The safety of hydroquinone: A dermatologist's response to the 2006 Federal Register

Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration proposed a ban on over-the-counter hydroquinone mainly on the basis of high absorption, reports of exogenous ochronosis in humans, and murine hepatic adenomas, renal adenomas, and leukemia with large doses over extended time periods. Systemic exposure to hydroquinone from routine topical application is no greater than that from quantities present in common foods. While murine hepatic adenomas increased, murine hepatocellular carcinomas decreased, suggesting a protective effect. Renal tumors are sex, species, and age specific and therefore do not appear relevant to humans after decades of widespread use. Murine leukemia has not been reproducible and would not be expected from small topical doses. Finally, a literature review of exogenous ochronosis and clinical studies employing hydroquinone (involving over 10,000 exposures under careful clinical supervision) reveal an incidence of exogenous ochronosis in the United States of 22 cases in more than 50 years. Therefore, the proposed ban appears to be unnecessarily extreme.

Chemoprotective and Carcinogenic Effects of tert-Butylhydroquinone and Its Metabolites

Tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) has been commonly used as a synthetic food antioxidant to prevent oils and fats from oxidative deterioration and rancidity due to its potent anti-lipid peroxidation activity. In North America, the maximum level of tBHQ allowed in fat products is 0.02% with an acceptable daily intake of 0-0.7 mg/kg body weight. Extensive studies have demonstrated that tBHQ exhibit anti-carcinogenic effect. The ability of tBHQ to induce phase II xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes through an Nrf2-dependent pathway is thought to be responsible for the observed protective effect of tBHQ. It has been proposed that tBHQ enhances Nrf2-mediated transcription by promoting reactive oxygen species-mediated dissociation of Nrf2-Keap1, Nrf2 stabilization, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt activity, and MAPK pathway activation. In contrast to the beneficial effects of tBHQ, a number of studies have shown that chronic exposure to tBHQ may induce carcinogenicity. However, the precise mechanisms of tBHQ carcinogenicity are not well understood. The toxicity or carcinogenicity of tBHQ has been attributed to the formation of reactive GSH-conjugates, generation of reactive species, CYP1A1 induction, caspase activation and reduced GSH/ATP levels. This review provides an account of recent mechanisms proposed for both chemoprotective and carcinogenic effect of tBHQ.

Chiral tetrahydroquinoline derivatives as potent anti-hyperalgesic agents in animal models of sustained inflammation and chronic neuropathic pain

Chiral tetrahydroquinoline derivatives have been prepared by an asymmetric Mannich-type condensation reaction using commercially available vinyloxyethylsilane and a N-arylimino R-(+)-t-butyl lactate ester, in the presence of a catalytic amount of metal triflates as Lewis acids. This synthetic approach gave rise to the target aldehyde intermediate in moderate facial diastereoselectivity and in high chemical yield. This efficient route enabled to scale up the synthesis of an orally bioavailable glycine antagonist showing outstanding in vivo anti-hyperalgesic activity in different animal models of sustained inflammation and chronic neuropathic pain.

Degradation of phenolic compounds with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by enzyme from Serratia marcescens AB 90027

In this paper, the degradation of phenolic compounds using hydrogen peroxide as oxidizer and the enzyme extract from Serratia marcescens AB 90027 as catalyst was reported. With such an enzyme/H2O2 combination treatment, a high chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency was achieved, e.g., degradation of hydroquinone exceeded 96%. From UV-visible and IR spectra, the degradation mechanisms were judged as a process of phenyl ring cleavage. HPLC analysis shows that in the degradation p-benzoquinone, maleic acid and oxalic acid were formed as intermediates and that they were ultimately converted to CO2 and H2O. With the enzyme/H2O2 treatment, vanillin, hydroquinone, catechol, o-aminophenol, p-aminophenol, phloroglucinol and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde were readily degraded, whereas the degradation of phenol, salicylic acid, resorcinol, p-cholorophenol and p-nitrophenol were limited. Their degradability was closely related to the properties and positions of their side chain groups. Electron-donating groups, such as -OH, -NH2 and -OCH3 enhanced the degradation, whereas electron-withdrawing groups, such as -NO2, -Cl and -COOH, had a negative effect on the degradation of these compounds in the presence of enzyme/H2O2. Compounds with -OH at ortho and para positions were more readily degraded than those with -OH at meta positions.

Preclinical pharmacology of the novel antitumor agent adaphostin, a tyrphostin analog that inhibits bcr/abl

PURPOSE

To define several pharmacological properties for the potential anticancer agent, adaphostin, in order to determine whether the compound is appropriate for clinical evaluation as an anticancer agent.

METHODS

The analytical procedure involved high-performance liquid chromatography and utilized an analytical J'Sphere ODS H-80 column.

RESULTS

The stability of adaphostin at two different concentrations was determined at temperatures of 37 degrees C, 4 degrees C, and -80 degrees C, in the plasma of mice, rats, dogs, and humans. The compound was most stable at the lower temperatures. At all temperatures, adaphostin was generally most stable in human plasma and least stable in dog plasma. Adaphostin bound strongly (>93%) to proteins in plasma from all four species. Following intravenous (i.v.) administration to mice (50 mg/kg; 150 mg/m(2)), plasma concentrations declined rapidly from 50 microM at 2 min to 1 microM at 2 h. Elimination was triexponential, with t (1/2) values of 1.1, 9.1, and 41.2 min. The Cl(tb) was 0.411 L/(min.m(2)), the V (dss) was 24.6 L/m(2), and the AUC was 927 microM.min. In a comparison of vehicles for intraperitoneal (i.p.) dosing, PEG 300 allowed the highest plasma concentrations of adaphostin. Bioavailability following an i.p. dose was greater than that following a subcutaneous dose, or that for a dose administered by oral gavage. For rats dosed i.v. with adaphostin (50 mg/kg; 300 mg/m(2)), plasma concentrations also decreased triexponentially, with t (1/2) values of 1.8, 10.6, and 136 min. Other pharmacokinetic values were Cl(tb) = 0.466 L/(min.m(2)), AUC = 1,161 microM.min, and V (dss)=8.0 L/m(2). Analysis of samples collected from two dogs dosed i.v. with adaphostin (7.5 mg/kg; 150 mg/m(2)) showed that plasma concentrations decreased in a biphasic manner, with individual values for t (1/2alpha) of 6.0 and 9.8 min for the distribution phase and t (1/2beta) of 40.6 and 66.2 min for the elimination phase. Other pharmacokinetic values were Cl(tb) = 0.565 and 0.852 L/(min.m(2)), AUC = 673 and 446 microM min, and V (dss) = 29.6 and 56.8 L/m(2).

CONCLUSIONS

The stability of adaphostin in plasma varies with species. In mice and dogs dosed with adaphostin, plasma concentrations of the compound decreased rapidly. The clearance of adaphostin from plasma, on an m(2) basis, was equivalent for mice and rats but more rapid in dogs. These results are relevant for assessing the pharmacologic and toxicologic profiles and the antitumor activity of adaphostin in humans.

Metabolism and disposition of hydroquinone in Fischer 344 rats after oral or dermal administration

Studies were conducted to determine the absorption, tissue distribution, excretion, and metabolism of 14C-hydroquinone (HQ) in male and female rats following single oral, repeated oral, or 24-h dermal administration. The concentration of parent compound in blood was also determined following a single 50-mg/kg gavage administration. Absorption into the blood was rapid after oral dosing; the maximum concentration of parent compound was attained within 20 min after dosing, and the maximum concentration of total 14C was attained within 30 min. Parent compound represented 1% of total 14C in blood, indicative of extensive first-pass metabolism. Excretion was primarily via the urine within the first 8h of gavage. Typically, 87-94% of the 14C was excreted in urine. Dermal application of 14C-HQ (20 microCi) as a 5.4% aqueous solution resulted in near background levels of 14C in blood; the maximum mean blood concentration was 0.65 microg HQ equivalents/g in females and not quantifiable in males. The majority (61-71%) of the 14C was recovered from the skin surface by washing at 24 h. HQ was extensively metabolized following oral dosing with typically <3% of the dose excreted as parent compound. The major urinary metabolites of HQ were glucuronide and O-sulfate conjugates, which represented 45-53% and 19-33%, respectively, of an oral dose. A <5% metabolite was identified as a mercapturic acid conjugate of HQ.

