Cytotoxicity, acute oral toxicity, and skin irritation of 2-ethylhexyl-2,4,5-trimethoxycinnamate and di(2-ethylhexyl)-2,4,5-trimethoxybenzalmalonate

Safety of two new ultraviolet (UV) filters, 2-ethylhexyl-2,4,5-trimethoxycinnamate (E8) and 2-ethylhexyl-2,4,5-trimethoxybenzalmalonate (B8), has been evaluated through the human melanoma cytotoxicity test and seven-day acute oral toxicity studies in rats. At 2.5 mg/mL, both compounds gave similar cell viability to the control. LD50 values for E8 and B8 are more than 5000 and 1000 mg/kg body weight, respectively. No significant difference in body weight and hematological parameters among the 0, 5, 50, 500, and 5000 mg/Kg E8-treated animals could be detected. Pathological examination of rat tissues collected at the end of the study period revealed no significant difference between the control and all E8-administered rats. There was no significant difference in all clinical blood chemistry parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and cholesterol), except alanine aminotransferase (ALT), between the control and the E8-treated animals. All ALT values were, however, in the normal range of SD rats. E8 showed negative results for the skin irritation study on human volunteers, using patch and photopatch tests. Excitation of respiratory signs of dypsnea in 10, 100, and 1000 mg/Kg B8-treated rats could be observed during 1-24 h. All groups were, however, normal during the second to the seventh day. Hematological parameters of the 0, 10, 100, and 1000 mg/Kg B8-treated animals showed no significant difference. Pathological examination revealed no significant difference between the control and all B8-administered rats. However, significant differences in some clinical blood chemistry parameters and body weights between the control and some B8-treated animals could be detected. All values, however, were in the normal ranges of the SD rats.     

Teratogenic and toxicological examination of 2,4,5-trichlorphenoxyacetic acid in developing chick embryos

Practical grade 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), dissolved in dimethylsufoxide (DMSO), was injected into the air space of fertilized chicken eggs prior to incubation. Doses of 2,4,5-T administered were 12.5, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 mg/kg to determine herbicide toxicity on the first day of incubation. A similar group was studied on day 5 of incubation with doses of 2,4,5-T at 50, 75, 100 and 250 mg/kg. LD₅₀ was estimated to be 62 mg/kg on day zero and 68 mg/kg on day 5. Additional, embryos were exposed to 2,4,5-T at 50 mg/kg on day zero of gestation and sacrificed after 48 h of incubation. Serial sections were examined for teratological and developmental anomalies. None were found.     

The fate of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) following oral administration to rats and dogs

Clearance of ¹⁴C activity from the plasma and its elimination from the body of rats and dogs were determined after single oral doses of [carboxy-¹⁴C]2,4,5-T. The half-life values for the clearance of ¹⁴C activity from the plasma of rats given doses of 5, 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg were 4.7, 4.2, 19.4 and 25.2 hr, respectively; half-lives for elimination from the body were 13.6, 13.1, 19.3 and 28.9 hr, respectively. The apparent volume of distribution also increased with dose. Urinary excretion of unchanged 2,4,5-T accounted for most of the ¹⁴C activity eliminated from the body of rats. A small amount of unidentified metabolite was detected in the urine when rats were given 100 or 200 mg/kg but not 5 or 50 mg/kg. These results show that the distribution, metabolism and excretion of 2,4,5-T are markedly altered when large doses are administered.In dogs given 5 mg/kg, the half-life values for clearance from plasma and elimination from the body were 77.0 and 86.6 hr, respectively, offering a plausible explanation of why 2,4,5-T is more toxic in dogs than in rats. Appreciable excretion in the feces was noted and three unidentified metabolites were detected in urine of dogs, indicating a considerable difference in metabolism of 2,4,5-T by dogs and rats given the same dose.     

2-Ethylhexyl-2,4,5-trimethoxycinnamate and di-(2-ethylhexyl)-2,4,5-trimethoxybenzalmalonate as novel UVA filters

A series of 2-ethylhexylmethoxy substituted cinnamates and benzalmalonates have been synthesized and characterized. 2-Ethylhexyl-2,4,5-trimethoxycinnamate (E8) and di-(2-ethylhexyl)-2,4,5trimethoxybenzalmalonate (B8) show UVA absorption with high molar absorption coefficients (12000-14 000 cm(-1) M(-1) at 350 nm). E8 undergoes trans to cis photoisomerization under UVA exposure causing the decrease in UV absorption efficiency. E8 is more photostable than butyl methoxy-dibenzoylmethane (BMDBM). For example, 41.64 J cm(-2) UVA irradiation produces 20+/-2% and 25+/-2% loss in UV absorption for E8 and BMDBM, respectively. Similar irradiation produces no change in the UV absorption of B8. Both the oily liquid E8 and the yellow solid B8 can be dissolved in various organic solvents, ranging from methanol to hexane, various silicone fluids and 2-ethyl-hexyl-4-trimethoxycinnamate (EHMC, a widely used UVB filter). A liquid broadband filter comprising B8 and EHMC shows excellent photostability in both UVB and UVA regions.     

