Cytogenetic effects of quinoxaline-1,4-dioxide-type growth-promoting agents. III. Transplacental micronucleus test in mice

In vivo genotoxicity testing strategies: Report from the 7th International workshop on genotoxicity testing (IWGT)

The working group reached complete or majority agreement on many issues. Results from TGR and in vivo comet assays for 91 chemicals showed they have similar ability to detect in vivo genotoxicity per se with bacterial mutagens and Ames-positive carcinogens. TGR and comet assay results were not significantly different when compared with IARC Group 1, 2 A, and unclassified carcinogens. There were significantly more comet assay positive responses for Group 2B chemicals, and for IARC classified and unclassified carcinogens combined, which may be expected since mutation is a sub-set of genotoxicity. A liver comet assay combined with the bone marrow/blood micronucleus (MNviv) test would detect in vivo genotoxins that do not exhibit tissue-specific or site-of-contact effects, and is appropriate for routine in vivo genotoxicity testing. Generally for orally administered substances, a comet assay at only one site-of-contact GI tract tissue (stomach or duodenum/jejunum) is required. In MNviv tests, evidence of target tissue exposure can be obtained in a number of different ways, as recommended by ICH S2(R1) and EFSA (Hardy et al., 2017). Except for special cases the i.p. route is inappropriate for in vivo testing; for risk evaluations more weight should be given to data from a physiologically relevant administration route. The liver MN test is sufficiently validated for the development of an OECD guideline. However, the impact of dosing animals >6 weeks of age needs to be evaluated. The GI tract MN test shows promise but needs more validation for an OECD guideline. The Pig-a assay detects systemically available mutagens and is a valuable follow-up to in vitro positive results. A new freeze-thaw protocol provides more flexibility. Mutant reticulocyte and erythrocyte frequencies should both be determined. Preliminary data are available for the Pig-a assay in male rat germ cells which require validation including germ cell DNA mutation origin.

Further investigations into the genotoxicity of quinoxaline-di-N-oxides and their primary metabolites

Quinoxaline-di-N-oxides (QdNOs) are potential antibacterial agents with a wide range of biological properties. Quinocetone (QCT), carbadox (CBX), olaquindox (OLA), mequindox (MEQ) and cyadox (CYA) are classical QdNOs. Though the genotoxicity of parent drugs has been evaluated, the genotoxicity of their primary N → O reduced metabolites remains unclear. In the present study, a battery of four different short-term tests, mouse lymphoma assay (MLA), Ames test, chromosomal aberration assay in vitro and bone marrow erythrocyte micronucleus assay in vivo was carried out to investigate the genotoxicity of the six primary N → O reduced metabolites. Additionally, the genotoxicity of five parent drugs was evaluated by the MLA. Strong genotoxicity of N1-MEQ, B-MEQ and B-CBX was found in three of the assays but not in the Ames assay, and the rank order was N1-MEQ>B-MEQ>B-CBX that is consistent with prototype QdNOs. Negative results for the five QdNOs were noted in the MLA. We present for the first time a comparison of the genotoxicity of primary N → O reduced metabolites, and evaluate the ability of five QdNOs to cause mutations in the MLA. The present study demonstrates that metabolites are involved in genetic toxicity mediated by QdNOs, and improve the prudent use of QdNOs for public health.

Genotoxic sensitivity of the developing hematopoietic system

Genotoxic sensitivity seems to vary during ontogenetic development. Animal studies have shown that the spontaneous mutation rate is higher during pregnancy and infancy than in adulthood. Human and animal studies have found higher levels of DNA damage and mutations induced by mutagens in fetuses/newborns than in adults. This greater susceptibility could be due to reduced DNA repair capacity. In fact, several studies indicated that some DNA repair pathways seem to be deficient during ontogenesis. This has been demonstrated also in murine hematopoietic stem cells. Genotoxicity in the hematopoietic system has been widely studied for several reasons: it is easy to assess, deals with populations cycling also in the adults and may be relevant for leukemogenesis. Reviewing the literature concerning the application of the micronucleus test (a validated assay to assess genotoxicity) in fetus/newborns and adults, we found that the former show almost always higher values than the latter, both in animals treated with genotoxic substances and in those untreated. Therefore, we draw the conclusion that the genotoxic sensitivity of the hematopoietic system is more pronounced during fetal life and decreases during ontogenic development.

