Carcinogenicity of 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran and 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran in rats

In order to examine the carcinogenicity of 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran and 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran, these two chemicals were subcutaneously administered to Wistar strain male rats at the dose of 80 micrograms, 40 micrograms or 4 micrograms per rat. At sacrifice in two years after the start of the experiment, tumors were observed in the subcutaneous tissue and the liver. Although the number of the rats used is small, the tumor occurrence showed some tendency to relate with the dose of the chemicals given.     

Cirrhosis of the liver induced by cupric nitrilotriacetate in Wistar rats. An experimental model of copper toxicosis.

Rats intraperitoneally injected with a daily dose of cupric nitrilotriacetate (Cu-NTA), which contained 4 to 7 mg of copper/kg body weight, showed submassive liver necrosis, hemolytic anemia, and acute renal tubular necrosis at the beginning of the experiment and intermittently after 4 weeks of injections. All rats that survived over 8 weeks exhibited liver fibrosis with portal-portal, portal-central, and central-central bridging. In all rats that survived over 16 weeks, micronodular cirrhosis of the liver or extensive liver fibrosis was observed. The copper content of the cirrhotic/fibrotic liver was above 250 micrograms/g dry weight. Electron-microscopic x-ray analysis at day 93 revealed that copper stored in secondary lysosomes was always accompanied by a proportional amount of sulfur (correlation coefficient, 0.98; P less than 0.005). An experimental model of copper toxicosis in terms of copper-induced cirrhosis of the liver was established with exogenous copper chelated by nitrilotriacetate.     

Carcinogenicity of 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran and 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran when given by gavage to rats

Previous studies showed that 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PenCDF) and 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran (HCDF) could produce tumors in the liver and subcutaneous tissues of rats by subcutaneous administration. The present study has examined the carcinogenicity of the same compounds in rats by oral administration. Wistar strain male rats were sacrificed at two years after oral administration (0.2 mg/rat) of 2,3,4,7,8-PenCDF or 1,2,3,4,7,8-HCDF. Among rats given 2,3,4,7,8-PenCDF, a cholangiohepatoma and a osteosarcoma were revealed in a rat each. Moreover, a few hepatic nodules were found in two rats in each experimental group. These results suggest that these compounds of polychlorinated dibenzofurans have a tumorigenic potency by oral administration.     

慢加急性肝衰竭大鼠动物模型的建立

目的 研究大鼠慢加急性肝衰竭模型的建立方法.方法 SD大鼠给予50%四氯化碳植物油溶液腹腔注射,每3天1次,连续6或10周.分别于6周和10周时将大鼠随机分为2组,分别腹腔注射2 g/kg体重D-氨基半乳糖、100 μg/kg体重脂多糖联合0.5 g/kg体重D-氨基半乳糖.通过观察大鼠饮食,测定血清丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)和总胆红素(TBil)水平,以及观察大鼠肝组织病理形态改变来评价成模效果.结果 给予四氯化碳植物油溶液腹腔注射6或10周,分别可出现肝纤维化和肝硬化表现.在此基础上给予上述2种试剂急性攻击,可出现肝组织片状、大块或亚大块肝坏死.结论 四氯化碳腹腔注射诱导的慢性肝纤维化,肝硬化基础上分别给予D-氨基半乳糖、脂多糖联合D-氨基半乳糖可诱导慢加急性肝衰竭.     

Protection of platelet-activating factor-induced acute renal failure by BN 52021.

Although platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a well-known mediator in experimental shock, its precise role in acute renal failure remains to be defined. Male Wistar rats (209 +/- 12 g) were placed in individual metabolic cages for 24 h before i.v. injection of PAF (2-6 micrograms/kg). Injection of 6 micrograms/kg PAF proved lethal and use of such a high dose was thus discontinued. Administration of 2 micrograms/kg and 4 micrograms/kg PAF resulted in a fall of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) associated with a reduction in urinary flow rate (UFR). Rats pretreated with BN 52021 (25 mg/kg p.o.) exhibited values of GFR similar to that of the control group, but not after 4 micrograms/kg PAF. In addition, in the group of BN 52021 pretreated rats and injected with 2 micrograms/kg or 4 micrograms/kg PAF, UFR was not significantly different from that of the control group at 24 h. Examination by electron microscopy revealed the presence of platelets in the glomeruli, as well as loss of fixed anionic charges in PAF injected rats. The presence of these platelets was not observed in rats treated with BN 52021 and injected with PAF. No changes in GFR and UFR were observed at 6 h or 24 h in vehicle or BN 52021 treated rats. Thus, BN 52021 which affords protection against acute renal failure induced by PAF may be of therapeutic value in other types of kidney disease in which this mediator is active.     

