Sensitivity of several serum enzymes in detecting carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats

A short-term rodent model for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis induced by a high-fat diet and carbon tetrachloride

Several models of mice-fed high-fat diets have been used to trigger non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and some chemical substances, such as carbon tetrachloride. The present study aimed to evaluate the joint action of a high-fat diet and CCl4 in developing a short-term non-alcoholic steatohepatitis model. C57BL6/J mice were divided into two groups: standard diet-fed (SD), the high-fat diet-fed (HFD) and HFD + fructose-fed and carbon tetrachloride (HFD+CCl4). The animals fed with HFD+CCl4 presented increased lipid deposition compared with both SD and HFD mice. Plasma cholesterol was increased in animals from the HFD+CCl4 group compared with the SD and HFD groups, without significant differences between the SD and HFD groups. Plasma triglycerides showed no significant difference between the groups. The HFD+CCl4 animals had increased collagen deposition in the liver compared with both SD and HFD groups. Hydroxyproline was also increased in the HFD+CCl4 group. Liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, were increased in the HFD+CCl4 group, compared with SD and HFD groups. Also, CCl4 was able to trigger an inflammatory process in the liver of HFD-fed animals by promoting an increase of ∼2 times in macrophage activity, ∼6 times in F4/80 gene expression, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1b and TNFa), in addition to an increase in inflammatory pathway protein phosphorylation (IKKbp). HFD e HFD+CCl4 animals increased glucose intolerance compared with SD mice, associated with reduced insulin-stimulated AKT activity in the liver. Therefore, our study has shown that short-term HFD feeding associated with fructose and CCl4 can trigger non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and cause damage to glucose metabolism.

Resolving the conflicts around Par2 opposing roles in regeneration by comparing immune-mediated and toxic-induced injuries

BACKGROUND

Different factors may lead to hepatitis. Among which are liver inflammation and poisoning. We chose two hepatitis models, typical for these two underlying causes. Thus, we aimed to characterize the role of protease-activated receptor 2 (Par2) in liver regeneration and inflammation to reconcile Par2 conflicting role in many damage models, which sometimes aggravates the induced damage and sometimes alleviates it.

METHODS

WT and knockout (Par2KO) mice were injected with concanavalin A (ConA) to induce immune-mediated hepatitis or with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) to elicit direct hepatic damage. To distinguish the immune component from the liver regenerative response, we conducted bone marrow (BM) replacements of WT and Par2KO mice and repeated the damage models.

RESULTS

ConA injection caused limited damage in Par2KO mice livers, while in the WT mice severe damage followed by leukocyte infiltration was evident. Reciprocal BM replacement of WT and Par2KO showed that WT BM-reconstituted Par2KO mice displayed marked liver damage, while in Par2KO BM-reconstituted WT mice, the tissue was generally protected. In the CCl₄ direct damage model, hepatocytes regenerated in WT mice, whereas Par2KO mice failed to recover. Reciprocal BM replacement did not show significant differences in hepatic regeneration. In Par2KO mice, hepatitis was more apparent, while WT recovered regardless of the BM origin.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that Par2 activation in the immune system aggravates hepatitis and that Par2 activation in the damaged tissue promotes liver regeneration. When we incorporate this finding and revisit the literature reports, we reconciled the conflicts surrounding Par2's role in injury, recovery, and inflammation.

FGF21 ameliorates hepatic fibrosis by multiple mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Previous study reports that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) could ameliorate hepatic fibrosis, but its mechanisms have not been fully investigated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, three models were used to investigate the mechanism by which FGF21 alleviates liver fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis animal models were respectively induced by CCL₄ and dimethylnitrosamine. Our results demonstrated that liver index and liver function were deteriorated in both models. Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's staining showed that the damaged tissue architectonics were observed in the mice of both models. Treatment with FGF21 significantly ameliorated these changes. ELISA analysis showed that the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly elevated in both models. However, administration of FGF21 significantly reduced these inflammatory cytokines. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis showed that treatment with FGF21 significantly decreased mRNA and protein expressions of collagenI, α-SMA and TGF-β. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) stimulant was used to establish the experimental cell model in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis demonstrated that the expression of collagenI and α-SMA were significantly upregulated by this stimulant in model group. Interestingly, our results showed that mRNA and protein expressions of leptin were also significantly induced in PDGF-BB treated HSCs. Administration of FGF21 significantly reduced leptin expression in a dose dependent manner and these effects were reversed in siRNA (against β-klotho) transfected HSCs. Furthermore, the leptin signaling pathways related protein p-ERK/t-ERK, p-STAT3/STAT3 and TGF-β were significantly downregulated by FGF21 treatment in a dose dependent manner. The expressions of SOCS3 and Nrf-2 were enhanced by treatment with FGF21. The underlying mechanism may be that FGF21 regulates leptin-STAT3 axis via Nrf-2 and SOCS3 pathway in activated HSCs.

CONCLUSIONS

FGF21 ameliorates hepatic fibrosis by multiple mechanisms.