Mechanism-based inactivation of COX-1 by red wine m-hydroquinones: a structure-activity relationship study

Resveratrol (1) is a m-hydroquinone found in red wine, which has antiinflammatory, cardiovascular protective (antiplatelet), and cancer chemopreventive properties. It is a potent peroxidase-dependent mechanism-based inactivator of COX-1, a desired target for antiplatelet agents, and has no similar effect on COX-2. Much attention has focused on resveratrol (1) as being the sole agent responsible for the cardioprotective effects associated with red wine consumption (commonly known as the "French paradox"). In this study we show that other red wine constituents, namely, the catechins (2, 3) and epicatechins (4, 5), act as peroxidase mediated mechanism-based inactivators of COX-1 but not of COX-2. Structure-activity relationships identify these agents as being as effective as resveratrol with respect to their ability to specifically inactivate COX-1. We show that resorcinol (6) is the minimum structure necessary for mechanism-based inactivation of COX-1. These findings imply that resveratrol is not the sole agent responsible for the antiplatelet activity of red wine and suggest that all dietary m-hydroquinones should be examined for cardioprotective effects.

Metabolic rate constants for hydroquinone in F344 rat and human liver isolated hepatocytes: application to a PBPK model

Hydroquinone (HQ) is an important industrial chemical that also occurs naturally in foods and in the leaves and bark of a number of plant species. Exposure of laboratory animals to HQ may result in species-, sex-, and strain-specific nephrotoxicity. The sensitivity of male F344 versus female F344 and Sprague-Dawley rats or B6C3F1 mice appears to be related to differences in the rates of formation of key nephrotoxic metabolites. Metabolic rate constants for the conversion of HQ through several metabolic steps to the mono-glutathione conjugate and subsequent detoxification via mercapturic acid formation were measured in suspension cultures of hepatocytes isolated from male F-344 rats and humans. A mathematic kinetic model was used to analyze each metabolic step by simultaneously fitting the disappearance of each substrate and the appearance of subsequent metabolites. An iterative, nested approach was used whereby downstream metabolites were considered first, and the model was constrained by the requirement that rate constants determined during analysis of individual steps must also satisfy the complete, integrated metabolism scheme, including competitive pathways. The results from this study indicated that the overall capacity for metabolism of HQ and its mono-glutathione conjugate is greater in hepatocytes from humans than in those from rats, suggesting a greater capacity for detoxification of the glutathione conjugates in humans. Metabolic rate constants were applied to an existing physiologically based pharmacokinetic model, which was used to predict total glutathione metabolites produced in the liver. The results showed that body burdens of these metabolites will be much higher in rats than in humans.

The effect of remote chirality on the antibacterial activity of indolinyl, tetrahydroquinolyl and dihydrobenzoxazinyl oxazolidinones

The oxazolidinones are promising agents for the treatment of infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains. In ongoing studies we have discovered that a strategically placed chiral center of appropriate absolute configuration improves the antibacterial activity of indolinyl oxazolidinone analogues (gram-positive MIC's<0.5 microg/mL for the most potent congeners). The design, synthesis, antibacterial activity and pharmacokinetic profile of a selected series of alpha-methylated indoline derivatives and a related set of tetrahydroquinolyl and dihydrobenzoxazinyl analogues are discussed.

Duroquinone reduction during passage through the pulmonary circulation

The lungs can substantially influence the redox status of redox-active plasma constituents. Our objective was to examine aspects of the kinetics and mechanisms that determine pulmonary disposition of redox-active compounds during passage through the pulmonary circulation. Experiments were carried out on rat and mouse lungs with 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-benzoquinone [duroquinone (DQ)] as a model amphipathic quinone reductase substrate. We measured DQ and durohydroquinone (DQH2) concentrations in the lung venous effluent after injecting, or while infusing, DQ or DQH2 into the pulmonary arterial inflow. The maximum net rates of DQ reduction to DQH2 in the rat and mouse lungs were approximately 4.9 and 2.5 micromol. min(-1).g dry lung wt(-1), respectively. The net rate was apparently the result of freely permeating access of DQ and DQH2 to tissue sites of redox reactions, dominated by dicumarol-sensitive DQ reduction to DQH2 and cyanide-sensitive DQH2 reoxidation back to DQ. The dicumarol sensitivity along with immunodetectable expression of NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in the rat lung tissue suggest cytoplasmic NQO1 as the dominant site of DQ reduction. The effect of cyanide on DQH2 oxidation suggests that the dominant site of oxidation is complex III of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. If one envisions DQ as a model compound for examining the disposition of amphipathic NQO1 substrates in the lungs, the results are consistent with a role for lung NQO1 in determining the redox status of such compounds in the circulation. For DQ, the effect is conversion of a redox-cycling, oxygen-activating quinone into a stable hydroquinone.

Intradermal concentration of hydroquinone after application of hydroquinone ointments is higher than its cytotoxic concentration

Ointments of the skin depigmentation agent hydroquinone (HQ) have been prepared by extemporaneous nonsterile compounding in our hospital. The HQ ointments were highly effective in the treatment of various types of skin pigmentations; however, various problems have emerged including chromatic aberration of the ointments, a relatively large variability of efficacy, and mild topical side effects including irritation. In this paper, the cytotoxicity of HQ was assessed in vitro using rat skin fibroblasts as the concentration with 50% survival after 24 h exposure to be 16.5 microM. The intradermal concentrations at 2 h after application of the HQ ointments was also estimated to be 358 mM and 51.7 mM in stratum corneum and viable tissue (viable epidermis+dermis), respectively, by an in vitro rat skin permeation study with rat full-thickness abdominal skin and Franz-type diffusion cells. It was demonstrated that the intradermal concentration of HQ was much higher than that eliciting cytotoxicity, suggesting that the topical side effects after application of HQ ointment were due to the cytotoxicity of HQ.

Copper redox-dependent activation of 2-tert-butyl(1,4)hydroquinone: formation of reactive oxygen species and induction of oxidative DNA damage in isolated DNA and cultured rat hepatocytes

The biotransformation of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a possible carcinogenic food antioxidant, includes o-demethylation to 2-tert-butyl(1,4)hydroquinone (TBHQ) which can subsequently be oxidized to 2-tert-butyl(1,4)paraquinone (TBQ). In this study, we have examined the capacity of Cu, a nuclei- and DNA-associated transition metal, to mediate the oxidation of TBHQ. In phosphate buffered saline (PBS), autooxidation of TBHQ to TBQ was not detectable, while Cu(II) at micromolar concentrations strongly catalyzed the oxidation of TBHQ to TBQ. Oxidation of TBHQ by Cu(II) was accompanied by the utilization of O(2) and the concomitant generation of H(2)O(2). Using electron spin resonance spectroscopy, it was observed that Cu(II) mediated the one electron oxidation of TBHQ to a semiquinone anion radical. The formation of a semiquinone anion radical, the utilization of O(2) and the generation of H(2)O(2) and TBQ could be completely blocked by bathocuproinedisulfonic acid (BCS) and reduced glutathione (GSH), two Cu(I)-chelators. 4-Pyridyl-1-oxide-N-tert-butylnitrone (POBN)-spin trapping experiments showed that the reaction of TBHQ with Cu(II) resulted in the generation of POBN-CH(3) and POBN-CH(OH)CH(3) adducts in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethanol, respectively, suggesting the formation of hydroxyl radical or a similar reactive intermediate. The formation of POBN-CH(3) adduct from the TBHQ/Cu(II)+DMSO could be completely inhibited by catalase, GSH or BCS, indicating that the hydroxyl radical or its equivalent is generated from the interaction of H(2)O(2) with Cu(I). Incubation of supercoiled phiX-174 plasmid DNA with the TBHQ/Cu(II) resulted in extensive DNA strand breaks, which could be prevented by catalase or BCS. Incubation of rat hepatocytes with TBHQ in PBS led to increased formation of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in nuclear DNA. The TBHQ-induced formation of 8-OHdG was markedly reduced in the presence of cell permeable Cu(I)-specific chelator, bathocuproine or neocuproine, suggesting that a Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox mechanism may also be involved in the induction of oxidative DNA damage by TBHQ in hepatocytes. Taken together, the above results conclusively demonstrate that the activation of TBHQ by Cu(II) results in the formation of TBQ, semiquinone anion radical and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and that the ROS formed may participate in oxidative DNA damage in both isolated DNA and intact cells. These reactions may contribute to the carcinogenicity as well as other biochemical activities observed with BHA in animals. To our knowledge this study provides the first evidence that endogenous cellular Cu may be capable of bioactivating TBHQ, leading to oxidative DNA damage in cultured cells.