Protection of platelet-activating factor-induced acute renal failure by BN 52021

Although platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a well-known mediator in experimental shock, its precise role in acute renal failure remains to be defined. Male Wistar rats (209 +/- 12 g) were placed in individual metabolic cages for 24 h before i.v. injection of PAF (2-6 micrograms/kg). Injection of 6 micrograms/kg PAF proved lethal and use of such a high dose was thus discontinued. Administration of 2 micrograms/kg and 4 micrograms/kg PAF resulted in a fall of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) associated with a reduction in urinary flow rate (UFR). Rats pretreated with BN 52021 (25 mg/kg p.o.) exhibited values of GFR similar to that of the control group, but not after 4 micrograms/kg PAF. In addition, in the group of BN 52021 pretreated rats and injected with 2 micrograms/kg or 4 micrograms/kg PAF, UFR was not significantly different from that of the control group at 24 h. Examination by electron microscopy revealed the presence of platelets in the glomeruli, as well as loss of fixed anionic charges in PAF injected rats. The presence of these platelets was not observed in rats treated with BN 52021 and injected with PAF. No changes in GFR and UFR were observed at 6 h or 24 h in vehicle or BN 52021 treated rats. Thus, BN 52021 which affords protection against acute renal failure induced by PAF may be of therapeutic value in other types of kidney disease in which this mediator is active.     

Biliary hyperplasia and carcinogenesis in chronic liver damage induced in rats by phomopsin

Phomopsin, a hexapeptide mycotoxin contaminant of lupin plant and seed materials, was administered subcutaneously to adult rats at a daily dose rate of 30 micrograms/kg body weight (approximately 0.005 median lethal dose) for 2, 6 or 17 wks and the development of liver damage was observed during treatment and for up to 2 yr after. All rats injected for 17 wks developed permanent liver damage characterized by nodular cirrhosis and extensive biliary hyperplasia. Cholangiomas developed in 60% of these rats and cholangiocarcinomas and hepatocellular carcinomas in 13%. Similar effects were produced in some rats injected for 6 wks, while in others the cessation of treatment was followed by almost complete regression of the liver lesions. Livers damaged by 2 wks of injection had fully recovered within a few wks. The permanence of the liver damage is relevant to the management of stock exposed seasonally to the toxin, while its carcinogenic potential in rats, although not high, indicates the need for monitoring of the phomopsin content of lupin seed or flour prepared for human consumption.     

Histomorphologic observations for cynomolgus monkeys after subchronic subcutaneous injection of recombinant human interleukin-4.

Recombinant human interleukin-4 (rhuIL-4) is a candidate for the treatment of refractory cancer based on its potential to enhance the function of the immune system. Total daily dosages of 0 (placebo control), 1, 5, or 25 micrograms/kg of rhuIL-4 were given as divided (b.i.d.) subcutaneous dosages to male and female cynomolgus monkeys (5/sex/group) for 1 month followed by a 2-week recovery. Histomorphologic evaluation of 3/sex/group at 1 month revealed vascular lesions, granulocytic hyperplasia, and seminiferous tubular atrophy attributed to treatment with rhuIL-4. Dosage-dependent proliferative and inflammatory vascular lesions with eosinophil infiltration affected principally the arterial tree. After 2 weeks of recovery, these lesions, including chronic endarteritis and chronic and/or obliterative arteritis, occurred with an overall lower incidence, and were not observed for monkeys from the 1.0 micrograms/kg/day group. Granulocytic hyperplasia in bone marrow observed for monkeys from all groups given rhuIL-4 at 1 month was not present after 2 weeks of recovery. Seminiferous tubular atrophy was observed for monkeys from the 5 and 25 micrograms/kg/day groups at 1 month and after 2 weeks of recovery.     

