals

    PubMed Central

    Séralini, Gilles-Eric; de Vendômois, Joël Spiroux; Cellier, Dominique; Sultan, Charles; Buiatti, Marcello; Gallagher, Lou; Antoniou, Michael; Dronamraju, Krishna R.

    2009-01-01

    Chronic health effects are increasing in the world such as cancers, hormonal, reproductive, nervous, or immune diseases, even in young people. During regulatory toxicological subchronic tests to prevent these on mammalian health, prior commercialization of chemicals, including pesticides and drugs, or GMOs, some statistically significant findings may be revealed. This discussion is about the need to investigate the relevant criteria to consider those as biologically significant. The sex differences and the non linear dose or time related effects should be considered in contrast to the claims of a Monsanto-supported expert panel about a GMO, the MON 863 Bt maize, but also for pesticides or drugs, in particular to reveal hormone-dependent diseases and first signs of toxicities. PMID:19584953

  19. How subchronic and chronic health effects can be neglected for GMOs, pesticides or chemicals.

    PubMed

    Séralini, Gilles-Eric; de Vendômois, Joël Spiroux; Cellier, Dominique; Sultan, Charles; Buiatti, Marcello; Gallagher, Lou; Antoniou, Michael; Dronamraju, Krishna R

    2009-06-17

    Chronic health effects are increasing in the world such as cancers, hormonal, reproductive, nervous, or immune diseases, even in young people. During regulatory toxicological subchronic tests to prevent these on mammalian health, prior commercialization of chemicals, including pesticides and drugs, or GMOs, some statistically significant findings may be revealed. This discussion is about the need to investigate the relevant criteria to consider those as biologically significant. The sex differences and the non linear dose or time related effects should be considered in contrast to the claims of a Monsanto-supported expert panel about a GMO, the MON 863 Bt maize, but also for pesticides or drugs, in particular to reveal hormone-dependent diseases and first signs of toxicities.

  20. Determination of the Chronic Mammalian Toxicological Effects of TNT. Twenty-Six Week Subchronic Oral Toxicity Study of Trinitrotoluene (TNT) in the Beagle Dog.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-06-01

    41 +1 +1 .9 +9 +1 41 -4 o o 1.- I - - Cl C 103 .1 . 5 11 . +1 +1 +1 +1 -nIn 0 In (D 02 0 . 1 + 5 +1 +1 +1 +9 1 +1 +1 0 W 0 *Z to~ 1w 0 0 W I.-I .j I U...SPERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBERTwenty-Six Week Subchronic Oral Toxicity Study of 11 StdyNor Trinitrotoluene (TNT) in The Beagle On IL11 COSATRGAtd NoM. 5 ...in the present studya7 Unclassified TV - CL ASSI FIAINO THIS P AGC(Ht.M Dat Eteed Contract No., DAND17-79-C-9120 IITRI Project No. L6116 Study No. 5

  1. Groundwater contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon due to diesel spill from a telecom base station in a Nigerian City: assessment of human health risk exposure.

    PubMed

    Ugochukwu, Uzochukwu Cornelius; Ochonogor, Alfred

    2018-03-26

    Diesel pollution of groundwater poses great threat to public health, mainly as a result of the constituent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this study, the human health risk exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in diesel contaminated groundwater used by several families at Ring Road, Jos, Nigeria (as caused by diesel spill from a telecom base station) was assessed. Prior to the groundwater being treated, the residents were using the water after scooping off the visible diesel sheen for purposes of cooking, washing, and bathing. Until this study, it is not clear whether the groundwater contamination had resulted in sub-chronic exposure of the residents using the water to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to the extent of the PAHs posing a health risk. The diesel contaminated groundwater and uncontaminated nearby groundwater (control) were collected and analyzed for PAHs using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The dosage of the dermal and oral ingestion entry routes of PAHs was determined. The estimation of the non-carcinogenic health risk was via hazard quotients (HQ) and the associated hazard index (HI), while the estimation of the carcinogenic health risk was via lifetime cancer risks (LCR) and the associated risk index (RI). Obtained results indicate that the exposure of the residents to the PAHs may have made them susceptible to the risk of non-carcinogenic health effects of benzo(a)pyrene and the carcinogenic health effects of benzo(a)anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene.

  2. Immunohistochemical Approach to Study Cylindrospermopsin Distribution in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under Different Exposure Conditions

    PubMed Central

    Guzmán-Guillén, Remedios; Gutiérrez-Praena, Daniel; Risalde, María de los Ángeles; Moyano, Rosario; Prieto, Ana Isabel; Pichardo, Silvia; Jos, Ángeles; Vasconcelos, Vitor; Cameán, Ana María

    2014-01-01

    Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a cytotoxic cyanotoxin produced by several species of freshwater cyanobacteria (i.e., Aphanizomenon ovalisporum). CYN is a tricyclic alkaloid combined with a guanidine moiety. It is well known that CYN inhibits both protein and glutathione synthesis, and also induces genotoxicity and the alteration of different oxidative stress biomarkers. Although the liver and kidney appear to be the main target organs for this toxin based on previous studies, CYN also affects other organs. In the present study, we studied the distribution of CYN in fish (Oreochromis niloticus) under two different exposure scenarios using immunohistochemical (IHC) techniques. In the first method, fish were exposed acutely by intraperitoneal injection or by gavage to 200 µg pure CYN/Kg body weight (bw), and euthanized after 24 h or five days of exposure. In the second method, fish were exposed by immersion to lyophilized A. ovalisporum CYN-producing cells using two concentration levels (10 or 100 µg/L) for two different exposure times (7 or 14 days). The IHC was carried out in liver, kidney, intestine, and gills of fish. Results demonstrated a similar pattern of CYN distribution in both experimental methods. The organ that presented the most immunopositive results was the liver, followed by the kidney, intestine, and gills. Moreover, the immunolabeling signal intensified with increasing time in both assays, confirming the delayed toxicity of CYN, and also with the increment of the dose, as it is shown in the sub-chronic assay. Thus, IHC is shown to be a valuable technique to study CYN distribution in these organisms. PMID:24406981

  3. Sex-Specific Effects of Combined Exposure to Chemical and Non-chemical Stressors on Neuroendocrine Development: a Review of Recent Findings and Putative Mechanisms.

    PubMed

    Cowell, Whitney J; Wright, Rosalind J

    2017-12-01

    Environmental toxicants and psychosocial stressors share many biological substrates and influence overlapping physiological pathways. Increasing evidence indicates stress-induced changes to the maternal milieu may prime rapidly developing physiological systems for disruption by concurrent or subsequent exposure to environmental chemicals. In this review, we highlight putative mechanisms underlying sex-specific susceptibility of the developing neuroendocrine system to the joint effects of stress or stress correlates and environmental toxicants (bisphenol A, alcohol, phthalates, lead, chlorpyrifos, and traffic-related air pollution). We provide evidence indicating that concurrent or tandem exposure to chemical and non-chemical stressors during windows of rapid development is associated with sex-specific synergistic, potentiated and reversed effects on several neuroendocrine endpoints related to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function, sex steroid levels, neurotransmitter circuits, and innate immune function. We additionally identify gaps, such as the role that the endocrine-active placenta plays, in our understanding of these complex interactions. Finally, we discuss future research needs, including the investigation of non-hormonal biomarkers of stress. We demonstrate multiple physiologic systems are impacted by joint exposure to chemical and non-chemical stressors differentially among males and females. Collectively, the results highlight the importance of evaluating sex-specific endpoints when investigating the neuroendocrine system and underscore the need to examine exposure to chemical toxicants within the context of the social environment.

  4. Effects of concurrent noise and jet fuel exposure on hearing loss.

    PubMed

    Kaufman, Laura R; LeMasters, Grace K; Olsen, Donna M; Succop, Paul

    2005-03-01

    We sought to examine the effects of occupational exposure to jet fuel on hearing in military workers. Noise-exposed subjects, with or without jet fuel exposure, underwent hearing tests. Work histories, recreational exposures, protective equipment, medical histories, alcohol, smoking, and demographics were collected by questionnaire. Jet fuel, solvent, and noise exposure data were collected from records. Fuel exposure estimates were less than 34% of the OSHA Threshold Limit Values. Subjects with 3 years of jet fuel exposure had a 70% increase in adjusted odds of hearing loss (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.14-2.53) and the odds increased to 2.41 (95% CI = 1.04-5.57) for 12 years of noise and fuel exposure. These findings suggest that jet fuel has a toxic affect on the auditory system.

  5. Compelled attention: the effects of viewing trauma-related stimuli on concurrent task performance in posttraumatic stress disorder.

    PubMed

    Chemtob, C M; Roitblat, H L; Hamada, R S; Muraoka, M Y; Carlson, J G; Bauer, G B

    1999-04-01

    We examined the ability of Vietnam veterans with PTSD to focus attention on a primary digit detection task while concurrently viewing neutral or Vietnam-related picture and word distractors. Controlling for combat exposure, military service, and psychopathology, veterans with PTSD took longer to detect the target when Vietnam-related pictures were distractors. There were no reaction time differences when word stimuli were distractors. The latency effect was specific to trials with trauma-related pictures and did not spread to neutral trials interleaved within a mixed block of trauma and neutral pictures. Individuals with PTSD recalled proportionally more Vietnam-related words than other groups, implying differential attention to Vietnam-related words. Attending to trauma-related pictures interferes with performance of a concurrent task by individuals with PTSD.