Photocatalytic Detoxification of Some Insecticides in Aqueous Media Using TiO2 Nanocatalyst

The present study was performed to fabricate a titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanocatalyst with proper characteristics for the removal of some insecticides (dimethoate and methomyl) from aqueous media. A TiO₂ catalyst of regular (TiO₂-commercial-/H₂O₂/UV) or nano (TiO₂-synthesized-/H₂O₂/UV) size was employed as an advanced oxidation process by combining it with H₂O₂ under light. Moreover, the total detoxification of insecticides after treatment with the most effective system (TiO₂(s)/H₂O₂/UV) was also investigated through exploring the biochemical alterations and histopathological changes in the liver and kidneys of the treated rats. Interestingly, the present study reported that degradation rates of the examined insecticides were faster using the TiO₂ catalyst of nano size. Complete degradation of the tested insecticides (100%) was achieved under the TiO₂(s)/H₂O₂/UV system after 320 min of irradiation. The half-life values of the tested insecticides under H₂O₂/TiO₂(c)/UV were 43.86 and 36.28 for dimethoate and methomyl, respectively, whereas under the H₂O₂/TiO₂(c)/UV system, the half-life values were 27.72 and 19.52 min for dimethoate and methomyl, respectively. On the other hand, no significant changes were observed in the biochemical and histopathological parameters of rats administrated with water treated with TiO₂(s)/H₂O₂/UV compared to the control, indicating low toxicity of the TiO₂ nanocatalyst-. Altogether, the advanced oxidation processes using TiO₂ nanocatalyst can be considered as a promising and effective remediation technology for the complete detoxification of methomyl and dimethoate in water. However, further future research is needed to identify the possible breakdown products and to verify the safety of the used nanomaterials.

Fabrication of poly(t-butyl betaine carboxylate)-based nanoparticles and study on their in vivo biosecurity

The purpose of this article was to fabricate the novel poly(t-butyl betaine carboxylate)-S-S-poly (1, 3-dioxan-2-one) nanoparticles (PCB-tBU-S-S-PDI NPs) and study their in vivo biosecurity. The poly(t-butyl betaine carboxylate) (PCB-tBU) segment was conjugated to the poly(1, 3-dioxan-2-one)(PDI) moity with a disulfide bond to obtain the copolymer PCB-tBU-S-S-PDI. Hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra were applied to study the structure of PCB-tBU-S-S-PDI. The cargo-free NPs were administrated to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by intraperitoneal injection every 3 days for 30 days. Then, the blood routine examination, blood biochemistry, and histologic slides of rat's organs were carried out to monitor the in vivo biosecurity of cargo-free PCB-tBU-S-S-PDI NPs. ¹H NMR and FTIR spectra confirmed the successfully synthesis of PCB-tBU-S-S-PDI. The cargo-free NPs showed spherical morphology with an average of 139.8 ± 0.26 nm. The results of blood biochemistry and blood routine examination suggested that the cargo-free PCB-tBU-S-S-PDI NPs did not show any influence on the liver and renal functions of treated rats. Significantly, the physiological slides of treated rat's organs did not show any physiological and pathological changes. These phenomena suggested that the PCB-tBU-S-S-PDI NPs had good biosecurity, and it could be used as a vehicle for antineoplastic drug delivery.

Microbial Detoxification of Dimethoate and Methomyl Residues in Aqueous Media

The extensive and random application of major organic pollutants, mainly pesticides, threatens ecosystems and human health. The present study was conducted to isolate and identify microorganisms from some water resources contaminated with pesticides. We investigated the ability of the identified microbes to grow in water spiked with dimethoate and methomyl. We also evaluated the potential effect of the identified microbial isolates on dimethoate and methomyl biodegradation in water. In addition, the total detoxification of dimethoate and methomyl residues in water after treatment with the most effective microbial isolates was confirmed using toxicity tests and analyzing biochemical parameters and histopathological changes in the kidney and liver of treated rats. The microbial isolates were identified as Xanthomonas campestris pv. Translucens and Aspergillus fumigates. Results showed that X. campestris pv. Translucens and A. fumigatus grow in media supplemented with dimethoate and methomyl faster than in other media without both pesticides. About 97.8% and 91.2% of dimethoate and 95% and 87.8% of methomyl (initial concentration of both 5 mg L−1) were biodegraded within 32 days of incubation with X. campestris pv. Translucens and A. fumigatus, respectively. There was no remaining toxicity in rats treated with dimethoate- and methomyl-contaminated water with respect to biochemical parameters and histopathological changes. Collectively, the identified bacterial isolate showed high potential for the complete degradation of dimethoate and methomyl residues in water.

Acute Liver Toxicity Modifies Protein Expression of Glutamate Transporters in Liver and Cerebellar Tissue

Glutamate is the main excitatory amino acid acting at the level of pre and postsynaptic neurons, as well as in glial cells. It is involved in the coordinated modulation of energy metabolism, glutamine synthesis, and ammonia detoxification. The relationship between the functional status of liver and brain has been known for many years. The most widely recognized aspect of this relation is the brain dysfunction caused by acute liver injury that manifests a wide spectrum of neurologic and psychiatric abnormalities. Inflammation, circulating neurotoxins, and impaired neurotransmission have been reported in this pathophysiology. In the present contribution, we report the effect of a hepatotoxic compound like CCl₄ on the expression of key proteins involved in glutamate uptake and metabolism as glutamate transporters and glutamine synthetase in mice liver, brain, and cerebellum. Our findings highlight a differential expression pattern of glutamate transporters in cerebellum. A significant Purkinje cells loss, in parallel to an up-regulation of glutamine synthetase, and astrogliosis in the brain have also been noticed. In the intoxicated liver, glutamate transporter 1 expression is up-regulated, in contrast to glutamine synthetase which is reduced in a time-dependent manner. Taken together our results demonstrate that the exposure to an acute CCl₄ insult, leads to the disruption of glutamate transporters expression in the liver-brain axis and therefore a severe alteration in glutamate-mediated neurotransmission might be present in the central nervous system.

Biochemical and Histopathological Alterations in Different Tissues of Rats Due to Repeated Oral Dose Toxicity of Cymoxanil

Simple Summary

Cymoxanil is a broad-spectrum fungicide used to protect many fruits, vegetables, and field crops against several fungal diseases. Investigating the potential hazards and toxicological effects of this fungicide is very important as cymoxanil can be a major human health concern. The present study investigated the effect of repeated oral doses of cymoxanil on different tissues of treated rats by measuring different biochemical parameters and investigating the histopathological changes. Interestingly, our study reported a dose-dependent effect of cymoxanil that was combined with marked alteration on biochemical enzymes. Moreover, the alteration was combined with marked histopathological changes in various tissues of treated rats, mainly liver, brain, and kidney tissues. Our study collectively reveals that cymoxanil can be a source of major concern for human health with respect to long-term and low dose exposure.

