Alternative electron acceptors: Proposed mechanism of paraquat mitochondrial toxicity

Paraquat (PQ) is a relatively safe and effective herbicide used all over the world. PQ is very toxic to all living organisms; and many cases of acute poisoning and death have been reported over the past decade.

The main suggested potential mechanism for PQ toxicity is the production of superoxide radicals from the metabolism of the PQ by microsomal enzyme systems, and by inducing mitochondrial toxicity.

Mitochondria are considered to be a major source of reactive oxygen species in cells and according to this hypothesis, PQ, through suitable oxidation and reduction processes, is able to participate in the redox system in mitochondria. The potential ability of PQ to accept electrons from complex (I, II, III, IV) leads to rapid reaction with molecular oxygen to yield superoxide anion which can lead to the formation of more toxic reactive oxygen species, e.g., hydroxyl radical, often taken as the main toxicant.

Lipid peroxidation due to PQ has been implicated in a number of deleterious effects such as increased membrane rigidity, osmotic fragility, decreased mitochondrial components, reduced mitochondrial survival and lipid fluidity.

The biological effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is controlled by a wide spectrum of enzymatic and non-enzymatic defense mechanisms such as superoxide dismutas (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione.

According to this hypothesis, the chemical cascades lead to the reduction of PQ, which reacts quite rapidly with molecular oxygen to yield superoxide anion. The generation of free radicals and lipid peroxidation are the main factors that lead to mitochondrial damage.     

The use of in vitro methods for assessing reproductive toxicity. Dichlorophenols

Environmental levels of dichlorophenols (DCPs) appear to be increasing. A paucity of knowledge exists concerning the impact of these agents on human health, including reproductive effects. Mice are being exposed to various DCPs to determine their toxic potential. In addition, the mouse in vitro fertilization method was used to evaluate the potential reproductive effects of a series of DCPs. This method is a preliminary reproductive screening procedure. In vitro penetration was depressed by 2,5-DCP, 3,4-DCP and 3,5-DCP. None of the agents affected sperm motility. Acridine orange fluorescent microscopy revealed that 3,4-DCP and 3,5-DCP disrupted the sperm acrosome; this could result in depressed penetration.     

Assessment of the toxicity of silver nanoparticles in vitro: A mitochondrial perspective

The major toxicological concern associated with nanomaterials is the fact that some manufactured nanomaterials are redox active, and some particles transport across cell membranes, especially into mitochondria. Thus, evaluation of their toxicity upon acute exposure is essential. In this work, we evaluated the toxicity of silver nanoparticles (40 and 80 nm) and their effects in rat liver mitochondria bioenergetics.Wistar rat liver mitochondria demonstrate alterations in respiration and membrane potential capacities in the presence of either 40 or 80 nm silver nanoparticles. Our data demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, ADP-induced depolarization, and respiratory control ratio (RCR) upon exposure to silver nanoparticles.Our results show that silver nanoparticles cause impairment of mitochondrial function, due mainly to alterations of mitochondrial membrane permeability. This results in an uncoupling effect on the oxidative phosphorylation system. Thus, mitochondrial toxicity may have a central role in the toxicity resulting from exposure to silver nanoparticles.     

Influence of the spray adjuvant on the toxicity effects of a glyphosate formulation

In the present study, the influence of the spray adjuvant on the toxicity effects of a glyphosate formulation was examined in HEp-2 cell line. We determined the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of Atanor® (glyphosate formulation), Impacto® (spray adjuvant) and the mixture of both agrochemicals. We also compared the toxicities of the pesticides individually and in mixture and we analyzed the effects on oxidative balance from each treatment.Our results showed that all the agrochemicals assayed induce dose and time-dependent cytotoxicity and that the toxicity of Impacto® with Atanor® (mixture) was additive on HEp-2 cell line.All the agrochemicals assayed produced an increase in catalase activity and glutathione levels, while no effects were observed for superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase activities. We found an important increase in ROS production in cells treated with Atanor® and mixture. Besides, all the agrochemicals used triggered caspase 3/7 activation and hence induced apoptosis pathway in this cell line. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the addition of adjuvant to glyphosate formulation increase the toxicity of the mixture in cell culture. Furthermore, cell culture exposed to agrochemical mixture showed an increased ROS production and antioxidant defenses.     