  6. Association Between Use of Non–Vitamin K Oral Anticoagulants With and Without Concurrent Medications and Risk of Major Bleeding in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

    PubMed Central

    Chang, Shang-Hung; Chou, I-Jun; Yeh, Yung-Hsin; Chiou, Meng-Jiun; Wen, Ming-Shien; Kuo, Chi-Tai; See, Lai-Chu

    2017-01-01

    Importance Non–vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are commonly prescribed with other medications that share metabolic pathways that may increase major bleeding risk. Objective To assess the association between use of NOACs with and without concurrent medications and risk of major bleeding in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort study using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance database and including 91 330 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who received at least 1 NOAC prescription of dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2016, with final follow-up on December 31, 2016. Exposures NOAC with or without concurrent use of atorvastatin; digoxin; verapamil; diltiazem; amiodarone; fluconazole; ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, or posaconazole; cyclosporine; erythromycin or clarithromycin; dronedarone; rifampin; or phenytoin. Main Outcomes and Measures Major bleeding, defined as hospitalization or emergency department visit with a primary diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage or gastrointestinal, urogenital, or other bleeding. Adjusted incidence rate differences between person-quarters (exposure time for each person during each quarter of the calendar year) of NOAC with or without concurrent medications were estimated using Poisson regression and inverse probability of treatment weighting using the propensity score. Results Among 91 330 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (mean age, 74.7 years [SD, 10.8]; men, 55.8%; NOAC exposure: dabigatran, 45 347 patients; rivaroxaban, 54 006 patients; and apixaban, 12 886 patients), 4770 major bleeding events occurred during 447 037 person-quarters with NOAC prescriptions. The most common medications co-prescribed with NOACs over all person-quarters were atorvastatin (27.6%), diltiazem (22.7%), digoxin (22.5%), and amiodarone (21.1%). Concurrent use of amiodarone, fluconazole, rifampin, and phenytoin with NOACs had a significant increase in adjusted incidence rates per 1000 person-years of major bleeding than NOACs alone: 38.09 for NOAC use alone vs 52.04 for amiodarone (difference, 13.94 [99% CI, 9.76-18.13]); 102.77 for NOAC use alone vs 241.92 for fluconazole (difference, 138.46 [99% CI, 80.96-195.97]); 65.66 for NOAC use alone vs 103.14 for rifampin (difference, 36.90 [99% CI, 1.59-72.22); and 56.07 for NOAC use alone vs 108.52 for phenytoin (difference, 52.31 [99% CI, 32.18-72.44]; P < .01 for all comparisons). Compared with NOAC use alone, the adjusted incidence rate for major bleeding was significantly lower for concurrent use of atorvastatin, digoxin, and erythromycin or clarithromycin and was not significantly different for concurrent use of verapamil; diltiazem; cyclosporine; ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, or posaconazole; and dronedarone. Conclusions and Relevance Among patients taking NOACs for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, concurrent use of amiodarone, fluconazole, rifampin, and phenytoin compared with the use of NOACs alone, was associated with increased risk of major bleeding. Physicians prescribing NOAC medications should consider the potential risks associated with concomitant use of other drugs. PMID:28973247

  7. Mechanisms and genetic factors underlying co-use of nicotine and alcohol or other drugs of abuse.

    PubMed

    Cross, Sarah J; Lotfipour, Shahrdad; Leslie, Frances M

    2017-03-01

    Concurrent use of tobacco and alcohol or psychostimulants represents a major public health concern, with use of one substance influencing consumption of the other. Co-abuse of these drugs leads to substantial negative health outcomes, reduced cessation, and high economic costs, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Epidemiological data suggest that tobacco use during adolescence plays a particularly significant role. Adolescence is a sensitive period of development marked by major neurobiological maturation of brain regions critical for reward processing, learning and memory, and executive function. Nicotine exposure during this time produces a unique and long-lasting vulnerability to subsequent substance use, likely via actions at cholinergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic systems. In this review, we discuss recent clinical and preclinical data examining the genetic factors and mechanisms underlying co-use of nicotine and alcohol or cocaine and amphetamines. We evaluate the critical role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors throughout, and emphasize the dearth of preclinical studies assessing concurrent drug exposure. We stress important age and sex differences in drug responses, and highlight a brief, low-dose nicotine exposure paradigm that may better model early use of tobacco products. The escalating use of e-cigarettes among youth necessitates a closer look at the consequences of early adolescent nicotine exposure on subsequent alcohol and drug abuse.

  8. Genotoxicity, acute and subchronic toxicity studies in rats of a rooster comb extract rich in sodium hyaluronate.

    PubMed

    Canut, Lourdes; Zapatero, Jorge; López, Sílvia; Torrent, Anna; Ruhí, Ramon; Vicente, Laura

    2012-04-01

    The toxicity of a rooster comb extract (IB0004) that contains mainly sodium hyaluronate was assessed in acute and subchronic studies and in a bacterial reverse mutation assay. In a single dose acute study, male and female rats were administered 2000 mg/kg body weight (bw) of the product and observed for 14 days. No mortality was recorded, thus it was considered that the minimum lethal dose for rats by oral route was greater than 2000 mg/kg bw. A 90-day subchronic study (5, 55 and 600 mg/kg bw/day, oral gavage) with 50 male and 50 female Wistar-Hannover rats produced no significant adverse effects on food consumption, body weight, mortality, clinical biochemistry, hematology, gross pathology, and histopathology. Although some differences were observed between the treated and control animals in body weight gain (%) and some hematological parameters, these changes were generally minor in nature and, are considered to be of no toxicological significance. The no-observable-adverse-effects level was established at 600 mg/kg bw/day. There was no evidence of mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535 and TA1537 or in Escherichia coli WP2 uvra pkM101. In conclusion, the results from these safety studies support the safety of rooster comb extract IB0004 in food. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Safety assessment of non-animal chondroitin sulfate sodium: Subchronic study in rats, genotoxicity tests and human bioavailability.

    PubMed

    Miraglia, Niccolò; Bianchi, Davide; Trentin, Antonella; Volpi, Nicola; Soni, Madhu G

    2016-07-01

    Chondroitin sulfate, an amino sugar polymer made of glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-galactosamine, is used in dietary supplements to promote joint health. Commonly used chondroitin sulfate is of animal origin and can pose potential safety problems including bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The objective of the present study was to investigate potential adverse effects, if any, of microbial derived chondroitin sulfate sodium (CSS) in subchronic toxicity, genotoxicity and bioavailability studies. In the toxicity study, Sprague Dawley rats (10/sex/group) were gavaged with CSS at dose levels of 0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day for 90-days. No mortality or significant changes in clinical signs, body weights, body weight gain or feed consumption were noted. Similarly, no toxicologically relevant treatment-related changes in hematological, clinical chemistry, urinalysis and organ weights were noted. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations did not reveal treatment-related abnormalities. In vitro mutagenic and clastogenic potentials as evaluated by Ames assay, chromosomal aberration test and micronucleus assay did not reveal genotoxicity of CSS. In pharmacokinetic study in human, CSS showed higher absorption as compared to chondroitin sulfate of animal origin. The results of subchronic toxicity study supports the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for CSS as 1000 mg/kg bw/day, the highest dose tested. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Acute and subchronic effects of Org 2305 and diazepam on psychomotor performance in man.

    PubMed

    Mattila, M J; Koski, J; Strömberg, C

    1987-02-01

    Three doses (15, 30 and 60 mg) of Org 2305 (O 15, O 30 and O 60 respectively), a novel anxiolytic drug chemically related to mianserin, were compared with placebo and 15 mg diazepam (DZ) on human psychomotor performance in a double-blind, cross-over study with 15 healthy volunteers. Objective measurements (choice reaction, tracking, flicker fusion, Maddox wing, digit symbol substitution, memory recall) and subjective assessments (visual analogue scales) were done at baseline and 2 and 13 h after the first dose. This testing procedure was repeated on day 7 when administering the seventh consecutive daily night-time dose. After the first dose O 15 did not differ from placebo and O 30 rarely differed from placebo. O 60 impaired various objective functions similarly to, or less than DZ. Subjectively, DZ and O 60 were felt as sedative. During subchronic treatment, DZ caused some impairment of baseline due to accumulation of bioassayable benzodiazepines, but significant responses to the last DZ dose were less than those to the first dose. DZ but not O 60 was reported to have caused lethargy and clumsiness during subchronic treatment. In the doses used Org 2305 impaired psychomotor performance less than diazepam did. A dose of 60 mg Org 2305 may offer some advantage over 15 mg diazepam, provided that their anxiolytic effects are about similar.

  11. Toxicity Profile of a Nutraceutical Formulation Derived from Green Mussel Perna viridis

    PubMed Central

    Joseph, Deepu; Chakkalakal, Selsa J.

    2014-01-01

    The short-term (acute) and long-term (subchronic) toxicity profile, mean lethal dose 50 (LD50), and no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of a nutraceutical formulation developed from green mussel Perna viridis, which showed in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory properties, were evaluated in the present study. The formulation was administered to the male and female Wistar rats at graded doses (0.5, 1.0, and 2.5 g/kg body weight) for two weeks of acute toxicity study and 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg body weight for 90 days in subchronic toxicity study. The LD50, variations in clinical signs, changes in body weight, body weight, food/water consumption, organ weight (liver, kidney, spleen, and brain), hematology, serum chemistry, and histopathological changes were evaluated. The LD50 of the formulation was 5,000 mg/kg BW. No test article related mortalities as well as change in body weight, and food and water consumption were observed. No toxicity related significant changes were noted in renal/hepatic function, hematological indices, and serum biochemical parameters between the control and treated groups. Histopathological alterations were not observed in the vital organs of rats. The subchronic NOAEL for the formulation in rats is greater than 2000 mg/kg. This study demonstrated that the green mussel formulation is safe to consume without any adverse effects in the body. PMID:24995298

  12. 40 CFR 716.3 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ..., distribution, metabolism, and excretion; cumulative, additive, and synergistic effects; and acute, subchronic... imports a chemical substance, including a chemical substance as a part of a mixture or article, into the...

  13. Risk factors for concurrent bacteremia in adult patients with dengue.

    PubMed

    Thein, Tun-Linn; Ng, Ee-Ling; Yeang, Ming S; Leo, Yee-Sin; Lye, David C

    2017-06-01

    Bacteremia in dengue may occur with common exposure to pathogens in association with severe organ impairment or severe dengue, which may result in death. Cohort studies identifying risk factors for concurrent bacteremia among patients with dengue are rare. We conducted a retrospective case-control study of adult patients with dengue who were admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore from 2004 to 2008. For each case of dengue with concurrent bacteremia (within the first 72 hours of admission), we selected four controls without bacteremia, who were matched on year of infection and dengue confirmation method. Conditional logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for concurrent bacteremia. Among 9,553 patients with dengue, 29 (0.3%) had bacteremia. Eighteen of these patients (62.1%) had concurrent bacteremia. The predominant bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus, one of which was a methicillin-resistant strain. Dengue shock syndrome occurred more frequently and hospital stay was longer among cases than among controls. Three cases did not survive, whereas none of the controls died. In multivariate analysis, being critically ill at hospital presentation was independently associated with 15 times the likelihood of a patient with dengue having concurrent bacteremia. Concurrent bacteremia in adult patients with dengue is uncommon but presents atypically and results in more deaths and longer hospital stay. Given the associated mortality, collection of blood cultures and empiric antibiotic therapy may be considered in patients who are critically ill. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  14. A subchronic inhalation toxicity study in rats exposed to silicon carbide whiskers.

