Growth and development in rats given recombinant human epidermal growth factor(1-48) as neonates

To assess effects of supraphysiologic doses of human recombinant epidermal growth factor(1-48) (rhEGF(1-48)) on neonatal rats, 10 litters of Wistar rats/treatment group were given 0 (formulated vehicle), 10, 100, or 1000 microg/kg daily by subcutaneous injection on postnatal days (PND) 1 through 6. Clinical signs, body weight, acquisition of developmental landmarks and reflexes, and behavior were monitored during treatment and for 5 weeks thereafter (to PND 42). A subset of animals was euthanized weekly from PND 7-28 and necropsied. Selected tissues were examined microscopically. Body weight gain at 1000 microg/kg during treatment was significantly less than control. Precocious incisor eruption, eye opening, vaginal opening, and preputial separation occurred at 100 and/or 1000 microg/kg. Acquisition of reflexes (negative geotaxis, wire maneuver, acoustic startle reflex, and visual placing) was delayed at 1000 microg/kg. Acquisition of adult locomotion was also delayed at 1000 microg/kg. These effects were transient, as locomotor activity at PND 28 and 42 did not differ from control. Effects on acoustic-startle responding persisted in females to final assessment on PND 42. Habituation to repeated acoustic stimuli was impaired, as well as response inhibition following a prepulse acoustic stimulus. rhEGF(1-48) induced structural changes in the skin, retina, kidney, oral and nasal mucosa, lung, and liver. Many of these changes were consistent with the expected mitogenic activity of rhEGF(1-48) and were transient in nature, as severity and incidence diminished with time. An exception was changes observed in the retina at 1000 microg/kg (rosettes/folds and focal defects in the outer nuclear/photoreceptor layers) that were still present 3 weeks after termination of treatment. Acceleration of developmental landmarks; suppression of reflexes, behavior, and somatic growth; and mitogenic responses in epidermal tissues have been reported in rodents treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) derived from various mammalian species. These results demonstrate that a 48-amino acid fragment of human EGF produced by recombinant technology also induces such effects.

Pre- and postnatal toxicity of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor atorvastatin in rats

Atorvastatin is a potent inhibitor of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, which catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate and constitutes the rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Steroid hormones derived from cholesterol, as well as mevalonate and its isoprenoid derivatives, provide important contributions to the maternal animal during pregnancy and lactation, as well as to the growth and development of the offspring; these contributions may potentially be influenced by inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase. To investigate the effects of atorvastatin on various aspects of reproduction and development, female Sprague-Dawley rats received 0, 20, 100, or 225 mg/kg daily by gavage from gestation day 7 through lactation day 20. Maternal toxicity, characterized by morbidity/mortality (13%), reduced body weight gain and food consumption, and pathologic lesions in the nonglandular mucosa of the stomach, occurred at 225 mg/kg. Offspring survival at birth and during the neonatal period at 225 mg/kg was reduced relative to control by up to 45%, and 28% of litters had no viable offspring by 10 days postpartum. Additional effects on offspring included reduced body weight during the neonatal and maturation periods (100, 225 mg/kg), delayed appearance of pinnae detachment and incisor eruption (225 mg/kg), impaired rotorod performance (females only; 100, 225 mg/kg), reduced acoustic startle responding (males only; 20, 100, 225 mg/kg), and transient effects on shuttle avoidance (females only; 225 mg/kg). No treatment-related effects were observed on offspring reproduction. In a separate experiment, a single dose of 10 mg/kg atorvastatin administered to female Wistar rats on gestation day 19 or lactation day 13 provided evidence of placental transfer and excretion into the milk. Results of this study indicate that pre- and postnatal administration of atorvastatin to female rats produces developmental toxicity in their offspring via in utero and/or lactational exposure, and in the presence or absence of maternal toxicity.

