Limited hepatotoxic potential of acrylonitrile in rats

Protective Efficacy of Astaxanthin Against Acrylonitrile-Induced Toxicity: Hematological Analysis and Histopathological and Immunoexpression Study of TGF-β in the Heart, Kidney, and Liver of Albino Rats

Scientific research is currently moving towards studies of natural antioxidants that could reduce the deleterious effects resulting from the toxicity of materials used in industry in order to preserve the environment and public health. Astaxanthin "king of antioxidants". is known for its remarkable protection against numerous environmentally harmful substances, but not against acrylonitrile, which is utilized in the manufacturing of plastics, rubber, and synthetic fibers. The goal of this investigation is to assess how astaxanthin can recover the normal CBC and normal organ architecture after acrylonitrile toxicity. Fifty rats were divided equally into five groups: positive control (acrylonitrile), negative control (saline), vehicle (corn oil), antioxidant (astaxanthin), and protective (astaxanthin + acrylonitrile). After sacrificing all the rats, CBC was done. Tissues of the heart, liver, and kidney were used for pathological examination and to assess TGF-β1 by immunohistochemistry, Our results showed an improvement in most of hematological parameters in the protective group compared to the acrylonitrile group. There was a significant improvement in RBC count, PCV, HB, RDW, and platelets, accompanied by a slight increase in MCV. Conversely, significant decreases were observed in PDW, MPV, MCH, and MCHC. Additionally, our results showed a slight decrease in WBCs and neutrophils, along with a slight increase in eosinophils and lymphocytes, and a significant increase in monocytes. There was a significant decrease in TGF-β1 level in rats treated with astaxanthin. All the organs showed an excellent recovery for the normal architecture. Astaxanthin can ameliorate acrylonitrile toxicity by restoring the normal levels of hematological parameters and histological structure.

Application of a series of biomarkers in Scallop Chlamys farreri to assess the toxic effects after exposure to a priority hazardous and noxious substance (HNS)-Acrylonitrile

The antioxidant enzymes and detoxification parameters responses of the scallop Chlamys farreri to different degree of acrylonitrile (AN) were investigated. Accordingly, the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) at 96 h was 98.5 mg/L AN. Results from chronic toxicity test demonstrated that superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were stimulated in the highest two doses of AN (2.0 and 5.0 mg/L), but significantly inhibited in the highest concentration (5.0 mg/L) at the end of the exposure. The levels of DNA strand breaks, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonyl (PC) contents showed damage effects exposed AN at the highest two doses. Additionally, AN significantly induced the enzymatic activity of glutathione-s-transferase (GST), related mRNA expression levels of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and GST-pi; and no significant changes were found on CYP1A1 mRNA expression and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity. Our results indicated that P-gp and GST-pi mRNA expression in digestive glands of the scallop C. farreri may potentially be used in ecological risk assessment of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) contamination of marine.

Neoplasms in Rats Ingesting Acrylonitrile for Two Years

Male Sprague-Dawley rats ingested 0, 20 ppm, or 500 ppm of acrylonitrile in drinking water for 2 years. Rats receiving 500 ppm of acrylonitrile exhibited early mortality and retarded weight gain. Tumors of Zymbal's gland were associated in dose-response fashion with acrylonitrile exposure. Age-associated incidence of pituitary adenomas containing immunoreactive prolactin was decreased in acrylonitrile-treated rats. A decrease in pituitary tumor incidence also was observed in rats treated with low doses of acrylonitrile, suggesting that reduction in this tumor frequency was not because of early death. No increases were found in tumors of other organ systems, but a trend toward development of forestomach papillomas was noted in rats receiving the highest concentration of acrylonitrile.

Toxicity of seven priority hazardous and noxious substances (HNSs) to marine organisms: Current status, knowledge gaps and recommendations for future research