Struggles for equivalence: In vitro developmental toxicity model evolution in pharmaceuticals in 2006

Our group has been using the ECVAM Embryonic Stem Cell assay to predict developmental toxicity. In order to improve the separation of non-teratogens from weak teratogens, we have employed measures of gene expression, and different statistical methods from those originally used to develop the test. These approaches have fundamentally not improved the discrimination of ‘weaks’ from ‘nons’. A realization that a very low value for cytotoxicity IC50 would drive a final result for the test in ways that were inappropriate for pharmaceuticals has led us to re-examine the cytotoxicity component. Our current efforts are focused on other, perhaps more sensitive, measures of cytotoxicity, combined with gene expression changes in mouse stem cells in an attempt to correctly identify weak teratogens and non-teratogens.     

小鼠胚泡移植法在研究羟基脲发育毒性中的应用

目的探讨体外染毒后胚泡移植方法评价羟基脲发育毒性的可行性。方法由C57BL/6J雌性小鼠和DBA雄性小鼠交配产生BDF1小鼠,以BDF1雌性小鼠作为供胚鼠进行超排卵,并与BDF1雄性小鼠交配后采集受精卵,再以20μg/ml的羟基脲对着床前胚胎进行体外染毒,将染毒后可胚泡化的胚胎移植于假孕昆明种代母鼠体内继续生长发育,观察出生前胎鼠形态学改变和出生后子鼠的行为改变,并对子鼠大脑进行病理检查。结果(1)在实验剂量下,羟基脲染毒组胎鼠出生前形态学检查未见异常。(2)羟基脲染毒组子鼠出现行为异常:回旋运动、阴性趋地运动、翻正反射和断崖回避阳性日均迟于阴性对照组(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.05,P<0.05);悬挂时间短于阴性对照组(P<0.05);10日龄游泳积分低于阴性对照组(P<0.01)。(3)电镜超微结构显示染毒组子鼠大脑中毒性损伤。结论将胚胎体外培养和胚泡移植技术结合起来,排除母体因素的影响探究羟基脲的发育毒性,是一可行的方法。     

An in vitro approach to assess the toxicity of inhaled tobacco smoke components: nicotine, cadmium, formaldehyde and urethane

One of the first lines of defence to inhaled toxins is the barrier formed by the tracheobronchial epithelium, making this the ideal region for studying the toxicity of inhaled substances. This study utilises a highly differentiated, three-dimensional, in vitro model of human upper respiratory tract epithelium (EpiAirway-100) to measure the acute toxicological responses to well-characterised tobacco smoke components. To determine the suitability of this model for screening inhaled toxicants, the EpiAirway tissue model (ETM) was treated apically with tobacco smoke components (nicotine, formaldehyde, cadmium, urethane) which are known to induce a variety of toxic effects (e.g. cytotoxic, thrombogenic, carcinogenic). A range of concentrations were used to model different mechanisms and severity of toxicity which were then compared to known in vivo responses. Similar trends in stress response occurred, with distinct alterations to the tissue in response to all four toxins. At high concentrations, cell viability decreased and tight junctions were degraded, but at sub-toxic concentrations epithelial resistance (indicating tissue integrity) increased 20-60% from control. This peak in resistance coincided with an increase in secreted protein levels, elevated cytokine release and goblet cell hyperplasia and hypertrophy. In conclusion, acute exposure to tobacco smoke components induces measurable toxic responses within human respiratory epithelium. Sub-toxic concentrations appear to illicit a protective response by increasing mucus secretion and mediating immune responses via cytokine release. These responses are comparable to human in vivo responses, indicating potential for the ETM as a tool for screening the toxicity of inhaled compounds.     