Neurotoxicity of misonidazole in rats following intravenous administration

Misonidazole is a hypoxic cell radiosensitizer that induces a peripheral neuropathy in humans after exceeding a schedule-dependent cumulative threshold dose. Clinical studies of misonidazole have been conducted using oral administration, whereas most other radiosensitizers have been administered intravenously. Since route of exposure can potentially influence the toxicity of xenobiotics, the objective of this study was to assess the neurotoxicity of misonidazole in rats following intravenous dosing using a battery of routine clinical, neurofunctional, biochemical, and histopathologic screening methods. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered intravenous doses of misonidazole at 0 (vehicle control), 100, 200, 300, or 400 mg kg-1 once per day, 5 days per week, for 2 weeks. Animals were evaluated for neurofunctional and pathological changes following termination of treatment (Days 15-17) and at the end of a 4 week observation period (Days 43-45). During the dosing phase, hypoactivity, salivation, rhinorrhea, chromodacryorrhea, rough pelage and ataxia were observed at 400 mg kg-1, and body weight gain of the 300 and 400 mg kg-1 groups was significantly decreased relative to the vehicle controls by 24% and 49%, respectively. Corresponding reductions in food consumption were 8% and 23%, respectively. Although most 400 mg kg-1 animals appeared normal on Day 15 prior to the neurofunctional evaluations, rotorod testing precipitated a number of clinical signs including: ataxia, impaired righting reflex, excessive rearing, tremors, vocalization, circling, head jerking, excessive sniffing and hyperactivity. All of these animals recovered and appeared normal from Day 17 through study termination. There were no treatment-related effects on motor activity, acoustic startle response, rotorod performance, forelimb group strength, toe and tail pinch reflexes, tibial nerve beta-glucuronidase activity or tail nerve conduction velocity. Although hindlimb grip strength of the 400 mg kg-1 group was significantly decreased by 17% relative to the vehicle controls on Day 15, this finding appeared related to the reduced food consumption and body weight gain in these animals. No microscopic changes were detected in peripheral nerves. Necrosis and proliferation of fibrillary astrocytes (gliosis) were seen in the cerebellum and medulla of the 400 mg kg-1 animals on Day 16. Gliosis in these same brain regions was observed in the 300 and 400 mg kg-1 groups on Day 44. The results show that intravenous administration of misonidazole to rats causes dose-limiting central nervous system toxicity without effects on peripheral nervous tissue. The lack of peripheral neurotoxicity was most likely due to a combination of several interrelated factors including route of administration, duration and intensity of the dosing regimen, and total cumulative dose.

Validation of automated behavioral test systems

A positive control study was conducted as part of the ongoing validation program for developmental neurotoxicity testing in our laboratory using a standard battery of automated systems, consisting of rotorod, motor activity, acoustic startle, and two-way active avoidance. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were given 10 mg/kg diazepam (DZ) by SC injection or 20 mg/kg methimazole (MET) by gavage from gestation day 15 (DZ) or 17 (MET) through postpartum day 10; a group of control animals remained untreated. Offspring were assessed for growth, survival, developmental landmarks, and behavior. Although this study was considered useful for obtaining historical data, it offered few advantages in terms of validation of automated behavior test systems. Perinatal treatment with DZ resulted in no maternal toxicity and no adverse effects on growth or development of F1 offspring; a deficit in acoustic startle responding was the only behavioral effect observed. Treatment with MET resulted in maternal toxicity, reduced neonatal body weights, and developmental delays. Behavioral effects included impaired rotorod performance and acoustic startle responding (neonates), and enhanced motor activity and acoustic startle responding (young adults). However, effects on shuttle avoidance were not observed for either drug, and only one direction of behavioral effect occurred for the rotorod and motor activity systems. These results, as well as those from subsequent studies in our laboratory, suggest that it may be preferable to validate automated behavior systems using short-term studies in which young adult animals are treated directly with positive control agents.

Developmental neurotoxicity of CI-943: a novel antipsychotic

Offspring from Sprague-Dawley rats administered 0, 10, 25, or 75 mg/kg/day CI-943 in the diet prior to mating and throughout gestation and lactation (fertility study) or during the last week of gestation and throughout lactation (perinatal/postnatal study) were evaluated for developmental neurotoxicity using a screen of behavioral tests designed to evaluate rotorod performance, motor activity, acoustic startle responding, and learning and memory via a two-way shuttle avoidance paradigm. Treatment-related effects were evident for each behavioral parameter; they occurred at parentally toxic and nontoxic doses and in the absence of detrimental effects on offspring growth and development. Behavioral effects were in general more robust and occurred at lower doses in the perinatal-postnatal study than in the fertility study. Vertical movement was the most sensitive motor activity parameter in each study; decreases of the greatest magnitude occurred during the first minute of testing, and in males more often than in females. Acoustic startle responding and learning and memory were diminished in each study; these effects were in general concomitant with diminished motor activity, although the pattern of response differed for each study. These results indicate that behavior of offspring from parents administered CI-943 was altered regardless of the developmental stage of exposure, although the pattern of response was dependent on exposure regimen.