Studies on distribution, excretion and subacute toxicity of squalane in dogs

In the previous papers, we demonstrated, by using rats, that squalane (2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosane) could stimulate the fecal excretion of 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran, which was regarded as the most important etiologic agent of yusho among PCB and PCDF congeners found in the causal rice oil. We also reported that, in rats, squalane was not essentially absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and did not show any appreciable side effects during the 3-month treatment. In the present paper, we have investigated the distribution, excretion and subacute toxicity of squalane in beagle dogs. The fecal excretion of squalane accounted for about 83% of dose during the initial 2 days after administration at a single oral dose of 1,200 mg/kg to male dogs. On day 3, absorbed squalane was mostly distributed to the hair and the skin, and the concentrations in these tissues were decreased on day 6. These results suggested that most of squalane administered orally was not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, but a part was absorbed and excreted through the hair. In addition, squalane distributed into the liver was found to be eliminated rather slowly. A long-term (13-week) treatments with squalane orally at doses of 400 mg/kg/day or 1,200 mg/kg/day in male and female dogs, resulted also in accumulation of squalane in the liver at a level of about 3% (400 mg/kg) or about 6% (1,200 mg/kg) of the daily dose. This accumulation of squalane in the liver was highest among all the tissues. Nevertheless, no appreciable toxic signs were observed in the serum biochemical tests and the hepatic functional test for squalane groups. Therefore, squalane accumulating in the liver, did not seem to disturb the hepatic physiological functions. It was suggested also in a long-term treatment that the skin and the hair played the most important role in the elimination of squalane. In conclusion, the present studies on subacute toxicity tests suggested that squalane did not give any significant toxic effects on dogs as well as rats.     

Intermittent parathyroid hormone treatment can promote linear growth in the ovariectomized growing rat.

To compare the effect of intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) treatment with that of estrogen treatment on epiphyseal growth in ovariectomized rats, 46 Sprague-Dawley female rats aged 9-10 weeks (about 200-220 g) were either ovariectomized or sham operated. From 6 weeks after ovariectomy (ovx), rats were daily injected with subcutaneous human recombinant PTH (1-84)-dosed 30 micrograms/kg (the low dose PTH-treated group) or 300 micrograms/kg (the high dose PTH-treated group), 17 beta-estradiol (the 17 beta-estradiol-treated group, 30 micrograms/kg) or vehicle (the ovx-alone group), 5 times a week for 4 weeks. The decalcified sections of the distal femoral epiphyseal plate were analyzed on light microscopy after H&E stain, and the lengths of the zones of proliferation, maturing and hypertrophic chondrocytes were measured. The length of the growth plate, the zone of proliferation and the zone of hypertrophic chondrocyte in the ovx-alone group were significantly shorter than those of the sham-operated group. The treatment of 17 beta-estradiol speeded up the differentiation of cells from proliferating chondrocytes to maturing and hypertrophic chondrocytes even though the length of the growth plate was comparable to that of the sham-operated group. Both low and high dose PTH treatments increased the length of the growth plate, and those lengths were comparable to that of the sham-operated group. The fractions of proliferating, maturing and hypertrophic zone in the low dose PTH-treated group were also comparable to those of the sham-operated group. However, high dose PTH treatment slowed down the differentiation of cells from proliferating chondrocytes to maturing and hypertrophic chondrocytes to a greater extent, and therefore the fraction of proliferating chondrocytes of the high dose PTH-treated group was larger than that of the low dose PTH-treated group (73.8 +/- 1.8 Vs 63.3 +/- 1.3%, p < 0.005). From these results, we showed that intermittent PTH treatment could promote linear growth in the ovariectomized growing rat. We propose that PTH may be an alternative drug candidate for promoting linear growth of long bones without the risk for early closure of the growth plate.     

Dose response study of N-nitrosodiethanolamine initiation of rat hepatocarcinogenesis.

