Trichloroethylene. II. Mechanism of carcinogenicity of trichloroethylene.

The cancer inducing effect of trichloroethylene (TCE) was studied by various methods. DNA complexing activity and apoptosis inhibition were found to be the key elements of the carcinogenicity of TCE and its metabolites. The ability of TCE to interact with DNA was low, but its incorporation into the RNA and DNA of the brain, testis, pancreas, kidney, liver, lung and spleen, cannot be excluded. Exposure to TCE and its metabolites provides a selective growth advantage to spontaneously occurring mutations in some K- and H-ras oncogenes (as non specific results of secondary DNA or RNA damage). The amount of DNA-TCE adducts was higher in mouse hepatocytes than in rat hepatocytes. These differences may explain the species difference in carcinogenicity of TCE, which was dose dependent (due to metabolism) in mice but independent in rats. The blood level kinetics of TCE confirmed the faster metabolic rate in mice, including peroxisome proliferation and induction in hepatocytes. Dichloroacetic- and trichloroacetic acid were found to be hepatic carcinogens in mice, and the specificity depends on peroxisome proliferation induction. Possibly, TCE and related compounds down regulated apoptosis in mouse liver, and the reduced ability to remove initiated cells by apoptosis could be responsible for liver cancer induction by TCE.     

Effects of various soyasaponins on liver tyrosine aminotransferase activity induced by cortisone in adrenalectomized rats.

It is well known that liver tyrosine aminotransferase activity is induced by administration of steroids to adrenalectomized rats. When various soyasaponins (e.g. soyasaponins I, II, III, A (1) and A (2)) were injected intraperitoneally into adrenalectomized rats, liver tyrosine aminotransferase activity was not found to be induced. Administration of a low dose of cortisone (2.5 mg/kg body weight) to adrenalectomized rats also failed to induce liver tyrosine aminotransferase. However, this enzyme was found to be induced by administration of this low dose of cortisone with soyasaponins II (2.5 mg/kg and 5.0 mg/kg) and A (2) (5.0 mg/kg).     

Distribution of nitroxide radical compounds and its reducing activity in liver, spleen and kidney of rat by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy

The time courses of intensity changes of X-band electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra in the blood, liver, spleen, kidney and porta hepatis of rats were examined after 3-carbamoyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidin-1-yloxyl (carbamoyl-PROXYL) was perorally administered. The quenching activities of nitroxide radicals were determined using homogenate of the organs of individual rats. It was found that administrated nitroxide radicals were delivered to the liver, spleen, and kidney after peroral administration, where ESR signal intensities in the blood decreased gradually. The concentration of the elivered nitroxide radical varied with the individual organs. The quenching activity of the nitroxide radical for the homogenate of the porta hepatis was the highest before administration, while the concentration due to the reduced deoxidized-nitroxide radical compounds after 4 h of peroral administration was shown to be high in the kidney. It is concluded that the nitroxide radical compound is quenched in the porta hepatis of the liver, while the reduced nitroxide radical compound is delivered to the kidney.     

Lipid peroxidation: a possible mechanism of trichloroethylene-induced nephrotoxicity

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether lipid peroxidation plays a role in (TCE) trichloroethylene-induced nephrotoxicity in mice at different oxygen concentrations. Male NMRI mice (25-30 g) were treated i.p. with TCE in a dosage of 125-1000 mg/kg in sesame oil. To determine the TCE-induced depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the kidney cortex and liver tissue, mice were given 1000 mg/kg TCE i.p., then killed between 0 and 6 h after TCE administration and GSH was measured was non-protein sulfhydryls. In another series of experiments, mice were administered 125 to 1000 mg/kg TCE i.p. with or without a 2 h i.p. pretreatment with 1500 mg/kg L-buthionine-S-R-sulfoximine (BSO). Mice were then exposed to a 10, 15, 20 or 100% oxygen atmosphere for 3 h and lipid peroxidation in vivo was measured as exhalation of ethane. Subsequently, mice were killed and malondialdehyde (MDA) generation was measured in the liver and kidney cortex. Ethane evolution was estimated by gas chromatography and MDA was determined as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. In a further series of experiments mice were treated in the same manner as for ethane and MDA determination and the changes in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and accumulation of the organic ion p-aminohippurate (PAH) were determined. PAH accumulation by renal cortical slices were measured as the slice to medium (S/M) ratio. Six hours after administration of 1000 mg/kg TCE to mice, GSH was significantly depleted to about 60% of control in the kidney cortex but not in the liver. Three hours after TCE administration, MDA content in the kidney cortex and ethane exhalation increased in a dose-dependent manner only under a 10% oxygen atmosphere. Under the same experimental conditions, MDA content remained unchanged in the liver. BSO depletion of GSH prior TCE administration induced an increase of the MDA content in the kidney cortex and an increase of the ethane exhalation in vivo. At 10% oxygen concentration, TCE induced a dose-dependent increase in BUN and a dose-dependent decrease of PAH accumulation by the renal cortical slices. Thus, the results of the present study suggest that, under hypoxic conditions, lipid peroxidation plays a role in TCE nephrotoxicity.     