Distribution of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid in the mouse fetus

The herbicide 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) readily crosses the placenta in the mouse on gestational day 13. Concentrations of 2,4,5-T in maternal tissues and fetuses were obvious at 30 min, highest at 8 h, diminished by 24 h and almost entirely eliminated by 48 h. Autoradiographs of the whole fetus showed that initially 2,4,5-T was mainly in the highly vascularized tissues such as liver followed by the skin, eyes and ventricles of the brain. At 48 h, there was a general distribution of 2,4,5-T in the skeletal muscles. None was detected in the palate. The excretion rate in the mouse was approx. 60 gm/h; about 52% of the dose was recovered unchanged in the urine in 24 h.     

Teratogenic and Embryotoxic Effects of the Herbicides Di- and Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acids (2, 4D and 2, 4, 5-T)

Abstract: Commercial solutions of phenoxyacetic acids were tested for teratogenic effects in NMRI-mice. The Swedish product Hormoslyr 500-T contained only 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) while Hormoslyr 64 was a mixture of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-T (2:1). Subcutaneous injections were given from day 6 through day 14 of pregnancy and the animals were sacrificed on day 18. The number of resorbed embryos, living embryos with gross malformations, as well as internal and skeletal malformations were recorded. It was found that both preparations at the high dosage (110 mg/kg/day) were teratogenic and embryotoxic. At the low dose level (50 mg/kg/day) the 2,4,5-T solution was more harmful than the mixture of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T. The risks of teratogenicity in human civilian use and the role of dioxins are discussed.     

Acute and 90-day subchronic toxicity studies of Silk peptide E5K6, in Sprague-Dawley rats

Acute and 90-day subchronic oral toxicity studies of Silk peptide E5K6 were performed in Sprague-Dawley rats. In the acute toxicity study, Silk peptide E5K6 was administered orally to male and female rats at a single dose of 2000 and 5000 mg/kg. Mortality, clinical signs and body weight changes were monitored for 14 days. There were no treatment-related changes in these parameters. Therefore, the Approximate Lethal Dose (ALD) of Silk peptide E5K6 in male and female rats is higher than 5000 mg/kg. In the subchronic toxicity study, Silk peptide E5K6 was administered orally to male and female rats for 90 days at a single dose of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg. There were no toxicologically significant changes in clinical signs, body weight, food and water consumptions, ophthalmoscopic examination, urinalysis, hematological and serum biochemical examinations, necropsy findings, organ weights and histopathological examination of all of the animals treated with Silk peptide E5K6. These results suggest that the oral No Observed Adverse-Effect Level (NOAEL) of Silk peptide E5K6 is greater than 2000 mg/kg/day in both sexes and the target organs were not established.     

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Influence on 2,6-Dinitrotoluene-Induced Urine Genotoxicity in Fischer 344 Rats: Effect on Gastrointestinal Microflora and Enzyme Activity

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) and 2,6-dinitrotoluene(2,6-DNT) are hazardous chemicals that have potential harmfuleffects. 2,6-DNT is recognized as a hepatotoxicant while 2,4,5-T,a component of Agent Orange, is also suspect. 2,6-DNT requiresboth oxidative and reductive metabolism to elicit genotoxiceffects. To determine what effect 2,4,5-T had on 2,6-DNT metabolism,intestinal enzymes, microbial populations, and urine mutagenicitywere examined during 2,4,5-T treatment. Weanling Fischer 344male rats were treated daily with 54.4 mg/kg 2,4,5-T by gavagefor 4 weeks. One, two, and four weeks after the initial 2,4,5-Tdose, rats were administered (po) 2,6-DNT (75 mg/kg) and urinewas collected for 24 hr in metabolism cages. Azo reductase,nitroreductase, ß-glucuronidase, dechlorinase, anddehydrochlorinase activities were examined concurrently. Treatmentof rats for 1 week reduced the transformation of 2,6-DNT tomutagenic urinary metabolites. This was accompanied by a decreasein the fecal anaerobic microorganisms. The elimination ofLactobacillusfermentum from the small intestine and cecum of treated animalsaccompanied a significant increase in oxygen-tolerant lactobacilliand other unidentified aerobic microorganisms. However, therewere no significant alterations in the intestinal enzyme activitiesexamined. By 2 weeks of 2,4,5-T treatment, microbiota and urinegenotoxicity returned to the levels observed in control animals.This trend continued for the duration of the experiment After2 weeks, while cecal nitroreductase and azo reductase activitiesincreased, small intestinal ß-glucuronidase activitydecreased. By 4 weeks, treated and untreated animal intestinalenzyme activities were indistinguishable. The transient increasein azo reductase and nitroreductase after treatment with 2,4,5-Tfor 2 weeks may have been counteracted by the reduced ß-glucuronidaseactivity, thus resulting in no change in 2,6-DNT-derived urinemutagenicity. However, other environmental chemicals, unaffectedby ß-glucuronidase, potentially could be activatedby 2,4,5-T exposure.     