Initiating activity of N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) for rat liver carcinogenesis was investigated using an 8-weeks bioassay system. Male F344 rats were initially treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of NDELA at one of five dose levels: 1,600, 800, 400, 200, or 100 mg/kg. Two weeks later, the rats were placed on 0.02% 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) or 0.05% phenobarbital (PB) containing diet for 6 weeks. All animals were subjected to 2/3 partial hepatectomy 4 weeks after the NDELA treatment, and killed at the end of the eighth week. NDELA itself exerted low toxicity in terms of body weight gain. Clear dose-dependent initiating activity of NDELA was observed in terms of development of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive liver cell foci, this being more apparent with PB promotion than with 2-AAF where the enhancing regimen itself caused multiple lesion development. Initiating potential of NDELA, however, was much lower than that observed for diethylnitrosamine in our previous work.     

Effects of the prostaglandin E2 analogue enprostil on the carbon tetrachloride-induced necrosis of liver cells in mice.

Female mice, eight weeks old, were injected with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (10 mg subcutaneously). Groups of mice (n = 10-30) were then injected with enprostil (E) 2, 20 or 50 micrograms/kg body weight (bw) intraperitoneally 15 min and two h after, or E 100 micrograms/kg bw two h after the CCl4 injection. The mice were killed after 24, 48 or 72 h. Plasma activity concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) were determined in blood specimens from the iliac veins. The extent of liver cell necrosis in histological sections was recorded on a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and measured using the electronic Mini Mop method. In the group given the highest single dose of E (100 micrograms/kg) a significant lowering of the CCl4-induced liver cell necrosis was found after 24 h. No significant differences were found after 48 and 72 h. In the other groups injected with lower doses of E after CCl4, no significant differences were found compared to groups injected with CCl4 alone.     

Tissue distribution, inductive effect on liver enzymes and acute toxicity of 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran in Golden Syrian hamsters

The hamsters have been known to be the least sensitive mammalian species to the acute toxicity of highly toxic polyhalogenated hydrocarbons such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. In the present study, the tissue distribution, inductive effect of liver enzymes and acute toxicity of 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PenCDF) in male Golden Syrian hamsters were examined. The highest content (about 48% of dose) of PenCDF was found in the liver 5 days after a single i.p. dose of 1.0 mg/kg. The amount ranging about 5 to 10% of dose was also distributed to mesentery, skin and muscle. In liver, the distribution of PenCDF was just parallel to that of cytochrome P-450 (P-450), marker enzymes of liver endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting that PenCDF binds to P-450. The mode of inductive effects of PenCDF in hamsters was 3-methylcholanthrene-type as reported previously in rats. However, the typical enzymes such as benzo(a)pyrene 3-hydroxylase and DT-diaphorase were induced to a relatively less extent than did in rats. In hamsters pretreated with PenCDF at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg, the potent atrophy of thymus and the 3-fold increase of liver lipid peroxide were observed, whereas the body weight gain was not suppressed at all. These results suggest that the induction of liver enzymes and the atrophy of thymus might not be the direct cause of PenCDF-induced lethality in hamsters.     

Effects of 3-methylsulphonyl-4,5,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl and 7,8-benzoflavone on aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in Ah responsive and Ah nonresponsive strains of mice

In general, C57BL/6NQdj (C57) and DBA/2JCrj (DBA) strains of mice are considered to be the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) responsive and Ah nonresponsive strains of mice, respectively, which are determined by whether the hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity is enhanced (Ah responsive) or not (Ah nonresponsive) after the treatment of 3-methylcholanthrene (MC). In this study, first, we examined that the Ah responsiveness was systemically regulated in the lungs and kidneys as well as in the liver and observed its systemic control in these three organs in the two strains of mice. Then, we prepared the hepatic microsomes of the two strains of mice after the treatment of MC (42 mg/kg, once), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD, 20 micrograms/kg, 6 times) and 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PenCDF 60 micrograms/kg, 6 times) in order to investigate the effects of 3-methylsulphonyl-4,5,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (3-MSF-TCB, 1.5-45 micrograms/ml) and 7,8-benzoflavone (ANF, 1.4-42 micrograms/ml) on the respective hepatic microsomal AHH activities and the following results were obtained. 1. As compared with the control enzyme activity, TCDD-induced AHH activity was the highest, PenCDF-induced one the second and MC-induced the lowest in both strains of mice. The inductions of the enzyme activity by these chemicals were much more remarkable in the Ah responsive C57 strain than those in the Ah nonresponsive DBA strain. 2. 3-MSF-TCB and ANF enhanced or reduced the enzyme activity depending on both their concentrations and kinds of microsomes, namely, those prepared from untreated control mice and mice treated with MC, TCDD or PenCDF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Treatment with recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (Filgrastin) stimulates neutrophils and tissue macrophages and induces an effective non-specific response against Mycobacterium avium in mice.