    PubMed

    Lapin, C A; Craig, D K; Valerio, M G; McCandless, J B; Bogoroch, R

    1991-01-01

    To determine whether inhaled silicon carbide whiskers (SiC) cause lung damage in rats, four groups (50 males/50 females each) of rats were exposed to air only or to one of three concentrations of SiC 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 13 weeks. Half (25 males/25 females/group) were euthanized at the end of exposure, the remainder 26 weeks later. Mean concentrations were 0, 630, 1746, and 7276 SiC whiskers/ml (0.09, 3.93, 10.7, and 60.5 mg/m3). Although there were no concentration-related changes in body weight, clinical chemistry, or hematological data attributable to SiC, lung weights were increased in the high concentration exposure group at both euthanization times. In all whisker-exposed groups, after 13 weeks of exposure, the incidence of the following lung and lymph node lesions was higher than in controls: inflammatory lesions; bronchiolar, alveolar, and pleural wall thickening; focal pleural fibrosis in lung; and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia in bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes. After 26 weeks of recovery, lung inflammatory lesions had decreased and fewer rats had enlarged lymph nodes, but the incidence of alveolar wall thickening, focal pleural wall thickening, and adenomatous hyperplasia of lung had increased further. Incidence and severity appeared to be dose-related. Therefore, until longer term studies are undertaken and it is established whether the above observed lesions will progress to more severe pathological entities, it is prudent to adopt stringent handling procedures for silicon carbide whiskers.

  15. Effects of aluminum on the reduction of neural stem cells, proliferating cells, and differentiating neuroblasts in the dentate gyrus of D-galactose-treated mice via increasing oxidative stress

    PubMed Central

    Nam, Sung Min; Kim, Jong Whi; Yoo, Dae Young; Kim, Woosuk; Jung, Hyo Young; Choi, Jung Hoon; Hwang, In Koo; Seong, Je Kyung

    2016-01-01

    Aluminum (Al) accumulation increases with aging, and long-term exposure to Al is regarded as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we investigated the effects of Al and/or D-galactose on neural stem cells, proliferating cells, differentiating neuroblasts, and mature neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. AlCl3 (40 mg/kg/day) was intraperitoneally administered to C57BL/6J mice for 4 weeks. In addition, vehicle (physiological saline) or D-galactose (100 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected to these mice immediately after AlCl3 treatment. Neural stem cells, proliferating cells, differentiating neuroblasts, and mature neurons were detected using the relevant marker for each cell type, including nestin, Ki67, doublecortin, and NeuN, respectively, via immunohistochemistry. Subchronic (4 weeks) exposure to Al in mice reduced neural stem cells, proliferating cells, and differentiating neuroblasts without causing any changes to mature neurons. This Al-induced reduction effect was exacerbated in D-galactose-treated mice compared to vehicle-treated adult mice. Moreover, exposure to Al enhanced lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus and expression of antioxidants such as Cu, Zn- and Mn-superoxide dismutase in D-galactose-treated mice. These results suggest that Al accelerates the reduction of neural stem cells, proliferating cells, and differentiating neuroblasts in D-galactose-treated mice via oxidative stress, without inducing loss in mature neurons. PMID:26243606

  16. Age-dependent differences in nicotine reward and withdrawal in female mice.

    PubMed

    Kota, D; Martin, B R; Damaj, M I

    2008-06-01

    Adolescent smoking is an increasing epidemic in the US. Research has shown that the commencement of smoking at a young age increases addiction and decreases the probability of successful cessation; however, limited work has focused on nicotine dependence in the female. The goal of the present study was to identify the biological and behavioral factors that may contribute to nicotine's increased abuse liability in female adolescents using animal models of nicotine dependence. Early adolescent (PND 28) and adult (PND 70) female mice were compared in various aspects of nicotine dependence using reward and withdrawal models following sub-chronic nicotine exposure. Furthermore, in vivo acute sensitivity and tolerance to nicotine were examined. In the conditioned place preference model, adolescents demonstrated a significant preference at 0.5 mg/kg nicotine, an inactive dose in adults. Adults found higher doses (0.7 and 1.0 mg/kg) of nicotine to elicit rewarding effects. Furthermore, adolescents displayed increased physical, but not affective, withdrawal signs in three models. Upon acute exposure to nicotine, adolescent mice showed increased sensitivity in an analgesic measure as well as hypothermia. After chronic nicotine exposure, both adults and adolescents displayed tolerance to nicotine with adolescents having a lower degree of tolerance to changes in body temperature. These data indicate that differences in nicotine's rewarding and aversive effects may contribute to variations in certain components of nicotine dependence between adult and adolescent female mice. Furthermore, this implies that smoking cessation therapies may not be equally effective across all ages.

  17. Menstruation during and after caloric restriction: the 1944-1945 Dutch famine.

    PubMed

    Elias, Sjoerd G; van Noord, Paulus A H; Peeters, Petra H M; den Tonkelaar, Isolde; Kaaks, Rudolf; Grobbee, Diederick E

    2007-10-01

    To investigate the relation between exposure to the 1944-45 Dutch famine and concurrent and subsequent menstrual disturbances. Cohort study. Doorlopend Onderzoek Mammacarcinoom breast cancer screening project, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Between 1983 and 1986, approximately 12,500 women (born 1911-41) reported their individual famine experiences. Irregular menstruation during the famine; time to regular menses after menarche, and menstrual patterns in adulthood after childhood famine. The famine had a direct impact on menstruation. The odds ratio (OR) of concurrent irregular menses in severely versus unexposed women was 8.85 (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.31-10.70). Women exposed to severe famine before menarche were 1.51 (95% CI, 1.15-1.98) times more likely to experience irregular menses for a prolonged time after menarche compared with the unexposed. This association was stronger in women with an early menarche. When the menstrual pattern was assessed in adulthood by menstrual diaries, a nonsignificant tendency of increased irregularity (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.82-1.54) and regular but long menstrual cycles (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 0.89-2.23) was observed in women exposed to severe famine. Famine relates to concurrent menstrual irregularity, and exposure in childhood seems to affect the subsequent menstrual pattern.

  18. Acute and subchronic toxicity analysis of surface modified paclitaxel attached hydroxyapatite and titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Venkatasubbu, Gopinath Devanand; Ramasamy, S; Gaddam, Pramod Reddy; Kumar, J

    2015-01-01

    Nanoparticles are widely used for targeted drug delivery applications. Surface modification with appropriate polymer and ligands is carried out to target the drug to the affected area. Toxicity analysis is carried out to evaluate the safety of the surface modified nanoparticles. In this study, paclitaxel attached, folic acid functionalized, polyethylene glycol modified hydroxyapatite and titanium dioxide nanoparticles were used for targeted drug delivery system. The toxicological behavior of the system was studied in vivo in rats and mice. Acute and subchronic studies were carried out. Biochemical, hematological, and histopathological analysis was also done. There were no significant alterations in the biochemical parameters at a low dosage. There was a small change in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level at a high dosage. The results indicate a safe toxicological profile.

  19. Identification of novel uncertainty factors and thresholds of toxicological concern for health hazard and risk assessment: Application to cleaning product ingredients.

    PubMed

    Wang, Zhen; Scott, W Casan; Williams, E Spencer; Ciarlo, Michael; DeLeo, Paul C; Brooks, Bryan W

    2018-04-01

    Uncertainty factors (UFs) are commonly used during hazard and risk assessments to address uncertainties, including extrapolations among mammals and experimental durations. In risk assessment, default values are routinely used for interspecies extrapolation and interindividual variability. Whether default UFs are sufficient for various chemical uses or specific chemical classes remains understudied, particularly for ingredients in cleaning products. Therefore, we examined publicly available acute median lethal dose (LD50), and reproductive and developmental no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) and lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL) values for the rat model (oral). We employed probabilistic chemical toxicity distributions to identify likelihoods of encountering acute, subacute, subchronic and chronic toxicity thresholds for specific chemical categories and ingredients in cleaning products. We subsequently identified thresholds of toxicological concern (TTC) and then various UFs for: 1) acute (LD50s)-to-chronic (reproductive/developmental NOAELs) ratios (ACRs), 2) exposure duration extrapolations (e.g., subchronic-to-chronic; reproductive/developmental), and 3) LOAEL-to-NOAEL ratios considering subacute/acute developmental responses. These ratios (95% CIs) were calculated from pairwise threshold levels using Monte Carlo simulations to identify UFs for all ingredients in cleaning products. Based on data availability, chemical category-specific UFs were also identified for aliphatic acids and salts, aliphatic alcohols, inorganic acids and salts, and alkyl sulfates. In a number of cases, derived UFs were smaller than default values (e.g., 10) employed by regulatory agencies; however, larger UFs were occasionally identified. Such UFs could be used by assessors instead of relying on default values. These approaches for identifying mammalian TTCs and diverse UFs represent robust alternatives to application of default values for ingredients in cleaning products and other chemical classes. Findings can also support chemical substitutions during alternatives assessment, and data dossier development (e.g., read across), identification of TTCs, and screening-level hazard and risk assessment when toxicity data is unavailable for specific chemicals. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Hematological findings in neotropical fish Hoplias malabaricus exposed to subchronic and dietary doses of methylmercury, inorganic lead, and tributyltin chloride.