Acute and subchronic (28-day) oral toxicity study in rats fed with novel surfactants

The toxicity of 2 new synthetic lipids, 1,2-dioleoyl-rac-glycerol-3-dodecaethylene glycol, GDO-12 (lipid 1) and 1,2-distearoyl-rac-glycerol-3-dodecaethylene glycol, GDS-12 (lipid 2) has been evaluated in acute and subchronic toxicity studies. Acute oral toxicity studies in male and female rats documented no deaths or treatment-related signs at high doses. The lipids were individually administered (by gavage) to male and female Sprague-Dawley rats at concentrations of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/Kg bodyweight for 28 days. All animals survived the duration of the study, with no significant changes in clinical signs, hematological parameters, organ weights, ophthalmology evaluations, or histopathological findings. These studies establish that both GDO-12 (lipid 1) and GDS-12 (lipid 2) are nontoxic in rats following oral administration. The no-observed-adverse-effect level ranged between 250 mg/Kg and 1000 mg/Kg following oral administration.     

Effects of the Herbicide 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid on Growth and Morphology of L 929 Cells

Abstract: A dose-dependent inhibition of growth was found when monolayer cultures of L 929 cells were grown in the presence of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) in concentrations from 0.25 to 2.25 mM. At 1.75 and 2.25 mM an almost immediate cessation of growth was found. On removal of the herbicide (2.25 mM) after incubation for 3 or 6 days, cell multiplication was resumed after a lag period of about 24 hours. In the presence of 0.5 to 2.25 mM 2,4,5-T an accumulation of particles in the cytoplasm was observed, and on prolonged incubation in the presence of 2.25 mM 2,4,5-T the cells became rounded and detached from the substratum. By replacing the test medium by the control medium, however, the particles in the cytoplasm disappeared and the cells resumed their fibroblast-like structure.     

The toxicity and neuropathology of 2,4,5-tribromoimidazole and its derivatives in rats

2,4,5-tribromoimidazole and its 1-n-butylcarboxylate and 1-dimethylcarbamoyl derivatives, when administered to rats, induced poisoning typical of uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation. At 48 h rats surviving a single toxic dose of 20–60 mg/kg developed permanent incoordination of the hindlimbs in the absence of brain oedema. Neuropathologic examination of brain and spinal cord from perfused fixed rats at 24 h revealed neuronal necrosis and chromatolysis in the vestibular nucleus, the outer parietal neocortex and red nucleus. Chromatolysis and necrosis in these areas had increased at 72–96 h and were also observed in the deeper layers of the neocortex, the medial entorhinal cortex, the reticular formation, the grey matter of the spinal cord extending into the ventral horns, the dorsal, and ventral cochlear nuclei and the deep cerebellar nuclei, in decreasing order of severity. Neuronal necrosis was accompanied by an increased glial response, including neuronophagia and at 16 days with astroglial hypertrophy and hyperplasia.     

Induction of Leydig cell adenomas by ammonium perfluorooctanoate: a possible endocrine-related mechanism.