A role of neutrophils in the host response against Mycobacterium avium (MAC) has recently been suggested. To investigate this matter further, we determined the effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on the outcome of MAC infection in mice. C57BL/6bg+/bg- black mice were intravenously infected with 1 x 10(7) MAC and then divided into four experimental groups to receive G-CSF as follows: (i) 10 micrograms/kg/day; (ii) 50 micrograms/kg/day; (iii) 100 micrograms/kg/day; (iv) placebo control. Mice were killed at 2 and 4 weeks of treatment to determine the bacterial load of liver and spleen. Treatment with G-CSF at both 10 and 50 micrograms/kg/day doses significantly decreased the number of viable bacteria in liver and spleen after 2 weeks (approximately 70.5% and 69.0%, respectively), and after 4 weeks (approximately 53% and 52%, respectively, P < 0.05 compared with placebo control). Treatment with 100 micrograms/kg/day did not result in decrease of bacterial colony-forming units in the liver and spleen after 4 weeks. Administration of G-CSF induced interleukin-10 (IL-10) and IL-12 production by splenocytes. To examine if the protective effect of G-CSF was accompanied by the activation of phagocytic cells, blood neutrophils and splenic macrophages were purified from mice receiving G-CSF and their ability to kill MAC was examined ex vivo. Neutrophils and macrophages from G-CSF-treated mice were able to inhibit the growth of or to kill MAC ex vivo, while phagocytic cells from untreated control mice had no anti-MAC effect. These results suggest that activation of neutrophils appears to induce an effective non-specific host defence against MAC, and further studies should aim for better understanding of the mechanisms of protection.     

Liver regeneration by small hepatocyte-like progenitor cells after necrotic injury by carbon tetrachloride in retrorsine-exposed rats

Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) in rats exposed to the pyrrolizidine alkaloid retrorsine is accomplished through the proliferation and differentiation of a population of small hepatocyte-like progenitor cells (SHPCs). The activation, emergence, and outgrowth of SHPCs in response to the liver deficit generated through surgical PH have been well characterized. However, the participation of these cells in the restoration of hepatocyte numbers and regeneration of liver tissue mass following necrotic injury has not been investigated. To investigate the capacity of SHPCs to respond to necrotizing liver injury, we combined retrorsine treatment with the centrilobular-specific toxin carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). Male Fischer 344 rats were treated with retrorsine (30 mg/kg ip) at 6 and 8 weeks of age, followed by CCl₄ treatment (1500 mg/kg ip) 5 weeks later. Liver tissues were harvested at 3, 7, 14, 21, and 30-days post-injection. The dose of CCl₄ employed resulted in the necrotic destruction of 59 ± 2% of liver mass and elicited a regenerative response equivalent to that of surgical PH. Livers from retrorsine-exposed CCl₄-treated rats exhibit SHPC proliferation similar to retrorsine-exposed rats subjected to PH (RP). SHPCs appear at 3-days post-injection, continue to expand at 7-days and 14-days post-injection, and completely regenerate/restore the liver mass and structure in these animals by 30-days post-injection. The magnitude of SHPC response observed in the undamaged periportal zone of the liver in these animals is unaffected (versus RP rats) by the loss of the centrilobular region. The results of this study show that SHPCs are capable of regenerating liver after exposure to necrotizing agents and suggest that the progenitor cell of origin of the SHPCs is not restricted to the centrilobular zone of the liver parenchyma.     

