N-Acetylcysteine therapy of acute heavy metal poisoning in mice

Therapy of acute heavy metal poisoning is currently limited to a group of moderately toxic drugs containing sulfhydryl groups. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) was used in these studies to determine if this sulfhydryl containing amino acid would reduce the overall mortality of a group of heavy metal compounds. D-Penicillamine and dimercaprol (BAL) were also used for comparison. Groups of at least 100 mice (28 g) were injected subcutaneously with 2-190 mg/kg of copper, arsenic, thallium or cadmium for LD50 determinations. Other groups were injected 30-60 min later with NAC (200 mg/kg), d-penicillamine (50 mg/kg), or BAL (10 mg/kg), and mortality was monitored for 2 weeks. The LD50 for each treatment group was determined by regression analysis of log-probit transformed data. In arsenite treatment group the survival time was lengthened in NAC-treated animals although the LD50 was not significantly changed. BAL was only slightly more effective than NAC. The mortality in animals given copper and treated with NAC was almost eliminated, except at the highest doses. BAL provided the greatest protection, whereas d-penicillamine produced the least. The LD50 of copper was significantly changed from 60.5 mg/kg in control groups to 139 mg/kg in NAC-treated groups, and to 150 mg/kg and 91 mg/kg in BAL and d-penicillamine-treated groups. NAC and BAL were totally ineffective in the treatment of thallium and cadmium poisoning.     

Toxicity of Secalonic acid D

Toxicity of secalonic acid D was examined by using lethality, growth retardation, and histopathology as indexes. The ip LD50 values of 37, 31, and 27 mg/kg were obtained for Charles River CD-1, Texas (ICR), and Sprague-Dawley (CF-1) strains of mice, respectively. The ip LD50 was 52 mg/kg in female CD-1 mice. The iv LD50 was 25 mg/kg in CD-1 male mice. Oral LD50 values of 400 mg/kg in male CD-1 mice and 25 and greater than 400 mg/kg in Sprague-Dawley day-old and weanling (21 d) rats of both sexes, respectively, were obtained. Doses of 20 mg/kg or more ip retarded growth and doses of 30 mg/kg or more ip were lethal to CD-1 mice. Oral doses required to produce such effects in day-old rats were 5 and 20 mg/kg (or higher), respectively. All ip doses of secalonic acid D caused pulmonary atelectases and foccal peritonitis in male CD-1 mice. The latter involved surfaces of abdominal viscera and produced limited subcapsular necrosis of hepatic parenchyma. Exposure to a single lethal dose iv (25 mg/kg or more) of secalonic acid D caused limited hepatic portal necrosis but no peritonitis or other associated local effects observed in CD-1 male mice after ip exposure. Cytoplasmic liposis and loss of glycogen and RNA from hepatocytes were observed in a single mouse receiving 50 mg/kg iv. Death resulting from cardiac and/or pulmonary insufficiency was suggested by atelectasis, pulmonary hemorrhages and edema, and massive atrial dilation in mice that died after lethal ip or iv doses of secalonic acid D. Five daily sublethal ip doses in CD-1 male mice resulted in dose-dependent mortality (LD50, 11.5 mg/kg) indicating cumulative effects.     

吡咯卡因的抗心律失常作用

吡咯卡因能对抗乌头碱引起的麻醉大鼠心律失常;能使BaCl_2诱发的大鼠室性心动过速转为正常;能提高豚鼠心脏哇巴因中毒的耐受量;并能降低CaCl_2—ACh诱发的小鼠心室纤颤的发生率和死亡率,其50％有效剂量(ED_(50))与利多卡因相近。本实验测得小鼠ip吡咯卡因和利多卡因的半数致死剂量(LD_(50))分别为140±11mg/kg和143±15mg/kg,但吡咯卡因的急性心脏毒性作用则明显低于利多卡因。     

Toxicological studies on isepamicin (HAPA-B). I. Acute toxicity test in the mouse, rat and dog