Ammonium perfluorooctanoate (C8) produced an increased incidence of Leydig cell adenomas in Crl:CD BR (CD) rats fed 300 ppm for 2 years. A hormonal (nongenotoxic) mechanism was examined since C8 was negative in short-term tests for genotoxicity. Adult male CD rats were gavaged with either 0, 1, 10, 25, or 50 mg/kg C8 for 14 days. In addition, a control group was pair-fed to the 50 mg/kg C8 group. A dose-dependent decrease in body and relative accessory sex organ (ASO) weights was seen, with the relative ASO weights of the 50 mg/kg group significantly less than those of the pair-fed control. Serum estradiol levels were elevated in the 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg C8-treated animals. Estradiol levels in the 50 mg/kg C8 group were 2.7-fold greater than those in the pair-fed control. The increase in serum estradiol levels occurred at the same dose levels as the increase in hepatic beta-oxidation activity. A statistically significant downward trend with dose was seen in serum testosterone levels when compared with the ad libitum control. However, when the 50 mg/kg C8-treated rats were compared with their pair-fed control, no significant differences were seen. Challenge experiments, which can identify the presence and location of a lesion in an endocrine axis, were undertaken to clarify the significance of this downward trend in serum testosterone following C8 exposure. In the challenge experiments, adult CD rats were gavaged with either 0 or 50 mg/kg C8 for 14 days. One hour before termination, rats received either a human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), or naloxone challenge. Following hCG challenge, serum testosterone levels in the 50 mg/kg C8 were significantly decreased (50%) from those in the ad libitum controls. Similar decreases, although not significant, were seen in serum testosterone following GnRH and naloxone challenge. The challenge experiments suggest that the decrease in serum testosterone following C8 exposure is due to a lesion at the level of the testis. In addition, progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, and androstenedione were examined in the 50 mg/kg C8-treated males following hCG challenge. A 60% decrease was observed in androstenedione levels in the C8-treated animals from those in the ad libitum controls; no other differences were seen. These data suggest that the decrease in serum testosterone following hCG challenge may be due to a decrease in the conversion of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone to androstenedione. The observed effects described above can be attributed to the elevated serum estradiol levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Acute and subchronic oral toxicity studies in rats of a hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage preparation.

Two acute and subchronic oral toxicity studies were conducted in rats to evaluate safety of a patented preparation of hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage (BioCell Collagen II) containing collagen type II, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid. In the acute oral toxicity study, five males and five females of Sprague-Dawley rats were administered a single dose of 5000 mg of the test product per kg body weight and observed for 14 days. All animals survived and exhibited normal body weight gain throughout the study. Macroscopic necropsy examination conducted on day 15 revealed no gross pathological lesions in any of the animals. In the subchronic study, Sprague-Dawley rats (40 males, 40 females) were divided into four same-sex groups (10 animals/group). Animals in each group were administered daily either 0, 30, 300 or 1000 mg of the test product per kg of body weight for over 90 days. All animals survived and showed no significant changes in their body weights and histopathology. Although some differences were observed between the treated and control animals in several parameters, they were generally not dose-related or considered to be of toxicological significance. In conclusion, the results from the two oral toxicity studies with male and female young adult rats indicated that the test preparation from hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage collagen (BioCell Collagen II) was well tolerated at all four doses tested.     

In vitro uptake of organic ions by renal cortical tissue of rats treated acutely with 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid.

The effect of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) on renal cortical function has been studied in male adult rats. Significant decreases in organic acid and organic base transport were measured when rats were pretreated with 2,4,5-T 24 hr before in vitro analysis of renal function. Experiments in which injections of p-aminohippurate were given showed no effect on organic acid or organic base transport by renal cortical slices. The data are interpreted to mean that pretreatment with 2,4,5-T has a depressive influence on the transport of some organic ions. Adult animals which were treated daily with 2,4,5-T accumulated a large body store of this herbicide during the first 6 days of administration. However, by 9 days the animals excreted essentially the dose of 2,4,5-T administered, and by 16 days the herbicide accumulated during the first 6 days had been almost totally eliminated. This chronic excretion pattern may explain why only moderate toxicity has been reported for this herbicide.     

Evaluation of Subchronic (13 Week), Reproductive, and in Vitro Genetic Toxicity Potential of 2-Ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenyl Acrylate (Octocrylene)

Use of 2-ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenyl acrylate (Octocrylene)in commercial sunscreen products has increased considerablyin recent years. To support larger scale human exposure to thiscompound, additional toxicological information was needed inseveral key areas. The present studies evaluated subchronictoxicity, developmental toxicity, and in vitro genotoxic potentialof Octocrylene. In the subchronic study, male and female NewZealand white (NZW) rabbits treated topically with concentrationsof octocrylene up to 534 mg/kg/day for 13 weeks showed slightto moderate dose-dependent skin irritation that correlated positivelywith a mild depression in body weight gain. Lack of associatedhistopathologic or clinical hematology abnormalities suggestedthat the body weight effect probably reflected a nonspecificresponse to topical irritation. In percutaneous developmentaltoxicity studies, NZW does were treated topically with Octocryleneat levels up to 267 mg/kg/day on Days 6 through 18 of gestation.Body weight gain, food consumption, and all maternal, reproductive,and offspring parameters evaluated were comparable between Octocrylene-treatedand control animals. In the oral developmental toxicity assay,female CD-1 mice received oral doses of Octocrylene up to 1000mg/kg/day on Days 8–12 of gestation. No evidence of maternalor developmental toxicity was seen at any dose tested. Genotoxicitywas evaluated in vitro using the Chinese hamster ovary cellassay to assess clastogenicity and the mouse lymphoma cell assayto assess forward gene mutations. Octocrylene did not induceany significant increase in genotoxicity. This evaluation oftoxicological potential supports the use of Octocrylene as ahuman photoprotectant.     