Mitochondrial respiration and triiodothyronine concentration in liver from postpubertal and adult rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the decline in rat liver mitochondria respiration found in adult rats compared to younger ones, and to find a link between this respiratory impairment and a tissue hypothyroidism state. To this end, hepatic concentration and serum levels of triiodothyronine were measured in postpubertal rats (60 days old) and adult rats (180 days old). In addition, in these rats we measured oxidative phosphorylation in homogenate together with coupled and uncoupled respiration in isolated mitochondria using succinate or durohydroquinone as substrate. We found that mitochondria from adult rats consumed less oxygen compared to younger rats due to lower electron transport chain and phosphorylating system activity. In addition, we found that in state 4 condition, mitochondria from adult rats consumed less oxygen than mitochondria from young rats. Finally, we found a decrease in liver triiodothyronine concentration in adult rats. In conclusion, the results of this study show that hepatic mitochondria in adult rats have a decreased ATP synthesis capacity and proton permeability, both consistent with the tissue hypothyroidism found in the liver of adult rats.

Carcinogenicity of a nephrotoxic metabolite of the "nongenotoxic" carcinogen hydroquinone

Hydroquinone (HQ) is a potential human carcinogen to which many people are exposed. HQ generally tests negative in standard mutagenicity assays, making it a "nongenotoxic" carcinogen whose mechanism of action remains unknown. HQ is metabolized to 2,3,5-tris(glutathion-S-yl)HQ (TGHQ), a potent toxic and redox active compound. To determine if TGHQ is a carcinogen in the kidney, TGHQ was administered to Eker rats (2 months of age) for 4 or 10 months. Eker rats carry a germline mutation in the tuberous sclerosis 2 (Tsc-2) tumor suppressor gene, which makes them highly susceptible to the development of renal tumors. As early as 4 months after the initiation of treatment (2.5 micromol/kg, i.p.), TGHQ-treated rats developed numerous toxic tubular dysplasias of a form rarely present in vehicle-treated rats. These preneoplastic lesions are believed to represent early transformation within tubules undergoing regeneration after injury by TGHQ, and adenomas subsequently arose within these lesions. After treatment for 10 months (2.5 micromol/kg for 4 months followed by 3.5 micromol/kg for 6 months), there were 6-, 7-, and 10-fold more basophilic dysplasias, adenomas, and renal cell carcinomas, respectively, in TGHQ-treated animals than in controls. Most of these lesions were in the region of TGHQ-induced acute renal injury, the outer stripe of the outer medulla. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the Tsc-2 locus was demonstrated in both the toxic tubular dysplasias and tumors from rats treated with TGHQ for 10 months, consistent with TGHQ-induced loss of tumor suppressor function of the Tsc-2 gene. Thus, although HQ is generally considered a nongenotoxic carcinogen, our data suggest that HQ nephrocarcinogenesis is probably mediated by the formation of the quantitatively minor yet potent nephrotoxic metabolite TGHQ, which induces sustained regenerative hyperplasia, loss of tumor suppressor gene function, and the subsequent formation of renal adenomas and carcinomas. In addition, our data demonstrate that assumptions regarding mechanisms of action of nongenotoxic carcinogens should be considered carefully in the absence of data on the profiles of metabolites generated by these compounds in specific target organs for tumor induction.

Metabolic activation of o-phenylphenol to a major cytotoxic metabolite, phenylhydroquinone: role of human CYP1A2 and rat CYP2C11/CYP2E1

1. The in vitro metabolic activation of o-phenylphenol has been evaluated as yielding a toxic metabolite, 2,5-dihydroxybiphenyl (phenylhydroquinone), by p-hydroxylation in liver microsomes of rat and human. The involvement of rat CYP2C11, CYP2E1 and human CYP1A2 in the p-hydroxylation of o-phenylphenol is suggested. 2. 2,3- and phenylhydroquinone, which induced DNA single-strand scission in the presence of 1 microM CuCl2, were the most cytotoxic chemicals examined to cultured mammalian cell lines among o-phenylphenol, m-phenylphenol, p-phenylphenol, 2,2'-, 4,4'-, 2,3- and phenylhydroquinone. 3. Rat and human liver microsomes catalysed the formation of phenylhydroquinone, but not 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl, using o-phenylphenol as a substrate. A higher rate of metabolic activation of o-phenylphenol was observed with livers of the male than the female rats by 5.6- and 2.6-fold respectively. 4. Inhibitory antibodies against the male-specific CYP2C11 inhibited hepatic o-phenylphenol p-hydroxylation in the male F344 and Sprague-Dawley rat by > 70%. Liver microsomes from the isoniazid-treated rats produced 1.8- and 3-fold induction of o-phenylphenol p-hydroxylation and chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation (a CYP2E1-dependent activity) respectively. 5. Human CYP1A2, expressed by baculovirus-mediated cDNA expression systems, exhibited a remarkably higher capacity for o-phenylphenol p-hydroxylation at concentrations of 5 (> 5-fold), 50 (> 2-fold) and 500 microM (> 2-fold) than CYP2A, CYP2B, CYP2Cs, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 on the basis of pmol P450. 6. Among various CYP inhibitors tested here, 7,8-benzoflavone and furafylline, typical human CYP1A2 inhibitors, inhibited the microsomal p-hydroxylation of o-phenylphenol in human livers most potently by 70 and 50% respectively. 7. The results thus indicate the involvement of rat CYP2C11/CYP2E1 and human CYP1A2 in the hepatic p-hydroxylation of o-phenylphenol.

Covalent protein adducts of hydroquinone in tissues from rats: identification and quantitation of sulfhydryl-bound forms

The Michael-type addition of sulfhydryl groups to benzoquinone (BQ) or substituted benzoquinones is proposed as the primary mechanism by which these electrophilic intermediates react with either cellular glutathione or protein sulfhydryls. This reaction constitutes a reductive alkylation with a substituted hydroquinone (HQ) derivative resulting from the addition. In the case of HQ, oxidative conversion of the parent material to BQ followed by conjugation with glutathione leads to metabolic activation, producing intermediates which are nephrotoxic as well as having other proposed biological activities. Chemically, BQ may react with more than 1 equiv of glutathione (or other sulfhydryl reagents) to produce HQ derivatives substituted with up to four sulfhydryl groups. Similarly, multiply substituted protein-S adducts of HQ were anticipated to occur in vivo following administration of this material. In the current studies, sulfhydryl-bound HQ protein adducts were detected and quantitated in protein isolated from rats using a modification of the alkaline permethylation procedure of Slaughter and Hanzlik [(1993) Anal. Biochem. 208, 288-295]. In particular, total protein-S adducts to HQ in kidney or blood reached a level of 420 or 80 pmol/mg of protein, respectively, 6 h following a single gavage dose of 100 mg/kg HQ. Measured half-lives of protein-S adducts in kidney and blood were 23.9 and 36.0 h, respectively. The applicability of protein-S adducts as a tissue dosimeter for HQ is discussed.

Covalent protein adducts of hydroquinone in tissues from rats: quantitation of sulfhydryl-bound forms following single gavage or intraperitoneal administration or repetitive gavage administration

The current studies were conducted to investigate the degree and type of protein binding of hydroquinone (HQ) in the rat following single oral or intraperitoneal (ip) or repeated oral administrations. Male or female F-344 rats or male SD rats received a single dose of HQ at 0, 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg by either gavage or ip injection (SD rats only). In addition, male or female F-344 or male SD rats received HQ by gavage for 6 weeks (5 days/week) at 0, 25, or 50 mg/kg/day. Sulfhydryl-bound HQ was quantitated in protein from blood, kidneys, livers, or spleens 24 h after treatment using an alkaline permethylation procedure. The amount of total protein-S adducts increased with increasing dose in all the tissues that were assayed. Female rats had higher levels of adducts in blood, livers, and kidneys than did male rats when they were treated orally. Male F-344 rats treated orally had elevated levels of adducts in these same tissues compared to SD rats treated orally. For all genders and strains of rats and for all treatment regimens, mono-adducts predominated in livers (>72% of total). In the kidneys, tri- and tetrasubstituted adducts predominated with the summation accounting for >60% of the total. Ip administration of HQ resulted in significantly elevated levels of adducts in all the tissues that were examined, with the greatest increases seen for protein from blood and spleens. Levels of protein-S adducts of HQ in rat kidney following a single gavage administration correlated well with previously published differences in acute HQ nephrotoxicity in rats (female F-344 rat > male F-344 rat > male SD rat). Elevated levels of HQ protein-S adducts following repeated gavage administration did not correlate to measurable clinical signs of nephrotoxicity. Evidence is presented suggesting a possible role for the prostaglandin H synthase complex in the metabolic activation of HQ. In addition, protein arylation alone cannot account for the greater sensitivity of male F-344 rats toward chronic administration of HQ. The sensitivity of male F-344 rats to HQ is likely due to other factors, including the incidence and severity of chronic progressive nephropathy.

