Liver hypertrophy: a review of adaptive (adverse and non-adverse) changes--conclusions from the 3rd International ESTP Expert Workshop.

Preclinical toxicity studies have demonstrated that exposure of laboratory animals to liver enzyme inducers during preclinical safety assessment results in a signature of toxicological changes characterized by an increase in liver weight, hepatocellular hypertrophy, cell proliferation, and, frequently in long-term (life-time) studies, hepatocarcinogenesis. Recent advances over the last decade have revealed that for many xenobiotics, these changes may be induced through a common mechanism of action involving activation of the nuclear hormone receptors CAR, PXR, or PPARα. The generation of genetically engineered mice that express altered versions of these nuclear hormone receptors, together with other avenues of investigation, have now demonstrated that sensitivity to many of these effects is rodent-specific. These data are consistent with the available epidemiological and empirical human evidence and lend support to the scientific opinion that these changes have little relevance to man. The ESTP therefore convened an international panel of experts to debate the evidence in order to more clearly define for toxicologic pathologists what is considered adverse in the context of hepatocellular hypertrophy. The results of this workshop concluded that hepatomegaly as a consequence of hepatocellular hypertrophy without histologic or clinical pathology alterations indicative of liver toxicity was considered an adaptive and a non-adverse reaction. This conclusion should normally be reached by an integrative weight of evidence approach.

Regulation of differentially spliced transcripts of acyl-CoA oxidase in the rat.

RNAse protection assay was used to distinguish between and to quantify alternatively spliced transcripts of acyl-CoA oxidase in liver, kidney and testis of control and methylclofenapate treated rats. The ratio of spliced transcripts (type I to II) was 1.18:1 in control liver RNA, with 130 and 110 molecules/cell, respectively, and 3.1:1 in treated liver RNA, with 2800 and 900 molecules/cell. The ratios were 1.6 and 2:1 in control and treated kidney, and 0.31:1 in testis. This is likely to be due to differential splicing, which is, therefore, regulated during peroxisome proliferation, and also in a tissue specific fashion.

Analysis of transcripts homologous to acyl-CoA oxidase and enoyl-CoA hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase induced in rat liver by methylclofenapate.

Methylclofenapate is a potent peroxisome proliferating agent and liver carcinogen in rats. Animals exposed to daily oral doses (2.5 mg/kg body wt.) for a 21-day period were studied to determine the levels of mRNA homologous to peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase and enoyl-CoA hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase bifunctional enzyme in total liver RNA. Northern blotting revealed transcripts of approximately 3.8 and 3.3 kilobases (kb), homologous to acyl-CoA oxidase and the bifunctional enzyme, respectively. Levels of these transcripts began to rise at approximately 4 h after the initial dose of the agent, and reached maximum induction (35- and 60-fold, respectively, in excess of control levels) at 2-8 days after the start of the study. The kinetics of induction for acyl-CoA oxidase mRNA resembled those of palmitoyl-CoA oxidase activity, and the induction of mRNA preceded the expression of enzyme activity, further supporting a transcriptional control model of induction of the peroxisomal enzymes. The levels of mRNA induction for the peroxisomal enzymes were higher in the present study than those reported elsewhere for single doses of peroxisome proliferating agents and probably reflect the increased tissue levels achievable in long term carcinogenesis studies.

In vitro inhibition of carnitine acyltransferase activity in mitochondria from rat and mouse liver by a diethylhexylphthalate metabolite.

The effects of mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl)phthalate [ME(O)HP], a di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) metabolite and a potent peroxisomal inducer, on the mitochondrial beta-oxidation were investigated. In isolated rat hepatocytes, ME(O)HP inhibited long chain fatty acid oxidation and had no effect on the ketogenesis of short chain fatty acids, suggesting that the inhibition occurred at the site of carnitine-dependent transport across the mitochondrial inner membrane. In rat liver mitochondria, ME(O)HP inhibited carnitine acyltransferase I (CAT I; EC 2.3.1.21) competitively with the substrates palmitoyl-CoA and octanoyl-CoA. An analogous treatment of mouse mitochondria produced a similar competitive inhibition of palmitoyl-CoA transport whereas ME(O)HP exposure with guinea pig and human liver mitochondria revealed little or no effect. The addition of clofibric acid, nafenopin or methylclofenopate revealed no direct effects upon CAT I activity. Inhibition of transferase activity by ME(O)HP was reversed in mitochondria which had been solubilized with octyl glucoside to expose the latent form of carnitine acyltransferase (CAT II), suggesting that the inhibition was specific for CAT I. Our results demonstrate that in vitro ME(O)HP inhibits fatty acid oxidation in rat liver at the site of transport across the mitochondrial inner membrane with a marked species difference and support the idea that induction of peroxisome proliferation could be due to an initial biochemical lesion of the fatty acid metabolism.