Acute toxicity of isepamicin (HAPA-B), a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, in mice, rats and dogs was examined in comparison with amikacin (AMK) and gentamicin (GM). Intravenous LD50 values of HAPA-B were 234 mg/kg in male and 236 mg/kg in female for mice, 489 mg/kg in male and 476 mg/kg in female for rats and 720-864 mg/kg for dogs. Those of AMK were 183 mg/kg in male and 181 mg/kg in female for mice, 420 mg/kg in male and 417 mg/kg in female for rats. Those of GM were 50 mg/kg in male and 47 mg/kg in female for mice, 119 mg/kg in male and 124 mg/kg in female for rats. Intraperitoneal LD50 values of HAPA-B were 2,244 mg/kg in male and 2,272 mg/kg in female for mice, 1,664 mg/kg in male and 1,591 mg/kg in female for rats. Intramuscular LD50 values of HAPA-B were 2,508 mg/kg in male and 2,632 mg/kg in female for mice, 2,088 mg/kg in male and 2,111 mg/kg in female for rats and greater than 1,800 mg/kg for dogs. Those of AMK were 1,247 mg/kg in male and 1,334 mg/kg in female for mice, 2,324 mg/kg in male and 2,244 mg/kg in female for rats. Those of GM were 359 mg/kg in male and 360 mg/kg in female for mice, 559 mg/kg in male and 557 mg/kg in female for rats. Subcutaneous LD50 values of HAPA-B were 3,321 mg/kg in male and 3,320 mg/kg in female for mice, 3,451 mg/kg in male and 3,392 mg/kg in female for rats. Oral LD50 values of HAPA-B were more than 5,000 mg/kg in mice and rats. Ataxia, acratia, dyspnea and convulsions were observed following administration by all routes, except for oral route, of all drugs in mice, rats and dogs. The cause of early death was due to respiratory paralysis which is the typical acute toxic sign of aminoglycoside antibiotics, and that of late death was due to renal injuries. BUN and creatinine values of surviving dogs after day 14 increased after administration by either intravenous or intramuscular routes. Disintegration, necrosis and calcification of epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubuli were observed in rats which died during the course of the study, and atrophy, dilatation and eosinophilic degeneration in epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubuli and thickening of Bowman's capsule were observed in surviving dogs.     

Reproductive, acute and subacute toxicity studies with nefopam in laboratory animals.

Nefopam hydrochloride, a compound with non-narcotic analgesic activity, was evaluated for its acute and subacute toxicity in mice, rats, and dogs. Potential teratogenic effects in mice and rabbits and its effect on general reproduction and postnatal development in rats were also studied. The LD50 by various routes of administration showed that in all three species oral LD50 values (80–178 mg/kg) were greater than im LD50 values (30–57 mg/kg) which were higher than iv LD50 values (20–45 mg/kg). A comparative oral acute toxicity study did indicate a strain difference in rats. Repeated daily administration of nefopam hydrochloride to rats and dogs at doses up to 10 mg/kg/day parenterally and 80 mg/kg/day orally revealed no toxic effects except for mild tissue irritation at injection sites and slight weight loss in some dogs receiving the high dose. Reproduction studies did not reveal any effects on fertility, lactation, or pup development and viability.     

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of loxoprofen sodium given intramuscularly in animals

The evaluation of the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of loxoprofen sodium given in intramuscular route was investigated as compared to oral application in rats and mice. The intramuscular ED50 values of loxoprofen sodium in carrageenan edema and vascular permeability tests are 1.15 and 7.8 mg/kg, respectively, which represent more potent than in case of oral application. Its therapeutic effects in adjuvant arthritis were shown at 6 mg/kg i.m. and 3mg/kg p.o. Analgesic effect was shown to be more potent as given intramuscularly. Similar potency of antipyretic effects was shown in both administration routes. Considerably weak gastric damages were observed in intramuscular application.     