Genotoxicity of quinocetone, cyadox and olaquindox in vitro and in vivo

Quinocetone (QCT) and Cyadox (CYA) are important derivative of heterocyclic N-oxide quinoxaline (QdNO), used actively as antimicrobial feed additives in China. Here, we tested and compared the genotoxic potential of QCT and CYA with olaquindox (OLA) in Ames test, HGPRT gene mutation (HGM) test in V79 cells, unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) assay in human peripheral lymphocytes, chromosome aberration (CA) test, and micronucleus (MN) test in mice bone marrow. OLA was found genotoxic in all 5 assays. In Ames test, QCT produced His(+) mutants at 6.9 μg/plate in Salmonella typhimurium TA 97, at 18.2 μg/plate in TA 100, TA 1535, TA 1537, and at 50 μg/plate in TA 98. CYA produced His(+) mutants at 18.2 μg/plate in TA 97, TA 1535, and at 50 μg/plate in TA 98, TA 100 and TA 1537. QCT was found positive in HGM and UDS assay at concentrations ≥10 μg/ml while negative results were reported in CA test and MN test. Collectively, we found that OLA was more genotoxic than QCT and CYA. Genotoxicity of QCT was found at higher concentration levels in Ames test, HGM and UDS assays while CYA showed weak mutagenic potential to bacterial cells in Ames test.

Metabolic influence of acute cyadox exposure on Kunming mice

Cyadox is an antibiotic drug and has the potential to be used as a feedstuff additive in promoting the growth of animals. However, the toxicity of cyadox should be fully assessed before application, and this has prompted the current investigation on the metabolic responses of mice to cyadox exposure, using a metabonomic technique. Three groups of Kunming mice were respectively given a single dose of cyadox at three different concentrations (100, 650, and 4000 mg/kg body weight) via gavage. We present here the metabolic alterations of urine, plasma, liver, and renal medulla extracts induced by cyadox exposure. The metabolic alterations induced by cyadox exposure are dose-dependent, and metabolic recovery is achieved only for low and moderate levels of cyadox exposure during the experimental period. Cyadox exposure resulted in a disturbance of gut microbiota, which is manifested in depleted levels of urinary hippurate, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), dimethylamine (DMA), and trimethylamine (TMA). In addition, mice exposed to cyadox at high levels caused accumulations of amino acids and depletions of nucleotides in the liver. Furthermore, marked elevations of nucleotides and a range of organic osmolytes, such as myo-inositol, choline, and glycerophosphocholine (GPC), and decreased levels of amino acids are observed in the renal medulla of cyadox-exposed mice. These results suggest that cyadox exposure causes inhibition of amino acid metabolism in the liver and disturbance of gut microbiota community, influencing osmolytic homeostasis and nucleic acids synthesis in both the liver and the kidney. Our work provides a comprehensive view of the toxicological effects of cyadox, which is important in animal and human food safety.

Genotoxicity evaluation of Mequindox in different short-term tests

Quinoxaline-1,4-dioxides (QdNOs) are the potent heterocyclic N-oxides with interesting biological properties such as antibacterial, anticandida, antitubercular, anticancer and antiprotozoal activities. Here, we tested and compared the mequindox (MEQ) for mutagenic abilities in a battery of different short term tests according to OECD guidelines. When compared with the controls, a strong mutagenicity of MEQ and carbadox (CBX) was observed with an approximate concentration-effect relationship in Salmonella reverse mutation test, chromosome aberration test, unscheduled DNA synthesis assay and HGPRT gene mutation test, in the absence and presence of S(9)-mix. In in vivo micronucleus test, CBX produced significant increase in the proportion of micronucleus formation than MEQ in mice bone marrow cells. From these results, we can conclude that MEQ had a strong genotoxic potential to mammalian cells in vitro as well as in vivo and its mutagenicity is slightly higher than CBX. Our results, for the 1st time, discuss the genotoxic potential of MEQ. These results not only confirm the earlier findings about CBX but also extend the knowledge and awareness about the genotoxic risk of QdNO derivatives.