    PubMed

    Oliveira Ribeiro, C A; Filipak Neto, F; Mela, M; Silva, P H; Randi, M A F; Rabitto, I S; Alves Costa, J R M; Pelletier, E

    2006-05-01

    Hematological indices are gaining general acceptance as valuable tools in monitoring various aspects the health of fish exposed to contaminants. In this work some effects of methyl mercury (MeHg), inorganic lead (Pb2+), and tributyltin (TBT) in a tropical fish species were evaluated by hematological methods after a trophic exposition at a subchronic level. Forty-two mature individuals of the freshwater top predator fish Hoplias malabaricus were exposed to trophic doses (each 5 days) of MeHg (0.075 microg g(-1)), Pb2+ (21 microg g(-1)), and TBT (0.3 microg g(-1)) using young fish Astyanax sp. as prey vehicle. After 14 successive doses over 70 days, blood was sampled from exposed and control groups to evaluate hematological effects of metals on erythrocytes, total leukocytes and differential leukocytes counts, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, and red blood cell indices mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Transmission electron microscopy and image analysis of erythrocytes were also used to investigate some morphometric parameters. Results show no significant effects in MCH and MCHC for all tested metals, but differences were found in erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, and white blood cells counts. The number of leukocytes was increased in the presence of MeHg, suggesting effects on the immune system. Also the MCV increased in individuals exposed to MeHg. No ultrastructural damages were observed in red blood cells but the image analysis using light microscopy revealed differences in area, elongation, and roundness of erythrocytes from individuals exposed to Pb2+ and TBT but not in the group exposed to MeHg. The present work shows that changes in hematological and blood indices could highlight some barely detectable metal effects in fish after laboratory exposure to contaminated food, but their application in field biomonitoring using H. malabaricus will need more detailed studies and a careful consideration of environmental parameters.

  1. Toxic effect of khat (Catha edulis) on memory: Systematic review and meta-analysis

    PubMed Central

    Berihu, Birhane Alem; Asfeha, Gebrekidan Gebregzabher; Welderufael, Abadi Leul; Debeb, Yared Godefa; Zelelow, Yibrah Berhe; Beyene, Hafte Assefa

    2017-01-01

    Background: People use khat (Catha edulis) for its pleasant stimulant effect of physical activity, consciousness, motor, and mental functions. Although there are reports assessing the effect of khat on memory, there was no study based on formal systematic review and meta-analysis. Objective: We have therefore conducted this meta-analysis to determine the level of evidence for the effect of khat (C. edulis Forsk) on memory discrepancy. Methods: MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Academic Search Complete, SPORTDiscus, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched to retrieve the papers for this review. Keywords utilized across database search were khat, cat, chat, long-term memory, short-term memory, memory deficit, randomized control trial, and cross-sectional survey. The search was limited to studies in humans and rodents; published in English language. Result: Finding of various studies included in our meta-analysis showed that the effect of acute, and subchronic exposure to khat showed that short-term memory appears to be affected depending on the duration of exposure. However, does not have any effect on long-term memory. Conclusion: Although a number of studies regarding the current topic are limited, the evidenced showed that khat (C. edulis) induced memory discrepancy. PMID:28149078

  2. Co-release of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and Nano- and microparticles from thermal cutting of polystyrene foams.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Haijun; Kuo, Yu-Ying; Gerecke, Andreas C; Wang, Jing

    2012-10-16

    Polystyrene foam is a very important insulation material, and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is frequently used as its flame retardant. HBCD is persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic, and therefore workplace exposure and environmental emission should be avoided. In this study, we investigated the co-release of HBCD and aerosol particles during the thermal cutting of expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) and extruded polystyrene foam (XPS). The generated particles were simultaneously measured by a fast mobility particle sizer (FMPS) and collected by a cascade impactor (NanoMoudi). In the breathing zone of a cutting worker, the number concentration of aerosol particles was above 1 × 10(12) particles m(-3), and the air concentration of HBCD was more than 50 μg m(-3). Most of the released HBCD was partitioned into particles with an aerodynamic diameter at the nanometer scale. The average concentrations of HBCD in these submicrometer particles generated from the thermal cutting of EPS and XPS were 13 times and 15 times higher than the concentrations in raw foams, respectively. An occupational exposure assessment indicated that more than 60% of HBCD and 70% of particles deposited in the lung of cutting worker would be allocated to the alveolar region. The potential subchronic (or chronic) toxicity jointly caused by the particles and HBCD calls for future studies.

  3. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bruner, R.H.

    Male and female Fischer-344 rats and female C57/BL6 mice were subjected to subchronic and chronic inhalation exposures to a variety of distillate and synthetic hydrocarbon fuels of military interest. In general, male rats exposed to all agents developed a dose-related nephropathy which was not observed in females, controls, or exposed mice. Kidney lesions consisted of greatly increased cytoplasmic hyaline droplets in proximal tubular epithelium, necrosis of proximal tubular cells, and intratubular plugs of necrotic cell debris at the junction of the outer and inner stripe of the outer medulla. Following exposure, males that were held for lifetime oncogenic evaluation exhibitedmore » abundant mineralized casts in medullary tubules, multifocal to diffuse papillary hyperplasia of pelvic urothelium, and accentuated tubular degeneration compatible with progressive nephrosis of old rats. Male rats exposed six hours/day, five days/week for one year to two synthetic hydrocarbon missile fuels had significant increases in renal cell tumors, whereas males exposed for 90 days continuously to various distillate fuels failed to develop increased kidney neoplasia following lifespan observation. The pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear, but it is proposed that kidney changes may be related to an inability of renal tubular cells to efficiently digest resorbed alpha 2u globulin - a special protein of male rats which is synthesized in the liver.« less

  4. Neurotoxic effects of subchronic intratracheal Mn nanoparticle exposure alone and in combination with other welding fume metals in rats.

    PubMed

    Máté, Zsuzsanna; Horváth, Edina; Papp, András; Kovács, Krisztina; Tombácz, Etelka; Nesztor, Dániel; Szabó, Tamás; Szabó, Andrea; Paulik, Edit

    2017-04-01

    Manganese (Mn) is a toxic heavy metal exposing workers in various occupational settings and causing, among others, nervous system damage. Metal fumes of welding, a typical source of Mn exposure, contain a complex mixture of metal oxides partly in nanoparticle form. As toxic effects of complex substances cannot be sufficiently understood by examining its components separately, general toxicity and functional neurotoxicity of a main pathogenic welding fume metal, Mn, was examined alone and combined with iron (Fe) and chromium (Cr), also frequently found in fumes. Oxide nanoparticles of Mn, Mn + Fe, Mn + Cr and the triple combination were applied, in aqueous suspension, to the trachea of young adult Wistar rats for 4 weeks. The decrease of body weight gain during treatment, caused by Mn, was counteracted by Fe, but not Cr. At the end of treatment, spontaneous and evoked cortical electrical activity was recorded. Mn caused a shift to higher frequencies, and lengthened evoked potential latency, which were also strongly diminished by co-application of Fe only. The interaction of the metals seen in body weight gain and cortical activity were not related to the measured blood and brain metal levels. Fe might have initiated protective, e.g. antioxidant, mechanisms with a more general effect.

  5. Subchronic toxicity evaluation of sulfur mustard in rats.

    PubMed

    Sasser, L B; Miller, R A; Kalkwarf, D R; Cushing, J A; Dacre, J C

    1996-01-01

    Occupational exposure criteria have not been established for sulfur mustard (bis(2-chlorethyl) sulfide), a strong alkylating agent with known mutagenic properties. Seventy-two Sprague-Dawley rats of each sex, 6-7 weeks old, were divided into six groups (12 of each sex per group) and gavaged with 0, 0.003, 0.01, 0.03, 0.1 or 0.3 mg kg-1 sulfur mustard in sesame oil for 5 days a week for 13 weeks. No dose-related mortality was observed. A significant decrease (P > 0.05) in body weight was observed in both sexes of rats only in the 0.3 mg kg-1 group. Hematological evaluations and clinical chemistry measurements found non consistent treatment-related effects at the doses studied. The only treatment-related lesion associated with gavage exposure upon histopathological evaluation was epithelial hyperplasia of the forestomach of both sexes at 0.3 mg kg-1 and of males at 0.1 mg kg-1. The hyperplastic change was minimal and characterized by cellular disorganization of the basilar layer, apparent increase in mitotic activity of the basilar epithelial cells and thickening of the epithelial layer due to the apparent increase in cellularity. The estimated no-observed-effect level (NOEL) for sulfur mustard in this 90-day study was 0.1 mg kg-1 day-1 when administered orally.

  6. The sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus immunological response to chemical pollution exposure: The case of lindane.

    PubMed

    Stabili, Loredana; Pagliara, Patrizia

    2015-09-01

    In the marine environment organochlorine insecticides can be broadly detected in water, sediments, and biota. These pollutants may have major ecological consequences since they may affect marine organisms and endanger organismal growth, reproduction or survival. In this study we investigated the modification of some sea urchin immunological parameters in response to subchronic lindane (γ-HCH) exposure. Adult specimens of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus were exposed to two different concentrations (0.1 and 0.5 mg L(-1)) of lindane. After 24 and 48h of treatment, we examined the lindane influence on coelomocytes vitality and enumeration as well on some humoral parameters. Our results showed that the presence of the pesticide affected both cellular and humoral components of the immune system. In particular, P. lividus coelomocytes vitality did not change but a decrease of the total cell number and an increase of the red cells was recorded. Haemolytic and lysozyme-like activities as well as antibacterial activity on Vibrio alginolyticus of treated animals decreased. Sea urchin immunological competence modifications might represent a tool for monitoring disease susceptibility thus providing biological criteria for the implementation of water quality standards to protect marine organisms. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Commentary to Krishna et al. (2014): brain deposition and neurotoxicity of manganese in adult mice exposed via the drinking water.

    PubMed

    Kumasaka, Mayuko Y; Yajima, Ichiro; Ohgami, Nobutaka; Naito, Hisao; Omata, Yasuhiro; Kato, Masashi

    2014-05-01

    Krishna et al. (Arch Toxicol 88(1):47-64, 2014) recently published the results of a study in which adult C57BL/6 mice were subchronically exposed to 400,000 μg/L manganese (Mn) using manganese chloride via drinking water for 8 weeks and examined the neurotoxic effects. After 5 weeks of Mn exposure, significant deposition of Mn in all of the brain regions examined by magnetic resonance imaging was detected. After 6 weeks of Mn exposure, neurobehavioral deficits in an open field test, a grip strength test, and a forced swim test were observed. Eight weeks of Mn exposure increased striatal 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (a serotonin metabolite) levels, but did not alter the levels of striatal dopamine, its metabolites and serotonin. Krishna et al. also reported significant increases in mRNA levels of GFAP (an astrocyte activation marker), HO-1 (an oxidative stress marker) and NOS2 (a nitrosative stress marker), and in protein expression level of GFAP in the substantia nigra pars reticulata after 8 weeks of Mn exposure. These results suggest that 400,000 μg/L Mn exposure via drinking water in mice induces neurobehavioral deficits, serotonergic imbalance, and glial activation accompanied by an increase in brain Mn deposition. The report by Krishna et al. is interesting because the studies on the neurobehavioral effect of Mn exposure by drinking water in mice are very limited. However, Mn concentrations previously reported in well drinking water (Agusa et al. in Vietnam Environ Pollut 139(1):95-106, 2006; Buschmann et al. in Environ Int 34(6):756-764, 2008; Hafeman et al. in Environ Health Perspect 115(7):1107-1112, 2007; Wasserman et al. in Bangladesh Environ Health Perspect 114(1):124-129, 2006) were lower than 400,000 μg/L.