Tissue dosimetry expansion and cross-validation of rat and mouse physiologically based pharmacokinetic models for trichloroethylene.

Trichloroethylene (TCE), a volatile liquid used as a degreasing agent, is a common environmental pollutant. In 2001, the EPA published a draft risk assessment for TCE that incorporates dosimetry predictions of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models. The current modeling effort represents an expansion and extensive tissue dosimetry validation of rodent PBPK models for TCE. The pharmacokinetics of TCE in male Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rats were characterized (1) during and after inhalation exposure to 50 or 500 ppm TCE, (2) following administration of 8 mg/kg TCE PO, and (3) following intra-arterial injection of 8 mg/kg TCE. Blood and tissues (including liver, kidney, fat, skeletal muscle, heart, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, and brain) were collected at selected time-points from 5 min up to 24 h post initial exposure. The fat compartment was modified to be diffusion-limited to predict the observed slow release of TCE from the fat. The addition of a deep liver compartment was necessary to accurately predict the slower hepatic clearance of TCE for all three exposure routes. Simulations of liver concentrations following gavage of male B6C3F1 mice with 300-2000 mg/kg TCE were also improved with the addition of a deep liver compartment. Liver predictions were calibrated and validated using a cross-validation technique novel to PBPK modeling. Splitting of compartments did not significantly affect predictions of TCE concentrations in the liver, fat, or venous blood. This model expansion and validation increases both the utility and our confidence in the current use of rodent TCE PBPK models in human health risk assessment.     

DT diaphorase [NAD(P)H: (quinone acceptor) oxidoreductase] facilitates redox cycling of menadione in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) cytosol.

Characteristics of DT diaphorase (NAD(P)H: (quinone acceptor) oxidoreductase, DTD) activity in Ictalurus punctatus and the effect of DTD activity on menadione (MND)-mediated reduction of acetylated cytochrome c (AcC) were examined. DTD activity in cytosols of four organs followed a distinct gradient in the order stomach greater than gill greater than liver greater than posterior kidney. A similar gradient was observed in organ-specific rates of in vitro AcC reduction in the presence of either NADH or NADPH as reducing equivalent. A greater proportion of the AcC reduction rate was sensitive to inhibition by dicoumarol (DC) in organs with relatively high DTD specific activity (e.g., stomach) than in organs with low DTD activity (e.g., kidney). No such trend was observed in the superoxide dismutase (SOD)-sensitive proportion of AcC reduction rates. DTD was observed to contribute to MND-mediated superoxide production to a greater extent in organs with high DTD activity than in organs with low DTD activity. DC-sensitive (i.e., DTD-mediated) AcC reduction was observed to increase with organ-specific DTD activity, and the majority of the AcC reduction rate was inhibitable by SOD. These findings demonstrate a direct contribution by DTD activity to MND-mediated superoxide production in this in vitro system. The role of I. punctatus DTD as a possible deleterious agent in quinone metabolism and implications regarding the traditional conception of DTD as a detoxifying enzyme are discussed.     

Trichloroethylene. III. Prediction of carcinogenicity of investigated compounds including trichloroethylene.