Female reproductive and developmental toxicology: overview and current approaches

In recent years, concern about possible female reproductive and developmental toxicity due to environmental contaminants, such as PCBs, has been growing. Because this area of toxicology had not been emphasized prior to this time, there are many gaps in current knowledge about female developmental and reproductive toxicology and only a limited number of validated tests to assay effects of toxicants on various parts of the reproductive and developmental cycle. This article reviews the current state of knowledge on this topic and also explores a variety of techniques for assessing female reproductive and developmental toxicity. These include an assay of the state of intercellular communication among the embryo, fetus and placenta; protocols for assessing toxicity in early pregnancy; and techniques for evaluating the role of glutathione in protecting the conceptus from xenobiotics.

Developmental neurotoxicity of polybrominated biphenyls

Female F0 generation Sprague-Dawley rats received daily oral doses of 0, 0.2, or 2 mg/kg polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) as fireMaster BP-6 from Day 6 of gestation through Day 24 postpartum. Maternal parameters were assessed, and F1 generation offspring were evaluated for growth and survival, as well as physical and behavioral development. No adverse maternal effects were observed nor were there PBB-related effects on survival of the F1 generation or acquisition of developmental landmarks. Crown-rump length of 0.2 and 2 mg/kg male offspring was significantly less than that of controls and 2 mg/kg male and female offspring gained significantly less weight than did controls for the entire 60-day postnatal observation period. An overall evaluation of behavior by multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant PBB-related effects for acquisition of forward locomotion, cliff avoidance, cage emergence, and open-field activity of male and female offspring from dams administered 2 mg/kg. Delays in acquisition of forward locomotion and suppressed open-field activity were the most prominent effects. These indications of growth retardation and neurobehavioral toxicity occurred at concentrations of PBB in offspring body fat in the range of those which have been reported for highly exposed human subjects with neurological sequelae.

Developmental toxicity of CI-921, an anilinoacridine antitumor agent

CI-921, an anilinoacridine compound active against leukemic and solid tumors, was evaluated for potential developmental toxicity. Intravenous injections of CI-921 in dextrose were given to female Sprague-Dawley rats (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg) on Gestation Days (GD) 6-15 and to female New Zealand White rabbits (0.1, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg) on GD 6-18. Appropriate vehicle and untreated controls were included. Maternal and fetal parameters, including external, visceral, and skeletal malformations and variations, were assessed. Treatment of rats with 1.0 mg/kg resulted in maternal toxicity, manifested as reduced body weight gain and food consumption during and after treatment. Reduced fetal body weight, an increased incidence of stunted fetuses, malformations of the axial and appendicular skeleton, microphthalmia, and an increased number of anatomical variations (including anomalies of the axial skeleton and apparent hydronephrosis) also occurred in rats at 1.0 mg/kg. Treatment of rabbits resulted in no apparent maternal toxicity. However, reduced fetal body weight, agenesis of the azygous lobe of the lung, and an increased incidence of variations of the axial skeleton occurred at 2.0 mg/kg in rabbits. These results indicate that CI-921, at the highest dose tested in each species, produced developmental toxicity in the presence of maternal toxicity in rats, but in the absence of maternal toxicity in rabbits.

Comparison of anorexia and motor disruption by cyclazocine and quipazine

The mixed narcotic agonist-antagonist cyclazocine and the 5-HT agonist quipazine disrupt food-rewarded fixed ratio-40 (FR-40) operant behavior in rats as a dose-dependent decrease in the number of reinforcers obtained and a reciprocal increase in the number of 10-second intervals between responding ("pausing"). This disruption has been shown to result in part from interaction with 5-HT neuronal systems, and may be a consequence of: (1) disruption of cognitive processes, (2) motivational impairment, or (3) motor deficits. To identify which of these components is (are) involved in the disruption of operant responding, female Sprague-Dawley rats were tested for food consumption, spontaneous locomotor activity, or rotarod performance following intraperitoneal injection of cyclazocine, quipazine, or both. Cyclazocine decreased food consumption at doses larger than those required to disrupt operant behavior, while quipazine decreased consumption at doses disruptive to operant responding. Little effect was exerted by either drug on spontaneous locomotor activity, while rotarod performance was disrupted only by very large doses of either drug relative to effects of FR-40 behavior. These data indicate that neither drug appears to disrupt operant behavior by causing gross motor deficits. Thus, cyclazocine may disrupt operant responding by impairing cognition, while quipazine may act through food satiation mechanisms.