  8. Does MAOA Increase Susceptibility to Prenatal Stress in Young Children?

    PubMed Central

    Massey, Suena H.; Hatcher, Amalia E.; Clark, Caron A.C.; Burns, James L.; Pine, Daniel S.; Skol, Andrew D.; Mroczek, Daniel K.; Espy, Kimberly A.; Goldman, David; Cook, Edwin; Wakschlag, Lauren S.

    2017-01-01

    Background We previously demonstrated a gene-by-prenatal-environment interaction whereby the monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA) modified the impact of prenatal tobacco exposure (PTE) on adolescent disruptive behavior (DB), with the MAOA risk genotype varying by sex. We extend this work by examining whether this mechanism is evident with another common adversity, prenatal stress exposure (PSE), and whether sex differences are present earlier in development in closer proximity to exposure. Methods Participants were 281 mothers and their 285 children derived from a prenatal cohort with in-depth prospective measures of PSE and PTE. We assessed DB at age 5 via dimensional developmentally-sensitive measurement. Analyses were stratified by sex based on prior evidence for sex differences. Results Concurrent stress exposure predicted DB in children (β=.310, p=.001), while main effects of prenatal exposures were seen only in boys. We found a three-way interaction of MAOAxPSExsex on DB (β=.813, p=.022). Boys with MAOA-H had more DB as a function of PSE, controlling for PTE (β=.774, p=.015), and as a function of PTE, controlling for PSE (β=.362, p=.037). Boys with MAOA-L did not show this susceptibility. MAOA did not interact with PSE (β=−.133, p=.561) nor PTE (β= −.144; p=.505) in predicting DB in girls. Examination of gene-environment correlation (rGE) showed a correlation between paternal MAOA-L and daughters’ concurrent stress exposure (r=−.240, p=.013). Discussion Findings underscore complex mechanisms linking genetic susceptibility and early adverse exposures. Replication in larger cohorts followed from the pregnancy through adolescence is suggested to elucidate mechanisms that appear to have varying developmental expression. PMID:28163169

  9. Quantitative cancer risk assessment for occupational exposures to asphalt fumes during built-up roofing asphalt (BURA) operations.

    PubMed

    Rhomberg, Lorenz R; Mayfield, David B; Goodman, Julie E; Butler, Eric L; Nascarella, Marc A; Williams, Daniel R

    2015-01-01

    The International Agency for Research on Cancer qualitatively characterized occupational exposure to oxidized bitumen emissions during roofing as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). We examine chemistry, exposure, epidemiology and animal toxicity data to explore quantitative risks for roofing workers applying built-up roofing asphalt (BURA). Epidemiology studies do not consistently report elevated risks, and generally do not have sufficient exposure information or adequately control for confounders, precluding their use for dose-response analysis. Dermal carcinogenicity bioassays using mice report increased tumor incidence with single high doses. In order to quantify potential cancer risks, we develop time-to-tumor model methods [consistent with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dose-response analysis and mixtures guidelines] using the dose-time-response shape of concurrent exposures to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) as concurrent controls (which had several exposure levels) to infer presumed parallel dose-time-response curves for BURA-fume condensate. We compare EPA relative potency factor approaches, based on observed relative potency of BURA to B[a]P in similar experiments, and direct observation of the inferred BURA dose-time-response (scaled to humans) as means for characterizing a dermal unit risk factor. We apply similar approaches to limited data on asphalt-fume inhalation and respiratory cancers in rats. We also develop a method for adjusting potency estimates for asphalts that vary in composition using measured fluorescence. Overall, the various methods indicate that cancer risks to roofers from both dermal and inhalation exposure to BURA are within a range typically deemed acceptable within regulatory frameworks. The approaches developed may be useful in assessing carcinogenic potency of other complex mixtures of polycyclic aromatic compounds.

  10. Does MAOA increase susceptibility to prenatal stress in young children?

    PubMed

    Massey, Suena H; Hatcher, Amalia E; Clark, Caron A C; Burns, James L; Pine, Daniel S; Skol, Andrew D; Mroczek, Daniel K; Espy, Kimberly A; Goldman, David; Cook, Edwin; Wakschlag, Lauren S

    2017-05-01

    We previously demonstrated a gene-by-prenatal-environment interaction whereby the monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA) modified the impact of prenatal tobacco exposure (PTE) on adolescent disruptive behavior (DB), with the MAOA risk genotype varying by sex. We extend this work by examining whether this mechanism is evident with another common adversity, prenatal stress exposure (PSE), and whether sex differences are present earlier in development in closer proximity to exposure. Participants were 281 mothers and their 285 children derived from a prenatal cohort with in-depth prospective measures of PSE and PTE. We assessed DB at age 5 via dimensional developmentally-sensitive measurement. Analyses were stratified by sex based on prior evidence for sex differences. Concurrent stress exposure predicted DB in children (β=0.310, p=0.001), while main effects of prenatal exposures were seen only in boys. We found a three-way interaction of MAOA×PSE×sex on DB (β=0.813, p=0.022). Boys with MAOA-H had more DB as a function of PSE, controlling for PTE (β=0.774, p=0.015), and as a function of PTE, controlling for PSE (β=0.362, p=0.037). Boys with MAOA-L did not show this susceptibility. MAOA did not interact with PSE (β=-0.133, p=0.561) nor PTE (β=-0.144; p=0.505) in predicting DB in girls. Examination of gene-environment correlation (rGE) showed a correlation between paternal MAOA-L and daughters' concurrent stress exposure (r=-0.240, p=0.013). Findings underscore complex mechanisms linking genetic susceptibility and early adverse exposures. Replication in larger cohorts followed from the pregnancy through adolescence is suggested to elucidate mechanisms that appear to have varying developmental expression. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. High shear induces platelet dysfunction leading to enhanced thrombotic propensity and diminished hemostatic capacity.

    PubMed

    Chen, Zengsheng; Mondal, Nandan K; Zheng, Shirong; Koenig, Steven C; Slaughter, Mark S; Griffith, Bartley P; Wu, Zhongjun J

    2017-11-28

    Thrombosis and bleeding are devastating adverse events in patients supported with blood-contacting medical devices (BCMDs). In this study, we delineated that high non-physiological shear stress (NPSS) caused platelet dysfunction that may contribute to both thrombosis and bleeding. Human blood was subjected to NPSS with short exposure time. Levels of platelet surface GPIbα and GPVI receptors as well as activation level of GPIIb/IIIa in NPSS-sheared blood were examined with flow cytometry. Adhesion of sheared platelets on fibrinogen, von Willibrand factor (VWF), and collagen was quantified with fluorescent microscopy. Ristocetin- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation was characterized by aggregometry. NPSS activated platelets in a shear and exposure time-dependent manner. The number of activated platelets increased with increasing levels of NPSS and exposure time, which corresponded well with increased adhesion of sheared platelets on fibrinogen. Concurrently, NPSS caused shedding of GPIbα and GPVI in a manner dependent on shear and exposure time. The loss of intact GPIbα and GPVI increased with increasing levels of NPSS and exposure time. The number of platelets adhered on VWF and collagen decreased with increasing levels of NPSS and exposure time, respectively. The decrease in the number of platelets adhered on VWF and collagen corresponded well with the loss in GPIbα and GPVI on platelet surface. Both ristocetin- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation in sheared blood decreased with increasing levels of NPSS and exposure time. The study clearly demonstrated that high NPSS causes simultaneous platelet activation and receptor shedding, resulting in a paradoxical effect on platelet function via two distinct mechanisms. The results from the study suggested that the NPSS could induce the concurrent propensity for both thrombosis and bleeding in patients.

  12. DETERMINANTS OF TEMPORAL VARIABILITY IN NHEXAS-MARYLAND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCENTRATIONS, EXPOSURES, AND BIOMARKERS

    EPA Science Inventory

    The longitudinal NHEXAS-Maryland study measured metals, PAHs, and pesticides in several media to capture temporal variability. Questionnaires were concurrently administered to identify factors that influenced changes in contaminant levels over time. We constructed mixed-effects...

  13. Endangered North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) experience repeated, concurrent exposure to multiple environmental neurotoxins produced by marine algae.