Shipping industry and seaborne trade have rapidly increased over the last fifty years, mainly due to the continuous increasing demand for chemicals and fuels. Consequently, despite current regulations, the occurrence of accidental spills poses an important risk. Hazardous and noxious substances (HNSs) have been raising major concern among environmental managers and scientific community for their heterogeneity, hazardous potential towards aquatic organisms and associated social-economic impacts. A literature review on ecotoxicological hazards to aquatic organisms was conducted for seven HNSs: acrylonitrile, n-butyl acrylate, cyclohexylbenzene, hexane, isononanol, trichloroethylene and xylene. Information on the mechanisms of action of the selected HNS was also reviewed. The main purpose was to identify: i) knowledge gaps in need of being addressed in future research; and ii) a set of possible biomarkers suitable for ecotoxicological assessment and monitoring in both estuarine and marine systems. Main gaps found concern the scarcity of information available on ecotoxicological effects of HNS towards marine species and their poorly understood mode of action in wildlife. Differences were found between the sensitivity of freshwater and seawater organisms, so endpoints produced in the former may not be straightforwardly employed in evaluations for the marine environment. The relationship between sub-individual effects and higher level detrimental alterations (e.g. behavioural, morphological, reproductive effects and mortality) are not fully understood. In this context, a set of biomarkers associated to neurotoxicity, detoxification and anti-oxidant defences is suggested as potential indicators of toxic exposure/effects of HNS in marine organisms. Overall, to support the development of contingency plans and the establishment of environmental safety thresholds, it will be necessary to undertake targeted research on HNS ecotoxicity in the marine environment. Research should address these issues under more realistic exposure scenarios reflecting the prevailing spatial and temporal variability in ecological and environmental conditions.

Facing the key workplace challenge: assessing and preventing exposure to nanoparticles at source

Nanomaterials present new challenges to understanding, predicting, and managing potential health risks in occupational environments. In this study, we characterize the key physical processes related to formation and growth of nanoparticles. The main focus is on various occupational environments, as these are known to be major environments with nanoparticles in indoor air. The protection of people potentially to be exposed to nanoparticles is one of the key issues in terms of risk assessment and prevention. Two of the main protection techniques that are discussed and characterized are ventilation and filtration, which are widely used in practical applications.

Gastric mucosal damage following repeat administration of melanocortin subtype-4 receptor ligands to Fischer 344 rats

Since the melanocortin system plays a role in the central control of feeding, melanocortin receptor ligands may be efficacious in treating human obesity. Ten structurally similar melanocortin subtype-4 receptor (MC4R) ligands from an aryl piperazine chemical platform were evaluated in female Fischer 344 rats to assess the toxicity of this class of compounds. Rats were orally gavaged with 100, 250, or 500 mg/kg of each compound in 10% acacia and purified water daily for 4 days. In treated rats, notable clinical observations included a dose-dependent decrease in mean body weight and food consumption. A morphologically unique compound-related histologic lesion occurred in the nonglandular gastric mucosa. The lesions consisted of multiple, raised, sometimes ulcerated, white foci which, microscopically, were discrete, intraepithelial vesicles containing dense accumulations of neutrophils continuous with inflammation in the submucosa. Ruptured vesicles resulted in ulcers and occasionally gastric perforation. The morphologic characteristics of this acute lesion were described and concluded to be a direct toxicity of the compounds unrelated to melanocortin-mediated pharmacology.

Chronic toxicity and oncogenic dose-response effects of lifetime oral acrylonitrile exposure to Fischer 344 rats

Acrylonitrile (AN) was administered in the drinking water for approximately 2 years to groups of 100 male and 100 female Fischer 344 rats at nominal concentrations of 1, 3, 10, 30, and 100 ppm. Two groups, each of 100 males and 100 females, were used as untreated controls. Average daily intake was 0.1, 0.3, 0.8, 2.5 or 8.4 mg AN per kg body weight per day, respectively, for treated male rats and 0.1, 0.4, 1.3, 3.7, or 10.9 mg AN per kg per body weight per day, respectively, for dosed females. Clinical biochemistry, interim necropsies, organ weights and microscopic evaluation of tissues and organs were performed on groups of ten rats per sex per group at months 6, 12, and 18 and at study termination. Females were sacrificed in the 24th month and males were terminated after 26 months of dosing. A consistent decrease in survival, lower body weight and reduced water intake, as well as small reductions in hematological parameters, were observed in both sexes of the 100 ppm group. Elevated numbers of early deaths were observed in groups of males receiving 10 ppm AN and females receiving 30 ppm AN. Organ:body weight ratios at various study intervals were consistently elevated in the high dose group and likely were related to lower body weights. At these same intervals, mean absolute weights were either comparable to controls or only slightly elevated and few changes in weight ratios were seen when organ weights were compared with brain weights. No biochemical changes suggested a treatment-related effect. An increase in urine specific gravity in 100 ppm male rats was reflective of a decrease in liquid intake at this level. The only significant non-neoplastic finding observed histologically was a dose-related increase in hyperplasia/hyperkeratosis in squamous cells of the forestomach in male and female rats given 3 ppm and higher AN. This observation correlated with the induction of treatment-related squamous cell tumors (papillomas and carcinomas) of the forestomach seen primarily in rats at 3 ppm AN and higher. Mammary gland carcinomas were observed only in female groups. Both sexes given 10 ppm AN or more in their drinking water for their lifetime had astrocytomas of the brain/spinal cord and adenomas/carcinomas of the Zymbal's gland.