Induction of cytochrome P450 and peroxisomal enzymes by clofibric acid in vivo and in vitro.

We have analysed the induction of microsomal and peroxisomal proteins and their RNAs after treatment of hepatocytes with the peroxisome proliferator, clofibric acid, in vitro and in vivo. After treatment of hepatocytes with 1 mM clofibric acid for 4 days, P450 4A1 RNA is induced 500-fold, and acyl-CoA oxidase and P450 2B1 280-fold, relative to control cultures. These RNAs are detectably induced after administration of 25 microM clofibric acid, and show a similar induction response with increasing doses of clofibric acid. Western blot analysis of the P450 4A and bifunctional enzyme (BFE) proteins showed that both were induced in parallel with increasing doses of clofibric acid, over a range of 25 microM-1 mM. The distribution of the induced proteins was examined by immunocytochemistry. Increasing doses of clofibric acid led to an increase in the average intensity of staining for both proteins throughout the hepatocyte population. There was, however, a graded variation between hepatocytes in the intensity of staining, both for P450 4A and BFE proteins. The heterogeneity in response of the hepatocyte population in vitro may be related to differential sensitivity of hepatocytes to induction in vivo. Therefore, rats were dosed with 0, 50 or 300 mg/kg of clofibric acid for 4 days by gavage, and the livers were examined by immunocytochemistry. After 50 mg/kg of clofibric acid, both P450 4A and BFE were induced mainly in zones 3 and 2 of the liver acinus. However, after 300 mg/kg of clofibric acid, staining for both proteins was strong and homogenous throughout the liver acinus. Thus, hepatocytes from zones 3 and 2 of the acinus are differentially responsive to induction by clofibric acid.

On the mechanism of induction of microsomal cytochrome P450IVA1 and peroxisome proliferation in rat liver by clofibrate.

The time course of induction of microsomal and peroxisomal lipid-metabolizing enzymes in male Wistar rat liver has been investigated following a single i.p. dose of clofibrate (250 mg/kg). The microsomal enzyme, cytochrome P450IVA1, demonstrated a biphasic response to sodium clofibrate administration, the biphasic response consisting of an initial small response, peaking at approximately 30 min post-dose and returning to near baseline values after 2 hr. A second major induction of cytochrome P450IVA1 occurred between 18 and 24 hr post-dose. This biphasic phenomenon for cytochrome P450IVA1 was observed for the enzyme activity (lauric acid hydroxylase), immunodetectable protein (using a specific ELISA method) and at the mRNA level (using a 2.1 kilobase cytochrome P450IVA1 cDNA probe). In contrast, peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation enzymes responded in a monophasic manner to clofibrate administration, peaking approximately 24 hr post-dose. Accordingly, microsomal cytochrome P450IVA1 was induced before the peroxisomal enzymes of fatty acid beta-oxidation. The effect of cycloheximide on the induction of peroxisome proliferation by clofibrate was additionally investigated. The prior administration of cycloheximide to Wistar rats ablated the clofibrate-dependent induction of both cytochrome P450IVA1 and peroxisomal-dependent lipid metabolism and also blocked the corresponding synthesis of enzyme proteins. Cycloheximide additionally inhibited the clofibrate-dependent increase in peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase mRNA, but was without effect on the induced cytochrome P450IVA1 mRNA levels, indicating a protein or enzyme dependency for the phenomenon of peroxisome proliferation. Taken collectively, our data strongly argues that the regulation of microsomal cytochrome P450IVA1 and peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation enzymes are closely related, possibly through the initial, clofibrate-dependent regulation of cytochrome P450IVA1.

Lack of evidence for a hepatic peroxisome proliferator receptor and an explanation for the binding of hypolipidaemic drugs to liver homogenates.