Abstract

Evaluating potential adverse health impacts caused by pesticides is an important parameter in human toxicity. This study focuses on the importance of subchronic toxicity assessment of cymoxanil fungicide in rats with special reference to target biochemical enzymes and histopathological changes in different tissues. In this regard, a 21-day toxicity study with repeated cymoxanil oral doses was conducted. It has been shown that low doses (0.5 mg/kg) were less effective than medium (1 mg/kg) and high (2 mg/kg) doses. Moreover, high dose dose-treated rats showed piecemeal necrosis in the liver, interstitial nephritis and tubular degeneration in the kidneys, interstitial pneumonia and type II pneumocyte hyperplasia in the lungs, gliosis, spongiosis, and malacia in the brain, and testicular edema and degeneration in the testes. Cymoxanil significantly increased AST, ALT, and ALP in serum and liver, indicating tissue necrosis and possible leakage of these enzymes into the bloodstream. Creatinine levels increased, indicating renal damage. Similarly, significant inhibition was recorded in brain acetylcholinesterase, indicating that both synaptic transmission and nerve conduction were affected. Importantly, these histopathological and biochemical alterations were dose-dependent. Taken together, our study reported interesting biochemical and histopathological alterations in different rat tissues following repeated toxicity with oral doses of cymoxanil. Our study suggests future studies on different pesticides at different concentrations that would help urge governments to create more restrictive regulations concerning these compounds’ levels.

The carbon tetrachloride model in mice

Recently, the need for more standardized operation procedures in experimental liver fibrosis research was suggested due to dramatic changes in European animal welfare rules. Here, we present a short series of standard operation procedures (SOPs) summarizing the most relevant and widely accepted experimental models for the induction of liver injury leading to liver fibrosis. The described procedures are based on the long-term experience of the Collaborative Research Centre 'Organ Fibrosis: From Mechanisms of Injury to Modulation of Disease' (http://www.sfbtrr57.rwth-aachen.de/), which is supported by the German Research Foundation (SFB/TRR57). These SOPs will help to improve standardization of fibrosis models and to increase the comparability of data between different laboratories with the aim of reducing animal experimentation according to the principle that was proposed in 1959 by Russell and Burch as an ethical framework for conducting scientific experiments with animals, namely the replacement, refinement and reduction (3R) principle. In the first section we focus on the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) model in mice, which is the toxic model of liver fibrosis induction most commonly used worldwide.

Development of a quantitative model incorporating key events in a hepatotoxic mode of action to predict tumor incidence

Biologically based dose-response (BBDR) modeling of environmental pollutants can be utilized to inform the mode of action (MOA) by which compounds elicit adverse health effects. Chemicals that produce tumors are typically labeled as either genotoxic or nongenotoxic. Though both the genotoxic and the nongenotoxic MOA may be operative as a function of dose, it is important to note that the label informs but does not define a MOA. One commonly proposed MOA for nongenotoxic carcinogens is characterized by the key events cytotoxicity and regenerative proliferation. The increased division rate associated with such proliferation can cause an increase in the probability of mutations, which may result in tumor formation. We included these steps in a generalized computational pharmacodynamic (PD) model incorporating cytotoxicity as a MOA for three carcinogens (chloroform, CHCl(3); carbon tetrachloride, CCL(4); and N,N-dimethylformamide, DMF). For each compound, the BBDR model is composed of a chemical-specific physiologically based pharmacokinetic model linked to a PD model of cytotoxicity and cellular proliferation. The rate of proliferation is then linked to a clonal growth model to predict tumor incidences. Comparisons of the BBDR simulations and parameterizations across chemicals suggested that significant variation among the models for the three chemicals arises in a few parameters expected to be chemical specific (such as metabolism and cellular injury rate constants). Optimization of model parameters to tumor data for CCL(4) and DMF resulted in similar estimates for all parameters related to cytotoxicity and tumor incidences. However, optimization of the CHCl(3) data resulted in a higher estimate for one parameter (BD) related to death of initiated cells. This implies that additional steps beyond cytotoxicity leading to induced cellular proliferation can be quantitatively different among chemicals that share cytotoxicity as a hypothesized carcinogenic MOA.

The current state of serum biomarkers of hepatotoxicity

The level of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity reflects damage to hepatocytes and is considered to be a highly sensitive and fairly specific preclinical and clinical biomarker of hepatotoxicity. However, an increase in serum ALT activity level has also been associated with other organ toxicities, thus, indicating that the enzyme has specificity beyond liver in the absence of correlative histomorphologic alteration in liver. Thus, unidentified non-hepatic sources of serum ALT activity may inadvertently influence the decision of whether to continue development of a novel pharmaceutical compound. To assess the risk of false positives due to extraneous sources of serum ALT activity, additional biomarkers are sought with improved specificity for liver function compared to serum ALT activity alone. Current published biomarker candidates are reviewed herein and compared with ALT performance in preclinical and on occasion, clinical studies. An examination of the current state of hepatotoxic biomarkers indicates that serum F protein, arginase I, and glutathione-S-transferase alpha (GSTalpha) levels, all measured by ELISA, may show utility, however, antibody availability and high cost per run may present limitations to widespread applicability in preclinical safety studies. In contrast, the enzymatic markers sorbitol dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, paraxonase, malate dehydrogenase, and purine nucleoside phosphorylase are all readily measured by photometric methods and use reagents that work across preclinical species and humans and are commercially available. The published literature suggests that these markers, once examined collectively in a large qualification study, could provide additional information relative to serum ALT and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values. Since these biomarkers are found in the serum/plasma of treated humans and rats, they have potential to be utilized as bridging markers to monitor acute drug-induced liver injury in early clinical trials.