Comparative chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity of acrylonitrile by drinking water and oral intubation to Spartan Sprague-Dawley rats

Groups of 100 male and 100 female Spartan Sprague-Dawley rats were administered lifetime oral doses of Acrylonitrile (AN) by one of two routes of dosing, either at 0.1 or 10 mg/kg per day, 7 day per week by intubation or continually at 1 or 100 ppm AN in their drinking water. The doses selected were designed to approximate the same daily intake of AN in each of two separate studies, whether by a single bolus dose (intubation) or a more continuous dosing regimen in drinking water. Each study had its own untreated control group of 100 rats per sex. In the drinking water study, the equivalent mean dosage of AN administered to males and females were 0, 0.09, and 0.15 mg/kg per day, respectively, at the 1 ppm level, and 0, 8.0 and 10.7 mg/kg per day, respectively, for 100 ppm dose groups. In both studies, groups of ten rats per sex were sacrificed at 6, 12 and 18 months and at study term. Ophthalmoscopic, hematological, clinical biochemistry, urinalysis and full histopathological exams were performed on control and high dose groups of rats in each study. Similar tests were done in lower dose groups, as required, to define dose-responses of observed effects. All animals were necropsied and underwent microscopic examination of target tissues, including brain, ear canal, stomach, spinal cord and any observable tissue masses. High dose male and female rats in both studies exhibited statistically decreased body weights. Food consumption and water intake were reduced only in the drinking water study. Due to increased deaths in groups of high dose rats of both studies receiving AN, all intubation test groups were terminated after 20 months of treatment. Surviving males and females in the drinking water study were terminated after 22 and 19 months, respectively. Small, sometimes statistically significant, reductions in hemoglobin, hematocrit and erythrocyte count were observed in male and female rats in both high dose (10 mg/kg per day intubation and 100 ppm drinking water) groups from both studies. There were increases in absolute or relative organ weight ratios for liver and adrenal in the high dose intubation study groups, but could not be correlated with AN toxicity in the absence of adverse clinical biochemistry or microscopic findings. Similar organ weight findings were not observed in the drinking water study. Again, there were no changes in clinical biochemistry or microscopic findings in these tissues. Absolute kidney weights were increased in high dose male and female rats in the intubation study and high dose female rats only in the drinking water study. Male and female rats from high dose groups in each study had a higher incidence of palpable masses of the head and the nonglandular stomach and, in females only, the mammary region. In both sexes, treatment-related tumors of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord), ear canal, and gastrointestinal tract, and in females only, the mammary gland (intubation only) were observed in rats administered either 10 mg/kg per day by intubation or 100 ppm in drinking water. Animals from the intubation study had a substantially higher incidence of AN-related site-specific tumors than did their drinking water study counterparts. While a similar spectrum of tumors was produced by both oral dosing regimens, there were some notable differences in organ-specific incidence of tumors. Astrocytomas of the brain and spinal cord were found at a higher incidence in those rats exposed continuously to AN administered in the drinking water versus bolus dosing by intubation. Conversely, a higher incidence of squamous cell carcinomas/papillomas of the forestomach and adenocarcinomas of the intestine and, in females only, carcinomas of the mammary gland were observed in high dose rats receiving AN by intubation. An increase in the degree of severity of forestomach hyperplasia was observed in all high dose groups of animals, irrespective of mode of administration. These effects were more pronounced, were correlated with a much higher incidence of forestomach tumors, and were identified earlier (12 months) in the intubation study in which there was direct tissue contact with a more concentrated AN solution. Elevations in epidermal cysts in high dose males and females in the intubation study and renal hyperplasia in high dose animals of both sexes in both studies may have a treatment relationship. All other clinical and microscopic findings were considered unremarkable. There were no discernable non-neoplastic effects attributable to treatment in groups of low dose male and female rats given AN by intubation at 0.1 mg/kg per day or 1 ppm in drinking water. The results of this study indicate a consistent spectrum of neoplastic and non-neoplastic effects produced by AN in the same rat strain, whether administered orally by bolus or by continuous dosing in the drinking water. While the spectrum of tumors and target organ toxicity produced was similar, bolus dosing clearly increased tumors associated with the gastrointestinal tract. Neoplasms found in several other tissues were most prominently displayed in groups of more continuously dosed rats.