The existence of a postulated hepatic receptor responsible for the peroxisomal proliferation induced in rodents by hypolipidaemic drugs has been investigated. [3H]-nafenopin and [3H]-ciprofibrate were used as labelled ligands and two competitive binding assays, using either a charcoal-dextran or a hydroxylapatite method, were developed to investigate potential binding. In both assay systems, specific displaceable binding of either nafenopin or ciprofibrate to whole homogenate, microsomal and cytosolic fractions of rat liver could not be detected in a variety of buffer systems. A positive control of ligand binding to bovine serum albumin indicated the validity of the binding assays used. In addition, both nafenopin and ciprofibrate exhibited displaceable binding to serum albumin using the hydroxylapatite binding assay and a Scatchard analysis of the binding of [3H]-nafenopin to fatty acid free rat serum albumin yielded a dissociation constant of 5.2 x 10(-7) M and 86 pmol of ligand bound per mg protein. Taken collectively, our data strongly argues against the existence of a specific hepatic peroxisome proliferation receptor and indicates that the peroxisome proliferating hypolipidaemic drugs bind to serum albumin and possibly to other cellular proteins not involved in the activation of genes necessary for peroxisome proliferation.

Identification of the proximate peroxisome proliferator(s) derived from di (2-ethylhexyl) adipate and species differences in response.

Identification of the proximate peroxisome proliferator(s) derived from di (2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) has been achieved using primary hepatocyte cultures derived from different species and cyanide-insensitive fatty acyl CoA oxidase (PCO) as a marker enzyme for peroxisome proliferation. In rat and mouse hepatocytes, the parent compound (DEHA) had no effect on peroxisomal beta-oxidation, but primary metabolites of DEHA, mono (2-ethylhexyl) adipate (MEHA) and 2-ethylhexanol (EH), were approximately equipotent in PCO induction (5-fold at 0.5 mM final concentration). The secondary metabolite of DEHA, 2-ethylhexanoic acid (EHA), was in both species the most potent peroxisome proliferator (25- and 9-fold induction in mice and rats, respectively, at 1 mM final concentration). At 2 mM final concentration a tertiary metabolite of DEHA, 2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexan-1-oic acid, was less effective in mouse and rat hepatocytes at inducing PCO (15- and 5-fold, respectively). 2-Ethyl-5-oxohexan-1-oic acid and 2-ethylhexan-1,6-dioic acid had little effect (2-3-fold in both rat and mouse hepatocytes). Thus, EHA was identified as the proximate peroxisome proliferator of DEHA and mouse hepatocytes were approximately twice as sensitive as rat hepatocytes to peroxisome proliferation due to MEHA, EH and EHA. We investigated further species differences in response to peroxisome proliferators by using guinea pig and marmoset primary hepatocyte culture. None of the chemicals studied stimulated peroxisomal beta-oxidation in these species up to a final concentration of 2 mM. Higher concentrations lead to cytotoxicity. This lack of sensitivity of guinea pig and marmoset hepatocytes is in agreement with previous studies with di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites, suggesting the absence of a threat of hepatocarcinogenic damage to these species and confirming that primary hepatocytes cultures are useful models for investigating the phenomenon of peroxisome proliferation.

Translactational induction of CYP4A expression in 10.5-day neonatal rats by the hypolipidemic drug clofibrate.

Lactating mothers of 7.5-day neonatal rats were injected intraperitoneally with 500 mg kg-1 clofibrate for 3 consecutive days at 24-hour intervals; 24 hours after the final injection, the maternal cytochrome P450 4A (CYP4A) mRNA levels had risen 14- and 2.5-fold above the constitutive levels of expression seen in the liver and kidney, respectively. Lactational transfer of clofibrate to the suckling 10.5-day litter was demonstrated by the 15- and 5-fold elevation observed in the neonatal hepatic and renal CYP4A mRNAs, respectively, following suckling from drug-induced mothers. A significant decrease in the relative liver weights of these neonatal pups was seen following clofibrate exposure via maternal milk, in total contrast to the normally observed increase in liver/body weight ratios of rats treated with clofibrate. Western blot analysis using a polyclonal goat anti-rat CYP4A1 antibody also demonstrated a rise in the CYP4A protein levels in both the mothers and their litters following maternal clofibrate treatment.

Ethoxy-, pentoxy- and benzyloxyphenoxazones and homologues: a series of substrates to distinguish between different induced cytochromes P-450.