    PubMed

    Doucette, Gregory J; Mikulski, Christina M; King, Kristen L; Roth, Patricia B; Wang, Zhihong; Leandro, Luis F; DeGrasse, Stacey L; White, Kevin D; De Biase, Daniela; Gillett, Roxanne M; Rolland, Rosalind M

    2012-01-01

    The western North Atlantic population of right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) is one of the most critically endangered of any whale population in the world. Among the factors considered to have potentially adverse effects on the health and reproduction of E. glacialis are biotoxins produced by certain microalgae responsible for causing harmful algal blooms. The worldwide incidence of these events has continued to increase dramatically over the past several decades and is expected to remain problematic under predicted climate change scenarios. Previous investigations have demonstrated that N. Atlantic right whales are being exposed to at least two classes of algal-produced environmental neurotoxins-paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) and domoic acid (DA). Our primary aims during this six-year study (2001-2006) were to assess whether the whales' exposure to these algal biotoxins occurred annually over multiple years, and to what extent individual whales were exposed repeatedly and/or concurrently to one or both toxin classes. Approximately 140 right whale fecal samples obtained across multiple habitats in the western N. Atlantic were analyzed for PSTs and DA. About 40% of these samples were attributed to individual whales in the North Atlantic Right Whale Catalog, permitting analysis of biotoxin exposure according to sex, age class, and reproductive status/history. Our findings demonstrate clearly that right whales are being exposed to both of these algal biotoxins on virtually an annual basis in multiple habitats for periods of up to six months (April through September), with similar exposure rates for females and males (PSTs: ∼70-80%; DA: ∼25-30%). Notably, only one of 14 lactating females sampled did not contain either PSTs or DA, suggesting the potential for maternal toxin transfer and possible effects on neonatal animals. Moreover, 22% of the fecal samples tested for PSTs and DA showed concurrent exposure to both neurotoxins, leading to questions of interactive effects. Targeted studies employing both in vivo and in vitro model systems represent the next logical step in assessing how and to what extent these algal biotoxins might compromise the health and reproduction of this endangered population. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  14. Low geomagnetic field intensity in the Matuyama Chron: palaeomagnetic study of a lava sequence from Afar depression, East Africa

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ahn, Hyeon-Seon; Kidane, Tesfaye; Yamamoto, Yuhji; Otofuji, Yo-ichiro

    2016-01-01

    Palaeointensity variation is investigated for an inferred time period spanning from 2.34 to 1.96 Ma. Twenty-nine consecutive lava flows are sampled along cliffs 350 m high generated by normal faulting on the Dobi section of Afar depression, Ethiopia. Magnetostratigraphy and K-Ar measurements indicate a lava sequence of R-N-R-N geomagnetic field polarities in ascending order; the lower normal polarity is identified as the Réunion Subchron. Reliability of palaeomagnetic data is ascertained through careful thermal demagnetization and by the reversal test. The Tsunakawa-Shaw method yielded 70 successful palaeointensity results from 24 lava flows and gave 11 acceptable mean palaeointensities. Reliability in palaeointensity data is ascertained by the similar values obtained by the IZZI-Thellier method and thus 11 reliable mean values are obtained from our combined results. After the older reverse polarity with the field intensity of 19.6 ± 7.8 μT, an extremely low palaeointensity period with an average of 6.4 μT is shown to occur prior to the Réunion Subchron. During the Réunion Subchron, the dipole field strength is shown to have returned to an average of 19.5 μT, followed by second extreme low of 3.6 μT and rejuvenation with 17.1 ± 5.3 μT in the younger reverse polarity. This `W-shape' palaeointensity variation is characterized by occurrences of two extremely weak fields lower than 8 μT prior to and during the Réunion Subchron and a relatively weak time-averaged field of approximately 15 μT. This feature is also found in sedimentary cores from the Ontong Java Plateau and the north Atlantic, indicative of a possibly global geomagnetic field phenomenon rather than a local effect on Ethiopia. Furthermore, we estimate a weak virtual axial dipole moment of 3.66 (±1.85) × 1022 Am2 during early stage of the Matuyama Chron (inferred time period of 2.34-1.96 Ma).

  15. Acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity assessment of the aqueous extract leaves of Ficus glumosa Del. (Moraceae) in rodents.

    PubMed

    Ntchapda, Fidèle; Abakar, Djedouboum; Kom, Blaise; Nana, Paulin; Hamadjida, Adjia; Dimo, Théophile

    2014-01-01

    Ficus glumosa Del (Moraceae), a plant used in traditional medicine in Cameroon, Senegal, and East Africa for the treatment of edema, hemorrhoid, cardiovascular diseases especially hypertension. The present study evaluated the potential toxicity of the aqueous extract of the leaves of F.glumosa in acute and sub-chronic administration in rodents. Acute toxicity was evaluated on 3 months old mice of both sexes and weighing 20-30 g. A single dose (2-12 g/kg) of F. glumosa was administered orally to mice. Animal behavior, adverse effects, and mortality were determined for 14 days. In sub-chronic toxicity studied in both sexes of 9 weeks old rats and weighing 100-120 g at the start of the experiment, animals were treated orally with a daily dose of 300, 600 and 1200 mg/kg of the aqueous extract of the leaves of F. glumosa for 6 weeks. The body weight change, food, and water consumption, were determined throughout the experimental period, while the relative organ weights, the hematological and biochemical parameters of blood and urine, as well as the histology of tissues kidney and liver, were recorded at the end of the experiment. For acute treatment, no dose used induced critical behavioral changes or death. In sub-chronic treatment, daily oral administration of F. glumosa at the dose of 300, 600, and 1200 mg/kg resulted in a significant increase in body weight relative to food and water consumption in the last week of treatment. The relative organ weights were not affected by treatment. No hematological changes were observed except the significant increase in platelets. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, increased while the total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, conjugated bilirubin, and total bilirubin significantly decreased. Index of renal function showed a decrease of creatinine, urea, uric acid and Na(+), Cl(-) and Ca(2+), and inorganic phosphate. The histology of liver and kidney showed no significant alteration of tissue. These observations support the traditional use of F. glumosa in the treatment of hypertension. These results have shown that F. glumosa has a safety margin for therapeutic use.

  16. Subchronic sleep restriction causes tissue-specific insulin resistance.

    PubMed

    Rao, Madhu N; Neylan, Thomas C; Grunfeld, Carl; Mulligan, Kathleen; Schambelan, Morris; Schwarz, Jean-Marc

    2015-04-01

    Short sleep duration is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Subchronic sleep restriction (SR) causes insulin resistance, but the mechanisms and roles of specific tissues are unclear. The purpose of this article was to determine whether subchronic SR altered (1) hepatic insulin sensitivity, (2) peripheral insulin sensitivity, and (3) substrate utilization. This was a randomized crossover study in which 14 subjects underwent 2 admissions separated by a washout period. Each admission had 2 acclimatization nights followed by 5 nights of either SR (4 hours time in bed) or normal sleep (8 hours time in bed). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE/METHODS: Insulin sensitivity (measured by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp) and hepatic insulin sensitivity (measured by stable isotope techniques) were measured. In addition, we assayed stress hormone (24-hour urine free cortisol, metanephrine, and normetanephrine), nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), and β-hydroxybutyrate (β-OH butyrate) levels. Resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured by indirect calorimetry. Compared to normal sleep, whole-body insulin sensitivity decreased by 25% (P = .008) with SR and peripheral insulin sensitivity decreased by 29% (P = .003). Whereas hepatic insulin sensitivity (endogenous glucose production) did not change significantly, percent gluconeogenesis increased (P = .03). Stress hormones increased modestly (cortisol by 21%, P = .04; metanephrine by 8%, P = .014; normetanephrine by 18%, P = .002). Fasting NEFA and β-OH butyrate levels increased substantially (62% and 55%, respectively). REE did not change (P = 0.98), but RQ decreased (0.81 ± .02 vs 0.75 ± 0.02, P = .045). Subchronic SR causes unique metabolic disturbances characterized by peripheral, but not hepatic, insulin resistance; this was associated with a robust increase in fasting NEFA levels (indicative of increased lipolysis), decreased RQ, and increased β-OH butyrate levels (indicative of whole-body and hepatic fat oxidation, respectively). We postulate that elevated NEFA levels are partially responsible for the decrease in peripheral sensitivity and modulation of hepatic metabolism (ie, increase in gluconeogenesis without increase in endogenous glucose production). Elevated cortisol and metanephrine levels may contribute to insulin resistance by increasing lipolysis and NEFA levels.

  17. 2,2′,3,5′,6-PENTACHLOROBIPHENYL (PCB 95) AND ITS HYDROXYLATED METABOLITES ARE ENANTIOMERICALLY ENRICHED IN FEMALE MICE

    PubMed Central

    Kania-Korwel, Izabela; Barnhart, Christopher D.; Stamou, Marianna; Truong, Kim M.; El-Komy, Mohammed H.M.E.; Lein, Pamela J.; Veng-Pedersen, Peter; Lehmler, Hans-Joachim

    2012-01-01

    Epidemiological and laboratory studies link polychlorinated biphenyls and their metabolites to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Several neurotoxic PCB congeners are chiral and undergo enantiomeric enrichment in mammalian species, which may modulate PCB developmental neurotoxicity. This study measures levels and enantiomeric enrichment of PCB 95 and its hydroxylated metabolites (OH-PCBs) in adult female C57Bl/6 mice following subchronic exposure to racemic PCB 95. Tissue levels of PCB 95 and OH-PCBs increased with increasing dose. Dose-dependent enantiomeric enrichment of PCB 95 was observed in brain and other tissues. OH-PCBs also displayed enantiomeric enrichment in blood and liver, but were not detected in adipose and brain. In light of data suggesting enantioselective effects of chiral PCBs on molecular targets linked to PCB developmental neurotoxicity, our observations highlight the importance of accounting for PCB and OH-PCB enantiomeric enrichment in the assessment of PCB developmental neurotoxicity. PMID:22974126

  18. 78 FR 37468 - Cyproconazole; Pesticide Tolerances

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-06-21

    ..., and single-cell necrosis. For both subchronic and chronic durations, hepatotoxicity was observed in... = 1X..... LOAEL = 3.2 mg/kg/day based on liver effects (P450 induction in females and histopathology...

  19. 40 CFR 799.1575 - Diethylenetriamine (DETA).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    .../Importers Alliance (DPIA): “Ninety-Day (subchronic) dietary toxicity study with diethylenetriamine in albino.... The effective date for paragraph (d)(2) of this section is May 21, 1991. (2) The guidelines and other...

  20. 40 CFR 799.1575 - Diethylenetriamine (DETA).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    .../Importers Alliance (DPIA): “Ninety-Day (subchronic) dietary toxicity study with diethylenetriamine in albino.... The effective date for paragraph (d)(2) of this section is May 21, 1991. (2) The guidelines and other...

  1. 40 CFR 799.1575 - Diethylenetriamine (DETA).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    .../Importers Alliance (DPIA): “Ninety-Day (subchronic) dietary toxicity study with diethylenetriamine in albino.... The effective date for paragraph (d)(2) of this section is May 21, 1991. (2) The guidelines and other...

  2. 40 CFR 799.1575 - Diethylenetriamine (DETA).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    .../Importers Alliance (DPIA): “Ninety-Day (subchronic) dietary toxicity study with diethylenetriamine in albino.... The effective date for paragraph (d)(2) of this section is May 21, 1991. (2) The guidelines and other...