Sequential changes in hepatic and renal glutathione and development of renal karyomegaly in 1-cyano-3,4-epithiobutane toxicity in rats

The effect of 1-cyano-3,4-epithiobutane (CEB) on glutathione (GSH) metabolism was investigated in rat liver, kidney and pancreas. Male Fischer 344 rats were gavaged with a single dose (125 mg/kg body weight or 50 mg/kg body weight) of CEB. Tissue samples were taken for histological examination, determination of GSH and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) concentrations and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities. Urine samples were analysed for non-protein thiol (NP-RSH) content. The high dose of CEB induced hepatic GSH depletion followed by increased GSH. The low dose of CEB induced elevated hepatic GSH by 12 hr without depletion. Renal GSH was increased with both doses without an observed depletion phase. Renal tubule epithelial cell death was observed only with the high dose of CEB, but both doses caused renal proximal tubule karyomegaly. Pancreatic GSH content was unaffected. No alterations of GSSG were observed. GST activity was unaffected in any tissue. Renal GGT activity was decreased at 12 hr with both doses and at 24 and 48 hr with the high dose. Urinary NP-RSH excretion was increased with both doses. Depletion of hepatic GSH concurrent with increased urinary NP-RSH excretion suggests that conjugation with GSH is a significant pathway in CEB metabolism.

Comparative toxicities of the naturally occurring nitrile 1-cyano-3,4-epithiobutane and the synthetic nitrile n-valeronitrile in rats: differences in target organs, metabolism and toxic mechanisms

Toxic but sublethal oral doses of 125 mg/kg (1.1 mmol/kg) of the cruciferous nitrile, 1-cyano-3,4-epithiobutane (CEB), or 175 mg/kg (2.1 mmol/kg) of its synthetic saturated analogue, n-valeronitrile (VN), were given by gavage to male CDF (F-344/CrlBr) rats once daily for 1, 2 or 3 days, in order to compare target tissues and to observe structure-activity relationships between the nitriles. CEB-induced changes included degeneration and necrosis of the pars recta of the renal proximal tubules, ulceration and necrosis in the forestomach, a mild increase (4.5-fold) in daily urinary thiocyanate (SCN-) excretion (only in rats treated for 3 days) and 1.5- to 2.4-fold increases in hepatic and pancreatic non-protein thiol (RSH) concentrations (in all CEB-treated groups). In VN-treated rats, there were no consistent histological changes but 95- to 170-fold increases in daily urinary SCN- excretion, delayed clinical signs of cyanide toxicity and minimal effects on tissue RSH concentrations. These results indicate different toxic mechanisms for VN and CEB. The nephrotoxic effects of CEB were very similar to those of 1-cyano-2-hydroxy-3,4-epithiobutane, suggesting a role for the epithio group in the nephrotoxicity of these nitriles. The relatively low SCN- excretion in CEB-treated rats also suggested that cyanide played only a minimal role in CEB toxicity, while the high SCN- excretion, clinical signs of cyanide poisoning and lack of histological changes imply a greater role for metabolically-derived cyanide in VN toxicity. The enhancement of tissue RSH by CEB treatment with indications of enhanced tissue glutathione concentrations suggested the involvement of glutathione in the detoxication of CEB and/or its reactive metabolites.

Hepatotoxicity induced by the herbicide atrazine in the rat

The hepatotoxicity of atrazine was investigated by studying clinical parameters related to hepatic function and by electron microscopy. Three groups to male albino rats (Wistar strain) received 100, 200 and 400 mg of atrazine/per kg of body weight/per day, for 14 days. One group received 600 mg atrazine/per kg of body weight/per day, for 7 days. At termination of dosing, the animals were sacrificed and blood was drawn for the determination of serum total lipids, glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (SAP). A dose dependent decrease in serum glucose concentration was observed in all the groups. In contrast, a dose relate increase in total serum lipids, was apparent at all dose levels studied. Activity of serum ALT and SAP increased approximately 60% and 200% respectively in rats given 600 mg atrazine/kg bw for 7 days. The liver was examined grossly and microscopically. Electron microscopy disclosed no changes in the hepatocytes of rats treated with the low dose (100 mg/kg bw). At high doses, electron microscopy revealed hepatocytic proliferation and degeneration of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, lipid accumulation and alteration of bile canaliculi proportional to dose and duration of treatment.