The individual members of a homologous series of phenoxazone ethers related to ethoxyresorufin were O-dealkylated, and the parent compound phenoxazone was ring-hydroxylated, each at different rates with hepatic microsomes of untreated rats. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) was plotted, relating the rate of O-dealkylation to the length and type of the ether side-chain. Phenobarbitone (PB), 3-methylcholanthrene (MC), Aroclor 1254 (ARO), isosafrole (ISO) and SKF-525A each induced preferentially the O-dealkylation of different members of the homologous series, resulting in the appearance of 5 different SAR plots, which characterized and differentiated between the 5 different inducers. beta-Napthoflavone (BNF) had a similar effect to MC, whereas pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile treatment caused no large change in the metabolism of any of the substrates tested. For characterizing the effects of the different inducers it was largely sufficient to compare the O-dealkylations of just 4 of the ethers: methoxy-, ethoxy-, pentoxy- and benzyloxyphenoxazone. Very high degrees of induction were seen. MC and ARO each induced preferentially the O-dealkylation of ethoxyphenoxazone (51- and 61-fold respectively). PB and SKF-525A each induced preferentially the O-dealkylation of pentoxyphenoxazone (283- and 324-fold respectively). ISO induced preferentially the O-dealkylation of benzyloxyphenoxazone (43-fold). For any particular induced type of microsomes the substrate with the fastest metabolism was not necessarily the substrate whose metabolism was induced the most, so that in order to characterize each of the 5 different inducers (PB, MC/BNF, ARO, ISO, SKF) it was necessary to compare both the degrees of induction and the specific activities of the reactions. Experiments with purified cyt. P-450 isozymes showed that ethoxyphenoxazone and pentoxyphenoxazone were highly selective substrates for the major isozymes induced by MC and PB respectively, whilst benzyloxyphenoxazone was a good substrate for both isozymes. Experiments using the organic inhibitors metyrapone and alpha-naphthoflavone and inhibitory antibodies against individual cyt. P-450 isozymes indicated that similar substrate selectivities occurred with the monooxygenase system in the microsomal membrane. It is suggested that the use of some or all of these homologous phenoxazone ethers will provide both a simple routine test for the characterization of several types of inducing agents and a powerful tool for investigating the biochemical basis for cyt. P-450 isozyme substrate selectivity.

Immunocytochemical localization of cytochrome P-450 in hepatic and extra-hepatic tissues of the rat with a monoclonal antibody against cytochrome P-450 c.

The cellular distribution of cytochrome P-450 has been studied in the liver and a number of extrahepatic tissues in the rat by immunocytochemistry, using an antibody raised against cytochrome P-450 form c. Immunoreactive cytochrome P-450, most probably form c, was found in the proximal tubules of the kidney, in the Clara cells of the lung, and in the olfactory epithelium and Bowman's glands of the olfactory tissue, in addition to its location in the liver. Immunoreactive cytochrome P-450 was not found in the small intestine, the testes or the adrenal gland, although these organs are known to contain isoenzymes of cytochrome P-450. The use of antibody titration enabled the effects of phenobarbitone, beta-naphthoflavone and clofibrate on the content and distribution of immunoreactive cytochrome P-450 to be studied in both the liver and in the other organs discussed. Phenobarbitone induces epitope-specific cytochrome P-450 in the centrilobular cells of the liver but has no effect in any of the other tissues studied. Clofibrate is without effect on the levels of immunoreactive cytochrome P-450 in any of the tissues studied. In contrast, beta-naphthoflavone induces immunoreactive cytochrome P-450 in the periportal region of the liver, and also in the Clara cells of the lung, in the enterocytes of the small intestine and in the proximal tubules of the kidney. Of all of the tissues studied, in which immunoreactive cytochrome P-450 could be detected, only the olfactory epithelium failed to undergo enzyme induction following treatment with beta-naphthoflavone.

A comparative study of constitutive and induced alkoxyresorufin O-dealkylation and individual cytochrome P450 forms in cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis), human, mouse, rat and hamster liver microsomes.