Acute and repeat-dose toxicity studies of the (6-maleimidocaproyl)hydrazone derivative of doxorubicin (DOXO-EMCH), an albumin-binding prodrug of the anticancer agent doxorubicin

The (6-maleimidocaproyl)hydrazone derivative of doxorubicin (DOXO-EMCH) is an albumin-binding prodrug of doxorubicin with acid-sensitive properties that demonstrates superior antitumor efficacy in murine tumor models, and has been evaluated in a phase I study. In order to establish the toxicity profile of this prodrug, acute and repeat-dose toxicity studies were performed with DOXO-EMCH in CD1-mice, Sprague-Dawley rats and Beagle dogs. Although the objective of the acute toxicity studies was not the determination of LD50 values, the LD50 of DOXO-EMCH was >60 mg/kg doxorubicin equivalents in both male and female mice (the LD50 of doxorubicin in CD-1 mice is -12 mg/kg). In Sprague-Dawley rats, the LD50 was 23.4 and 45.9 mg/kg doxorubicin equivalents for males and females, respectively. For comparison, the LD50 of doxorubicin in Sprague-Dawley rats is -10.5 mg/kg. The major clinical sign noted following intravenous administration of DOXO-EMCH in mice and rats was a dose-dependent peripheral neuropathy which, in general, developed as a delayed toxicity 1-3 weeks after application. The observed neurotoxicity has been well documented for Sprague-Dawley rats treated with doxorubicin at a dose of 5 and 10 mg/kg. In Beagle dogs, LD10 was not reached for DOXO-EMCH at 4.5 mg/kg doxorubicin equivalents. A four-cycle intravenous study with DOXO-EMCH at dose levels of 4 x 2.5, 5.0 or 7.5 mg/kg doxorubicin equivalents in rats revealed approximately three-fold less side effects on the hemolymphoreticular system when compared to 4 x 2.5 mg/kg doxorubicin dose, whereas effects on the testes/oligospermia seem to be comparable between both drugs at equitoxic dose. A No Observable Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) for DOXO-EMCH of 4 x 2.5 mg/kg doxorubicin equivalents was established in this study. This dose is equivalent to the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of doxorubicin in rats. In a two-cycle study over a period of 6 weeks in Beagle dogs (intravenous administration of DOXO-EMCH at dose levels of 1.5, 3.0 or 4.5 mg/kg doxorubicin equivalents), dose-related systemic histamine-like reactions within the first 3 hours after injection were noted in all treated groups. Only transient and temporary effects on hematology, urinary function, as well as on histopathology in mid- and/or high-dose animals, were observed. The low dose of 2 x 1.5 mg/kg was considered to be the NOAEL in this study, which is equivalent to twice the MTD o f doxorubicin i nBeagle dogs. In summary, the toxicity studies with DOXO-EMCH in mice, rats or dogs have not identified any other special toxicity when compared to the toxicity data for doxorubicin. Preclinical tolerance of DOXO-EMCH was higher in mice, rats and dogs compared to doxorubicin. A dose of 20 mg/m2 doxorubicin equivalents was recommended as the starting dose for a phase I study with DOXO-EMCH.     

Toxicological studies on a new macrolide antibiotic, midecamycin acetate (miocamycin). Part IV-11. Toxicity of metabolites of miocamycin: acute toxicity of Mb12 in rats

Miocamycin (MOM) is a derivative of midecamycin and is metabolized into 4 main metabolites of Mb1, Mb2, Mb6 and Mb12. In the previous studies, LD50 values of Mb12 were 5,750 mg/kg in male mice and 4,950 mg/kg in female mice, respectively. The object of this study was to evaluate acute toxicity in male and female rats after single oral administration of Mb12. Observations were continued for 1 week after treatment. It is concluded that LD0 values of Mb12 were estimated more than 5,000 mg/kg.     