The mutagenicity and carcinogenic properties of trichloroethylene (TCE) derivatives, and their correlation with its molecular properties were analyzed. The observed cancer incidence was compared to the predicted, calculated incidence. The predictions were based on the rodent bioassay results and were consistent with human data. The electrophilic data of molecules of the Ke system provided evidence for 205 rodent carcinogens, where Ke correlated with energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. The majority of carcinogenic compounds were found to be electron acceptors with decreased lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy, indicating the particular DNA-reactivity leading to mutations and abnormal cell division. Based on the mutagenic activity in Ames test, the affinity of target organs for mutagens and non mutagens were compared in 351 rodent carcinogens. Nearly 80% of carcinogens (mutagenic and non mutagenic ones) were positive in the mouse and rat, in at least one of the most frequent target organs, i.e. liver, lung, mammary gland, stomach, kidney, hematopoietic system, urinary bladder and vascular system. Several predictive methods have been developed over the last 5 years based on structure-activity relationship studies known as US National Toxicology Program. One of these programs, called "PROGOL" is widely used for the prediction of carcinogenesis for a wide variety of compounds, e.g., nitro aromatics and suramin analogs. This program provides a simple model for predictive carcinogenesis, despite of the fact that the very first steps of carcinogenesis are not fully understood yet.     

Effect of trichloroethylene (TCE) toxicity on the enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism,brush border membrane and oxidative stress in kidney and other rat tissues

Trichloroethylene (TCE), an industrial solvent, is a major environmental contaminant. Histopathological examinations revealed that TCE caused liver and kidney toxicity and carcinogenicity. However, biochemical mechanism and tissue response to toxic insult are not completely elucidated. We hypothesized that TCE induces oxidative stress to various rat tissues and alters their metabolic functions. Male Wistar rats were given TCE (1000 mg/kg/day) in corn oil orally for 25 d. Blood and tissues were collected and analyzed for various biochemical and enzymatic parameters. TCE administration increased blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase but decreased serum glucose, inorganic phosphate and phospholipids indicating kidney and liver toxicity. Activity of hexokinase, lactate dehydrogenase increased in the intestine and liver whereas decreased in renal tissues. Malate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase decreased in all tissues whereas increased in medulla. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase increased but NADP-malic enzyme decreased in all tissues except in medulla. The activity of BBM enzymes decreased but renal Na/Pi transport increased. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities variably declined whereas lipid peroxidation significantly enhanced in all tissues. The present results indicate that TCE caused severe damage to kidney, intestine, liver and brain; altered carbohydrate metabolism and suppressed antioxidant defense system.     

Activity and gene expression profile of certain antioxidant enzymes in different organs of rats after subacute cyanide exposure: Effect of alpha-ketoglutarate

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in mediating cyanide toxicity. The present study addresses the effect of cyanide on activity and gene-expression profile of certain antioxidant enzymes and the expression of heat shock protein (HSP-70) in different organs of rats. Rats were treated with 0.50 LD₅₀ (7.0?mg/kg) of potassium cyanide (KCN; oral) and/or alpha-ketoglutarate (A-KG; 1.0?g/kg; oral) daily for 14 days, and various biochemical variables were measured in brain, liver, and kidney after 7 and 14 days of treatments and a 7-day recovery period. Cyanide significantly reduced the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CA) in all the organs after 7 days, while the activity of GPx in brain, liver, and kidney, GR in liver, and CA in brain remained diminished up to 14 days. The gene-expression profile of corresponding enzymes did not show any difference between the control and treatment groups. Elevated levels of malondialdehyde were observed in brain and kidney 7 and 14 days after cyanide. Cyanide also increased the expression of HSP-70 activity in brain after 7 days alone. Regression of toxicity was observed after the withdrawal of KCN. Treatment of A-KG was found to prevent all the biochemical alterations caused by cyanide. This study reveals that oxidative stress caused by cyanide was independent of the expression of antioxidant enzyme activity at the gene level, and all changes responded favorably to A-KG, indicating its therapeutic potential.     

Altered protein kinase C activity and its endogenous protein phosphorylation in rat liver after administration of ethionine.

Ethionine, an ethyl analogue of methionine, induces fatty liver in rats. The effects of ethionine administration on protein kinase C (PKC) in rat liver was examined. By a single administration at a dose of 0.5 mg/g body wt., liver PKC activity was increased in both cytosolic and total particulate fractions. The increase in cytosol was significant, even at 4 h after administration, when compared with control rat liver cytosol. On the other hand, a 4-day consecutive administration (0.5 mg/g per day) resulted in decreased PKC activity, particularly in cytosol, when compared with the control. Protein phosphorylation in liver catalyzed by PKC was found to be enhanced by ethionine, irrespective of the mode of administration. The enhanced phosphorylation was observed in both cytosolic and total particulate fractions. The change of PKC activity, and the phosphorylation of its endogenous substrates, are postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis of ethionine-induced fatty liver of rats.     