Further evaluation of the incorporation of an immunotoxicological functional assay for assessing humoral immunity for hazard identification purposes in rats in a standard toxicology study

A previous study (Ladics et al., 1995) conducted in our laboratory using the known immunosuppressant agent, cyclophosphamide, indicated that a functional assay for assessment of humoral immunity may be conducted in rats in a standard toxicology study. The objective of this study was to further examine the feasibility of conducting an immunotoxicological assay for assessing humoral immunity in rats in a standard toxicology study using a chemical, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), whose principal target organ of toxicity is not the immune system. Specifically, the previous study and this study were done to determine whether the conduct of an assay for assessing humoral immune function would affect standard toxicological endpoints. Male CD rats were untreated or dosed orally for 30 or 90 days, excluding weekends, with vehicle or 12.5 or 25 mg/kg CCl4. Six days prior to sacrifice, selected rats were injected intravenously with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) for assessment of humoral immune function. One day prior to necropsy, blood for hematological and clinical chemical measurements was collected from each rat. On the day of necropsy standard protocol tissues were collected, weighed, processed to slides, and later examined microscopically. One-half of each spleen was used to assess spleen cell numbers and quantitate lymphocyte subsets (Thelper; Tcyt/sup; total T- and B-cells) by flow cytometry. Serum was analyzed for anti-SRBC IgM antibody by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Administration of 12.5 and 25 mg/kg CCl4 for 30 days decreased SRBC-specific serum IgM levels 42 and 45%, respectively, while 25 mg/kg CCl4 for 90 days increased SRBC-specific IgM levels by 50%. CCl4 did not alter splenic lymphocyte subset numbers nor the weight nor morphology of lymphoid organs. Exposure to 25 mg/kg CCl4 did increase liver weight and serum sorbitol dehydrogenase levels, as well as produce centrilobular fatty change. SRBC administration did not alter any hematological or clinical chemistry parameters, nor lymphocyte subset numbers. With the expected exception of the spleen (slight increase in number and size of germinal centers), administration of SRBC did not significantly alter the weights or morphology of routine protocol tissues. Furthermore, administration of SRBC did not mask the rather mild hepatotoxic effects of CCL4 exposure observed in this study. Based on these and previous findings, it appears that a functional assay for assessing humoral immunity may be conducted in animals on standard toxicology study without altering standard toxicological endpoints.

Plasma diamine oxidase activities in renal dialysis patients, a human with spontaneous copper deficiency and marginally copper deficient rats

OBJECTIVES

Intestine and kidney are generally the most concentrated sources of the copper metalloenzyme diamine oxidase (DAO). Clinically, plasma DAO activities are used to diagnose disruptions in intestinal integrity. This study determined whether DAO activities were also affected by kidney injury or copper nutritional status.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Plasma DAO activities were measured in renal dialysis patients without diagnosed intestinal disease (n = 75), controls (n = 23), an adult with spontaneous copper deficiency before and after copper repletions, and in rats fed either adequate or marginal copper diets (8 or 2 mg copper/kg diet) for 7 months.

RESULTS

This study found high DAO activities in renal dialysis patients and low activities during spontaneous copper deficiency. Low activities were also seen for marginally copper deficient rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Tissue injury-induced elevation of DAO activities is not limited to intestinal injury, and low DAO values may be useful for assessing copper nutritional status.

Comparison of the effects of pyridine and its metabolites on rat liver and kidney

In order to evaluate the possibility that the metabolism of pyridine may be important for its toxic actions, pyridine was compared with pyridine N-oxide, 2-hydroxypyridine, 3-hydroxypyridine, 4-hydroxypyridine and pyridinium methyliodide in rats given equal molar doses of the chemicals i.p. Hepatoxicity was assessed by measuring serum sorbitol dehydrogenase, nephrotoxicity by determining increases in blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, and influence on xenobiotic metabolism by measuring changes in p-nitrophenol hydroxylase and ethoxyresorufin and benzyloxyresorufin dealkylase activities. After a single dose of 2.5 mmol/kg, pyridinium methyliodide was the only compound that was lethal whereas 2-hydroxypyridine was the only one that caused significant hepatoxicity. Pyridine, pyridine N-oxide, 3-hydroxypyridine and 4-hydroxypyridine were effective inducers of xenobiotic metabolism. Thus the metabolites of pyridine may play a role, either singly or collectively, in the actions of pyridine.

Experimental infection of the laboratory rat with the hepatitis E virus

To confirm an earlier report that laboratory rats are susceptible to infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV), we inoculated 27 Wistar rats intravenously with a suspension of a human stool known to contain infectious HEV. Stool, sera, and various tissues were collected from three rats each on days 0 (preinoculation) and 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28, and 35 postinoculation. Stool and sera specimens were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for the presence of HEV genomic sequences. Tissues were examined by light microscopy for detection of histopathological changes and by direct immunofluorescence for detection of HEV antigens. We detected HEV RNA in stools on day 7 in all three animals and in serum intermittently between days 4 and 35. We found HEV antigens in liver, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, and small intestine. We detected histopathology attributable to the inoculum in liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. The results confirm that HEV can replicate in laboratory rats and suggest new tissue sites for HEV replication.