LD50 values and serum biochemical changes induced by T-2 toxin in rats and rabbits

Experiments were conducted to study the acute and subacute effects of intramuscularly injected T-2 toxin in rats and rabbits. The LD50 values of T-2 toxin were 0.85 ± 0.03 and 1.10 ± 0.08 mg/kg body wt in rats and rabbits, respectively. The intoxication was characterized by a consistent decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity following either a single injection of 0.5, 0.6, or 0.9 mg/kg T-2 toxin in rats or daily injections of 0.2 mg/kg T-2 toxin for 10 days in rats and rabbits. Significant increases in bromosulfalein (BSP) retention and ALP activity were also observed in rabbits 24 hr following a single injection of 0.6 mg/kg T-2 toxin. The results indicated that the hepatobiliary system is a major target organ for T-2 toxin. Alterations in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) and in the hematocrit values were also observed.     

In vivo protection by amifostine and DRDE-07 against sulphur mustard toxicity

The study was aimed at investigating the prophylactic efficacy of orally administered amifostine and a newly synthesized compound, S-2(2-amino-ethylamino)ethyl phenyl sulphide (DRDE-07), against dermally applied sulphur mustard (SM) in mice and rats. The LD50 values of amifostine and DRDE-07 were determined following oral and intraperitoneal routes and the LD50 of SM diluted in PEG-300 was determined following dermal route. Amifostine or DRDE-07 (equivalent to their 0.05 LD50, 0.10 LD50 and 0.20 LD50) dissolved in water was fed to mice and rats and, after 30 min, various doses of SM were applied to the hair-clipped area of the skin and were observed for 14 days for mortality. The protection index (PI) was calculated as a ratio of LD50 with treatment to LD50 without treatment. The estimated percutaneous LD50 of SM was found to be 8.1 and 2.4 mg/kg for female mice and male rats, respectively. A dose-related protection was observed with all the three doses of both compounds. Thirty minutes prior, the administration of amifostine in female mice offered a PI of 3.0 at the lowest pretreatment dose (52.5 mg/ kg) followed by PI of 6.7 and 9.5 at 105 and 210 mg/kg pretreatment doses, respectively. DRDE-07 offered better protection against SM in female mice, i.e., a PI of 4.8 at pretreatment dose of 62.5 mg/kg, a PI of 12.0 at the dose of 124.7 mg/kg and a PI of 27.0 at the dose of 249.4 mg/kg. In male rats, DRDE-07 gave a PI of about 3.0 at all the three pretreatment doses (80, 160 and 320 mg/kg), whilst amifostine offered a PI of 3.1 at the highest pretreatment dose (452 mg/kg). The present study showed that oral administration of both amifostine and DRDE-07 was effective as a prophylactic agent for protecting against SM toxicity, and that DRDE-07 offered better protection.     

Purification and characterization of a myotoxic phospholipase A2 from Indian cobra (Naja naja naja) venom

A major phospholipase A2 (NN-XIII-PLA2) which constitutes 20% of the whole Naja naja naja venom was purified to homogeneity on CM-Sephadex C-25 column chromatography. NN-XIII-PLA2 is a basic protein with a mol. wt of 11,200 by SDS-PAGE. This enzyme has low enzymatic activity but is more toxic to mice than the whole venom. The LD50 value (i.p.) of NN-XIII-PLA2 is 2.4 mg/kg body weight (whole venoms LD50 is 2.8 mg/kg body weight). It induces neurotoxic-like signs in experimental animals. It induces myotoxicity when injected i.m. into the thigh muscle of mice and edema when injected into the foot pads of mice. This enzyme has a fluorescence maxima between 310-316 nm which is typical of tyrosine residues.     

Toxicological studies on cefuroxime sodium.