The pharmacology of verapamil. V. Tissue distribution of verapamil and norverapamil in rat and dog

The relative distribution of verapamil and its demethylated metabolite, norverapamil, was studied in rats at intervals after intraperitoneal injection of the parent drug (30 mg/kg). This route of drug administration simulated oral drug dosing, and the highest concentrations of both unchanged drug and metabolite were found in the liver, with lung and kidney containing most of the remainder. The rates of disappearance of verapamil from various organs followed first-order kinetics, and the most rapid elimination occurred from brain and liver. In contrast, verapamil was given intravenously to 3 dogs by a bolus-infusion method to produce sustained steady state plasma concentrations (80, 140, 250 ng/ml) for 1, 2, and 3 h. After systemic administration, the lungs contained almost half the tissue verapamil and, 20% was found in kidney, with the liver accounting for only 17%. Norverapamil was not found in plasma or brain. These studies contrast the pattern of tissue distribution of verapamil after different routes of drug administration. The variable rates of drug elimination from specific tissues may explain the differing durations of the drug's observed effects.     

Distribution of tiropramide and metabolites after single intravenous or peroral administration of 14C-tiropramide to the rat

The study was performed with 14C-tiropramide hydrochloride, i.e. O-(2-diethylamino-ethyl)-N-benzoyl-[DL-(U-14C)tyrosyl]-dipropylamide+ ++ hydrochloride, with a specific activity of 466.16 microCi/mmol. The substance was administered in single intravenous (i.v.) doses of 4 mg/kg to 16 rats (8 males and 8 females) and in single peroral (p.o.) doses of 10 mg/kg to other 16 rats (8 males and 8 females). The radioactivity in plasma, in several organs and tissues and in gastrointestinal contents was measured by scintillometry. After i.v. administration the radioactivity is rapidly found in all investigated organs and tissues and also in the stomach contents. The radioactivity is concentrated in the liver and kidney, and also in other organs, as the pancreas and the salivary glands. After 120 h the radioactivity is small in the organs but still appreciably present in the colon content. The radioactivity crosses the blood-brain barrier. Deep compartments were not found. After p.o. administration the radioactivity is rapidly found in the organs and is particularly concentrated in the liver, showing a rapid absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. Besides the obvious higher concentration of radioactivity in the stomach and small intestine in the initial times after p.o. administration, the distribution and elimination pattern from the organs do not substantially differ from those found after i.v. administration. The distribution pattern found using the scintillographic method were confirmed by an autoradiographic study made on 12 non-pregnant rats (10 males and 2 females) and on 7 rats at the 13th day of pregnancy and 7 rats at the 18th day of pregnancy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Antioxidant enzymes activity and lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney of rats exposed to cadmium and ethanol.