Hydroquinine pharmacokinetics after oral administration in adult patients with muscle cramps

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to determine the pharmacokinetic properties of hydroquinine after oral administration in adult patients with muscle cramps. The main reason for this study was the poor availability of pharmacokinetic data, hindering the design of studies to explore the possible relationship between hydroquinine concentrations and effects.

METHODS

Sixteen adult patients with a clinical history of muscle cramps were given once-daily oral doses of 300 mg hydroquinine hydrobromide for 4 days. Serum and saliva samples were taken following a predefined schedule until 24 h after the last dose. Urine was collected during the study period. Hydroquinine concentrations were measured, and calculations were made of pharmacokinetic parameters using non-linear curve fitting.

RESULTS

Pharmacokinetics of hydroquinine could be best described using a one-compartment open model. After oral administration, hydroquinine was rapidly absorbed (mean +/- SD: maximum concentration 2.43+/-0.68 mg/ 1; time to maximum concentration 1.4+/-1.2 h; lag time 0.54+/-0.50 h). With an elimination half-life of 10.9+/-6.1 h, steady-state was reached in several days. The distribution volume was 1.24+/-0.29 l/kg, total clearance was 6.7+/-3.2 l/h. The measured unbound hydroquinine fraction was 8.6+/-3.0%. No correlation was found between saliva and serum concentrations. Cumulative urinary excretion of unchanged hydroquinine 24 h after the first dose was 35.5+/-9.2 mg.

CONCLUSION

Pharmacokinetic properties of hydroquinine are roughly similar to those of quinine. The unchanged fraction of hydroquinine excreted in urine is higher than that reported for quinine. Saliva hydroquinine concentrations could not be related to serum values. Steady-state trough or other fixed-time serum concentrations may prove useful for further optimisation of hydroquinine dosage.

Development of a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for hydroquinone

Hydroquinone (HQ) produces nephrotoxicity and renal tubular adenomas in male F344 rats following 2 years of oral dosing. Female F344 and SD rats are comparatively resistant to these effects. Nephrotoxicity and tumorigenicity have been associated with a minor glutathione conjugation pathway following the oxidation of HQ to benzoquinone (BQ). The majority of administered doses (90-99%) consists of glucuronide and sulfate conjugates of HQ. An initial physiologically based pharmacokinetic model was developed to characterize the role of kinetics in the strain differences observed in HQ-induced renal toxicity and tumorigenicity. Partition coefficients, protein-binding, and metabolic rate constants were determined directly or estimated from a series of in vivo and in vitro studies. Metabolism was confined to the liver and GI tract. The total flux through the glutathione pathway represented the "internal dose" of HQ for nephrotoxicity. Simulations were compared to a variety of data from male and female F344 rats, male SD rats, and a single male human volunteer. Simulations of intraperitoneal administration resulted in higher amounts of glutathione conjugates than comparable oral doses. This was consistent with protein-binding and toxicity studies and emphasized the importance of first-pass GI tract metabolism. In addition, male F344 rats were predicted to form more total glutathione conjugates than SD rats at equivalent dose levels, which was also consistent with the observed strain differences in renal toxicity. This model represents the first stage in the development of a biologically based dose-response model for improving the scientific basis for human health risk assessments of HQ.

The effects of an alpha hydroxy acid (glycolic acid) on hairless guinea pig skin permeability

The barrier integrity of hairless guinea pig skin after treatment with an alpha hydroxy acid was assessed through in vivo topical application of an oil-in-water emulsion containing 5 or 10% glycolic acid at pH 3.0. The control was a commercial moisturizing lotion, pH 7.8. A dosing regimen for the glycolic acid formulations that was tolerated by the hairless guinea pigs and significantly decreased stratum corneum turnover time was determined using the dansyl chloride staining technique. Once-daily dosing of hairless guinea pig skin for 3 weeks with the glycolic acid formulations resulted in approximately a 36-39% decrease in stratum corneum turnover time compared with the control lotion. After this treatment, hairless guinea pigs were sacrificed for the in vitro measurement of the percutaneous absorption of [14C]hydroquinone and [14C]musk xylol. No significant differences in the 24-hour absorption of either test compound were found for skin treated with the control lotion or the glycolic acid formulations. There were also no significant differences found in the absorption of [3H]water through skin from the different treatment groups. Although no increase in skin penetration occurred after treatment with the glycolic acid formulations, histology revealed approximately a twofold increase in epidermal thickness. Also the number of nucleated cell layers nearly doubled in skin treated with 5% and 10% glycolic acid compared with the control lotion and untreated skin. These studies demonstrate that substantial changes in the structure of hairless guinea pig epidermis can occur without significant effect on skin permeability of two model compounds.

Simultaneous measurement of prostaglandin and arachidonoyl CoA formed from arachidonic acid in rabbit kidney medulla microsomes: the roles of Zn2+ and Cu2+ as modulators of formation of the two products

Under physiological conditions, small amounts of free arachidonic acid (AA) is released from membrane phospholipids, and cyclooxygenase (COX) and acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) act competitively on this fatty acid to form prostaglandins (PGs) and arachidonoyl-CoA (AA-CoA). To date, there is no information about the factors deciding the metabolic fate of free AA into these two pathways. In this study, we tried to establish a method for the simultaneous measurement of PG and AA-CoA synthesis from exogenous AA in microsomes from rabbit kidney medulla. The kidney medulla microsomes were incubated with [14C]-AA in 0.1 M-Tris/HCI buffer (pH 8.0) containing cofactors of COX (reduced glutathione and hydroquinone) and cofactors of ACS (ATP, MgCl2 and CoA). After incubation, PG (as total PGs), AA-CoA and residual AA were separated by selective extraction using petroleum ether and ethyl acetate. When 60 microM AA was used as the substrate, indomethacin (an inhibitor of COX) and triacsin C (an inhibitor of ACS) reduced only PG and AA-CoA formation, respectively. On the other hand, when 5 microM AA was used as the substrate, indomethacin and triacsin C came to increase significantly the AA-CoA and PG formation, respectively. Thus, the experiments utilizing indomethacin and triacsin C revealed that the incubation using 60 microM AA can simultaneously detect the changes in the activities of COX and ACS caused by drugs, while the incubation using 5 microM AA can detect the changes in the product formation elicited by the resulting shunt of AA. Further, using these incubation conditions, the effects of Zn2+ and Cu2+ on the PG and AA-CoA formation were examined. Zn2+ inhibited the AA-CoA synthesis from 60 microM AA without affecting the PG synthesis. In contrast, when 5 microM AA was used as the substrate, a significant increase in the PG formation was observed in the presence of this ion, indicating that drug actions on the PG formation from AA by the kidney medulla microsomes may change depending on the substrate concentration. On the other hand, Cu2+ increased PG synthesis and inhibited AA-CoA synthesis from both 60 and 5 microM AA. These results suggest that the simultaneous measurements of PG and AA-CoA formation by the kidney medulla microsomes under high (60 microM) and low (5 microM) substrate concentrations can investigate the direct and indirect actions of drugs on the COX and ACS activities, and are useful for clarifying the haemostatic control of the metabolic fate of AA into the two enzymatic pathways. Furthermore, this study showed that Zn2+ and Cu2+ can modulate PG and AA-CoA formation by affecting COX activity, ACS activity, and/or the AA flow into the two enzymatic pathways.

Bioavailability and metabolism of hydroquinone after intratracheal instillation in male rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the rate and extent of hydroquinone (HQ) absorption and first pass metabolism in the lungs of male rats in vivo. [14C]HQ in physiological saline was administered intratracheally via an indwelling endotracheal tube to simulate inhalation exposure to HQ dust. The bioavailability of HQ was determined by blood sampling simultaneously at arterial and venous sites beginning immediately after administration to conscious rats. Pulmonary absorption and metabolism, and systemic metabolism and elimination were determined by chromatographic analysis of parent compound and metabolites in blood samples after intratracheal administration of [14C]HQ at 0.1, 1.0, and 10 mg/kg. Pulmonary absorption of HQ was found to be very rapid with [14C]HQ detectable in arterial blood, and to a lesser extent in venous blood, within 5 to 10 s after dose administration. Only [14C]HQ was detected in the initial (5-10 s) arterial blood samples at all dose levels, indicating that pulmonary metabolism of HQ was not extensive. However, later blood samples (45-720 s) indicated rapid metabolism and elimination of the parent compound and metabolites after intratracheal absorption. The elimination half-life from the 0.1 mg/kg dose was allometrically scaled to human proportions and used to estimate the steady-state (maximum) human blood concentrations of HQ resulting from presupposed workplace exposures. The estimates indicated minimal levels of HQ in human blood after respiratory exposures of greater than 1 h at 0.1 or 2.0 mg/m3; these levels were less than background concentrations of HQ detected in human blood in previous studies.