Comparison of acute hepatocellular proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling indices and growth fractions, p34cdc2 kinases, and serum enzymes in carbon tetrachloride-treated rats

We evaluated various biomarkers associated with cell proliferation immediately following insult with the classic hepatotoxicant carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Rats were administered a single necrogenic dose of CCl4 and euthanized at either t = 4, 8, 12, 16, or 24 hr postdose. Parameters evaluated included the following: immunohistochemical detection of hepatocellular proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling indices (PCNA-LIs; percentage of cells in S phase) and growth fractions (PCNA-GFs; percentage of cells in the cell cycle); PCNA and the cyclin-dependent kinase p34cdc2 (CDK) protein in S-9 fractions by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); and liver-related serum enzymes. An increase in PCNA-GF was observed at t = 4 hr, concomitant with elevations in CDK and PCNA protein (Western blot). PCNA-LIs were increased by t = 24 hr, as were CDK and PCNA by ELISA. Sorbitol dehydrogenase was the most sensitive enzyme, with increases observed at t = 4 hr. Our results indicate that PCNA-GF, CDK, and PCNA levels reflect hepatocellular regeneration as early as 4 hr following CCl4 insult. We conclude that these assays are early and sensitive indicators of acute hepatotoxicity that may be advantageous to evaluate in the early stages of exploratory studies.

Effects of mild zinc deficiency, plus or minus an acute-phase response, on galactosamine-induced hepatitis in rats

Zn deficiency is hypothesized to produce poor resistance to injury involving oxidative stress. This could occur by impairing Zn antioxidant function(s) or by indirectly limiting adaptive protective mechanisms such as a rise in acute-phase proteins. The present study examined rats fed diets adequate or moderately low in Zn (4 or 25 micrograms/g diet) for 9 d. The lower intake produced a mild Zn deficiency based on body weight, plasma Zn and plasma alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) activity. Galactosamine injection, an oxidative stress, produced much more liver injury in the mildly Zn-deficient rats. However, injury was strongly inhibited in rats from each dietary group by an acute-phase response due to turpentine-induced leg inflammation. Mild Zn deficiency did not prevent a rise in levels of the acute-phase protein caeruloplasmin (EC 1.16.3.1), but did limit the usual inflammation-induced rise in hepatic levels of metallothionein, a Zn protein with possible antioxidant function. In conclusion, high degrees of galactosamine-induced hepatitis were associated with mild Zn deficiency, but the liver injury was blocked by prior stimulation of an acute-phase response, regardless of Zn status.

Effects of mild zinc deficiency, plus or minus acute phase response, on CCl4 hepatotoxicity

Low zinc (Zn) intake could be expected to compromise resistance to oxidative stress, even when accompanied by a normally protective acute phase response pretreatment. Mildly Zn deficient rats showed very high degrees of CCl4-induced hepatic cell membrane injury as assessed by serum sorbitol dehydrogenase activities. Rats pair-fed adequate Zn also showed above normal degrees of injury, but much less than rats fed low Zn. An acute phase response, elicited by leg inflammation, strongly protected rats consuming adequate Zn, either ad libitum or pair-fed, against the CCl4-induced rise in sorbitol dehydrogenase. However, the effect was partially absent in rats fed low Zn. Zinc intake had no effect on CCl4-produced microsomal injury, assessed by glucose-6-phosphatase activities. Rats fed low Zn showed normal hepatic levels of metallothionein, a Zn protein with proposed antioxidant functions, but did not show the rise in metallothionein levels normally associated with acute phase response. In summary, mild Zn deficiency caused poor resistance to CCl4-induced plasma membrane injury and partially negated acute phase response protective effects. Metallothionein was not involved in the former effect, but may have contributed to the latter.

Low and marginal copper intake by postweanling rats: effects on copper status and resistance to carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity

Copper feeding studies in rats are generally initiated at weaning. This study examined whether a 6-week feeding of low or marginal Cu levels (0.2 or 2.5 ppm) to rats initially weighing 135 g produced deleterious effects. Controls were fed 8 ppm Cu. Liver Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase activities paralleled Cu intake. Plasma ceruloplasmin activities were very low for both low and marginal Cu consumption. Low but not marginal Cu intake caused a low body weight, high plasma cholesterol level, anemia, cardiac hypertrophy, and a high degree of hepatic plasma membrane injury 24 hours after CCl4 injection (150 microL/kg intraperitoneally [IP]). In summary, low and marginal Cu intakes produced low Cu enzyme activities, while low Cu intake produced pathological symptoms and poor resistance to an oxidative stress.

Inflammation, an inducer of metallothionein, inhibits carbon-tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Inflammation, induced by turpentine (0.1 ml i.m.), protected against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity based on serum activities of sorbitol dehydrogenase. Inflammation was confirmed by elevated serum ceruloplasmin activities, and was associated with high hepatic levels of metallothionein, a zinc protein proposed to protect against CCl4-induced injury. Inflammation suppressed cytochrome P-450 activities, but this was not associated with protection against CCl4-promoted liver microsomal injury as assessed by glucose-6-phosphatase activity loss. Thus, protection against plasma membrane injury did not result primarily from depressed microsomal activation of CCl4. Each effect of inflammation reported here resembled effects of zinc injections. This similarity strengthens the hypothesis that metallothionein protects against CCl4-induced hepatic plasma membrane injury.

Species differences in the hepatotoxicity of coumarin: a comparison of rat and Mongolian gerbil

The acute hepatic effects of coumarin (2H-1-benzopyran-2-one) in male Wistar rats and Mongolian gerbils has been compared. A single dose of coumarin (125 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)) was hepatotoxic to rats within 24 h as assessed by its effects on a variety of hepatic parameters. Coumarin-induced hepatotoxicity was associated with significant increases in relative liver weight, plasma alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activities and hepatic non-protein sulphydryl groups. Cytochrome P-450 content and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase and glucose 6-phosphatase activities were significantly lower in coumarin-treated compared with control rats. Centrilobular necrosis was only observed in two out of six rats at this dose, but was present in all four coumarin-treated rats when the dose was increased to 150 mg/kg. In contrast to the effects observed in the rat, no evidence was found for coumarin-induced hepatotoxicity in gerbils following a single i.p. dose of 125 mg/kg. These data indicate that the gerbil is less sensitive to the hepatotoxic effects of coumarin than the rat.