Quantification of microsized fluorescent particles phagocytosis to a better knowledge of toxicity mechanisms

Background: The use of micro- or nanometric particles is in full expansion for the development of new technologies. These particles may exhibit variable toxicity levels depending on their physicochemical characteristics. We focused our attention on macrophages (MA), the main target cells of the respiratory system responsible for the phagocytosis of the particles. The quantification of the amount of phagocytosed particles seems to be a major element for a better knowledge of toxicity mechanisms. The aim of this study was to develop a quantitative evaluation of uptake using both flow cytometry (FCM) and confocal microscopy to distinguish entirely engulfed fluorescent microsized particles from those just adherent to the cell membrane and to compare these data to in vitro toxicity assessments.

Methods: Fluorescent particles of variable and well-characterised sizes and surface coatings were incubated with MA (RAW 264.7 cell line). Analyses were performed using confocal microscopy and FCM. The biological toxicity of the particles was evaluated [lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production].

Results and conclusion: Confocal imaging allowed visualization of entirely engulfed beads. The amount of phagocytic cells was greater for carboxylate 2-µm beads (49?±?11%) than for amine 1-µm beads (18?±?5%). Similarly, side scatter geometric means, reflecting cellular complexity, were 446?±?7 and 139?±?12, respectively. These results confirm that the phagocytosis level highly depends on the size and surface chemical groups of the particles. Only TNF-α and global ROS production varied significantly after 24-h incubation. There was no effect on LDH and H₂O₂ production.     

In vitro and in vivo studies on the prenatal toxicity of five virustatic nucleoside analogues in comparison to aciclovir

Several virustatic agents are known to be teratogenic in laboratory animals. Since routinely performed in vivo studies do not always offer the best conditions to detect the teratogenic potential of a drug, we used a combined in vivo/in vitro approach for comparative studies on the prenatal toxicity of five nucleoside analogues. Rat embryos were exposed for 48 h to various concentrations of vidarabine-phosphate (VAP), ganciclovir (GCV), 2,3-dideoxyadenosine (ddA), 2,3-dideoxycytidine (ddC) and zidovudine (= azidothymidine, AZT) in a whole-embryo culture system. The steepness of the concentration-response curves as well as the induced abnormality pattern (head, neural tube, shape) were similar for these compounds. However, a wide range in embryotoxic potency was observed: VAP was the most potent compound (100% abnormal embryos at 25 M) in this in vitro system, while AZT showed the lowest potency to interfere with normal embryonic development (40% abnormal embryos at 3000 M). In addition to these experiments we treated rats on day 10 of gestation with three s.c. injections (8 a.m.; 12 a.m.; 4 p.m.) of 200 mg of each drug/kg body wt. The embryos were evaluated on day 11.5 of gestation, i.e. at a time of development corresponding to the developmental stage at the end of the whole-embryo culture. The same criteria were used as during the in vitro studies for the evaluation of these in vivo exposed embryos. With VAP and GCV we obtained similar results with both exposure routes (in vitro and in vivo), while no abnormalities were detectable with the other compounds after exposure in utero. When the results from the in vitro and in vivo studies are compared with data of similar experiments conducted in our laboratory with the nucleoside analogue aciclovir (ACV) under identical conditions (Klug et al. 1985 a; Stahlmann et al. 1988), the following conclusions can be drawn: under in vitro conditions VAP showed the highest potential of the virustatics to interfere with embryonic development, the toxic potential of AZT was surprisingly low. Under our experimental in vivo conditions ACV reveals the highest teratogenic potential, whereas ddC, ddA, and AZT exhibited an obviously lower toxicity.Dedicated to Professor Gerhard Zbinden on the occasion of his retirement     

Effects of fluoride exposure on mitochondrial function: Energy metabolism,dynamics, biogenesis and mitophagy