Studies on the mechanism of simvastatin-induced thyroid hypertrophy and follicular cell adenoma in the rat.

Female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with either simvastatin (a novel competitive inhibitor of HMG CoA reductase) or phenobarbital (positive control) to ascertain the possible relationship between the effects of simvastatin on hepatic metabolism and the thyroid hypertrophy and follicular cell adenomas which it produces in this strain of rat. The test compounds were administered orally at doses of 100 mg/kg (divided doses at 50 mg/kg, b.i.d.). (This dose of simvastatin represents approximately 250 times the human dose.) After 5 weeks of treatment, either simvastatin or phenobarbital produced significant increases (35% and 39% above control, respectively) in serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), a significant increase (39% and 120% above control, respectively) in the systemic clearance of 125I-thyroxine, and slight decreases in serum thyroxine levels. Statistically significant increases in liver and thyroid weights were associated with phenobarbital treatment. With simvastatin, increased liver weights occurred. At the microscopic level, thyroid hypertrophy was observed in all phenobarbital-treated rats and to a lesser degree in most simvastatin-treated animals. Simvastatin did not markedly alter liver microsomal enzyme activities with the exception of the anticipated induction of HMG CoA reductase (which increased approximately 4.4-fold). Conversely, phenobarbital produced large increases in liver microsomal enzymes, including glucuronosyl transferase, but did not affect the activity of HMG CoA reductase. Therefore, the increased clearance of thyroxine in simvastatin-treated female rats was not associated with enzyme induction but may have been related to the increase in functional liver mass produced by this compound at this dose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Light microscopic and ultrastructural pathology of seminiferous tubules of rats given multiple doses of Pasteurella multocida group D protein toxin.

Male Holtzman rats were given subcutaneous doses of a purified Pasteurella multocida group D heat-labile toxin on alternate days for up to 22 days. Rats were necropsied at 18 days or 36 days (14 days after last dose of toxin) or when moribund, and testicles were taken for histologic and ultrastructural examination. Other selected tissues, including liver and spleen, were taken for histologic examination. Histologically, testicular and splenic lesions occurred more consistently and at much smaller doses when compared with lesions in other target organs such as liver. Testicular and splenic lesions were present in all rats (6/6) given 0.8 micrograms/kg toxin and were seen in some rats (1/6) given as little as 0.2 micrograms/kg toxin. Only 3/6 rats given 0.8 micrograms/kg toxin had hepatic lesions; no hepatic lesions were seen at doses of 0.2 micrograms/kg. Testicles from toxin-treated rats were smaller and weighed less than controls. Seminiferous tubules were moderately dilated and lined by polygonal sertoli cells. The normal spermatogenic maturation sequence and mature spermatids were absent, and many tubules contained multinucleate spermatocytes. Severely affected tubules were necrotic and mineralized. Ultrastructurally, there was necrosis of adluminal spermatocytes, multinucleate cell formation, and spaces between Sertoli cell plasma membranes. Testicular lesions were similar to those described for vitamin D-deficient rats, vitamin A-deficient rats, vasectomized rats, and rats given intravenous tumor necrosis factor; however, rats given lethal doses of toxin did not have elevated levels of TNF alpha activity.     

Enhancement of hepatocarcinogenesis initiated with diethylnitrosamine or N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine by a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined diet administered prior to the carcinogen exposure in rats.