Difference in liver and serum malathion carboxylesterase and glucose-6-phosphatase in detecting carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats

Microsome, cytosol and serum malathion carboxylesterase (MaCEst) activity was assessed in rats after single i.p. administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in doses ranging from 0.05 to 1 ml kg-1. MaCEst activities were compared with those of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6-Pase) as an indicator of endoplasmic reticulum damage and serum glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SHD) as indicators of liver cytolysis. The data showed a dose-dependent increase in GLDH and SDH serum activities (175% and 68%) from 0.05 ml kg-1; an increase in serum G6-Pase (31%) and a decrease in microsomal G6-Pase (38%) was apparent only after 0.5 or 1.0 ml kg-1 doses. MaCEst activity was unaffected. The results demonstrate that, under these experimental conditions, serum and subcellular measurements of MaCEst activity failed to reveal the liver toxicity of CCl4.

Protective effect of zinc in the hepatotoxicity of bromobenzene and acetaminophen

Mice of the Balb'c strain were administered bromobenzene (BB) or acetaminophen (AA) i.p., in single doses of 400 and 300 mg/kg, respectively. In the blood activity of SGOT and SGPT as well as SDH was determined. In the liver the level of metallothionein (MT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) was measured. The level of MT as well as GSH (determined as non-protein SH groups) showed a significant increase following administration of zinc alone. Joint action of zinc and either BB or AA resulted in a decrease of GSH which was less pronounced than expected for each of the xenobiotics alone. The protective effect of zinc reflected in the reduction of the increase of SGPT and SGOT activity was apparent shortly (4 h) after administration of AA. A day after injection of AA alone the activity of enzymes was lower and the rate of decline followed the sequence SGPT greater than SGOT greater than SDH. For BB, both the toxic effect and the protective influence of zinc were apparent 24 h following administration. At 4 h in a group receiving BB alone no changes of the indicatory enzymes in blood were noted.

Effect of oral dosing vehicles on the acute hepatotoxicity of carbon tetrachloride in rats

Although carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is of concern as a drinking water contaminant, it has been necessary in most oral toxicity studies to give CCl4 in an oil vehicle due to its limited water solubility. The primary objective of our study was to assess the influence of dosing vehicles on the acute hepatotoxicity of CCl4. Fasted 200- to 230-g rats were generally found to be more susceptible to CCl4 hepatotoxicity than fasted 300- to 330-g rats. A time-course study revealed that corn oil did not delay the onset or time of maximal liver injury by an oral 100 mg/kg dose of CCl4, but did reduce the extent of injury relative to that when the chemical was given undiluted or as an aqueous emulsion. Fasted 200- to 230-g male Sprague-Dawley rats were given 0, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, or 1000 mg CCl4/kg body wt by gavage: in corn oil; as an aqueous emulsion; as the undiluted chemical; and in the 10 and 25 mg/kg doses only, in water. Blood and liver samples were taken 24 hr after dosing for measurement of serum and microsomal enzymes. Pathological examination of liver samples was also conducted. Dose-dependent increases in serum enzyme levels and pathological changes and dose-dependent decreases in microsomal P450 and glucose-6-phosphatase activity were observed in each vehicle group. Both the 10 and 25 mg/kg oral doses of CCl4 in water caused significant elevations in serum enzymes and hepatic centrolobular vacuolation. The study revealed that acute hepatotoxicity was less pronounced at each dosage level in rats given CCl4 in corn oil than in other vehicle groups. These findings demonstrate that dosing vehicles can significantly influence the acute hepatotoxicity of CCl4 in rats and are a cause for additional consideration and review of the practice of routinely using vegetable oils as a diluent in studies of volatile organic compound (VOC) toxicity. The use of aqueous Emulphor emulsions appears more appropriate in acute toxicity studies of VOC drinking water contaminants such as CCl4, in that the emulsion did not substantially alter the toxicity of CCl4 from that of undiluted CCl4 or CCl4 ingested in water.

Assessment of hepatic function and damage in animal species. Animal Clinical Chemistry Association

There are a wide variety of laboratory tests available to assess damage to and functional impairment of the liver, though the effectiveness of these tests varies greatly depending upon the type of damage and the animal species involved. Species differences in tissue localization, metabolism, specificity and sensitivity of parameters relating to the liver influence the choice of tests. Some tests can be applied usefully to most animal species while others may be highly specific in one species but show very low discriminatory potential in others. The tests available, and their use in veterinary and toxicological investigations have been reviewed in the light of current practice in the U.K.

Enhancement by glutathione depletion of ethanol-induced acute hepatotoxicity in vitro and in vivo

Ethanol at initial concentrations between 0.75 and 6 g/l produced a dose-dependent release of the enzymes glutamic-pyruvic-transaminase and sorbitol dehydrogenase (GPT, SDH) from the isolated perfused rat liver. At the concentration of 6 g/l, it also decreased the oxygen consumption and elevated the calcium content of the isolated livers. These toxic effects of ethanol were significantly enhanced in livers, the glutathione content of which had been depleted by pretreatment with phorone. Ethanol-induced toxicity in glutathione-depleted isolated livers could be prevented both by inhibition of alcohol dehydrogenase with 4-methylpyrazole and of xanthine oxidase with allopurinol. In rats, in vivo, 1.6 g/kg ethanol injected intravenously produced a small increase in serum GPT and SDH concentrations 4 h after its administration. This increase in enzyme activities was several-fold higher and longer lasting in rats pretreated with phorone. Glutathione depletion per se did not induce hepatotoxicity in vitro or in vivo. Since glutathione is involved in several lines of defense against oxidative damage, our results of an enhanced susceptibility of glutathione-depleted livers to ethanol toxicity favour the hypothesis that ethanol exerts its hepatotoxic action via an activation of molecular oxygen.

