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Acrylonitrile induction of rodent neoplasia: Potential mechanism of action and relevance to humans. TOXICOLOGY RESEARCH AND APPLICATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/23978473211055363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Acrylonitrile, an industrial chemical, is a multisite carcinogen in rats and mice, producing tumors in four tissues with barrier function, that is, brain, forestomach, Zymbal’s gland, and Harderian gland. To assess mechanism(s) of action (MoA) for induction of neoplasia and to evaluate whether the findings in rodents are indicative of human hazard, data on the potential key effects produced by acrylonitrile in the four rodent target tissues of carcinogenicity were evaluated. A notable finding was depletion of glutathione in various organs, including two target tissues, the brain, and forestomach, suggesting that this effect could be a critical initiating event. An additional combination of oxidative DNA damage and cytotoxic effects of acrylonitrile and its metabolites, cyanide, and 2-cyanoethylene oxide, could initiate pro-inflammatory signaling and sustained cell and tissue injury, leading to compensatory cell proliferation and neoplastic development. The in vivo DNA-binding and genotoxicity of acrylonitrile has been studied in several target tissues with no compelling positive results. Thus, while some mutagenic effects were reported in acrylonitrile-exposed rodents, data to determine whether this mutagenicity stems from direct DNA reactivity of acrylonitrile are insufficient. Accordingly, the induction of tumors in rodents is consistent primarily with a non-genotoxic MoA, although a contribution from weak mutagenicity cannot be ruled out. Mechanistic data to support conclusions regarding human hazard from acrylonitrile exposure is weak. Comparison of metabolism of acrylonitrile between rodents and humans provide little support for human hazard. Three of the tissues affected in bioassays (forestomach, Zymbal’s gland, and Harderian gland) are present only in rodents, while the brain is anatomically different between rodents and humans, diminishing relevance of tumor induction in these tissues to human hazard. Extensive epidemiological data has not revealed causation of human cancer by acrylonitrile.
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Colenbie S, Buylaert W, Stove C, Deschepper E, Vandewoude K, De Smedt T, Bader M, Göen T, Van Nieuwenhuyse A, De Paepe P. Biomarkers in patients admitted to the emergency department after exposure to acrylonitrile in a major railway incident involving bulk chemical material. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2017; 220:261-270. [PMID: 28110842 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2016.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A railway incident with victims of exposure to the cyanogenic substance acrylonitrile (ACN). AIMS We retrospectively (i)built an inventory of the clinical characteristics of individuals admitted to surrounding emergency departments (ED's) and (ii)studied the correlation between N-2-cyanoethylvaline (CEV), a biomarker used in a population study for evaluating exposure to ACN, with lactate and thiocyanate (SCN), biomarkers determined during emergency care. RESULTS 438 patients from 11 ED's were included and presented with known symptoms of ACN poisoning but also with concern about the risks. A comparison of CEV with lactate or SCN was possible in 108 and 73 patients respectively. CEV was very high in a critically ill patient with a high lactate. There was no correlation with CEV in the patients with normal or slightly elevated lactate concentrations. A correlation of CEV with SCN was only observed in smokers. LIMITATIONS First there is a lack of data in some clinical files concerning the time and duration of exposure and the smoking-status. A second limitation is that blood samples for biomarkers were not taken systematically in all patients, which may have induced bias. A third limitation is that blood sampling was possibly done outside the correct time window related to the delayed toxicity of ACN. Finally the number of severely-intoxicated patients was low and ACN exposure may not have taken place e.g. in individuals consulting with psychological symptoms. These aspects may have contributed to the below detection limits' analyses of biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS CEV was markedly elevated in a severely-intoxicated patient with high lactate, a sensitive marker for CN intoxication. We found no correlation of CEV with normal or slightly elevated lactate concentrations but clinicians should consider the possibility of subsequent rises due to the delay in ACN toxicity. CEV correlated with SCN in smokers, which may be explained by ACN in tobacco smoke and deserves further exploration. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the correlation between biomarkers in acute chemical exposures to ACN and these should be carried out prospectively using a preplanned template.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiaan Colenbie
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Walter Buylaert
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Christophe Stove
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Toxicology, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Ellen Deschepper
- Biostatistics Unit, Department of Public Health, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Koenraad Vandewoude
- Ghent University Hospital, general management, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Tom De Smedt
- Scientific Institute of Public Health (WIV-ISP), Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, B-1050 Elsene, Belgium.
| | - Michael Bader
- BASF SE, Occupational Medicine & Health Protection, GUA/CB-H308, 67056 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany.
| | - Thomas Göen
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine of the Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schillerstrasse 25, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - An Van Nieuwenhuyse
- Scientific Institute of Public Health (WIV-ISP), Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, B-1050 Elsene, Belgium.