Fluoride is ubiquitous in the environment. Furthermore, drinking water represents the main source of exposure to fluoride for humans. Interestingly, low fluoride concentrations have beneficial effects on bone and teeth development; however, chronic fluoride exposure has harmful effects on human health. Besides, preclinical studies associate fluoride toxicity with oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. On the other hand, it is well-known that mitochondria play a key role in reactive oxygen species production. By contrast, fluoride's effect on processes such as mitochondrial dynamics, biogenesis and mitophagy are little known. These processes modulate the size, content, and distribution of mitochondria and their depuration help to counter the reactive oxygen species production and cytochrome c release, thereby allowing cell survival. However, a maladaptive response could enhance fluoride-induced toxicity. The present review gives a brief account of fluoride-induced mitochondrial alterations on soft and hard tissues, including liver, reproductive organs, heart, brain, lung, kidney, bone, and tooth.     

Interpreting in vitro developmental toxicity test battery results: The consideration of toxicokinetics

In the EU collaborative project ChemScreen an alternative, in vitro assay-based test strategy was developed to screen compounds for reproductive toxicity. A toxicokinetic modeling approach was used to allow quantitative comparison between effective concentrations in the in vitro test battery and observations of developmental toxicity in vivo. This modeling strategy is based on (1) the definition of relevant observations of toxicity in vivo, (2) simulation of the corresponding systemic concentrations in vivo by toxicokinetic modeling, and (3) correction for differences in protein binding and lipid partitioning between plasma and in vitro test media. The test results of a feasibility study with a number of known reproductive toxicants has been described previously (Piersma et al. [15]). In the present paper, we take a more detailed look at the toxicokinetics of these compounds, and add the analysis of some compounds from subsequent studies. We discuss how the consideration of toxicokinetics allowed comparison between test systems with differing test medium composition, has helped to interpret the in vitro findings in light of in vivo observations, and to gain confidence in the predictive value of the test battery outcomes. The same toxicokinetic modeling strategy, in reverse order, can now be used for risk assessment purposes to predict toxic doses in vivo from effective concentrations in vitro.     

Assessing toxicity of fine and nanoparticles: comparing in vitro measurements to in vivo pulmonary toxicity profiles.

Previous studies have reported little correlation between the relative toxicity of particle types when comparing lung toxicity rankings following in vivo instillation versus in vitro cell culture exposures. This study was designed to assess the capacity of in vitro screening studies to predict in vivo pulmonary toxicity of several fine or nanoscale particle types in rats. In the in vivo component of the study, rats were exposed by intratracheal instillation to 1 or 5 mg/kg of the following particle types: (1) carbonyl iron (CI), (2) crystalline silica (CS) (Min-U-Sil 5, alpha-quartz), (3) precipitated amorphous silica (AS), (4) nano-sized zinc oxide (NZO), or (5) fine-sized zinc oxide (FZO). Depending on particle type and solution state, these particles range in size from 90 to 500 nm in size. Following exposures, the lungs of exposed rats were lavaged and inflammation (neutrophil recruitment) and cytotoxicity end points (bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL] fluid lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] values) were measured at 24 h, 1 week, 1 and 3 months postexposure. For the in vitro component of the study, three different culture conditions were utilized. Cultures of (1) rat L2 lung epithelial cells, (2) primary alveolar macrophages (AMs) (collected via BAL from unexposed rats), as well as (3) AM-L2 lung epithelial cell cocultures were incubated with the particle types listed above, and the culture fluids were evaluated for cytotoxicity end points (LDH, 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan [MTT]) as well as inflammatory cytokines (macrophage inflammatory 2 protein [MIP-2], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha], and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) at one (i.e., cytokines) or several (cytotoxicity) time periods. Results of in vivo pulmonary toxicity studies demonstrated that instilled CI particles produced little toxicity. CS particles produced sustained inflammation and cytotoxicity. AS particles produced reversible and transient inflammatory responses. NZO or FZO particles produced potent but reversible inflammation which was resolved by 1 month postinstillation exposure. Results of in vitro pulmonary cytotoxicity studies demonstrated a variety of responses to the different particle types, primarily at high doses. With respect to the LDH results, L2 cells were the most sensitive and exposures to nano- or fine-sized ZnO for 4 or 24 h were more cytotoxic than exposures to CS or AS particles. Macrophages essentially were resistant and epithelial macrophage cocultures generally reflected the epithelial results at 4 and 24 h incubation, but not at 48 h incubation. MTT results were also interesting but, except for nano- and fine-sized ZnO, did not correlate well with LDH results. Results of in vitro pulmonary inflammation studies demonstrated that L2 cells did not produce MIP-2 cytokines, but CS- or AS-exposed AMs and, to a lesser degree, cocultures secreted these chemotactic factors into the culture media. Measurements of TNF-alpha in the culture media by particle-exposed cells demonstrated little activity. In addition, IL-6 secretion was measured in CS, AS, and nano-sized ZnO-exposed cocultures. When considering the range of toxicity end points to five different particle types, the comparisons of in vivo and in vitro measurements demonstrated little correlation, particularly when considering many of the variables assessed in this study-such as cell types to be utilized, culture conditions and time course of exposure, as well as measured end points. It seems clear that in vitro cellular systems will need to be further developed, standardized, and validated (relative to in vivo effects) in order to provide useful screening data on the relative toxicity of inhaled particle types.     