Metabolism of cyadox by the intestinal mucosa microsomes and gut flora of swine, and identification of metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Cyadox (CYX), 2-formylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide cyanoacetylhydrazone, is an antimicrobial and growth-promoting feed additive for food-producing animals. To reveal biotransformation of CYX in swine intestine, CYX was incubated with swine intestinal microsomes and mucosa in the presence of an NADPH-generating system and swine ileal flora and colonic flora, respectively. The metabolites of CYX were identified using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/MS-ITTOF). Structural elucidation of the metabolites was precisely performed by comparing their changes in molecular mass, full scan MS/MS spectra and accurate mass measurements with those of the parent drug. Finally, seven metabolites were identified as follows: three reduced metabolites (cyadox 1-monoxide (Cy1), cyadox 4-monoxide (Cy2) and bisdesoxycyadox (Cy4)); hydroxylation metabolite (3-hydroxylcyadox 1-monoxide (Cy3)); hydrolysis metabolite of the amide bond (N-decyanoacetyl cyadox (Cy5)); a hydrogenation metabolite (11,12-dihydro-bisdesoxycyadox (Cy6)) and a side-chain cleavage metabolite (2-hydromethylquinoxaline (Cy7)). Only one metabolite (Cy1) was found in intestinal microsomes. Cy1, Cy2 and Cy4 were detected in intestinal mucosa, ileal and colonic flora. In addition, Cy3 and Cy5 were only obtained from ileal flora, and Cy6 and Cy7 alone were observed in colonic bacteria. The results indicated that N→O group reduction was the main metabolic pathway of CYX metabolism in swine ileal flora, intestinal microsomes and mucosa. New metabolic profiles of hydrogenation and cleavage on the side chain were found in colonic bacteria. Among the identified metabolites, two new metabolites (Cy6, Cy7) were detected for the first time. These studies will contribute to clarify comprehensively the metabolism of CYX in animals, and provide evidence to explain the pharmacology and toxicology effects of CYX in animals.

A core in vitro genotoxicity battery comprising the Ames test plus the in vitro micronucleus test is sufficient to detect rodent carcinogens and in vivo genotoxins

In vitro genotoxicity testing needs to include tests in both bacterial and mammalian cells, and be able to detect gene mutations, chromosomal damage and aneuploidy. This may be achieved by a combination of the Ames test (detects gene mutations) and the in vitro micronucleus test (MNvit), since the latter detects both chromosomal aberrations and aneuploidy. In this paper we therefore present an analysis of an existing database of rodent carcinogens and a new database of in vivo genotoxins in terms of the in vitro genotoxicity tests needed to detect their in vivo activity. Published in vitro data from at least one test system (most were from the Ames test) were available for 557 carcinogens and 405 in vivo genotoxins. Because there are fewer publications on the MNvit than for other mammalian cell tests, and because the concordance between the MNvit and the in vitro chromosomal aberration (CAvit) test is so high for clastogenic activity, positive results in the CAvit test were taken as indicative of a positive result in the MNvit where there were no, or only inadequate data for the latter. Also, because Hprt and Tk loci both detect gene-mutation activity, a positive Hprt test was taken as indicative of a mouse-lymphoma Tk assay (MLA)-positive, where there were no data for the latter. Almost all of the 962 rodent carcinogens and in vivo genotoxins were detected by an in vitro battery comprising Ames+MNvit. An additional 11 carcinogens and six in vivo genotoxins would apparently be detected by the MLA, but many of these had not been tested in the MNvit or CAvit tests. Only four chemicals emerge as potentially being more readily detected in MLA than in Ames+MNvit--benzyl acetate, toluene, morphine and thiabendazole--and none of these are convincing cases to argue for the inclusion of the MLA in addition to Ames+MNvit. Thus, there is no convincing evidence that any genotoxic rodent carcinogens or in vivo genotoxins would remain undetected in an in vitro test battery consisting of Ames+MNvit.

