Intrauterine and Lactational Exposure to Paracetamol: Cardiometabolic Evaluation in Adult Female and Male Offspring

A quantitative weight-of-evidence review of preclinical studies examining the potential developmental and reproductive toxicity of acetaminophen

We previously developed a quantitative weight-of-evidence (QWoE) framework using prespecified scoring criteria for preclinical acetaminophen data to characterize potential developmental neurotoxicity outcomes with considerations for biological relevance of the response to adverse outcomes and the strength of methods and study design. The current analysis uses this framework to characterize potential developmental and reproductive toxicity (DART) outcomes following exposure to acetaminophen. Two-hundred forty-two QWoE entries were documented from in vivo rodent studies identified in 110 publications across five categories: DART endpoints in the context of (1) periadolescent/adulthood (nonpregnancy) exposures; (2) pregnant female exposures; and, for in utero or other developmental exposures, (3) anatomical abnormalities, (4) reproductive development, and (5) other physical development. A mean outcome score and methods score were calculated for 242 QWoE entries. Data analyzed in our framework were of moderate quality showing no consistent evidence of DART in male and female rodents following exposure to acetaminophen at therapeutic and/or non-systemically toxic doses. Similar results were found for the individual context- and outcome-related endpoint analyses and as segregated by sex. Overall, this QWoE analysis on the in vivo rodent data demonstrated no consistent evidence of adverse effects following exposure to therapeutic and/or non-systemically toxic acetaminophen on development or on the structure and function of the reproductive system.

Vascular dysfunction programmed in male rats by topiramate during peripubertal period

AIM

The present study evaluated whether topiramate (TPM) treatment during the peripubertal period affects vascular parameters of male rats and whether oxidative stress plays a role in these changes.

MAIN METHODS

Rats were treated with TPM (41 mg/kg/day, gavage) or vehicle (CTR group) from the postnatal day (PND) 28 to 50. At PND 51 and 120 the rats were evaluated for: thoracic aorta reactivity to phenylephrine, in the presence (Endo+) or absence of endothelium (Endo-), to acetylcholine and to sodium nitroprusside (SNP), aortic thickness and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. In serum were analyzed: the antioxidant capacity by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay; endogenous antioxidant reduced glutathione, and superoxide anion. Results were expressed as mean ± s.e.m., differences when p < 0.05.

STATISTICS

Two-way ANOVA (and Tukey's) or Student t-test.

KEY FINDINGS

At PND 51, the contraction induced by phenylephrine in Endo+ ring was higher in TPM when compared to CTR. At PND 120, the aortic sensitivity to acetylcholine in TPM rats was reduced in comparison with CTR. The aortic eNOs expression and the aortic thickness were similar between the groups. At PND 51 and 120, TPM group presented a decrease in antioxidants when compared to CTR groups and at PND 120, in TPM group the superoxide anion was increased.

SIGNIFICANCE

Taken together, the treatment of rats with TPM during peripubertal period promoted permanent impairment of endothelial function probably mediated by oxidative stress.

Distance-based detection of paracetamol in microfluidic paper-based analytical devices for forensic application

Whisky adulteration is a prevalent practice driven by the high cost of these beverages. Counterfeiters commonly dilute whisky with less expensive alcoholic beverages, water, food additives, drugs or pharmaceuticals. Paracetamol (PAR), an analgesic drug that mitigates hangovers and headaches, is commonly used to adulterate whisky. Currently, the primary method for quantifying PAR levels is high-performance liquid chromatography, but this technique is both time consuming and usually generates more residues. In this context, the utilization of miniaturized and portable analytical devices becomes imperative for conducting point-of-care/need analyses. These devices offer several advantages, including portability, user-friendliness, low cost, and minimal material wastage. This study proposes the selective distance-based PAR quantification on whisky samples using a paper-based microfluidic analytical device (μPAD). Colorimetric detection on paper-based platforms offers great benefits such as affordability, portability, and the ability to detect PAR without complicated instrumentation. The optimal detection conditions were achieved by introducing 5 μL of a mixture containing 7.5 mmol L-1 of Fe(III) and K3[Fe(CN)6] into the detection zone, along with 12 μL of whisky samples into the sample zone. The method exhibited linear behavior within the concentration range from 15 to 120 mg L-1, with a determination coefficient of 0.998. PAR was quantified in adulterated samples. The results obtained with the paper-based devices were compared with a referenced method, and no significant differences were observed at a confidence level of 95%. The μPAD allowed to determine ca. 1 drop of pharmaceutical medicine PAR of 200 mg mL-1 in 1 L of solution, demonstrating excellent sensitivity. This method offers cost-effective and rapid analysis, reducing the consumption of samples, reagents, and wastes. Consequently, it could be considered a viable and portable alternative for analyzing beverages at criminal scenes, customs, and police operations, thereby enhancing the field of forensics.

The molecular mechanisms in prenatal drug exposure-induced fetal programmed adult cardiovascular disease

The "developmental origins of health and disease" (DOHaD) hypothesis posits that early-life environmental exposures have a lasting impact on individual's health and permanently shape growth, structure, and metabolism. This reprogramming, which results from fetal stress, is believed to contribute to the development of adulthood cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and increased susceptibility to ischemic injuries. Recent studies have shown that prenatal exposure to drugs, such as glucocorticoids, antibiotics, antidepressants, antiepileptics, and other toxins, increases the risk of adult-onset cardiovascular diseases. In addition, observational and animal experimental studies have demonstrated the association between prenatal drug exposure and the programming of cardiovascular disease in the offspring. The molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are still being explored but are thought to involve metabolism dysregulation. This review summarizes the current evidence on the relationship between prenatal drug exposure and the risk of adult cardiovascular disorders. Additionally, we present the latest insights into the molecular mechanisms that lead to programmed cardiovascular phenotypes after prenatal drug exposure.