A microarray-based comparative analysis of gene expression profiles in thyroid glands in amphibian metamorphosis: differences in effects between chemical exposure and food restriction.

Tadpoles during metamorphosis are sensitive to chemical exposure as shown in the amphibian metamorphosis assay, which is a method to detect effects of chemicals on the functions of hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis. The present study reports existence of different modes of action between pyriproxyfen (PYR) and 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) under different feeding conditions based on gene expression profiles (transcriptomics) in the thyroid glands of tadpoles of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. PTU and PYR were exposed to the tadpoles during metamorphosis under normal (fed groups, both of PTU and PRY) and restricted feeding (fasted groups, PTU only) conditions; and effects were compared to control groups. Delayed development based on decreased Nieuwkoop and Faber developmental stage number without any histopathological changes was observed in the control of restricted feeding (control-fasted) group, and the PYR group with reduced food consumption. Clear developmental retardation with typical thyroid histopathological changes was observed in the PTU groups. To find clusters of all samples based on their similarity of expression patterns, hierarchical clustering analysis using selected gene probes was conducted. It revealed gene profiles from samples of the PYR group were quite similar to those of the control-fasted group, followed by the control group with normal feeding (control-fed). The results suggest that key events in the thyroid glands of tadpoles induced by PYR should be quite similar to those of control-fasted, and quite different from those of the PTU groups. Our findings demonstrated the usefulness of transcriptomics, which enabled recognition of the different modes of actions.

Bioconcentration and Metabolism of Pyriproxyfen in Tadpoles of African Clawed Frogs, Xenopus laevis.

Bioconcentration and metabolism of pyriproxyfen uniformly labeled with 14C at the phenoxyphenyl ring were studied using tadpoles of African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, exposed to water at the nominal concentrations of 3 and 300 ppb for 22 days under the flow-through conditions, with a following 3 day depuration phase. Neither meaningful mortality nor abnormal behavior was observed in control and exposure groups throughout the study. After the rapid uptake to tadpoles, pyriproxyfen was extensively metabolized and excreted, and as a result, steady-state bioconcentration factors and depuration half-lives ranged from 550 to 610 and from 0.34 to 0.54 days, respectively. The metabolites were mostly distributed in the liver or gastrointestinal tract. The major metabolic reactions were hydroxylation at the 4' position of the phenoxyphenyl group and cleavage of the ether linkage, followed by sulfate conjugation.

Thyroid Hormone-disrupting Effects and the Amphibian Metamorphosis Assay.

There are continued concerns about endocrine-disrupting chemical effects, and appropriate vertebrate models for assessment of risk are a high priority. Frog tadpoles are very sensitive to environmental substances because of their habitat and the complex processes of metamorphosis regulated by the endocrine system, mainly thyroid hormones. During metamorphosis, marked alteration in hormonal factors occurs, as well as dramatic structural and functional changes in larval tissues. There are a variety of mechanisms determining thyroid hormone balance or disruption directly or indirectly. Direct-acting agents can cause changes in thyroxine synthesis and/or secretion in thyroid through effects on peroxidases, thyroidal iodide uptake, deiodinase, and proteolysis. At the same time, indirect action may result from biochemical processes such as sulfation, deiodination and glucuronidation. Because their potential to disrupt thyroid hormones has been identified as an important consideration for the regulation of chemicals, the OECD and the EPA have each established guidelines that make use of larval African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) and frog metamorphosis for screening and testing of potential endocrine disrupters. The guidelines are based on evaluation of alteration in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. One of the primary endpoints is thyroid gland histopathology. Others are mortality, developmental stage, hind limb length, snout-vent length and wet body weight. Regarding histopathological features, the guidelines include core criteria and additional qualitative parameters along with grading. Taking into account the difficulties in evaluating amphibian thyroid glands, which change continuously throughout metamorphosis, histopathological examination has been shown to be a very sensitive approach.

Effects of hyperprolactinemia on toxicological parameters and proliferation of islet cells in male rats.