Prodrug for bioreductive activation-independent delivery of menahydroquinone-4: human liver enzymatic activation and its action in warfarin-poisoned human liver

The N,N-dimethylglycine esters of menahydroquinone-4 (1-mono, 1; 4-mono, 2; 1,4-bis, 3) were established in previous reports as prodrugs that could achieve the systemic bioreductive activation-independent delivery of menahydroquinone-4 (MKH), the active form of menaquinone-4 (MK-4), in rat. The present study was undertaken to investigate if the prodrugs could undergo cleavage to parent drug (MKH) by a human tissues enzyme catalyzed hydrolytic pathway, the mechanism of the prodrugs for vitamin K-dependent carboxylation in human liver and their action in the warfarin poisoned human liver. The hydrolysis of the esters was shown to be catalyzed by esterases located in human liver but not in human plasma. The susceptibility of the esters to undergo human liver esterase hydrolysis was affected by the esterified position: 1>2>3. By using a human liver microsomal test system, the stimulation of vitamin K-dependent carboxylation with the prodrugs was determined. The prodrug could stimulate the carboxylation activity in the absence of dithiothreitol, an artificial activator of the reductive activation pathway of MK-4. The carboxylation activity of the prodrug was strongly inhibited in the presence of eserine, an esterase inhibitor. The prodrug could also stimulate the carboxylase under warfarin-poisoned conditions, where the vitamin K cycle was strongly inhibited. The results confirmed that the prodrug could generate MKH in human liver (active site), and that the resultant MKH could act as a cofactor for the carboxylase without reductive activation processes of MK-4 to MKH. Such bioreductive activation-independent vitamin K-dependent carboxylation characteristic of the prodrug leads to enhanced pharmacological efficacy in the treatment of hypoprothrombinaemia induced in patients with coumarin and cephalosporin therapies.

Distribution and excretion of radiolabelled tert-butylhydroquinone in Fischer 344 rats

Uniformly 14C-ring-labelled tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) was diluted with non-radioactive TBHQ and administered orally (for excretion studies) to Fischer 344 rats. An average of 72.9% and 10.6% of the administered radioactivity was recovered in the urine and faeces, respectively, of male rats, and 77.3% and 8.2% in the urine and faeces, respectively, of female rats in 4 days. No significant sex-related differences were found in either excretion, tissue distribution or urinary metabolites of TBHQ-derived radiolabel. For distribution studies, intraperitoneal doses were administered to female rats, and tissue levels of radiolabel were determined at various times after dosing. The parent compound quickly disappeared from tissue in vivo. The highest concentrations of radiolabel were found in the liver and kidneys. The urinary metabolites consisted of conjugated TBHQ and unidentified polar substance(s).

Human in vivo and in vitro hydroquinone topical bioavailability, metabolism, and disposition

Hydroquinone is a ubiquitous chemical readily available as monographed in cosmetic and nonprescription forms for skin lightening, and is an important industrial chemical. The in vivo bioavailability for 24-h application in humans was 45.3+/-11.2% of dose from a 2% cream formulation containing [14C]hydroquinone, with the majority of radioactivity excreted in the first 24 h. Timed skin wash and skin tape-stripping sequences showed a rapid and continuous movement of hydroquinone into the stratum corneum of human volunteers. Plasma levels taken both ipsilateral and contralateral to the topical dosing site contained radioactivity at the first 0.5-h sampling time. Peak plasma radioactivity was at 4 h in the 8-h blood sampling period. In vitro percutaneous absorption with fresh viable human skin gave a bioavailability of 43.3% of dose, and flux was calculated at 2.85 microg/cm2/h. In vitro, some of the skin samples were pretreated with the metabolic inhibitor sodium azide, which had no effect on percutaneous absorption. Receptor fluid accumulations and 24-h skin samples were extracted and the extracts subjected to thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Control [14C]hydroquinone extraction and TLC had one radioactivity peak, hydroquinone. Receptor fluid and skin extraction had a second peak with the same Rf as benzoquinone, which was decreased with azide treatment. No other peaks were found. Ethyl acetate extraction of urine from the in vivo study showed all radioactivity to be only water-soluble, free hydroquinone released following glucuronidase treatment. Risk assessment should not only involve the bioavailability of intact topical hydroquinone, but also consider phase I and phase II metabolism in both humans and any animal for which toxicity potential was assessed.

Role of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase in xenobiotic activation. II. Biological effects resulting from the Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase-accelerated oxidation of the benzene metabolite 1,4-hydroquinone

Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD)-accelerated oxidation of the benzene metabolite 1,4-hydroquinone (HQ) results in the enhanced formation of semiquinone anion radicals, electrophilic 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ), and H202. We selected bone marrow stromal cells and phiX-174 double stranded plasmid DNA as model systems to investigate the cytotoxicity and DNA cleaving activity of the Cu/Zn-SOD-mediated activation of HQ. The addition of either Cu/Zn-SOD or Min-SOD to the primary bone marrow stromal cell cultures significantly enhanced HQ-induced cytotoxicity, which could be completely prevented by adding reduced glutathione (GSH) or dithiothreitol but not be adding catalase. Incubation of the plasmid DNA with the HQ/Cu/Zn-SOD system resulted in the induction of single- as well as double-strand breaks, which could be inhibited by catalase and the Cu(I) chelators, bathocuproinedisulfonic acid (BCS) and GSH. Although Mn-SOD could enhance HQ-induced cytotoxicity to stromal cells, the activation of HQ by Mn-SOD did not contribute to the induction of DNA strand breaks. Similar to the HQ/Cu(II) and H202/Cu(II) systems, the DNA strand breaks mediated by HQ/Cu/Zn-SOD could not be effectively inhibited by the hydroxyl radical scavengers, including dimethylsulfoxide, mannitol, and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide, but could be protected by sodium azide. Low-temperature electron spin resonance experiments showed that incubation of Cu/Znu-SOD with HQ resulted in the release of copper from the Cu/Zn-SOD, which could be prevented by catalase. Alpha-(4-Pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (POBN)/spin-trapping studies demonstrated that the interaction of HQ with Cu/Zn-SOD, but not with Mn-SOD, resulted in the significant formation of POBN-CH3 adduct in the presence of dimethylsulfoxide, suggesting the production of hydroxyl radical or its equivalent from this enzyme/xenobiotic interaction. The formation of the POBN-CH3 adduct from the HQ/Cu/Zn-SOD could be inhibited by catalase, BCS or GSH, indicating the important role for H202 and Cu(I) in the production of reactive oxygen species. Addition of human myeloperoxidase to the HQ/Cu/Zn-SOD synergistically enhanced the formation of BQ from HQ. This enhancement could be abolished by catalase. Taken together, these results demonstrate that activation of HQ by either Cu/Zn-SOD or Mn-SOD results in cytotoxicity to primary bone marrow stromal cells through the formation of electrophilic BQ. Interaction of HQ with Cu/Zn-SOD causes oxidative damage to Cu/Zn-SOD, leading to the release of copper from the enzyme. The further reaction between the released copper and H202 generates reactive oxygen species that participate in the induction of strand breaks in plasmid DNA. The H202 generated from the Cu/Zn-SOD-accelerated oxidation of HQ can also be utilized by myeloperoxidase resulting in additional conversion of HQ to BQ.