Further development of rodent whole embryo culture: Solvent toxicity and water insoluble compound delivery system

In order to study the in vitro embryotoxicity and dysmorphogenesis of water insoluble compounds, solvents or chemical delivery systems of low toxicity and teratogenicity to the developing embryo must be found. Therefore, day 10.5 rat embryos were cultured for 2 days in whole rat serum containing 0.1, 0.5 and 2.5 vol.% of ethyl alcohol, dimethylsulfoxide, acetone, Tween 80, corn oil and 10% acetone/90% corn oil. No adverse effects occurred with any of the solvents at the 0.1% concentration level. At 0.5% ethyl alcohol and Tween 80 significantly reduced embryonic growth and increased the incidence of embryonic abnormalities. With the exception of corn oil and acetone/corn oil, embryos cultured in media containing 2.5% of various solvents failed to grow, did not differentiate, and died during the culture period. Corn oil suspended in rat serum by use of ultrasound was non-toxic even at concentrations of 2.5% and 10%. Growth parameters of embryos cultured in serum containing corn oil were indistinguishable from controls and overall morphogenesis was good (particularly at 2.5%). The order of increasing embryotoxicity and dysmorphogenesis of the studied liquids was corn oil < acetone/corn oil < dimethylsulfoxide < ethyl alcohol, acetone < Tween 80. Any of the 4 water miscible solvents (at 0.1%) or a sonicated suspension of corn oil in serum (up to 2.5%) met the criteria of a non-toxic and non-teratogenic water insoluble compound delivery system for in vitro embryo culture.     

Atomic force microscopy: a tool to study the structure,dynamics and stability of liposomal drug delivery systems

Much work has been done during the past few decades to develop effective drug delivery systems (DDS), many of which are based on nanotechnology science. Liposomes are the most attractive lipid vesicles for drug delivery. The multifunctional properties of liposomes have a key role in modifying the bioavailability profile of a therapeutic agent. Different analytical techniques can be used to describe liposomes, not least applied scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) seems to be one of the most effectively applied SPM techniques. This review article outlines the applications of AFM in evaluating the physical characteristics and stability of liposomal DDSs. Other well-known microscopy techniques used in evaluating liposome physical characteristics are also mentioned, and the contribution of AFM to evaluating liposomal stability is discussed. Among the advantages of AFM in examining the physicochemical properties of liposomal DDSs is its ability to provide morphological and metrology information on liposome properties. AFM thus appears to be a promising tool in technological characterization of liposomal DDSs.     