The oxidative status of liver and kidney of rats co-exposed to cadmium (50 mg Cd/l in drinking water) and ethanol (5 g EtOH/kg body weight/24 h, intragastrically) for 12 weeks was studied. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, were measured in homogenates of the liver and kidney. Concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and Cd in the serum or blood, and their content in the liver and kidney as well as EtOH concentration in the whole blood were assayed. Daily Cd intake in the Cd and Cd+EtOH groups was similar and ranged from 2.39 to 4.88 mg/kg body weight/24 h and from 2.64 to 4.14 mg/kg body weight/24 h, respectively. After the administration of EtOH alone, the activity of SOD increased in the kidney and decreased in the liver, whereas the activity of CAT decreased in both these organs, and MDA concentration increased in the liver and was unchanged in the kidney. The exposure to 50 mg Cd/l led to a decrease in the activities of SOD in the liver and CAT in the liver and kidney, and an increase in the kidney activity of SOD and MDA concentration in both these organs. In the rats co-exposed to Cd and EtOH, the kidney activity of SOD and the liver concentration of MDA were lower, whereas the kidney activity of CAT was higher compared to the Cd group. The concentration of Fe in the serum and its content in the liver of rats treated with EtOH increased, whereas the concentrations of Zn and Cu in the serum and the content of Zn, Cu and Fe in the kidney and that of Zn and Cu in the liver were unchanged. In the liver and kidney of rats treated with Cd alone, the content of Fe was decreased and that of Zn and Cu was enhanced. After EtOH administration to Cd-exposed rats, a decrease in Cu serum concentration and its liver content and an increase in Fe concentration in the serum and its content in the liver and kidney, compared to the group exposed to Cd alone, were noted. Moreover, EtOH decreased the blood Cd concentration and its accumulation in the liver and kidney of these animals. EtOH alone decreased Cd content in the liver and increased in the kidney, however the whole content of Cd in these organs was unchanged compared with control. The results of this study indicate that despite the ability of Cd and EtOH to induce the oxidative stress the effect in the liver and kidney is not intensified at simultaneous exposure to both substances. The changes in the studied indicators of oxidative stress (SOD, CAT and MDA) observed in the kidney and especially in the liver of the rats co-exposed to Cd and EtOH may result from an independent effect of Cd and/or EtOH and also from their interaction. The interactive effect may involve, among others, changes in Cd accumulation and content of Zn, Cu and Fe in these organs and their concentration in serum. Since the rats treated with Cd and Cd+EtOH had reduced drinking fluids intake that might result in dehydratation, the effect of the both xenobiotics on the oxidative status of the body may be not solely due to Cd and/or EtOH, but also the modyfing influence of accompanying alterations such as reduced water intake and dehydratation. The results of the study allow us to hypothesize that Cd-exposed alcohol misusers are not at enhanced risk of liver and kidney damage due to lipid peroxidation.     

Trichloroethylene inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase only for aliphatic aldehydes of short chains in rats

The effects of trichloroethylene (TCE) administration on aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and cytochrome P450 isozymes were studied in rats and compared with those of methanol. Intragastric administration of TCE to rats at 0.05 or 0.2 ml/kg for 1 week significantly inhibited ALDH activity for aliphatic aldehydes of short chains in the mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions of rat liver, respectively, but had no effect on the activity for long chain aliphatic aldehydes. ALDH activity catalyzing the metabolism of some aromatic aldehydes was even induced by TCE. Microsomal ALDH activity was not decreased by TCE treatment. A kinetic study showed that the low-Km isozyme of ALDH for propionaldehyde in mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions was inhibited by TCE treatment. Addition of TCE, trichloroethanol or trichloroacetic acid to the in vitro assay system did not affect the activity for acetaldehyde, but chloral hydrate at 0.02 mM decreased the activity by 42 and 35% in cytosol and the 700 x g supernatant, respectively. Methanol treatment, on the other hand, had no effect on any ALDH activity. Both TCE and methanol significantly induced CYP2E1 in rat liver. The combined effects of TCE on ALDH and cytochrome P450 may account for the degreasers' flush. Exposure to TCE and methanol may result in a change in the metabolism and toxicity of other chemicals.     

Rat folic acid reductase activity during the perinatal period,in newborns,and after trimethoprim administration

Summary The folic acid reductase activity in various organs of adult rats was studied in comparison to pregnant females (20th day of gestation) and fetal rats. The enzyme activities in the tissues of pregnant rats were in general about 30% higher than in normal adults. Fetal rats also possess the ability to catalyze the reduction of dihydrofolic acid, but it is evident that the liver and kidney have a considerably reduced capacity to form tetrahydrofolate. The folic acid reductase activity in liver and kidney rises for 10 days after birth and then declines to normal enzyme levels by the 4th week of life.Further studies concerning the interaction between trimethoprim and folic acid reductase in adult rats demonstrate that an oral dose of 5 or 50 mg/kg results in about a 30% increase of folic acid reductase activity in liver and kidney. The experiments suggest that there is a stimulation of enzyme synthesis following trimethoprim administration; because, the trimethoprim induced increase of the reductase activity is blocked by the administration of either puromycin or actinomycin D.     

The distribution of 14C-ethoxyquin in rat.

Adult male rats were given the antioxidant 14C-ethoxyquin by oral intubation and were sacrificed at various time intervals from 0.5 hr to 6 days following administration of the drug. The distribution pattern was studied by whole-body autoradiography and liquid scintillation counting. The isotopelabelled antioxidant was distributed throoughout most tissues and the blood at 0.5 hr after administration. The highest radioactivity throughout the experimental period was observed in the liver, the kidney, the gastrointestinal tract and the adipose tissue. No activity was observed in the brain and the central nervous system. Of the dose ingested 2.2 and 0.2% were found in the liver at 0.5 hr and 6 days respectively following dosing. The hepatic peak in radioactivity was measured at 8 hrs and after 6 days 7.5% of this level was still present in the liver. Six days after administration residues of ethoxyquin and metabolites were also present in the kidney cortex, the intestines, the lung, various adipose tissue and blood.     