Role of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase in xenobiotic activation. I. Chemical reactions involved in the Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase-accelerated oxidation of the benzene metabolite 1,4-hydroquinone

Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) has been shown to modulate the autoxidation of a variety of phenoic compounds, including 1,4-hydroquinone (HQ), a benzene-derived metabolite. The acceleration of autoxidation of HQ by Cu/Zn-SOD results in the production of 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ). It has been proposed that the chemical mechanism involved in the Cu/Zn-SOD-catalyzed autoxidation of HQ may be occur through either its conventional activity as a superoxide:superoxide oxidoreductase or as a semiquinone:superoxide oxidoreductase. However, Cu/Zn-SOD-accelerated oxidation of HQ has not been resolved experimentally. In this study, with ESR spectroscopy we investigated further the chemical reactions involved in the SOD-accelerated oxidation of HQ. In phosphate-buffered saline (PSB), HQ underwent a slow autoxidation to BQ, which was accelerated by Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, or Fe-SOD with similar efficiency. In contrast, among free metals, only Cu(II) strongly mediated the oxidation of HQ to BQ. Mn(II) exhibited a slight capacity to oxidize HQ, whereas neither FE(II) nor FE(III) was capable of modulating the autoxidation of HG. The presence of either form of SOD also dramatically enhanced the formation of semiquinone anion radicals SQ-. from HQ. The SOD-accelerated oxidation of HQ was also accompanied by the generation of H202. In PBS containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) (PBS/BSA), HQ did not undergo autoxidation to SQ-., and as such the presence of SOD was unable to induce the formation of either SQ-. or BQ or the consumption of O2. The addition of 10 microM BQ to HQ (100 or 1000 microM) in PBS/BSA resulted in the formation of SQ-. and initiated a slow rate of oxidation of HQ to BQ. In this case, the presence of Cu/Zn-SOD strongly accelerated the oxidation of HQ to SQ-. and BQ and the utilization of O2. Furthermore, the enhancement by Cu/Zn-SOD of the generation of SQ-. or BQ from HQ in PBS/BSA was extensively inhibited under anaerobic conditions. The enhancement of SQ-. generation from HQ by all three forms of SOD does not support the possibility that Cu/Zn-SOD can oxidize SQ-. to BQ. Taken together, this study demonstrates that unlike free copper, Cu/Zn-SOD does not directly interact with HQ to cause its oxidation to BQ. Rather, the autoxidation of HQ to SQ-. is a prerequisite for the enhancing capacity of Cu/Zn-SOD, and the dismutation of superoxide anion radicals generated from the SQ-. in the presence of O2 appears to be the underlying mechanism responsible for the enhancement by Cu/Zn-SOD of the oxidation of HQ.

Vitamin K prodrugs: 2. water-soluble prodrugs of menahydroquinone-4 for systemic site-specific delivery

PURPOSE

The hydrochloride salts of the N,N-dimethylglycine esters of menahydroquinone-4 (1-mono, 1; 4-mono, 2; and 1,4-bis, 3) were assessed in vivo as prodrug for the systemic site-specific delivery system of menahydroquinone-4 (MKH), the active form of menaquinone-4 (MK-4, vitamin K2(20)).

METHODS

The disposition of MK-4 and menaquinone-4 epoxide (MKO) following the intravenous administration of the prodrugs and MK-4 preparation solubilized with surfactant (H-MK-4) were studied in vitamin K cycle inhibited rats. The relative bioavailability of MKH after the administration of the prodrugs was assessed from the area under the plasma concentration of MKO vs. time curve (AUCMKO). The specific delivery of MKH to its active site (liver) and coagulation activity after the administration of selected prodrug 1 were then compared with those of H-MK-4 in warfarin poisoned rats.

RESULTS

All compounds showed linear pharmacokinetics, and significant bioavailability of MKH was also observed following the administration of 1 (188%), 2 (87%) and 3 (135%). Prodrug 1 caused the following increases; AUCliver of MKO from 70.7 +/- 5.77 (H-MK-4) to 167 +/- 7.89 nmol.h/g, MRTliver of MKO, from 3.87 +/- 0.307 to 8.57 +/- 0.432 h. The liver accumulation of intrinsic 1 reached a maximum (88% of dose) by 0.25 h. The rapid and liver-selective uptake and liver esterase mediated MKH regeneration characteristics of 1 enhanced the delivery of MKH to its active site and the selective advantage was increased 5.7 fold. The coagulation activity was extended 1.9 fold by 1 administration.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that these highly water-soluble and liver-esterase hydrolyzable ester derivatives of MKH are potential candidates for parenteral prodrugs which can thus achieve the systemic site-specific delivery of MKH. Such effective and selective delivery of MKH to its active site can therefore lead to enhanced pharmacological efficacy and can also avoid the toxicity induced by the solubilizing agent used in the H-MK-4 preparation.

The percutaneous absorption of hydroquinone (HQ) through rat and human skin in vitro

Because of the potential for human contact with photographic developer solutions containing hydroquinone (HQ), the rates of percutaneous absorption of HQ through human stratum corneum and full-thickness rat skin have been measured in vitro using 5% aqueous solutions of HQ as the donor solutions. The studies were performed using infinite doses of aqueous solutions containing 14C-labeled HQ in Franz-type diffusion cells. The measured absorption rate (mean +/- S.D.) of HQ through human stratum corneum was 0.52 +/- 0.13 micrograms/cm2/h, while that for full-thickness rat skin was 1.1 +/- 0.65 micrograms/cm2/h. The ratio (rat/human) of the permeability constants (Kp) was 2.4. Using the definitions suggested by Marzulli et al. (1969) Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. Suppl. 3, 76-83, HQ would be classified as 'slow' with respect to its absorption through human stratum corneum.

In vitro conjugation of benzene metabolites by human liver: potential influence of interindividual variability on benzene toxicity

In addition to industrial sources, benzene is present in the environment as a component of cigarette smoke and automobile emissions. Toxicity of benzene most likely results from oxidative metabolism of benzene to reactive products. However, susceptibility to these toxic effects may be related to a balance between activation (phase I) and detoxication (phase II) reactions. In the present study, we have estimated kinetic parameters of the two major detoxication reactions for benzene metabolites--phenol sulfation and hydroquinone glucuronidation--in liver subcellular fractions from 10 humans, and single samples from mice and rats. The extent of oxidative metabolism of benzene by these liver samples has been reported previously. Here, initial rates of phenol sulfation varied 3-fold (range 0.309-0.919 nmol/mg protein/min) among human samples. Measured rates were faster in rats (1.195 nmol/mg protein/min) than in mice (0.458 nmol/mg protein/min). Initial rates of hydroquinone glucuronidation by human samples also varied 3-fold (range 0.101-0.281 nmol/mg protein/min). Hydroquinone glucuronidation was more rapid by mouse microsomes (0.218 nmol/mg protein/min) than by rat microsomes (0.077 nmol/mg protein/min). To integrate interindividual differences in various enzyme activities, a physiological compartmental model was developed that incorporates rates of both conjugation reactions and oxidation reactions. Model equations were solved for steady-state concentrations of phenol and hydroquinone attained in human, mouse and rat blood during continuous exposure to benzene (0.01 microM in blood). Among the 10 human subjects, steady-state concentrations of phenol varied 6-fold (range 0.38-2.17 nM) and steady-state concentrations of hydroquinone varied 5-fold (range 6.66-31.44 nM). Predicted steady-state concentrations of phenol were higher in mice compared with rats (2.28 and 0.83 nM respectively). Likewise, higher steady-state concentrations of hydroquinone were predicted in mice than in rats (42.44 and 17.99 nM respectively). Predicted steady-state concentrations of phenol and hydroquinone in mice were higher than predictions for the 10 human subjects, whereas predicted concentrations for rats fell among the human values. As such, our results underscore the importance of considering the balance between activation and detoxication reactions in the elimination of toxicants. Model simulations suggest that both phase I and phase II pathways influence the relative risk from exposure to benzene.

Experimental studies on the toxicity of lithographic developer solution

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the toxicity of a lithographic developer solution which contains hydroquinone is caused by hydroquinone or the alkaline lithographic developer solution. Male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups. In four groups, rats were dosed orally with 3% hydroquinone or 3% hydroquinone in 3% lithographic developer solution. Hydroquinone levels were measured after one and 24 hours. In two groups, rats were dosed orally with 6% hydroquinone or 6% hydroquinone in lithographic developer solution. In the seventh group, rats received the alkaline solution only. Hydroquinone measurement was made using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Hydroquinone was rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and subsequently distributed throughout the body. Nearly all hydroquinone was excreted in the urine as either a glucuronide or a sulfate (78-82%) within 24 hours. All rats administered 6% hydroquinone in non-alkaline vehicle died, but the mortality rate of rats administered 6% hydroquinone in lithographic developer solution was 60%. Tissue hydroquinone was lower at one hour and 24 hours after administration in lithographic developer solution than in equal dose of hydroquinone in non-alkaline vehicle suggesting decreased absorption in an alkaline pH. Hydroquinone was not associated with gross pathologic changes of the intestine but all animals treated with lithographic developer solution or alkaline solution had congestion, hemorrhagic petechiae and purple-brown discoloration throughout the small intestine. The combination of alkaline/formaldehyde diluent with hydroquinone may delay hydroquinone absorption but increase the risk of intestinal necrosis.