Serum transaminases activity and histopathological changes in Clarias lazera chronically exposed to nitrite

Increase in serum transaminases (GOT and GPT) activity attributable to nitrite toxicity was observed in juvenile Clarias lazera after chronic exposure to nitrite. The application of SGOT and SGPT assays for monitoring the effect of nitrite exposure over a 6-month period has shown that changes in activities are correlated with histological effects in Clarias liver. Kidneys from fish exposed to nitrite were not noticeably different histologically from that of control fish. Hypertrophy and hyperplasia were the most consistent lesions that occurred in the gills. Lifting of lamellar epithelium and necrosis of some epithelial cells were also prominent.

Interaction between 1,2-dichloroethane and tetraethylthiuram disulfide (disulfiram). II. Hepatotoxic manifestations with possible mechanism of action

The synergistic hepatotoxicity of dietary disulfiram (DSF) with 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) subchronically administered by inhalation at three concentration levels (150, 300, and 450 ppm) was studied. The criteria for hepatotoxicity were treatment-related increases in serum activities of sorbitol dehydrogenase, 5'-nucleotidase, and alkaline phosphatase, and in liver-to-body weight ratios. DSF alone did not elicit these responses while DCE at the highest concentration level increased liver-to-body weight ratios and the activity of 5'-nucleotidase. Exposure to DSF alone decreased cytochrome P450 levels, but in combination with DCE, the decrement of cytochrome P450 was additive in a DCE concentration-dependent manner. However, depression of cytochrome P450 by DCE alone was not concentration dependent. Although DSF and DSF/DCE combination increased the activity of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), both DSF and DCE singly and in combination increased the tissue levels of reduced glutathione (GSH). Evidence is presented showing that the potentiation of the hepatotoxicity of DCE observed in the presence of DSF may be due to an inhibition of microsomal mixed-function oxidase-mediated metabolism of DCE and to a compensatory increase in DCE metabolism to reactive metabolites generated by GST-mediated conjugation of DCE with GSH.

Concentration-related changes in blood and tissue parameters of hepatotoxicity and their interdependence in rats exposed to bromobenzene and 1,2-dichlorobenzene

Liver damage resulting from 4 h exposure to bromobenzene (BB) (146-957 ppm) and 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB) (245-739 ppm) as model toxicants was evaluated in rats. The modifications considered were the increases in serum glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) activities and the decreases in centrolobular liver-cell glucose-6-phosphatase (G6-Pase) staining intensity. A linear inverse relationship was established between the logarithmic values of blood enzyme activities and liver G6-Pase staining intensity. In addition, the levels of exposure to each test chemical were found to be linearly related to liver G6-Pase staining intensity and to the logarithmic values of blood enzyme activities.

Protective effect of tryptophan and cysteine against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury

The effects of the administration of tryptophan and/or cysteine on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic injury were investigated. Rats received CCl4 (1 ml/kg ip) followed 6 hr later by tryptophan (300 mg/kg) and/or cysteine (950 mg/kg) via stomach tube and rats were killed after 24 hr. Treatment with tryptophan, cysteine, or both reduced the degree of hepatic necrosis observed histologically. While CCl4 caused polyribosomal disaggregation and decreased [14C]leucine incorporation into liver proteins in vitro and in vivo, treatment with tryptophan, cysteine, or both caused a shift in polyribosomes toward heavier aggregation and protein synthesis was increased. Serum activities of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase were markedly increased after CCl4 alone but after subsequent treatment with cysteine or with tryptophan and cysteine appreciable decreases occurred. Glutathione concentration decreased but total amount remained constant in the livers of CCl4-treated rats while subsequent treatment with cysteine alone or together with tryptophan elevated both levels of glutathione. Using isolated hepatocytes, CCl4 caused decreases in cell viability, in release of LDH, and in [14C]leucine incorporation into protein. Treatment with CCl4 and tryptophan and/or cysteine revealed that cysteine alone or with tryptophan improved cell viability and decreased LDH release of the cells, while tryptophan alone or with cysteine improved protein synthesis. Upon cytologic evaluation, the isolated hepatocytes revealed membrane distortions after CCl4 alone but these were less marked after CCl4 plus tryptophan, cysteine, or both (most improvement). Thus, tryptophan and cysteine act in a beneficial manner against CCl4-induced hepatic injury in the rat.