Effects of pre-administration of a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet on hepatocarcinogenesis initiated with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) or N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (BHP) in rats were investigated. A pre-administrating period was set as 1 week, because CDAA diet induces liver injuries by this time-point. In a time-course study, male Fischer 344 rats, 6 weeks old, received a 1-week pre-administration of choline-supplemented, L-amino acid-defined (CSAA) or CDAA diet, DEN at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight by a single intraperitoneal injection, then CSAA or CDAA diet for up to 8 weeks, and were sacrificed 4, 6 and 8 weeks after DEN. CDAA diet administered only after DEN significantly increased the numbers of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive lesions 4, 6 and 8 weeks after DEN and their sizes 6 and 8 weeks after DEN. CDAA diet administered both before and after DEN similarly increased the numbers and sizes of GST-P-positive lesions, but with a significantly greater degree than obtained by the diet administered only after DEN. In a dose response study, rats received vechicle or DEN, at a dose of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 20, 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight, 1 week after the commencement of CSAA or CDAA diet, and sacrificed 8 weeks after vehicle or DEN. The significant increases of the numbers of GST-P-positive lesions were obtained after 50-200 mg/kg body weight of DEN under the CSAA diet administration, whereas those were detected after 10-200 mg/kg under CDAA diet administration. Sizes became significantly larger with only 200 mg/kg body weight of DEN in the CSAA case but with 50-200 mg/kg in the CDAA case. Male Wistar rats received a 1-week pre-administration of CSAA or CDAA diet, vehicle or BHP, at a dose of 600 or 1200 mg/kg body weight, by a single intraperitoneal injection, then CSAA or CDAA diet for 8 weeks, and were then sacrificed. The numbers of GST-P-positive lesions demonstrated significant increment with 1200 mg/kg body weight of BHP by CDAA diet administered only after BHP and, to a significantly greater degree, by the diet administered both before and after BHP. While CDAA diet administered only after BHP did not alter the sizes of GST-P-positive lesions, the diet administered both before and after 600 and 1200 mg/kg body weight of BHP significantly increased the sizes of the lesions. These results indicate that the pre- plus post-administration of CDAA diet enhances hepatocarcinogenesis initiated with DEN or BHP, more than the post-administration only, thus providing a sensitive model to detect weak liver carcinogenic potency of environmental chemicals.     

Evaluation of genotoxicity, pathological lesions, and cell proliferation in livers of rats and mice treated with furan.

Preliminary results from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) bioassays of furan given by gavage indicate the induction of hepatocellular carcinomas in male F-344 rats and in both sexes of B6C3F1 mice, and cholangiocarcinomas in both sexes of rats. To assess the genotoxicity of furan, chemically induced unscheduled DNA synthesis was evaluated in the in vivo hepatocyte DNA repair assay. Furan did not induce unscheduled DNA synthesis in hepatocytes isolated after single gavage treatment of male F-344 rats (5, 30, and 100 mg/kg) or male B6C3F1 mice (10, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg). Furan induced cytotoxicity and enhanced cell proliferation were evaluated in livers of rats and mice as events that also might give rise to mutations and/or drive tumor formation. The labeling index (LI, percentage of hepatocyte nuclei in S-phase) was measured histoautoradiographically following a single gavage administration of furan (30 mg/kg, male rats; 50 mg/kg, male mice) followed by an injection of 3H-thymidine 2 hr prior to sacrifice. Hepatocellular necrosis and a sharp increase in LI (23.9 for mice and 17.8 for rats vs. less than 0.5 for controls) was observed 48 hr after treatment with furan, indicative of restorative cell proliferation secondary to cytotoxicity. Hepatocyte proliferation was evaluated also at the highest NTP bioassay dose (15 mg/kg/day for mice and 8 mg/kg/day for rats, 5 days/week) by labeling with 3H-thymidine administered via a 6 day osmotic pump implanted subcutaneously. Necrosis and inflammation were observed along the subcapsular visceral surface of the left or caudate liver lobes, likely due to diffusion of furan directly through the stomach to the liver. After 6 weeks of furan administration, male and female rats, but not mice, exhibited bile duct hyperplasia as well as metaplasia in the areas of fibrosis along the subcapsular visceral surface of the left or caudate liver lobes. The fold increase in hepatocyte LI in treated animals relative to the combined controls measured at weeks 1, 3, and 6 ranged from 39 to 5 for male mice, 18 to 51 for male rats, and 12 to 19 for female rats. Taken together, these data suggest that mechanisms other than direct DNA-reactivity might explain the profile of oncogene mutations observed in the mouse liver tumors, including selective promotion of different subpopulations of preneoplastic cells and/or mutational events secondary to sustained cell proliferation or inflammation. The extensive amount of furan-induced cell proliferation subsequent to cytotoxicity likely had a significant impact on tumor development, and such data should be considered in risk evaluations for this compound.