Vitamin K prodrugs: 1. Synthesis of amino acid esters of menahydroquinone-4 and enzymatic reconversion to an active form

The efficacy and toxicity of vitamin K depends on the pathway and the extent of enzymatic reductive activation to vitamin K hydroquinone, which is an essential cofactor for the synthesis of clotting factors. Parenteral use of vitamin K is impaired by its water insolubility. With the aim to improve delivery problems associated with menahydroquinone-4 (MKH, 2), an active form of menaquinone-4, N,N-dimethylglycine esters of 2 (1-mono, 4-mono, and 1,4-bis) were synthesized and assessed as potential water-soluble prodrugs for parenteral use. The esters can deliver the hydroquinone to its active site without a quinone reductive activation step. The hydrochloride salts of the esters were found to be quite soluble in water. The hydrolysis of the esters in 20% rat liver homogenate 9000 x g supernatant, rat plasma and phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, at 37 degrees C was kinetically studied in the presence and absence of an esterase inhibitor. The hydrolysis was catalyzed by esterases located in the rat liver and rat plasma and quantitatively yielded 2. These results suggest that esterification of 2 with N,N-dimethylglycine is a promising way for obtaining water-soluble prodrug forms of 2. Based on the high susceptibility to liver esterase, the esters are potential prodrugs for achieving the site-specific delivery of 2.

Pharmacokinetic interaction between benzene metabolites, phenol and hydroquinone, in B6C3F1 mice

There is strong evidence that metabolites are responsible for adverse effects of benzene. Benzene myelotoxicity, reproduced by coadministering phenol (PH) and hydroquinone (HQ) but not when these benzene metabolites were administered alone, has been postulated to be induced by PH stimulating the myeloperoxidase-mediated oxidation of HQ to the toxic 1,4-benzoquinone in bone marrow. A pharmacokinetic interaction between PH and HQ is also hypothesized to contribute to the observation. Both metabolites are sulfoconjugated and glucuronoconjugated. Sulfoconjugation of phenolic substrates has been shown to approach saturation at high concentrations in rats. Thus, more PH may be converted to HQ and HQ conjugation may be diminished. These effects would increase the amounts of PH and HQ present and result (by further oxidation) in the formation of more 1,4-benzoquinone. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the pharmacokinetics in blood and the recovery of hydroquinone and phenol in urine when the metabolites were administered intraperitoneally alone or in combination at 75 mg/kg each to B6C3F1 mice. The combination resulted in a 2.6-fold increase in the area under the blood concentration-time curve (AUC) of HQ compared to the sum of AUC values observed after administration of each compound alone. The half-life of HQ was also increased from 9 +/- 2 to 15 +/- 3 min. The AUC of PH was increased by a factor of 1.4. The clearance of phenol decreased from 89 +/- 13 ml/min per kilogram when injected alone to 62 +/- 7 ml/min per kilogram after coadministration. A decreased clearance of formation of each conjugate demonstrated that both conjugation pathways were diminished. This interaction may contribute to the observed production of myelotoxicity when these metabolites are coadministered.

Oxygen radical formation during prostaglandin H synthase-mediated biotransformation of butylated hydroxyanisole

The dominant metabolic pathway of the presumably carcinogenic food antioxidant 2(3)-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) includes O-demethylation to 2-tert-butyl(1,4)hydroquinone (TBHQ) and subsequent peroxidation to 2-tert-butyl(1,4)paraquinone (TBQ). In order to determine the ability of TBHQ to induce the formation of oxygen radicals, electron spin resonance measurements were performed in presence and absence of peroxidases. ESR analyses showed that prostaglandin H synthase resulted in a substantially accelerated metabolism of TBHQ into TBQ, which is accompanied by formation of superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide. Spectrophotometric measurements revealed that prostaglandin H synthase and lipoxygenase are both capable of converting TBHQ into TBQ. In order to determine the effect of prostaglandin H synthase on BHA (dose-level: 1.5% BHA of the diet) metabolism in vivo, we coadministered two inhibitors of prostaglandin H synthase acetylsalicylic acid and indomethacin, with BHA to rats. Coadministration of acetylsalicylic acid (0.2%) in the drinking water resulted in a significant increase of urinary TBHQ excretion. Both acetylsalicylic acid and indomethacin (dose-level: 0.002% in the drinking water) induced a significant decrease in TBQ excretion into urine. Co-oxidation by prostaglandin H synthase of the BHA-metabolite TBHQ into TBQ, yielding reactive oxygen species might therefore be responsible for the carcinogenic and toxic responses elicited by this antioxidant.

Cell-specific metabolism in mouse bone marrow stroma: studies of activation and detoxification of benzene metabolites

Two of the major cell types in bone marrow stroma, macrophages and fibroblasts, have been shown to be important regulators of both myelopoiesis and lymphopoiesis. The enzymology relating to cell-specific metabolism of phenolic metabolites of benzene in isolated mouse bone marrow stromal cells was examined. Fibroblastoid stromal cells had elevated glutathione-S-transferase (4.5-fold) and DT-diaphorase (4-fold) activity relative to macrophages, whereas macrophages demonstrated increased UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDP-GT, 7.5-fold) and peroxidase activity relative to stromal fibroblasts. UDP-GT and glutathione-S-transferase activities in macrophages and fibroblasts, respectively, were significantly greater than those in unpurified white marrow. Aryl sulfotransferase activity could not be detected in either bone marrow-derived macrophages or fibroblasts, and there were no significant differences in GSH content between the two cell types. Because UDP-GT activity is high in macrophages, these data suggest that DT-diaphorase levels would be rate limiting in the detoxification of benzene-derived quinones in bone marrow macrophages. The peroxidase responsible for bioactivation of benzene-derived phenolic metabolites in bone marrow macrophages is unknown but has been suggested to be prostaglandin H synthase (PGS). Hydrogen peroxide, but not arachidonic acid, supported metabolism of hydroquinone to reactive species in bone marrow-derived macrophage lysates. These data do not support a major role for PGS in peroxidase-mediated bioactivation of hydroquinone in bone marrow-derived macrophages, although PGS mRNA could be detected in these cells. Similarly, hydrogen peroxide, but not arachidonic acid, supported metabolism of hydroquinone in a human bone marrow homogenate. Peroxidase-mediated interactions between phenolic metabolites of benzene occurred in bone marrow-derived macrophages. Bioactivation of hydroquinone to species that would bind to acid-insoluble cellular macromolecules was increased by phenol and was markedly stimulated by catechol. Bioactivation of catechol was also stimulated by phenol but was inhibited by hydroquinone. These data define the enzymology and the cell-specific metabolism of benzene metabolites in bone marrow stroma and demonstrate that interactions between phenolic metabolites may contribute to the toxicity of benzene in this critical bone marrow compartment.

Peroxidative activation of o-phenylhydroquinone leads to the formation of DNA adducts in HL-60 cells

Using 32P-postlabeling we studied DNA adduct formation in HL-60 cells treated with the o-phenylphenol metabolites o-phenylhydroquinone (o-PHQ) and o-phenylbenzoquinone (o-PBQ). Treatment with 25-500 microM o-PHQ for 8 h produced one principal and three minor adducts with a relative distribution of 80, 10, 6 and 4%. The relative adduct levels from these treatments were 0.26-2.31 adducts/10(7) nucleotides. Treatment with 25-250 microM o-PBQ for 2 h resulted in a similar level of DNA modification and adduct distribution. Reaction of purified calf thymus DNA with o-PBQ produced one DNA adduct, which did not correspond to the major adduct produced in HL-60 cells. These results show that o-PHQ and o-PBQ can form DNA adducts. Peroxidase activation of o-phenylphenol may therefore play a role in the carcinogenic effect of this compound.

Glutathione-dependent toxicity

1. Recent studies show that glutathione conjugate formation is an important bioactivation mechanism for several groups of compounds with implications for organ-selective toxicity and carcinogenicity. 2. Vicinal dihaloalkanes, such as 1,2-dihaloethanes, yield S-(2-haloalkyl)glutathione conjugates that give rise to highly electrophilic episulphonium ions, which are involved in the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of 1,2-dihaloethanes. 3. Nephrotoxic haloalkenes are metabolized to S-(haloalkenyl)- or S-(haloalkyl)-glutathione conjugates which, after metabolism to the corresponding cysteine conjugates, are bioactivated by renal cysteine conjugate beta-lyase to yield cytotoxic or mutagenic metabolites. 4. Finally, hepatic glutathione conjugate formation with hydroquinones and aminophenols yields conjugates that are directed to gamma-glutamyltransferase-rich tissues, such as the kidney, where they undergo alkylation or redox cycling reactions, or both, that cause organ-selective damage.