  3. Gene expression profile of human lung epithelial cells chronically exposed to single-walled carbon nanotubes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Dongquan; Stueckle, Todd A.; Luanpitpong, Sudjit; Rojanasakul, Yon; Lu, Yongju; Wang, Liying

    2015-01-01

    A rapid increase in utility of engineered nanomaterials, including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), has raised a concern over their safety. Based on recent evidence from animal studies, pulmonary exposure of CNTs may lead to nanoparticle accumulation in the deep lung without effective clearance which could interact with local lung cells for a long period of time. Physicochemical similarities of CNTs to asbestos fibers may contribute to their asbestos-like carcinogenic potential after long-term exposure, which has not been well addressed. More studies are needed to identify and predict the carcinogenic potential and mechanisms for promoting their safe use. Our previous study reported a long-term in vitro exposure model for CNT carcinogenicity and showed that 6-month sub-chronic exposure of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) causes malignant transformation of human lung epithelial cells. In addition, the transformed cells induced tumor formation in mice and exhibited an apoptosis resistant phenotype, a key characteristic of cancer cells. Although the potential role of p53 in the transformation process was identified, the underlying mechanisms of oncogenesis remain largely undefined. Here, we further examined the gene expression profile by using genome microarrays to profile molecular mechanisms of SWCNT oncogenesis. Based on differentially expressed genes, possible mechanisms of SWCNT-associated apoptosis resistance and oncogenesis were identified, which included activation of pAkt/p53/Bcl-2 signaling axis, increased gene expression of Ras family for cell cycle control, Dsh-mediated Notch 1, and downregulation of apoptotic genes BAX and Noxa. Activated immune responses were among the major changes of biological function. Our findings shed light on potential molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in SWCNT oncogenic potential.

  4. Adulthood dietary exposure to a common pesticide leads to an obese-like phenotype and a diabetic profile in apoE3 mice.

    PubMed

    Peris-Sampedro, Fiona; Cabré, Maria; Basaure, Pia; Reverte, Ingrid; Domingo, José L; Teresa Colomina, Maria

    2015-10-01

    Increasing evidence links the widespread exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides to the global epidemics of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Our recent data highlighted gene×environment interactions: mice expressing the human apolipoprotein E3 (apoE3) isoform were more prone to develop obesity than those expressing apoE2 or apoE4 upon dietary challenge with chlorpyrifos (CPF), the most used OP worldwide. Thus, we aimed to further explore the contribution of the APOE3 genotype on the emergence of obesity and related metabolic dysfunctions upon subchronic exposure to CPF. Seven-month-old targeted replacement apoE3 and C57BL/6N male mice were orally exposed to CPF at 0 or 2mg/kg body weight/day for 8 consecutive weeks. We examined body weight status, food and water intake, lipid and glucose homeostasis, metabolic biomarkers concentrations, insulin levels and insulin resistance, and leptin and ghrelin profiles. CPF exposure generally increased food ingestion, glucose and total cholesterol concentrations, and tended to elevate acyl ghrelin levels. Nonetheless, excess weight gain and increased leptin levels were inherent to apoE3 mice. Moreover, the propensity towards a diabetic profile was markedly higher in these animals than in C57BL/6N, as they showed a higher homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance index and higher insulin levels. Although both genotypes were metabolically affected by CPF, the results of the present investigation revealed that apoE3 mice were the most vulnerable to developing obesity and related disturbances following CPF administration through the diet. Since the APOE3 genotype is the most prevalent worldwide, current findings have particular implications for human health. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Combined effects of cadmium and tetrabromobisphenol a (TBBPA) on development, antioxidant enzymes activity and thyroid hormones in female rats.

    PubMed

    Yu, Yunjiang; Ma, Ruixue; Yu, Lin; Cai, Ze; Li, Hongyan; Zuo, You; Wang, Zhengdong; Li, Hui

    2018-04-24

    Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is one of the world's most widely used brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and considered as persistent halogenated contaminant. E-wastes contain a range of toxic chemicals, including BFRs and heavy metals, exerting adverse impacts to human health and environment. Nevertheless, comprehensive evaluation on combined toxicity of these co-existing pollutants is limited. This study conducted a subchronic effects of cadmium and TBBPA on the development and antioxidative defense system as well as thyroid functions in female rats through single and combined exposure at environmentally relevant doses for a 20-day consecutive administration. Body indexes, histopathology, redox status, and thyroid hormones levels were assessed. Slower body weight gains and reduced ovary weight (20.8% and 32.4% for combined and single-Cd exposures, respectively) were observed with significant variation from controls in high dose treatments. Co-exposure resulted in a slight enhancement in TSH levels compared to control (by 7.6% for high dose) without significance. TBBPA-Cd interactions are involved in the changes of kidney weight as well as the induction of SOD activities and MDA levels. The disturbances in the redox status may be a result of an independent effect of Cd and/or TBBPA and also of their interaction. The results implied under these treatment, kidney was more sensitive with significant increased organ coefficient and alteration for antioxidative indices (increasing by 46% for SOD activity). This study represents the toxic effects of Cd and TBBPA co-exposure through oral administration in pubertal rats, which may provide useful information for health risk assessment for young exposed individuals. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Alcohol Exposure after Mild Focal Traumatic Brain Injury Impairs Neurological Recovery and Exacerbates Localized Neuroinflammation

    PubMed Central

    Teng, Sophie X; Katz, Paige S; Maxi, John K; Mayeux, Jacques P; Gilpin, Nicholas W; Molina, Patricia E

    2014-01-01

    Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among young individuals. Alcohol abuse is a risk factor associated with increased TBI incidence. In addition, up to 26% of TBI patients engage in alcohol consumption after TBI. Limited preclinical studies have examined the impact of post-injury alcohol exposure on TBI recovery. The aim of this study was to determine the isolated and combined effects of TBI and alcohol on cognitive, behavioral, and physical recovery, as well as on associated neuroinflammatory changes. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (~300 g) were subjected to a mild focal TBI by lateral fluid percussion (~30 PSI, ~25 ms) under isoflurane anesthesia. On day 4 after TBI, animals were exposed to either sub-chronic intermittent alcohol vapor (95% ethanol 14h on /10h off; BAL~200 mg/dL) or room air for 10 days. TBI induced neurological dysfunction reflected by an increased neurological severity score (NSS) showed progressive improvement in injured animals exposed to room air (TBI/air). In contrast, TBI animals exposed to alcohol vapor (TBI/alcohol) showed impaired NSS recovery throughout the 10-day period of alcohol exposure. Open-field exploration test revealed an increased anxiety-like behavior in TBI/alcohol group compared to TBI/air group. Additionally, alcohol-exposed animals showed decreased locomotion and impaired novel object recognition. Immunofluorescence showed enhanced reactive astrocytes, microglial activation, and HMGB1 expression localized to the injured cortex of TBI/alcohol as compared to TBI/air animals. The expression of neuroinflammatory markers showed significant positive correlation with NSS. These findings indicated a close relationship between accentuated neuroinflammation and impaired neurological recovery from post-TBI alcohol exposure. The clinical implications of long-term consequences in TBI patients exposed to alcohol during recovery warrant further investigation. PMID:25489880

  7. Depletion of cellular adenosine triphosphate and hepatocellular damage in rat after subchronic exposure to leachate from anthropogenic recycling site.

    PubMed

    Akintunde, J K; Oboh, G

    2015-11-01

    One of the major hazards arising from recycling sites is the generation of leachate containing mixed metal. This study evaluated the toxic effects of leachate obtained from Elewi Odo municipal auto-battery recycling site (EOMABRSL) on male liver functions using hepatic indices and biomarker of cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in rat via the oral route. Concentrations of heavy metals analysis showed that lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium, manganese, and iron were 1.5-, 2-, 2.5-, 1.36-, 19.61-, and 8.89-folds, respectively, higher than acceptable limits set by regulatory authority World Health Organization. Copper, zinc, and cobalt were 5.9-, 300-, and 1.02-folds, respectively, lower than permissible limits. The EOMABRSL was administered at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% concentrations to adult male rats for 60 days. Following exposure, plasma and livers were collected for several biochemistry assays. Exposure of animals to EOMABRSL resulted in 27.51, 28.14, 63.93, 28.42, and 40.16% increase in aspartate aminotransferase activity, whereas it elevated alanine aminotransferase activity by 5.35, 22.33, 88.68, 183.02, and 193.08%, respectively, when compared with the control. Similarly, γ-glutamyl transferase activity increased by 111.22, 114.19, 122.96, 573.14, and 437.02%, respectively, when compared with the control. EOMABRSL administration significantly decreased catalase activity and reduced glutathione level and superoxide dismutase with concomitant increase in malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels. Also, significant (p < 0.05) decrease in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity (marker of cellular ATP) was observed. Taken together, the hepatotoxicity of EOMABRSL could be due to the depletion of LDH and induction of oxidative damage, which may suggest possible health hazards in subjects with occupational or environmental exposure. © The Author(s) 2015.

  8. Evaluation of the Tobacco Heating System 2.2. Part 4: 90-day OECD 413 rat inhalation study with systems toxicology endpoints demonstrates reduced exposure effects compared with cigarette smoke.

    PubMed

    Wong, Ee Tsin; Kogel, Ulrike; Veljkovic, Emilija; Martin, Florian; Xiang, Yang; Boue, Stephanie; Vuillaume, Gregory; Leroy, Patrice; Guedj, Emmanuel; Rodrigo, Gregory; Ivanov, Nikolai V; Hoeng, Julia; Peitsch, Manuel C; Vanscheeuwijck, Patrick

    2016-11-30

    The objective of the study was to characterize the toxicity from sub-chronic inhalation of test atmospheres from the candidate modified risk tobacco product (MRTP), Tobacco Heating System version 2.2 (THS2.2), and to compare it with that of the 3R4F reference cigarette. A 90-day nose-only inhalation study on Sprague-Dawley rats was performed, combining classical and systems toxicology approaches. Reduction in respiratory minute volume, degree of lung inflammation, and histopathological findings in the respiratory tract organs were significantly less pronounced in THS2.2-exposed groups compared with 3R4F-exposed groups. Transcriptomics data obtained from nasal epithelium and lung parenchyma showed concentration-dependent differential gene expression following 3R4F exposure that was less pronounced in the THS2.2-exposed groups. Molecular network analysis showed that inflammatory processes were the most affected by 3R4F, while the extent of THS2.2 impact was much lower. Most other toxicological endpoints evaluated did not show exposure-related effects. Where findings were observed, the effects were similar in 3R4F- and THS2.2-exposed animals. In summary, toxicological changes observed in the respiratory tract organs of THS2.2 aerosol-exposed rats were much less pronounced than in 3R4F-exposed rats while other toxicological endpoints either showed no exposure-related effects or were comparable to what was observed in the 3R4F-exposed rats. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Acute Exposure to Perchlorethylene alters Rat Visual Evoked Potentials in Relation to Brain Concentration

    EPA Science Inventory

    These experiments sought to establish a dose-effect relationship between the concentration of perchloroethylene (PCE) in brain tissue and concurrent changes in visual function. A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was implemented to predict concentrations of PCE ...