| | - Peter De Paepe
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Caciari T, Casale T, Loreti B, Schifano MP, Capozzella A, Scala B, De Sio S, Tomei G, Rosati MV, Tomei F. Peripheral blood counts in workers exposed to synthetic fibres. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2014; 49:146-152. [PMID: 24171413 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2013.838839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Acrylonitrile is an intermediary with possible adverse health effects in the synthesis of organic products, such as acrylic fibres. This investigation was undertaken to determine the possible changes in the peripheral blood counts in workers of a polyacrylic fibres plant. The study involved 218 workers exposed to acrylonitrile at low doses and a control group of 200 unexposed workers. The chosen subjects underwent blood tests in order to check their haematological parameters. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of the red blood cells, haemoglobin and total number of leukocytes. An increase in the neutrophils associated with a reduction of lymphocytes, both statistically significant, was observed. The authors hypothesized that the neutrophils are influenced by the exposure to acrylonitrile at low doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Caciari
- a Department of Anatomy, Histology, Medical-Legal and the Orthopedics, Unit of Occupational Medicine , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
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Kawamoto T, Pham TTP, Matsuda T, Oyama T, Tanaka M, Yu HS, Uchiyama I. Historical review on development of environmental quality standards and guideline values for air pollutants in Japan. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2011; 214:296-304. [PMID: 21680244 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2011.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2010] [Revised: 04/09/2011] [Accepted: 05/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Environmental quality standards (EQSs) have been established as desirable levels to be maintained for protection of human health and the conservation of the living environment by Basic Environment Law. EQSs in ambient air had been set for 10 substances (sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), carbon monoxide (CO), suspended particulate matter (SPM), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) and photochemical oxidants (Ox), benzene, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, dioxins and dichloromethane) and guideline values for 7 (acrylonitorile, vinyl chloride monomer, mercury, nickel compounds, 1,3-butadiene, chloroform and 1,2-dichloromethane) in Japan by 2009. EQSs for the classical (or traditional) air pollutants, SO(2), CO, SPM, NO(2) and Ox, were set according to the minimal requirement to protect human health, based on evidence from epidemiological studies conducted before the 1970s. In 1996, the Central Environment Council designated substances which may be hazardous air pollutants and substances requiring priority action, and adopted the concept of risk assessment to set EQSs and guideline values. A life-long risk level (virtually safe dose) of 10(-5) was used to set EQS for benzene, and guideline values for vinyl chloride monomer, nickel compounds, and 1,3-butadiene. EQSs for trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene and dichloromethane, and guideline values for acrylonitorile and mercury were set using uncertain factors and lowest observed adverse effect (LOAEL)/no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL). The results of animal experiments were utilized to set guideline values for chloroform and 1,2-dichloroethane. The benchmark approach and human equivalent concentration (HEC) were adopted for 1,2-dichloroethane. The history of setting EQSs and guideline values for hazardous air pollutants is one of adopting new concepts into risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiro Kawamoto
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan.
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Rongzhu L, Ziqiang C, Fusheng J, Collins JJ. Neurobehavioral effects of occupational exposure to acrylonitrile in Chinese workers. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2005; 19:695-700. [PMID: 21783544 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2004.12.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We examined neurobehavioral outcomes of Chinese workers exposed to acrylonitrile, a potentially neurotoxic substance. We used the WHO-recommended neurobehavioral core test battery to assess the neurobehavioral functions of all study subjects. We compared 81 workers in an acrylonitrile-monomer plant and 94 workers in an acrylic fibers plant with 174 workers with no workplace acrylonitrile exposure. Acrylonitrile workers reported increased tension, depression, anger, fatigue and confusion on the Profile of Mood States. Performances in the Simple Reaction Time, Digit Span, Benton Visual Retention and Pursuit Aiming II were also poorer among exposed workers compared to unexposed workers. Some of these poor performances in tests were also related to exposure duration. Given the findings of our study and the limitations of neurobehavioral workplace testing, we found evidence of neuropsychological impairment induced by exposure to acrylonitrile. Further studies are needed to characterize potential neurotoxicity from chronic and acute exposures to acrylonitrile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Rongzhu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China
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Léonard A, Gerber GB, Stecca C, Rueff J, Borba H, Farmer PB, Sram RJ, Czeizel AE, Kalina I. Mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and teratogenicity of acrylonitrile. Mutat Res 1999; 436:263-83. [PMID: 10354525 DOI: 10.1016/s1383-5742(99)00006-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Acrylonitrile (AN) is an important intermediary for the synthesis of a variety of organic products, such as artificial fibres, household articles and resins. Although acute effects are the primary concern for an exposure to AN, potential genotoxic, carcinogenic and teratogenic risks of AN have to be taken seriously in view of the large number of workers employed in such industries and the world-wide population using products containing and possibly liberating AN. An understanding of the effect of acrylonitrile must be based on a characterization of its metabolism as well as of the resulting products and their genotoxic properties. Tests for mutagenicity in bacteria have in general been positive, those in plants and on unscheduled DNA synthesis doubtful, and those on chromosome aberrations in vivo negative. Wherever positive results had been obtained, metabolic activation of AN appeared to be a prerequisite. The extent to which such mutagenic effects are significant in man depends, however, also on the conditions of exposure. It appears from the limited data that the ultimate mutagenic factor(s), such as 2-cyanoethylene oxide, may have little opportunity to act under conditions where people are exposed because it is formed only in small amounts and is rapidly degraded. The carcinogenic action of AN has been evaluated by various agencies and ranged from 'reasonably be anticipated to be a human carcinogen' to 'cannot be excluded', the most recent evaluation being 'possibly carcinogenic to humans'. Animal data that confirm the carcinogenic potential of AN have certain limitations with respect to the choice of species, type of tumors and length of follow up. Epidemiological studies which sometimes, but not always, yielded positive results, encounter the usual difficulties of confounding factors in chemical industries. Exposure of workers to AN should continue to be carefully monitored, but AN would not have to be considered a cancer risk to the population provided limitations on releases from consumer products and guidelines on AN in water and air are enforced. AN is teratogenic in laboratory animals (rat, hamster) at high doses when foetal/embryonic (and maternal) toxicity already is manifest. Pregnant workers should not be exposed to AN. In view of the small concentrations generally encountered outside plants, women not professionally exposed would appear not to be at risk of teratogenic effects due to AN. Future research should concentrate on the elucidation of the different degradation pathways in man and on epidemiological studies in workers including pregnant women, assessing also, if possible, individual exposure by bio-monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Léonard
- Teratogenicity and Mutagenicity Unit, Catholic University of Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 72, UCL 7237, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium.
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