Development of high performance liquid chromatographic methods for the determination of cyadox and its metabolites in plasma and tissues of chicken

Cyadox (CYX) is an antimicrobial growth-promoter of the quinoxalines. It is highly effective on improving growth and feed conversion of chicken with little toxicity. For food safety concerns, HPLC-UV methods were developed for the sequential determination of CYX and its major metabolites, 1,4-bisdesoxycyadox (BDCYX) and quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid (QCA), in plasma, muscle, liver, kidney and fat of chicken. For CYX and BDCYX, samples were subjected to a deproteinisation, a degrease and a liquid-liquid extraction. For QCA, samples were subjected to an alkali hydrolysis, a liquid-liquid extraction and a cation exchange column (AG MP-50 resin) clean-up. Analysis was performed on a RP-C18 column by UV detection with a gradient program of wavelength. Gradient elution was performed at a flow of 1mL/min. The limits of quantification for CYX, BDCYX and QCA in plasma and tissues were 0.025microg/g, and 0.002microg/g for QCA in muscle. The recoveries of three compounds in plasma and tissues were 70-87% with inter-day relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) less than 10%. An animal experiment was performed to show the applicability of the present methods in real biological samples, which demonstrated a satisfactory applicability since all compounds could be detected nearly in all tissues. The present methods were highly sensitive and accurate, and could therefore be useful in pharmacokinetic and residue studies for cyadox in chicken. The developed methods will be further applied in the residue screening of cyadox and its metabolites in chicken.

Subchronic oral toxicity study with cyadox in Wistar rats

To investigate the potential subchronic toxicity of cyadox, groups of 15 male and 15 female Wistar rats were fed with diets containing cyadox (0, 50, 150 or 2500 mg/kg) or olaquindox (150 mg/kg), approximately equivalent to cyadox 5, 15, 250 or olaquindox 15 mg/kg b.w./day, for 13 weeks. Five rats/sex/group were sacrificed on days 30, 60 and 90. No test-material-related changes were seen in mortality, clinical signs, hematology, clinical chemistry, organ weight data and macroscopic examinations. Except that body weights of both sexes of the 2500 mg/kg cyadox group were significantly lower than controls beginning after the second week of treatment. Body weights of females of 150 mg/kg olaquindox group were significantly lower than those of the control group at weeks 3 and 4. Other groups were unaffected by treatments. Histopathological observations revealed that 2500 mg/kg cyadox or 150 mg/kg olaquindox induced swelling and fatty degeneration of the hepatocytes and proximal renal tubular epithelial cells. It was for the first time that changes were found in the liver and kidneys of rats fed 2500 mg/kg cyadox. The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of cyadox for rats was estimated to be 150 mg/kg dietary dose level.

Quinoxaline 1,4-dioxides: hypoxia-selective therapeutic agents

A problem that confronts clinicians in the treatment of cancer is the resistance of hypoxic tumors to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Thus, the development of new drugs that are toxic to hypoxic cells found in solid tumors is an important objective for effective anticancer chemotherapy. We recently showed that the heterocyclic aromatic N-oxides, quinoxaline 1,4-dioxides (QdNOs), are cytotoxic to tumor cells cultured under hypoxia. In this study, we evaluated the hypoxia-selective toxicity of four diversely substituted QdNOs and determined their effect on the expression of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) 1alpha in the human colon cancer cell line T-84. The various QdNOs were found to possess a 50- to 100-fold greater cytotoxicity to T-84 cells cultured under hypoxia compared with oxia. Interestingly, the hypoxia cytotoxicity ratio (HCR), the ratio of equitoxic concentrations of the drug under aerobic/anoxic conditions, was highly structure related and depended on the nature of the substituents on the QdNO heterocycle. The most cytotoxic 2-benzoyl-3-phenyl-6,7-dichloro derivative of QdNO (DCQ) was potent at a dose of 1 microM with an HCR of 100 and significantly reduced the levels of HIF-1alpha transcript and protein. The 2-benzoyl-3-phenyl derivative (BPQ) had a hypoxia potency of 20 microM and an HCR of 40. By contrast, the 2-aceto-3-methyl and the 2,3-tetramethylene (TMQ) derivatives of QdNO were much less cytotoxic under hypoxia (HCRs of 8.5 and 6.5, respectively) and reduced the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA to a much lesser extent. Because the nonchlorinated analogue BPQ did not demonstrate behavior similar to that of DCQ, we hypothesize that the C-6, C-7-chlorine of DCQ might play a significant role in the selective hypoxic cytotoxicity of the drug.