The intravenous LD50 of cefuroxime sodium for mice was 10.4 g/kg. The maximum dosage administered in other acute toxicity tests was well tolerated by mice (10 g/kg, subcutaneous), by rats (4 g/kg, intravenous, 5 g/kg, subcutaneous) and by cats, dogs and monkeys (2 g/kg, intramuscularly). Cefuroxime sodium was administered subcutaneously (s.c.) or intramuscularly (i.m.) for 3 months to rats (100, 300 or 900 mg/kg/day) followed by a recovery period, and also for 6 months to rats and dogs (50, 150 or 450 mg/kg/day) and for 1 month to monkeys (150 or 450 mg/kg/day). In all these tests there were no serious toxic effects. Minor haematological changes were attributable in part if not entirely to haemorrhage and tissue reaction at the site of injection of large doses. In rats large doses caused some increase in urine volume and electrolyte excretion, and slightly aggravated an age related nephropathy. Administration to rats intravenously (i.v.) for1 month of up to 400 mg/kg/day had no toxic effects. In reproduction studies on mice and rabbits there were no adverse effects on fertility, organogenesis or the rearing of young.     

Acute toxicity of nimbolide and nimbic acid in mice, rats and hamsters

Nimbolide and nimbic acid are toxic to mice only when given i.p. and i.v. but they are less toxic to rats and hamsters. The LD50 values of a single i.p. administration of nimbolide to adult male, female and weanling mice were 225, 280 and 240 mg/kg body wt, respectively, and its i.v. LD50 value was decreased to 24 mg/kg body wt in adult male mice. No fatality was observed when nimbolide was given i.g., i.m. and s.c. to adult male mice. Estimated LD50 values of nimbolide in rats and hamsters were somewhat higher than 600 and 500 mg/kg body wt. After 12-23 h i.p. administration of a lethal dose, most animals died of possible dysfunctions in kidney (tubular necrosis), small intestine (hemorrhagic necrosis), pancreas (acinar cell necrosis) and liver (mild fatty infiltration and focal necrosis). In contrast, mice and rats given a lethal dose of nimbolide (i.v.) died of a marked and sudden drop in arterial blood pressure and respiratory paralysis within about 1-18 min. Nimbic acid was less toxic to mice with an i.v. LD50 value of 265 mg/kg body wt and i.p. and i.g. LD50 values of higher than 600 mg/kg body wt. The possible cause of death induced by nimbic acid may be similar to that of nimbolide given i.v. and this is a sudden hypotensive shock.     

Single dose toxicity study on catena-(S)-[mu-[N alpha-(3-aminopropionyl) histidinato(2-)-N1,N2,O:N tau]-zinc] in mice and rats.

The toxicity of Z-103 (catena-(S)-[mu-[N alpha-(3-aminopropionyl) histidinato(2-)-N1,N2,O:N tau]-zinc], CAS 107667-60-7) was evaluated in mice and rats after single administration. LD50 values in mice were 1269 mg/kg for males and 1331 mg/kg for females by the oral route, 220 mg/kg for males and 165 mg/kg for females by the intraperitoneal route, and 758 mg/kg for males and 874 mg/kg for females by the subcutaneous route. LD50 values in rats were 8441 mg/kg for males and 7375 mg/kg for females by the oral route, 405 mg/kg for males and 422 mg/kg for females by the intraperitoneal route and more than 5000 mg/kg for both sexes by the subcutaneous route. No sex differences were observed. A decrease in locomotor activity, ventral posture, crouching, hypothermia and respiratory depression were observed in both mice and rats as the main clinical signs. In addition to these changes, induration, swelling and crust formation were observed at the subcutaneous injection site.     