Tissue distribution of N-acetylprocainamide in rats

The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of N-acetylprocainamide (NAPA) in heart, kidney, and liver tissues of rats and their relationship to the plasma concentration after intravenous administration of the drug (100 mg/kg) to 24 Charles River rats. A specific HPLC procedure was used. The plasma and tissue concentrations of NAPA declined biexponentially in parallel, with an elimination half-life of about 1.8 hr. The equilibrium between plasma and the organs tested in this study was attained within 5 min. The tissue/plasma concentration ratio remained constant throughout the study. The tissue/plasma ratios for heart, kidney, and liver were 2.1, 7.9, and 2.4, respectively. The data indicate that: a) these organs have greater affinity to NAPA than do plasma proteins, and b) plasma concentrations may be reliable measures of the therapeutically effective concentrations at the site of action, i.e., the heart tissues.     

2,2,4-Trimethylpentane-induced nephrotoxicity. I. Metabolic disposition of TMP in male and female Fischer 344 rats

2,2,4-Trimethylpentane (TMP), a component of unleaded gasoline, causes nephrotoxicity in male, but not in female, rats. In the present study, male and female Fischer 344 rats were treated with a single oral dose of [14C]TMP (4.4 mmol/kg; 2 microCi/mmol). Radiolabeled material in kidney, liver, and plasma was determined at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hr after dosing. Maximum concentration of TMP-derived radioactivity in kidney, liver, and plasma of male rats was found after 12 hr (1252, 1000, and 403 nmol eq/g, respectively), whereas those measured in females were found after 8 hr (577, 1163, and 317 nmol eq/g, respectively). A selective retention of the TMP-derived radiolabel in the kidneys of male rats was noted when peak tissue concentration was expressed as a percentage of administered dose. Kidney concentrations of TMP-derived radiolabel increased in a nonlinear, but dose-dependent, manner; the kidney to plasma ratio was greater at low doses than at higher doses. Increased retention of radiolabel material in the kidney was associated with a significant increase in renal concentration of the male-rat-specific protein, alpha 2u-globulin, 24 and 48 hr after TMP administration. Total radioactivity collected in urine 48 hr after TMP administration was similar in males and females (32 and 31% of dose). Identification and quantitation of the urinary metabolites of TMP showed that both male and female rats metabolize TMP via the same pathway and at a similar rate. Female rats, however, excreted more conjugates of 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentanol in urine than males. 2,4,4-Trimethyl-2-pentanol was the major metabolite present in the male rat kidney, but was absent in the female rat kidney. The renal retention of 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentanol appears to account for the delayed clearance observed in the disposition of [14C]TMP-derived radiolabel. Based on the concomitant accumulations in renal alpha 2u-globulin concentration and renal 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentanol concentration, an association is speculated between these two components. The male-rat-specific accumulation of 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentanol may therefore reflect the accumulation of a "metabolite-alpha 2u-globulin" complex. This may be relevant to the male-rat-specific nephrotoxicity produced by TMP.     

Chemical and biological monitoring of chronic lead poisoning in the rat. Implications to the assessment of hazard of low-level lead

A study on rats of the effects of lead on delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALA-D) activity, and its pH-dependent maximal enzyme activity is reported. Over a 5-week period, the lead burden and ALA-D activity in kidney, liver and brain are documented. Lead concentrations in the organs, expressed as micrograms/g protein are in the sequence kidney greater than liver greater than brain and reach essentially a constant level after 3 days of exposure. This is consistent with the existence of an efficient mechanism removing lead from these organs. Lead affects the ALA-D in all three organs by reducing the activity and shifting the pH of maximum enzyme activity to more acidic values. In common with the lead levels, the ALA-D activity does not deteriorate beyond the levels reached after 3 days of exposure. The existence of a mechanism removing lead from the organs is further supported in a recovery study on blood and kidney, in which both lead level and ALA-D activity return essentially to normal values after 7 days of no exposure to lead.