Mixed-function oxidase system induction and propylene hepatotoxicity

Propylene is hepatotoxic to male Charles River COBS Sprague-Dawley rats pretreated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB: Aroclor 1254). Four-hour inhalation exposure to 50,000 ppm propylene increased liver weight/body weight ratios and elevated serum enzyme activities in PCB-pretreated animals. Hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 content of PCB-pretreated rats dropped profoundly during propylene exposure and remained depressed for at least 24 h. In addition, PCB-pretreated, propylene-exposed rats exhibited a decrease in the specific activity of hepatic microsomal aniline hydroxylase. However, there was no change in activities of either hepatic microsomal aminopyrine demethylase or glucose-6-phosphatase. Propylene exposure of rats pretreated with beta-naphthoflavone (BNF), phenobarbital (PB), or a mixture of BNF and PB was not hepatotoxic. However, there was, in these animals, a substantial decline in hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels 24 h after the start of propylene exposure. Hence, the propylene-dependent process resulting in hepatic cytochrome P-450 destruction is qualitatively or quantitatively different from the process that causes acute hepatotoxicity. Preexposure fasting had no effect on the hepatotoxicity resulting from a 4-h exposure of PCB-pretreated rats to 50,000 ppm propylene. Administration of SKF-525A to PCB-pretreated rats immediately prior to propylene exposure completely prevented elevations in serum enzyme activities and liver weight/body weight ratios. In vitro incubation of hepatic microsomes prepared from either BNF-, PB-, or PCB-pretreated rats with an atmosphere of 20% propylene/80% air produced in NADPH-dependent decrease in cytochrome P-450 content. These results suggest that PCB pretreatment is a prerequisite for propylene hepatotoxicity in the rat. Cytochrome P-450-dependent bioactivation of propylene is associated with this hepatotoxicity, but further studies are needed to characterize the mechanism of the PCB-propylene interaction.

An investigation of the mechanism of hepatotoxicity of the antitumour agent N-methylformamide in mice

N-Methylformamide (NMF) has been reported to cause liver damage in animals and man. This hepatotoxicity was characterized in BALB/c mice by the release of liver enzymes into the plasma and by histopathological examination of livers after single and repeated administration of NMF. Whereas plasma levels of sorbitol dehydrogenase were elevated dramatically 24 hr after 400 mg/kg given as a single dose, the glutathione content of the livers was not different from controls even after repeated administration. Liver damage was apparent on gross inspection and was defined as periacinar necrosis on histopathology. A dose of 100 mg/kg did not cause damage even after repeated injections on five consecutive days. The hypothesis that NMF is metabolized to a chemically reactive species was tested. Incubation of mouse hepatocytes with 7 mM NMF for 80 min produced a decrease in intracellular glutathione. Exposure of hepatocytes to NMF for 240 min led to the production of breakdown products of lipid peroxides at levels significantly above controls. However, incubation of microsomes or mitochondria with NMF and NADPH did not lead to raised levels of lipid peroxides. The effects described were specific to NMF as incubation of N,N-dimethylformamide, N-hydroxymethylformamide or formamide with hepatocytes did not result in glutathione depletion or increased lipid peroxidation. NMF undergoes extensive metabolism in vivo and the results indicate that NMF forms a chemically reactive metabolite, even though incubation of the drug with liver fractions or hepatocytes did not lead to metabolites at levels which were analytically identifiable.

Short-term inhalation test for evaluating industrial hepatotoxicants in rats

Liver damage was investigated in rat using serum enzyme activities measurements. Responses were recorded 24 h after whole body inhalation exposure to vapors of bromobenzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, o-dichlorobenzene, 1,2-dichloroethane and dimethylformamide as model toxicants. First, rats were exposed during a single 4 h period to different concentrations of each solvent and the minimally active concentration was determined. Second, repeated exposures to chemicals at this concentration level (6 h daily, 2 or 4 days) were used in order to examine whether hepatotoxicity was enhanced. GLDH and SDH are more sensitive and more constant indices than GOT and GPT. It appears that a single exposure period induced more marked serum activities enhancement than repeated exposures.

Some observations on dimethylformamide hepatotoxicity

Dimethylformamide (DMF) and its biotransformation products monomethylformamide (MMF) and formamide (F) were administered intraperitoneally to rats. Serum levels of sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) were studied at 3 h intervals from 9 h to 30 h after administration. Liver histology at 12, 21 and 30 h proved elevated SDH levels to be an indication of liver necrosis. DMF 479 mg/kg produced elevated enzyme levels at 27 h and 30 h while half the dose, 240 mg/kg, produced elevated levels from 15 h onwards. MMF 387 mg/kg produced elevated SDH levels at all times studied. F did not give elevated levels at any time. DMF (479 mg/kg) and MMF (387 mg/kg) administered simultaneously produced elevated SDH levels from 24 h onwards. These findings suggest that DMF hepatotoxicity is mediated by a degradation product of MMF and that DMF delays the hepatotoxic effect induced by MMF.

The galactose elimination capacity as a quantitative measure of liver function in acute carbon tetrachloride intoxication of rats

In rats given rising single doses of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intragastrically the relation between dose and mortality, between time after injection and the quantitative liver function measured by the galactose elimination capacity (GEC), and between the dose and the GEC, was examined. The change in hepatic contents of galactose metabolites after CCl4 was measured. There was a linear relation between the dose and mortality. No rat died later than 36 h after injection. Following injection of a dose lethal to 15% of rats the GEC fell to 40% of control after 36 h and was normalized after 72 h. There was a dose dependent decrease in the GEC with rising doses given 36 h earlier up to a dose lethal to 15%. Galactose metabolites other than UDP-galactose, which was decreased, were not affected by CCl4, suggesting a general enzyme depression. The results are compatible with the concept of proportionality between the GEC and 'the functioning liver mass' and indicate that the GEC presents prognostically valuable information during acute hepatic insufficiency.

Serum enzymes as indicators of chemically induced liver damage

Rats were dosed with CCl4 or diethylamine to induce liver injury. The time and magnitude of peak liver injury were assessed by histopathological examination of liver specimens taken at intervals after dosing. Serum enzymes were measured at the same intervals. Serum ornithine carbamyl transferase (SOCT) activity increased at least 6-fold in animals that showed liver damage by histopathology, and fell again as the injuries resolved. Measurements of other enzymes were less sensitive. SOCT measurements appear to be as sensitive a method as histopathology for detecting liver damage caused by administering xenobiotics. Since serum enzyme measurements do not require that the animals be sacrificed, they can be used for repeated examinations of the same animals, thus increasing the likelihood of detecting transient injury.