Comparison of the effect of N-(2,3-dimercaptopropyl) phthalamidic acid, dl-penicillamine,and dimercaprol on the excretion of tissue retention of mercury in mice

The effect of N-(2,3-dimercaptopropyl) phthalamidic acid (DMPA) on the elimination and tissue retention of mercury was investigated on male ddY mice and was compared with those of dimercaprol (BAL) and dl-penicillamine (dl-p). When 75 mg/kg (about a quarter of an LD50) of DMPA and HgCl₂ (0.5 mg Hg/kg) were injected subcutaneously at almost the same time for 5 days, a decrease of the mercury concentration in vital organs and blood and an increase in urinary and fecal elimination of mercury were noted. These effects were greater than those caused by BAL (25 mg/kg) and dl-p (50 mg/kg) injections. DMPA injected after the discontinuation of HgCl₂ dramatically increased the fecal excretion of mercury and inhibited its retention in tissues more effectively than did BAL and dl-p. Approximately the same results were obtained in an experiment using equimolar doses (55 mg/kg for DMPA, 25 mg/kg for BAL, or 30 mg/kg for dl-p) of these compounds. The mechanism involved in the action of DMPA on fecal excretion of mercury was also investigated. DMPA (75 mg/kg) and BAL (25 mg/kg) enhanced the bile flow rate and mercury excretion into bile, the effect of DMPA on the latter being 15% of the body burden and that of BAL, 5.4%, dl-p (50 mg/kg) had no appreciable effect on this. The thiol compounds did not immediately induce the absorption of mercury in bile from the small intestine, but 2 hr later about 8% of the mercury was absorbed in the DMPA group only. The compounds increased slightly the intestinal transit of mercury. An increase of mercury in feces after the injection of DMPA was thus concluded to be due to an increase in biliary excretion.     

Acute toxicity studies with quinuronium sulfate in laboratory animals and sheep

The acute toxicity of quinuronium was investigated by measurements of lethal doses (LD50) in mice and rats, cholinesterase activity in vivo in whole blood, and protection from anticholinesterase activity by atropinisation in sheep and rabbits. The LD50s in mice injected i.p. and s.c. were 4.80 and 5.40 mg/kg and in rats 6.3 and 6.5 mg/kg for i.p. and s.c. routes, respectively. Signs of salivation, defecation, anorexia and muscular spasms were observed in sheep. In rabbits anorexia and depression only were observed. There was species variation in normal cholinesterase activity, rabbits being low in activity. Quinuronium inhibited cholinesterase activity from 10 min to 24 h after treatment in sheep by 24% of the normal baseline values. The enzyme activity returned to normal at 48 h. Atropinisation partially protected against anticholinesterase activity in sheep; cholinesterase activity was inhibited by only 14% of the normal baseline values 10 min to 2 h after treatment. This study indicates that quinuronium is highly toxic and that rabbits are moderately resistant.     

Tetramethylpyrazine protected photoreceptor cells of rats by modulating nuclear translocation of NF-κB

Aim: To evaluate the effect of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) injection on retinal damage induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) in rats and on nuclear factorkappa B (NF-κB) family members. Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into groups: (i), control group; (ii), model group; and (iii), TMP-injection groups, in which the rats were subdivided into 40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg groups. Drugs were injected ip into 47-day-old SD rats once a day. At 50 days of age, all rats in the model group and drug groups also received a single ip injection of 60 mg/kg MNU. Rats in group 1 received ip injection of physiological saline. All rats were killed at different times after MNU or physiological saline treatment. The apoptotic index of photoreceptor ceils was calculated by TUNEL labeling; retinal damage was evaluated based on retinal thickness and the expression of NF-nB family members was detected by Western blot. Results: TMP injections, in a dose-dependent manner, suppressed photoreceptor cell apoptosis and decreased its loss in the peripheral retina. As compared with the MNU-treated group, TMP injection at a dose of 160 mg/kg also timedependently upregulated the NF-κB/p65 protein level in the nucleus and downregulated the IκBα protein level in the cytoplasm. However, no protective effect of TMP injection on MNU-induced central retinal damage was found. Conclusion: TMP injection partially protects against MNU-induced retinal damage by upregulating the nuclear translocation of p65 to inhibit photoreceptor cells apoptosis.     