Effects of the Herbicide 2,4,5-T on the Incorporation of 14C-Thymidine, 3H-Uridine and 3H-L-Leucine into L 929 Cells

Abstract: A rapid inhibition of the incorporation of ³H-L-leucine, ³H-uridine and ¹⁴C-thymidine into the macromolecular fraction of L 929 cells was found when 2.25 mM 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) was added to the incubation medium. The reduced incorporation of ³H-uridine and ¹⁴C-thymidine could be explained by an inhibitory effect of 2,4,5-T on the uptake of these compounds into the acid-soluble precursor pool, whereas a direct effect on protein synthesis was indicated. Kinetic analysis of the uptake of uridine into the acid-soluble pool indicated that 2,4,5-T inhibited the facilitated transport of this nucleoside into the cell. The overall results are interpreted as indicating that 2,4,5-T induced alterations in the permeability of the cellular plasma membrane.     

Sequential histopathologic, hematologic, and blood chemistry changes induced in mice by a technical and a purified preparation of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid.

Maternal mice were given 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) on days 6 through 14 of pregnancy in a tetratologic study at the National Center for Toxicological Research. Sick or moribund mice sacrificed after 4-8 doses of 120 mg/kg 2,4,5-T often showed severe myocardial lesions, hypocellularity of the bone marrow, and depletion of lymphocytes in the thymus, spleen, or lymph nodes. Healthy mice sacrificed on day 17, 11 days after treatment began, showed few or no severe lesions. To determine if lesions earlier in gestation contributed significantly to an increase in fetal abnormalities in the healthy 17-day survivors, dihybrid croos F2 pregnant and nonpregnant mice received by gavage 0, 60, or 120 mg/kg 2,4,5-T on days 6 through 14 of pregnancy. One group received a technical preparation containing 97.9 +/- 0.4% 2,4,5-T; another received a purified preparation containing 99 +/- 0.3% 2,4,5-T. Mice were sacrificed when they became moribund and at 6, 24, and 30 hr, as well as at 4, 6, 8, and 11 days after beginning treatment. Almost all mice given 60 mg/kg and many given 120 mg/kg 2,4,5-T appeared normal at sacrifice either early or late in pregnancy and showed little or no pathologic changes. Mice that became ill or moribund often showed severe lesions; few survived 11 days. Severe myocardial lesions were seen in 26 of 70 moribund mice fiven the technical 2,4,5-T and 24 of 33 given the purified preparation of 2,4,5-T. The moribund mice, particularly those given the purified compound, also showed a high incidence of lesions in other organs and marked hematological and blood chemistry changes. These findings indicate that the lesions are primarily due to 2,4,5-T rather than to impurities in the technical preparation; also impaired maternal health is not the primary cause of the increase in fetal abnormalities.     

Mutagenic,cytogenetic and teratogenic studies on thiophanate-methyl

Graded single doses of thiophanate-methyl (8–500 mg/kg) were injected ip into male mice, which were then mated with untreated females over a subsequent 8-week period. Thiophanate-methyl administered to male mice acutely produced no mutagenic effect in the dominant lethal assay, as measured directly by increased early fetal deaths or indirectly by increased preimplantation losses. In rats injected with this chemical there was no direct relation between dosage levels and percentage of spermatogonial and bone marrow cells showing chromosomal breaks.Thiophanate-methyl was given po (1000, 500 200 and 40 mg/kg/day) to pregnant mice from day 1 to day 15 of gestation. The highest dosage level effected a small difference in the number of living fetuses from the control group but the other groups dosed with 500 mg/kg/day or less presented no differences in implantation sites, number of living fetuses, body weight of living fetuses and number of dead fetuses from the control group. Investigation of cleared skeletons showed no significant difference in the incidence of malformations in all treated groups as compared to the control group. It is concluded that thiophanate-methyl did not exert significant mutagenic, cytogenic and teratogenic effects under the present experimental conditions.