Teratogenic assessment of carbadox in rats

Carbadox was administered by gavage once daily to pregnant rats at doses of 0 (control), 10, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg on days 8 through 15 of pregnancy. The dams were killed on day 21 and the number of implantation sites, resorptions and live fetuses were counted. A significant dose-related decrease in maternal body weight gains during treatment (days 8 through 15 of pregnancy) occurred at doses of 10 mg/kg and above. There was a dose-related decrease in fetal body weights which was statistically significant at 25 mg/kg and above. This compound showed not only embryolethal but teratogenic effect. Resorption rates were 81.8% at 100 mg/kg, occurring complete resorptions in five dams, compared with 3.4% resorption rate in the control. In fetal examinations, a significant increase in the incidence of external, skeletal and internal malformations occurred at 100 mg/kg, where the surviving fetuses born to dams with 40-93% resorptions had any malformations, short tail; kinky tail; brachygnathia or ectrodactyly.

Photoprotective effects of some quinoxaline 1,4-dioxides in hairless mice

2-benzoyl-3-phenylquinoxaline 1,4-dioxide (BPQ) and other substituted quinoxaline 1,4-dioxides (QdO) were tested for their ability to inhibit the stimulations of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) enzyme activity and DNA synthesis, two biochemical markers linked to skin tumour promotion by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Topical application of BPQ on the dorsal skin of hairless mice was found to inhibit in a dose-dependent manner UVB-induced ODC activity and DNA synthesis. When applied 20 min before UVB radiation, a dose of 17 mg BPQ applied in 0.4 ml of vehicle inhibited UVB-induced ODC activity and DNA synthesis by 95% and 85%, respectively. This inhibitory effect is dependent on the time of administration of BPQ relative to UVB radiation, with a generally greater inhibition observed when this compound is applied before rather than after UVB treatment. The inhibitory abilities of the other QdO on the ODC and DNA responses induced by UVB radiation greatly varied and appear to be dependent on the structure of the compounds and their metabolic activation in the skin following irradiation. The remarkable effectiveness of BPQ against the ODC and DNA markers of UVB promotion is also observed following multiple applications of this agent. These results suggest that QdO, in particular BPQ and certain derivatives of it, may be useful in protecting the skin against UVB-induced skin damage.

Bone marrow micronucleus assay: a review of the mouse stocks used and their published mean spontaneous micronucleus frequencies