Naloxone alters the effects of LSD, DOM and quipazine on operant behavior of rats

Administration of the indolealkylamine hallucinogen d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), the phenethylamine hallucinogen 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM) and the putative 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) agonist quipazine all produced a dose-dependent decrease in fixed ratio (FR-40) response rates and a concomitant increase in the number of 10-second pause intervals. Although naloxone (4.0 mg/kg) had no effect on FR-40 responding per se, the pause-producing effects of LSD and, to a lesser extent, DOM were potentiated by pretreatment with naloxone. The action of quipazine on reinforcers was unaffected by combination with naloxone, while the effect on pause intervals was slightly attenuated by naloxone pretreatment. These data and previous studies suggest that the pause-producing effects of indolealkylamine and phenethylamine hallucinogens reflect their activation of a selective portion of brain 5-HT receptors. The potentiation of these effects by naloxone may relate to a modulation of central 5-HT systems by endogenous opioid mechanisms tending to restore an imbalance in various 5-HT pathways caused by the hallucinogenic 5-HT agonists. The more generalized disruptive effects of quipazine on brain 5-HT systems may be less susceptible to the endogenous opioid modulation or may actually combine with it to induce a greater disruption.

Cyclazocine disruption of operant behavior is antagonized by naloxone and metergoline

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to press a lever on a fixed ratio-40 (FR-40) schedule for food reinforcement. Doses ranging from 0.5 to 16 mg/kg of the mixed narcotic agonist-antagonist cyclazocine (30-min pretreatment) resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the number of reinforcements obtained and a reciprocal increase in "pausing" (IRT's greater than 10 sec). A 5-min pretreatment with 4 mg/kg of the narcotic antagonist naloxone attenuated the cyclazocine disruption. The 5-HT antagonist metergoline (1 mg/kg; 180-min pretreatment) also blocked cyclazocine effects to approximately the same degree as did naloxone. However, the shift of the dose response pattern of cyclazocine was not parallel for either antagonist. A greater degree of attenuation of the cyclazocine effects was observed when naloxone (4 mg/kg) and metergoline (0.1 mg/kg) were given together, indicating that cyclazocine disruption may be antagonized by either a narcotic antagonist or a 5-HT antagonist, and that these antagonists may operate synergistically. Thus, the behavioral effects of cyclazocine may relate to both opioid and serotonergic components.

Subchronic dermal toxicity study of trichlorobenzene in the rabbit

Groups of five male and five female New Zealand albino rabbits were treated by skin application with either 0 (distilled water control), 30, 150 or 450 mg/kg undiluted trichlorobenzene (ICB) for 5 days/week for four weeks. No treatment related systemic effects were observed at any of the treatment levels when body weight, clinical chemistry and organ weight parameters were measured. Systemic effects due to dermal application of TCB were present only in rabbits given 450 mg/kg/day. These effects included a slight but statistically significant increase in the urinary coproporphyrin excretion in males and slight pallor of the liver at gross necropsy in both sexes. Localized effects at the site of application were present in all treated rabbits. These effects were characteristic of the response to dermal irritation. Grossly, the fur was matted by a fine white bran-like scales with variable degrees of erythema, fissures, erosions and ulcers. Histopathologically, there was inflammation and thickening of the epidermis. The size of the affected area varied directly with the dose level. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that a dose level of 450 mg/kg/day of TCB applied dermally to rabbits induced slight systemic toxicity. The no-observable effect level for systemic toxicity was 150 mg/kg/day when TCB was applied to the skin of male and female rabbits over the course of 30 days.

Skin sensitization potential of trisodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate

A sodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetate (Na3EDTA) and ethylenediamine (EDA) were subjected to a repeated insult patch test on Hartley albino guinea pigs (10 per compound). All guinea pigs (10 of 10) receiving EDA were sensitized. None of the guinea pigs (0 of 10) was sensitized to Na3 EDTA. Likewise, none of the guinea pigs sensitized to EDA reacted positively when challenged with Na3 EDTA. Based on these results, it is concluded that EDTA is not likely to be a sensitizer to humans, and would not likely cross-sensitize with EDA. In addition, the presence of very small amounts of the sodium salts of EDTA in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations does not represent an appreciable risk of human skin sensitization.