Recent advances in three-dimensional cell culturing to assess liver function and dysfunction: from a drug biotransformation and toxicity perspective

The liver is a vital organ fulfilling a central role in over 500 major metabolic functions, including serving as the most essential site for drug biotransformation. Dysfunction of the drug biotransformation processes may result in the exposure of the liver (and other organs) to hepatotoxins, potentially interacting with cellular constituents and causing toxicity and various lesions. Hepatotoxicity can be investigated on a tissue, cellular and molecular level by employing various in vivo and in vitro techniques, including novel three-dimensional (3?D) cell culturing methods. This paper reflects on the liver and its myriad of functions and the influence of drug biotransformation on liver dysfunction. Current in vivo and in vitro models used to study liver function and dysfunction is outlined, emphasizing their advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of novel in vitro 3?D cell culture models are discussed and the possibility of novel models to bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo models is explained. Progression made in the field of cell culturing methods such as 3?D cell culturing techniques over the last decade promises to reduce the use of in vivo animal models in biotransformation and toxicological studies of the liver.     

Quantitative phase microscopy: a new tool for investigating the structure and function of unstained live cells

1. The optical transparency of unstained live cell specimens limits the extent to which information can be recovered from bright-field microscopic images because these specimens generally lack visible amplitude-modulating components. However, visualization of the phase modulation that occurs when light traverses these specimens can provide additional information. 2. Optical phase microscopy and derivatives of this technique, such as differential interference contrast (DIC) and Hoffman modulation contrast (HMC), have been used widely in the study of cellular materials. With these techniques, enhanced contrast is achieved, which is useful in viewing specimens, but does not allow quantitative information to be extracted from the phase content available in the images. 3. An innovative computational approach to phase microscopy, which provides mathematically derived information about specimen phase-modulating characteristics, has been described recently. Known as quantitative phase microscopy (QPM), this method derives quantitative phase measurements from images captured using a bright-field microscope without phase- or interference-contrast optics. 4. The phase map generated from the bright-field images by the QPM method can be used to emulate other contrast image modes (including DIC and HMC) for qualitative viewing. Quantitative phase microscopy achieves improved discrimination of cellular detail, which permits more rigorous image analysis procedures to be undertaken compared with conventional optical methods. 5. The phase map contains information about cell thickness and refractive index and can allow quantification of cellular morphology under experimental conditions. As an example, the proliferative properties of smooth muscle cells have been evaluated using QPM to track growth and confluency of cell cultures. Quantitative phase microscopy has also been used to investigate erythrocyte cell volume and morphology in different osmotic environments. 6. Quantitative phase microscopy is a valuable, new, non-destructive, non-interventional experimental tool for structural and functional cellular investigations.     

Acute oral toxicity in mice of a new palytoxin analog: 42-Hydroxy-palytoxin

The acute oral toxicity of a new palytoxin congener, 42-hydroxy-palytoxin (42-OH-PLTX), was investigated in female CD-1 mice. The toxin (300-1697 μg/kg), administered by gavage, induced scratching, jumping, respiratory distress, cyanosis, paralysis and death of mice, with an LD₅₀ of 651 μg/kg (95% confidence limits: 384-1018 μg/kg) within 24 h. Hematoclinical analyses showed increased plasma levels of lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate-aminotransferase at doses of 600 μg/kg and above, as well as of alanine-aminotransferase, creatine phosphokinase and potassium ions at ≥848 μg/kg. Histology revealed inflammatory lesions in the non-glandular area of the stomach of mice that survived up to 24 h after gavage (424-1200 μg/kg). Although no histological alterations were seen in skeletal and cardiac muscles, changes in some plasma biomarkers (creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase) suggested involvement of these tissues in 42-OH-PLTX oral toxicity, in agreement with epidemiological data on seafood poisonings ascribed to palytoxins. Complete recovery of the tissue and hematological changes was observed two weeks post-exposure.Furthermore, 42-OH-PLTX induced in vitro delayed erythrocyte hemolysis at concentrations similar to those of PLTX (EC₅₀ = 7.6 and 13.2 × 10⁻¹² M, respectively). This hemolysis could be completely neutralized by a monoclonal anti-PLTX antibody. The in vivo data, together with the in vitro data recorded for 42-OH-PLTX, seem to indicate Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase as one of the key cellular targets of this toxin.     