Pharmacological studies of loperamide, an anti-diarrheal agent. I. Effects on diarrhea induced by castor oil and prostaglandin E. (author's transl)]

Effects of loperamide on diarrhea induced by castor oil and prostaglandin E1 were investigated in rats and mice and compared with those of narcotic analgesics, atropine, mecamylamine and local anesthetics. The following results were obtained. Loperamide markedly suppressed the appearance of diarrhea induced by oral administration of castor oil in rats and the ED50 values for 1 and 2 hr protection was 0.082 and 0.42 mg/kg p.o., respectively. Loperamide markedly suppressed the appearance of diarrhea induced by i.v. administration of prostaglandin E1 and the ED50 value for 2 hr protection was 0.24 mg/kg p.o. in rats. The ID120 min value of loperamide which was calculated on the basis of the dose producing a 20% or more inhibition of the charcoal transport in the small intestine for 120 min was 0.8 mg/kg p.o. in mice and this activity was 9.2 times more potent than that of morphine. The analgesic ED50 value (Haffner's method) and LD50 value of loperamide was 149 and 249 mg/kg p.o., respectively. These results suggest that loperamide has a potent anti-diarrheal activity and specificity to the gastrointestinal tract and inhibits the effect of prostaglandin E1 and ricinoleic acid on the intestinal tract in rats.     

Ouabain lethality as a measure of biliary function in developing mice and rats and effect of polybrominated biphenyls.

Ouabain is excreted by the liver into the bile in rats and mice. Furthermore, newborn rats are immature in their ability to excrete ouabain and are particularly susceptible to ouabain toxicity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not newborn mice are also sensitive to ouabain toxicity, whether or not ouabain toxicity is a suitable index of biliary function, and whether or not perinatal exposure to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) results in altered hepatic function in rats and mice. Ouabain toxicity was assessed by determining 24-hr LD50 values and the hepatic excretion of ouabain was determined by measuring radioactivity in plasma, liver, and intestine following a single injection of [³H]ouabain in mice and rats of various ages. The LD50 of ouabain in 10-day-old mice was 1.85 mg/kg (ip) and increased with age until the animals were 18 days of age when LD50 values were the same as values obtained from adults (16.50 mg/kg). In addition, following ip injection of [³H]ouabain, plasma concentrations of ouabain were higher in young mice relative to adults. Treatment with PBBs through the mother's diet did not affect ouabain LD50 values in 15-day-old mice but did result in a significant increase in liver weight and enhanced disappearance of ouabain from the plasma in these animals. In developing rats exposed to PBBs, a similar enhancement of liver weight and hepatic transport of ouabain was observed; however, in rats, enhanced ouabain transport correlated with protection against ouabain toxicity. These results suggest that ouabain lethality is not a good index of biliary function in developing mice. However, ouabain toxicity can be used to estimate hepatic function in rats. In this regard, perinatal exposure to PBBs resulted in a significant drug (ouabain) interaction.     

Acute and subacute toxicity of cytochalasin E in the rat

Cytochalasin E, a minor toxic metabolite of the fungus Aspergillus clavatus, is acutely toxic to rats, mice, and guineapigs. The LD50 values for a single ip administration of cytochalasin E were: 1-day-old rats, 0.98 mg/kg; adolescent rats, 2.60 mg/kg; mice, 4.60 mg/kg, and guinea-pigs, 0.5–1.5 mg/kg. The toxicity of cytochalasin E was reduced in adolescent rats when administered orally (LD50 9.10 mg/kg) and was increased when administered by the intrathoracic route (LD50 1.30 mg/kg). Rats receiving a fatal ip dose of cytochalasin E died within 2–18 hr with 2–3 ml fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Intrathoracic administration of cytochalasin E killed rats within 2–8 hr and resulted in accumulation of 2.5–3.5 ml pleural fluid. Rats receiving the toxin orally died within 4–18 hr with 1.0–1.5 ml gastric fluid. Histopathologic examination revealed congestive degenerative changes, necrosis of liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas, and small intestine, brain edema, pulmonary hemorrhages, and injury to vascular walls.