Prolactin has a wide variety of biological effects. Consequences of hyperprolactinemia on islet B cell proliferation as well as general toxicological parameters were here examined using anterior pituitary-grafted rats. Three or six anterior pituitary glands were implanted under single renal capsules of F344 male rats and left there for 13 weeks afterward. Clinical observation along with measurement of body weight and food consumption was conducted during the observation period, and subsequently hematology, blood biochemistry, gross pathology, organ weights and histopathology were examined. In addition, the proliferation rate of islet B cells was measured by a 5-bromo-2'-deoxy-uridine (BrdU) labeling technique. Serum prolactin concentrations at week 13 were 36, 70, 75 and 105 ng/ml in the sham-operated, 3-pituitary-grafted groups from male or female donors, and 6-pituitary-grafted group from male donors, respectively. Higher cholinesterase and total cholesterol values, lower trigriceride and leutenizing hormones (LH) values, and higher adrenal weights compared to those in the sham-operated group were apparent in the 3- and/or 6-pituitary-grafted groups. Also, the study revealed that mammary gland structure was transformed with change of differentiation from a male to a female acinar pattern. Furthermore a specific increase of islet cell proliferation rate was found, positively correlated with serum prolactin concentration. These findings suggest that elevation of serum prolactin level over 13 weeks induces islet cell proliferation and changes in toxicological parameters, including cholinesterase activity, elements of lipid metabolism and histopathology/morphology of the adrenals and mammary glands in male rats.

Lack of (anti-) androgenic or estrogenic effects of three pyrethroids (esfenvalerate, fenvalerate, and permethrin) in the Hershberger and uterotrophic assays.

Synthetic pyrethroids are among the most common pesticides and insecticides currently in use worldwide. Recently, chemicals classified as synthetic pyrethroids are suspected as being endocrine disrupting chemicals. However, no study has been conducted to assess their potential hormonal activities using in vivo test specifically focused on endocrine disruption. In the present study, we evaluated the interaction of three pyrethroids (esfenvalerate, fenvalerate, and permethrin) with androgen receptor (AR)- and estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated mechanisms using in vivo short-term assays. While internationally standardized protocols for the Hershberger and uterotrophic assays have not yet been fully developed, both are widely used and are being considered by OECD as short-term screening assays for hormonal activity. A 5-day Hershberger assay using castrated male rats measures agonistic and androgenic ability of the test chemicals to AR of several accessory glands/tissues (the ventral prostate, dorsolateral prostate, seminal vesicles with coagulating glands, and levator ani plus bulbocavernosus muscles). Esfenvalerate (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg/day), fenvalerate (20, 40, or 80 mg/kg/day), or permethrin (25, 50, or 75 mg/kg/day) was administered by oral gavage for 5 days to castrated male Crj:CD(SD)IGS rats (1 week after the castration, 11 weeks of age) with or without coadministration of 0.25 mg/kg/day testosterone propionate (subcutaneous injection on the dorsal surface). The highest dose levels tested for each chemical were considered the maximum level that could be used without causing excessive systemic toxicity. None of esfenvalerate, fenvalerate, and permethrin showed any androgenic or antiandrogenic effects. Reference control of p,p'-DDE and methyltestosterone (100 mg/kg/day) provided significant effects in this assay protocol. Potential effects of these pyrethroids mediated through the ER were evaluated by means of 3-day uterotrophic assay using ovariectomized Crj:CD(SD)IGS rats (2 weeks after the ovariectomy, 8 weeks of age). No increase in weight of uterus (wet or blotted) was observed following oral exposure to esfenvalerate (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg/day), fenvalerate (20, 40, or 80 mg/kg/day), or permethrin (37.5, 75, or 150 mg/kg/day), respectively. Again, the highest dose levels tested for each chemical were considered the maximum level that could be used without causing excessive systemic toxicity. Reference controls consisting of ethynyl estradiol (0.03 mg/kg/day) and methoxychlor (125 mg/kg/day) both showed a significant effect in this assay protocol. It is concluded that, based on the results of these two reliable in vivo assays, none of esfenvalerate, fenvalerate, or permethrin exhibit any potential to cause adverse (anti-) androgenic or estrogenic effects at dose levels below that of those causing excessive systemic toxicity.