In vivo and in vitro toxicity of decabromodiphenyl ethane,a flame retardant

Toxicity of a relative new flame retardant, namely decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), marketed as an alternative to decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE‐209) was assessed both in vivo and in vitro using the freshly separated fish hepatocyte assay and standardized water flea and zebrafish egg‐larvae tests. The fish hepatocyte assay, based on the synthesis and secretion of vitellogenin from isolated male liver cells produced a clear dose‐response curve in the presence of DBDPE. DBDPE induced the induction of hepatic ethoxyresorufin‐O‐deethylase (EROD) activity at low test concentrations, but started to inhibit the activity at higher concentrations. Also, the induction of the hepatocyte conjugation activity, uridinediphosphoglucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT), was induced with no signs of inhibition even at the highest test concentration. The reduced EROD activity resulted in a drop in the production of vitellogenin by the cells. In vivo tests showed that DBDPE was acutely toxic to water fleas, the 48 h EC‐50 value being 19 μg/L. Moreover, DBDPE reduced the hatching rates of exposed zebra‐fish eggs and raised significantly the mortality of hatched larvae. Because there is hardly any information available on the effects of DBDPE on the aquatic environments, it is crucial to obtain more data on the effects and effective concentrations of DBDPE along with its occurrence in the environment. Such data would enable reliable assessments of the risks posed by this flame retardant. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 25: 333–338, 2010.     

Ethionine toxicity in vitro: the correlation of data from rat hepatocyte suspensions and monolayers with in vivo observations

The hepato-steatogenic compound ethionine has been used to investigate the correlations between in␣vivo and in vitro toxicity data. The aim was to find a suitable model of toxicity in hepatocyte suspensions or monolayers in vitro, which could predict the known toxicity of ethionine in vivo and which could be implemented in screening compounds of unknown toxicity. Thus a variety of markers of cytotoxicity, metabolic competence and liver-specific functions were investigated in rat hepatocyte suspensions and monolayers and compared with in vivo data in the rat. The following markers were measured in the appropriate system: (1) Neutral red uptake; 3-(4,5 dimethyl)thiazol-2-yl,-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction; lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) leakage (cytotoxicity). (2) ATP levels, protein synthesis and glutathione (GSH) levels (metabolic competence). (3) Urea and triglyceride synthesis and β-oxidation (liver specific functions). Ethionine (0–30 mM) did not affect the markers of direct cytotoxicity, except neutral red uptake, which was reduced by 18 and 30 mM ethionine after 20 h in culture. ATP and GSH depletion occurred in hepatocyte suspensions at the highest concentrations of ethionine (20 and 30 mM) after 1 h. In monolayers, GSH levels were reduced after 4 h, but not 20 h. Urea synthesis was increased in hepatocyte suspensions from 1 to 3 h by 10–30 mM ethionine and reduced after 20 h in cultured hepatocytes (18–30 mM). Protein synthesis was reduced and β-oxidation was increased in ethionine-treated hepatocyte suspensions. Unfortunately, there was no measurable effect on triglyceride accumulation within cells (the major biochemical change in␣vivo) in either system. Ethionine treated hepatocytes in suspension showed the same rate of triglyceride synthesis and transportation out of cells as control cells. Thus, hepatocyte suspensions were able to mimic the early biochemical effects of ethionine in vivo (ATP and GSH depletion, inhibition of protein synthesis) and some effects on urea synthesis, but monolayer cultures appeared to be less sensitive to the toxicity of ethionine. However, neither in vitro system was able to model the effects of ethionine on the accumulation of triglycerides in vivo. Received: 16 June 1998 / Accepted: 29 June 1998