Evaluation of genotoxicity of tert.-butylhydroquinone in an hepatocyte-mediated assay with V79 Chinese hamster lung cells and in strain D7 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

tert.-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) has been reported to be genotoxic in some short-term assays but non-genotoxic in others. We have examined cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of TBHQ, a principal metabolite of the phenolic antioxidant 2(3)-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA), in an hepatocyte-mediated assay with V79 Chinese hamster lung cells including both sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) and thioguanine-resistance (TGR) endpoints. The ability of BHA and of TBHQ to elicit a genotoxic response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain D7 was also investigated. In V79 cytotoxicity tests, TBHQ without hepatocytes produced a 50% reduction in colony formation at 4.2 micrograms/ml and was lethal to 100% of the cells at concentrations above 5 micrograms/ml. At partially cytotoxic dose levels, (0.17-3.4 micrograms/ml of medium), TBHQ sometimes increased significantly the frequency of SCE. TBHQ also produced sporadic statistically significant increases in the mutation frequency at the HGPRTase (TGR) gene locus when tested alone or with activation by rat or hamster hepatocytes. Mitotic gene conversion and reverse mutation were not induced in strain D7 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by exposure to BHA or to TBHQ for 4 h at concentrations as high as 200 micrograms/ml for BHA or 500 micrograms/ml for TBHQ, either alone or with activation by rat-liver S9. Incubation of the yeast cells with BHA or TBHQ for 24 h in growth medium without activation also did not induce genotoxic activity. The slight and sporadic response to TBHQ in the V79 test system may indicate weak genotoxicity which is sensitive to slight differences in test conditions. The classification and test strategies adopted for compounds such as TBHQ could have important implications for regulatory decisions and for the validation of short-term tests.

2-Bromohydroquinone-induced toxicity to rabbit renal proximal tubules: the role of biotransformation, glutathione, and covalent binding

2-Bromohydroquinone (BHQ) is a model toxic hydroquinone and plays an important role in bromobenzene-induced nephrotoxicity. Proximal tubules isolated to contain decreased glutathione (GSH) levels were at least twice as sensitive to the GSH depleting effects of BHQ and BHQ-induced mitochondrial dysfunction as were tubules with "normal" (i.e., in vivo) GSH content. The decrease in tubular GSH content resulted from BHQ-GSH conjugate formation. A mono-GSH conjugate (2-bromo-3-(glutathion-S-yl)hydroquinone) and a di-GSH conjugate (2-bromo-3,5- or 6-(diglutathion-S-yl)hydroquinone) were identified. In addition, a glucuronide conjugate was identified (2-bromo-1- or 4-O-glucuronylhydroquinone). BHQ-GSH conjugates were not responsible for BHQ-induced toxicity since (1) tubules with normal levels of GSH were more resistant to BHQ-induced toxicity even though they formed more BHQ-GSH conjugates than tubules with decreased GSH levels and (2) inhibition of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase did not prevent BHQ-induced toxicity. BHQ-equivalents bound covalently to tubular protein in a concentration-, time-, and temperature-dependent manner with the majority of the binding (61%) occurring during the first 15 min after exposure to 0.2 mM BHQ. Tubules pretreated with GSH underwent less BHQ-protein alkylation and mitochondrial dysfunction, and the amount of BHQ recovered and BHQ-di-GSH conjugate formed increased. These data suggest that BHQ is biotransformed to a reactive intermediate (2-bromoquinone and/or 2-bromosemiquinone) and that this intermediate can react with GSH to form BHQ-GSH conjugates and/or bind covalently to tubular protein which may result in mitochondrial dysfunction and tubular death.

Disposition of single oral doses of butylated hydroxyanisole in man and rat

The kinetics and metabolism of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) have been compared between man and rats. Oral doses of 2, 20 or 200 mg BHA/kg body weight were administered to male Wistar rats and a single oral dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight was administered to human volunteers (non-smoking males). Following oral administration of 2 or 20 mg BHA/kg body weight to rats, no plasma BHA profiles were observed, whereas at the 200 mg BHA/kg body weight dose level plasma BHA peak concentrations between 100 and 400 ng/ml were detected. Plasma BHA peak levels and the area under the curve show that the application of 15% polyethylene glycol-400 as the vehicle produced significantly lower values compared with those obtained using the vehicles, salad dressing, corn oil and dimethylsulphoxide. In man, oral administration of 0.5 mg BHA/kg body weight dissolved in corn oil gave plasma BHA peak concentrations of greater value than 100 ng/ml (range 53 to 255 ng/ml). In rats, 24 hr after dosing 2, 20 or 200 mg BHA/kg body weight the mean BHA concentrations in adipose tissue ranged from 0.7 to 6.8 micrograms/g. In man and rats, BHA was O-demethylated to tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ). This is the first study to report that TBHQ is an in vivo metabolite of BHA in rats. Within 4 days following oral administration the total recovery of BHA in the urine and faeces of man (0.5 mg BHA/kg body weight) and rats (200 mg BHA/kg body weight) was 49 +/- 7% and 95 +/- 10% (mean +/- SD) respectively. In rats, BHA was excreted in the urine as free BHA (2%), conjugated BHA (48%) and conjugated TBHQ (9%) and in the faeces as free BHA (36%). In man, BHA was excreted in the urine mainly as conjugated BHA (39%) together with smaller amount of conjugated TBHQ (9%); no free BHA was found in the urine or faeces. In man and rats only the fraction of BHA excreted in urine as conjugates of BHA and TBHQ was qualitatively and quantitatively comparable. Results in this study indicate a considerable difference in the biological fate of BHA following oral administration of high and low doses of BHA in rat and man, respectively.

Intracellular pH measurements using flow cytometry with 1,4-diacetoxy-2,3-dicyanobenzene

1,4-Diacetoxy-2,3-dicyanobenzene (ADB) has been increasingly used for measurement of intracellular pH by flow cytometry. ADB rapidly enters cells and is cleaved to the fluorescent pH indicator 2,3-dicyano-hydroquinone (DCH). We have analyzed several potential problems that can affect its usefulness as a pH indicator. Hydrolysis of ADB in aqueous solutions reveals the temporary presence of a fluorescent species blue-shifted from DCH at the same pH. The presence of this species with DCH can lead to erroneous pH measurements. Stable pH measurements with ADB depend on the incubation conditions and esterase activity. Heated cells required 20 min for stable measurements, whereas control cells required 5 to 10 min. The reproducibility of pH measurements was excellent, with a resolution of less than or equal to 0.05 pH units in the range of 6.4 to 8.0. Absolute calibration curves of intracellular pH using the ionophore nigericin depended on matching the intracellular K+ concentration with the buffer, but relative measurements of intracellular pH were insensitive to K+. ADB was nontoxic to Chinese hamster ovary cells at up to 20 micrograms/ml. However, when cells loaded with dye were passed through a UV laser beam, concentrations of dye greater than 5 micrograms/ml were highly toxic. Viable cells could be sorted on the basis of intracellular pH if ADB were used at low concentrations.

Percutaneous absorption of hydroquinone in humans: effect of 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one (azone) and the 2-ethylhexyl ester of 4-(dimethylamino)benzoic acid (Escalol 507)

Hydroquinone was found to penetrate readily human forehead skin in vivo following a single topical exposure, in an alcoholic vehicle, of 24 h duration. Percutaneous absorption was estimated using radiotracer methodology and 14C-labeled hydroquinone. The effects of a penetration enhancer, 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one, and a sunscreen, the 2-ethylhexyl ester of 4-(dimethylamino)benzoic acid, on the percutaneous absorption of hydroquinone were investigated. In vivo penetration of hydroquinone was significantly decreased (a less than 0.05) by the addition of the 2-ethylhexyl ester of 4-(dimethylamino)benzoic acid (3% w/w) to the vehicle. The penetration enhancer, 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one (0.5% w/w), did not significantly increase (a greater than 0.05) the absorption of hydroquinone. From all hydroquinone preparations, percutaneous absorption was rapid and peak elimination occurred within the first 12 h following application. Elimination was complete within 5 d.