We have examined published negative control data from 581 papers on micronucleated bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes (mnPCE) for differences in mean frequency and the frequency distribution profile among the mouse stocks used with the bone marrow micronucleus assay. For the 55 mouse stocks with published micronucleus assay data, the overall mean frequency is 1.95 mnPCE/1,000 PCE (1.95 mnPCE/1,000); for the 13 stocks most commonly used in the assay, it is 1.88 mnPCE/1,000. During the last 5 years, the mnPCE rate for these 13 major stocks has been 1.74 mnPCE/1,000. This current mean frequency is a substantial decrease from the mean of 3.07 mnPCE/1,000 observed for these 13 stocks for data published prior to 1981. Of the major stocks, the highest mean mnPCE negative control frequencies were observed for MS/Ae > BALB/c > C57Bl/6, and the lowest for CD-1 < Swiss Webster. We note that hybrid mouse stocks appear to have lower and less variable negative control frequencies than either of their parent strains and that the negative control frequency for some progeny stocks have diverged significantly from that of the parent stocks. Overall mean negative control frequencies appear to be correlated with breadth of the frequency distribution profile of published mean negative control values. Furthermore, a possible correlation between negative control frequency in the micronucleus assay and sensitivity to clastogens of different mouse strains may be indicated. The databases generated here allow us to define a range of norms for both the historical mean frequency and individual experimental mean frequencies for most stocks, but in particular, for the more commonly used mouse stocks. Our analysis, for the most part, bears out the recommendation of the first Gene-Tox Report on the micronucleus assay that the historical negative control frequency for a mouse stock should fall between 1 and 3 mnPCE/1,000. Eighty-six percent of the most commonly used mouse stocks have historical mean frequencies within this range. Though individual experimental mean values would not necessarily be expected to fall within the 1-3.00 mnPCE/1,000 range, 65.3% of the 2,327 published negative control values do, and 83.5% are < 3 mnPCE/1,000. The frequency with which an individual experimental mean value lies outside the 1.00 to 3.00 mnPCE/1,000 range differs among stocks and appears related to the mouse mean frequency. We suggest that the recommended range for historical mean frequency be extended slightly, to approximately 3.4 mnPCE/1,000, to accommodate some commonly used strains with overall mean negative control frequencies just above 3.00 mnPCE/1,000.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The in vivo micronucleus assay in mammalian bone marrow and peripheral blood. A report of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Gene-Tox Program

The protocol recommended for the micronucleus assay in mammalian bone marrow has been revised and simplified. The number of sample times has been reduced to one or two, depending upon the dosing protocol. The minimum number of cells to be scored per treatment group has been increased to 20,000 to increase the ability of the assay to detect a doubling of the control micronucleus frequency. Use of both male and female animals is recommended. Scoring of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes of peripheral blood is included as a variation of the bone marrow assay. Published data on chemicals tested by the micronucleus assay have been reviewed and are summarized.

Difference between intraperitoneal and oral gavage application in the micronucleus test. The 3rd collaborative study by CSGMT/JEMS.MMS. Collaborative Study Group for the Micronucleus Test/Mammalian Mutagenesis Study Group of the Environmental Mutagen Society of Japan

In the third collaborative study organized by the Collaborative Study Group for the Micronucleus Test (CSGMT), a task group belonging to the Mammalian Mutagenesis Study subgroup of the Environmental Mutagen Society of Japan (JEMS.MMS), intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection and oral (p.o.) gavage were compared as routes of administration of test chemicals. Two mouse strains, MS/Ae and CD-1, and 17 chemicals with various modes of action were used. The chemicals were 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, 6-mercaptopurine monohydrate, benzo[a]pyrene, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, 2-acetylaminofluorene, phenacetin, cyclophosphamide, ethyl methanesulfonate, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, methyl methanesulfonate, mitomycin C, colchicine, vincristine sulfate, potassium bromate, potassium chromate(VI), benzene, and procarbazine hydrochloride. On the basis of the findings of an acute toxicity test and a pilot experiment for dose and sampling time, a full-scale micronucleus test was performed on each chemical. Almost all the chemicals showed a positive response in micronucleus induction by both routes of administration in both mouse strains. Contradictory outcomes were obtained between the i.p. and p.o. routes on potassium chromate in both strains (i.p.: positive, p.o.: negative). In the CD-1 mice, benzene potently induced micronuclei when administered p.o., but gave only a marginal response when administered i.p. Generally, the chemicals induced micronuclei at lower dose levels (mg/kg) when administered i.p. This tendency, however, was decreased or even reversed when the dose was expressed as a percentage of the LD50. Although the i.p. route, an artificial exposure route, is useful to detect the inducibility of micronuclei of a test chemical per se at a small dose, the p.o. route seemed sensitive and valuable enough to evaluate the test chemicals. When the dose levels of chemicals are adjusted on the basis of the LD50, both i.p. injection and p.o. gavage are acceptable as routes of administration in the micronucleus test.