Chemical models for toxic metabolites of bromobenzene derivatives. Relative toxicity toward isolated hepatocytes

In the rat the hepatotoxicity of bromobenzene is greatly enhanced by the introduction of a cyano group adjacent to the bromine (i.e. o-bromobenzonitrile). Epoxide metabolites of these aryl halides are believed to be the actual toxic species, but epoxides of the latter compound also possess a second site of chemical reactivity not found in epoxides of bromobenzene, i.e. a Michael acceptor group formally related to acrylonitrile. Because these epoxides have never been isolated or synthesized for direct evaluation of their toxicity we have determined the toxicity toward isolated rat hepatocytes of a series of cyclohexene and cyclohexadiene derivatives containing epoxide and/or alpha, beta-unsaturated nitrile functional groups. Simple epoxides and unsaturated nitriles were much less toxic than bromobenzene itself, even if both groups were present in the same molecule. However, alpha, beta-unsaturated epoxides were found to be 2-3 times more toxic than bromobenzene, and at least 10 times more toxic than their saturated analogs, which is consistent with their relatively greater chemical reactivity. It is unlikely that Michael acceptor metabolites account for the increased toxicity of o-bromobenzonitrile relative to bromobenzene.

Subacute and chronic action of acrylonitrile on adrenals and gastrointestinal tract: biochemical, functional and ultrastructural studies in the rat

A single dose of acrylonitrile can produce fatal adrenal apoplexy within approximately 2 h. Our previous studies also indicate that multiple injections of the chemical cause acute hemorrhagic and occasional nonperforating duodenal ulcers. Other authors have reported increase in gut and lung neoplasia after chronic exposure. The present study was designed to elucidate the subacute and chronic actions of acrylonitrile on the adrenals, stomach and duodenum by correlating biochemical, functional and morphologic investigations, as well as to gain insight into the mechanisms of action of acrylonitrile. Rats were exposed to 0, 0.0001% (1 ppm), 0.002%, 0.01%, 0.05% or 0.2% acrylonitrile in drinking water, or to the same amount of the chemical given through daily gavage, for 7, 21 or 60 days. Acrylonitrile caused a time- and dose-dependent decrease in plasma corticosterone levels; aldosterone was affected only by the 'high' dose and prolonged time of exposure. Young rats were more susceptible than adults to this action of acrylonitrile. The adrenal cortex, especially the zona fasciculata, was atrophic in rats that had ingested the nitrile through drinking water. At 0.05% and 0.2%, it also caused decreased food intake and body weight gain. The adrenals were enlarged with a hyperplastic zona fasciculata after daily doses of a bolus of acrylonitrile. Ingestion of the chemical did not interfere with compensatory enlargement of the adrenal gland following unilateral adrenalectomy. On the other hand, the ACTH-induced elevation of corticosterone plasma concentration was significantly attenuated by acrylonitrile in drinking water. Electron microscopy of the adrenal glands revealed no consistent changes in the steroid-producing cells. We thus postulate that accelerated turnover of circulating corticoids and/or interference with the secretion or action of ACTH may primarily be responsible for the decreased plasma levels of corticosterone and aldosterone in rats that ingest acrylonitrile. The mucosa in the stomach at the junction of the forestomach and glandular region of animals that had ingested acrylonitrile was hyperplastic. The corpus also showed regional mucosal hyperplasia with the appearance of 'cobble-stoning'. These changes were preceded and associated with an elevated concentration of non-protein sulfhydryls mostly in the mucosa of the glandular stomach. A similar, less prominent elevation also occurred in the proximal duodenum. These alterations may resemble the preneoplastic combination of elevated glutathione and focal hyperplasia described in the liver with hepatocarcinogens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Potentiation of duodenal ulcerogenic action of acrylonitrile by PCB or phenobarbital in the rat

Pretreatment of rats with the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) Aroclor 1254 or phenobarbital markedly increased the duodenal ulcerogenic action of acrylonitrile. The extent of forestomach and hepatic lesions in these rats, on the other hand, was not modified. The duodenal ulcers produced by Aroclor 1254 and acrylonitrile morphologically resembled the ulcers induced in other animal models of the human duodenal ulcer disease. The possible mechanisms of this potentiation of acrylonitrile action are discussed.