  10. Acute and subchronic toxicity analysis of surface modified paclitaxel attached hydroxyapatite and titanium dioxide nanoparticles

    PubMed Central

    Venkatasubbu, Gopinath Devanand; Ramasamy, S; Gaddam, Pramod Reddy; Kumar, J

    2015-01-01

    Nanoparticles are widely used for targeted drug delivery applications. Surface modification with appropriate polymer and ligands is carried out to target the drug to the affected area. Toxicity analysis is carried out to evaluate the safety of the surface modified nanoparticles. In this study, paclitaxel attached, folic acid functionalized, polyethylene glycol modified hydroxyapatite and titanium dioxide nanoparticles were used for targeted drug delivery system. The toxicological behavior of the system was studied in vivo in rats and mice. Acute and subchronic studies were carried out. Biochemical, hematological, and histopathological analysis was also done. There were no significant alterations in the biochemical parameters at a low dosage. There was a small change in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level at a high dosage. The results indicate a safe toxicological profile. PMID:26491315

  11. Foraging enrichment modulates open field response to monosodium glutamate in mice.

    PubMed

    Onaolapo, Olakunle J; Onaolapo, Adejoke Y; Akanmu, Moses A; Olayiwola, Gbola

    2015-07-01

    Environmental enrichment can enhance expression of species-specific behaviour. While foraging enrichment is encouraged in laboratory animals, its impact on novelty induced behaviour remain largely unknown. Here, we studied behavioural response of mice to acute and subchronic oral monosodium glutamate (MSG) in an open field with /without foraging enrichment. Adult male mice, assigned to five groups were administered vehicle (distilled water), or one of four selected doses of MSG (10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) for 21 days. Open field novelty induced behaviours i.e. horizontal locomotion, rearing and grooming were assessed after the first and last doses of MSG. Results were analysed using MANOVA followed by Tukey HSD multiple comparison test and expressed as mean ± S.E.M. Following acute MSG administration without enrichment, locomotor activity reduced, grooming increased, while rearing activity reduced at lower doses and increased at higher doses. Subchronic administration without enrichment was associated with increased locomotor activity and reduction in grooming, rearing activity however still showed a biphasic response. Addition of enrichment with acute administration resulted in sustained reduction in locomotor and rearing activities with a biphasic grooming response. Subchronically, there was reduction in horizontal locomotion, biphasic rearing response and sustained increase in grooming activity. Behavioural response to varying doses of MSG as observed in the open field is affected by modifications such as foraging enrichment, which can reverse or dampen the central effects seen irrespective of duration of administration.

  12. Atypical Antischizophrenic Drugs Prevent Changes in Cortical N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors and Behavior Following Sub-chronic Phencyclidine Administration in Developing Rat Pups

    PubMed Central

    Anastasio, Noelle C.; Johnson, Kenneth M.

    2008-01-01

    We sought to determine the relationship between phencyclidine (PCP)-induced alterations in behavior and NMDAR expression in the cortex by examining the effect of antischizophrenic drug treatment on both. Sprague-Dawley rat pups were pretreated with risperidone or olanzapine prior to treatment with PCP on postnatal day 7 (PN7) or sub-chronically on PN7, 9, and 11. Pre-pulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle was measured on PN24–26 and following a challenge dose of 4 mg/kg PCP, locomotor activity was measured on PN28–35. PCP treatment on PN7 did not cause a deficit in PPI, but did cause locomotor sensitization. This was prevented by both antipsychotics. PCP treatment on PN7 caused an up-regulation of NR1 and NR2B, which was not affected by either antischizophrenic drug. PCP treatment on PN7, 9, and 11 caused a deficit in PPI and a sensitized locomotor response to PCP challenge as well as an up-regulation of NR1 and NR2A, all of which were prevented by both atypical antischizophrenic drugs. These data support the hypothesis that subchronic, but not single injection PCP treatment in developing rats results in behavioral alterations that are sensitive to antipsychotic drugs and these behavioral changes observed could be related to up-regulation of cortical NR1/NR2A receptors. PMID:18544461

  13. Hippocampal synapsin I, growth-associated protein-43, and microtubule-associated protein-2 immunoreactivity in learned helplessness rats and antidepressant-treated rats.

    PubMed

    Iwata, M; Shirayama, Y; Ishida, H; Kawahara, R

    2006-09-01

    Learned helplessness rats are thought to be an animal model of depression. To study the role of synapse plasticity in depression, we examined the effects of learned helplessness and antidepressant treatments on synapsin I (a marker of presynaptic terminals), growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43; a marker of growth cones), and microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2; a marker of dendrites) in the hippocampus by immunolabeling. (1) Learned helplessness rats showed significant increases in the expression of synapsin I two days after the attainment of learned helplessness, and significant decreases in the protein expression eight days after the achievement of learned helplessness. Subchronic treatment of naïve rats with imipramine or fluvoxamine significantly decreased the expression of synapsin I. (2) Learned helplessness increased the expression of GAP-43 two days and eight days after learned helplessness training. Subchronic treatment of naïve rats with fluvoxamine but not imipramine showed a tendency to decrease the expression of synapsin I. (3) Learned helplessness rats showed increased expression of MAP-2 eight days after the attainment of learned helplessness. Naïve rats subchronically treated with imipramine showed a tendency toward increased expression of MAP-2, but those treated with fluvoxamine did not. These results indicate that the neuroplasticity-related proteins synapsin I, GAP-43, and MAP-2 may play a role in the pathophysiology of depression and the mechanisms of antidepressants.

  14. Association of physical injury and mental health: Results from the national comorbidity survey- adolescent supplement.

    PubMed

    Jenness, Jessica L; Witt, Cordelie E; Quistberg, D Alex; Johnston, Brian D; Rowhani-Rahbar, Ali; Mackelprang, Jessica L; McLaughlin, Katie A; Vavilala, Monica S; Rivara, Frederick P

    2017-09-01

    Nonfatal injury is common among adolescents in the U.S., but little is known about the bi-directional associations between injury and mental health. Utilizing a nationally representative sample of U.S. adolescents, we examined 1) associations between lifetime mental health history and subsequent injury; 2) concurrent associations between injury and mental health; and 3) associations between injury and subsequent mental disorders. Data were drawn from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication-Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A), a national survey of adolescents aged 13 through 17 years (N = 10,123). Twelve-month prevalence of nonfatal injury requiring medical attention was assessed along with lifetime, 12-month, and 30-day prevalence of DSM-IV depressive, anxiety, behavior, substance use, and bipolar disorders. We used Poisson regression to examine associations between 1) lifetime history of mental disorders and 12-month exposure to injury; 2) concurrent associations between 12-month exposure to injury and 12-month prevalence of mental disorders; and 3) 12-month exposure to injury and 30-day prevalence of mental disorders. A total of 11.6% of adolescents experienced an injury requiring medical attention in the year before the survey. Lifetime history of mental disorders was not associated with past-year injury. Behavior and bipolar disorders were concurrently associated with past-year injury. Past-year injury occurrence predicted increased risk for past-month anxiety disorders and decreased risk of past-month depressive disorders. Our findings reveal reciprocal associations between injury and mental disorders and highlight the need for systematic assessment, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders among injured youth. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Ultra-accelerated natural sunlight exposure testing facilities

    DOEpatents

    Lewandowski, Allan A.; Jorgensen, Gary J.

    2003-08-12

    A multi-faceted concentrator apparatus for providing ultra-accelerated natural sunlight exposure testing for sample materials under controlled weathering conditions comprising: facets that receive incident natural sunlight, transmits VIS/NIR and reflects UV/VIS to deliver a uniform flux of UV/VIS onto a sample exposure plane located near a center of a facet array in chamber means that provide concurrent levels of temperature and/or relative humidity at high levels of up to 100.times. of natural sunlight that allow sample materials to be subjected to accelerated irradiance exposure factors for a significant period of time of about 3 to 10 days to provide a corresponding time of about at least a years worth representative weathering of sample materials.

  16. IN VIVO AND IN VITRO ANTI-ANDROGENIC EFFECTS OF DE-71

    EPA Science Inventory

    Recently, we showed that the PBDE mixture, DE-71, delayed preputial separation (PPS) and suppressed the growth of androgen-dependent tissues in the Wistar rat following a peri-pubertal exposure. These effects occurred concurrently with hypothyroidism and suggested that in additi...

  17. Biologically-Based Lumping Methodology (BBLM) To Investigate Toxicological Interactions of Complex Chemical Mixtures

    EPA Science Inventory

    Many cases of environmental contamination result in concurrent or sequential exposure to more than one chemical. Limitations of available resources prevent experimental toxicology from providing health risk information about all the possible mixtures to which humans or other spec...

  18. Effects of Timing of Adversity on Adolescent and Young Adult Adjustment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kiff, Cara J.; Cortes, Rebecca C.; Lengua, Liliana J.; Kosterman, Rick; Hawkins, J. David; Mason, W. Alex

    2012-01-01

    Exposure to adversity during childhood and adolescence predicts adjustment across development. Furthermore, adolescent adjustment problems persist into young adulthood. This study examined relations of contextual adversity with concurrent adolescent adjustment and prospective mental health and health outcomes in young adulthood. A longitudinal…

  19. OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH ON DEFINED AND COMPLEX MIXTURES OF DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS

    EPA Science Inventory

    Decreased morbidity and mortality from water-borne diseases are a direct result of water disinfection. Concurrent with these important public health benefits is low-level, chronic exposure to a very large number of disinfection byproducts (DBPs), chemicals formed as a result of ...

  20. 40 CFR 716.21 - Chemical specific reporting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... bioconcentration, environmental fate studies on biodegradation, and health effects studies on pharmacokinetics... fate studies on hydrolysis and biodegradation and health effects studies on pharmacokinetics... on biodegradation and health effects studies on pharmacokinetics, subchronic toxicity, neurotoxicity...

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