The expression of constitutive and inducible cytochrome P450 forms was measured in cynomolgus monkey liver and compared with man, rat, mouse and hamster. Four alkoxyresorufin O-dealkylation (AROD) activities widely used as indicators of P450 induction were measured: methoxyresorufin O-demethylation (MROD), ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD), pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylation (PROD) and benzyloxyresorufin O-dealkylation (BROD). In monkeys there were no sex-differences in untreated, phenobarbitone (PB)- or beta-naphthoflavone (BNF)-treated animals in AROD activities, or in individual P450 proteins detected by immunoblotting. Basal MROD and EROD activities varied by less than 7-fold between the five species, but the comparative pattern of basal MROD, EROD, PROD and BROD activities (the "MEPB profile") was very species-specific, with monkeys being similar to rats but different from man, mouse and hamster. The induction of AROD activities by PB and BNF was also highly species-specific. Monkeys expressed constitutive proteins immunorelated to the CYP1A, CYP2A, CYP2B, CYP2C and CYP3A sub-families (human CYP2A6 cross-reacted with the anti-rat CYP2B1 antibodies used, and so CYP2A and CYP2B forms could not be separately identified in the monkey). Single constitutive immunoblot bands were identified in monkey for CYP1A (54 kDa), CYP2A/CYP2B (51 kDa) and CYP3A (51 kDa), respectively, but two strong (51 and 52 kDa) plus two weak (49 and 49.5 kDa) bands were shown for CYP2C. Human liver expressed CYP1A2 (54 kDa), CYP2A6 (51 kDa), CYP3A4 (50.5 kDa) and three CYP2C9-immunorelated protein bands (48, 50 and 54 kDa). In monkeys BNF induced the 54 kDa CYP1A protein and CYP1A-dependent MROD, EROD and PROD activities (18-, 15- and 6-fold increases in activity, respectively), whereas PB strongly induced the 51 kDa CYP2A/CYP2B protein but did not induce PROD activity. PB also induced non-constitutive CYP2A/CYP2B protein bands at 49 and 52 kDa in some monkeys. BROD activity was induced less that four-fold by either PB or BNF in monkeys. In conclusion, cynomolgus monkeys expressed a range of constitutive CYP1A, CYP2A or CYP2B, CYP2C and CYP3A proteins similar to man, and a range of AROD monooxygenase reaction rates similar to both man and rat, but the basal MEPB profile of AROD activities in monkeys was more similar to rat than to man. MROD and EROD were good measures of CYP1A induction by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in cynomolgus monkeys, but neither PROD nor BROD were indices of CYP2B induction by PB.

A monoclonal antibody raised to rat liver cytochrome P-448 (form C) which recognises an epitope common to many other forms of cytochrome P-450.

A murine monoclonal antibody has been raised against a partially purified preparation of hepatic cytochrome P-448 (form c) from beta-naphthoflavone-treated rats. The monoclonal origin of the antibody was established by limiting dilution culture and isoelectricfocusing. The antibody has been designated 3/4/2. It reacts with apparently homogeneous cytochrome P-448 from rat liver in solid phase assay. It also cross reacts with a number of other cytochromes P-450, from rat and rabbit. In addition, a positive reaction was obtained with microsomal fractions from a variety of species, including man. None of the species tested was negative. The antibody does not react appreciably with purified haemoproteins other than cytochromes P-450. Antibody 3/4/2 is not inhibitory, either in reconstituted systems or with intact microsomal fraction. However, evidence was obtained that the antibody does cause some perturbation of the tertiary structure of the apoprotein at or near the haem.

Induction of monooxygenation in rainbow trout by polybrominated biphenyls: a comparative study.

Two commercial polychlorinated biphenyl mixtures (Aroclor 1254 and Aroclor 1242) and one polybrominated biphenyl mixture (FireMaster BP-6) were examined for their abilities to induce hepatic microsomal monooxygenation in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). Pretreatment of rainbow trout with Aroclors 1254 and 1242 (150 mg/kg IP) resulted in an approximate 10-fold induction of arylhydrocarbon (benzo[a]pyrene) hydroxylation, ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylation and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylation within 7 days after injection. These enzyme activities remained elevated above control values for at least 2-3 weeks. Administration of FireMaster BP-6 (150 mg/kg IP) also resulted in an induction of several monooxygenase activities. Arylhydrocarbon (benzo[a]pyrene) hydroxylation, ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylation and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylation were increased by 6-, 3,- and 25-fold, respectively. Only the latter two activities remained elevated two weeks post-injection. Ethylmorphine-N-demethylation was unaffected by the polyhalogenated biphenyls. Significant increases in P-450 hemoprotein were not observed after pretreatment with any of the polyhalogenated biphenyls studied.

Peroxisome proliferation due to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): species differences and possible mechanisms.

The exposure of cultured rat hepatocytes to mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP) for 72 hr resulted in marked induction of peroxisomal enzyme activity (beta-oxidation; cyanide-insensitive palmitoyl CoA oxidase) and concomitant increases in the number of peroxisomes. Similar treatment of cultured guinea pig, marmoset, or human hepatocytes revealed little or no effect of MEHP. In order to eliminate possible confounding influences of biotransformation, the proximate peroxisome proliferator(s) derived from MEHP have been identified. Using cultured hepatocytes these agents were found to be metabolite VI [mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate] and metabolite IX [mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate]. The addition of these "active" metabolites to cultured guinea pig, marmoset, or human hepatocytes again revealed little effect upon peroxisomes or related enzyme activities (peroxisomal beta-oxidation or microsomal lauric acid hydroxylation). These studies demonstrate a marked species difference in the response of hepatocytes to MEHP-elicited peroxisome proliferation. Preliminary studies have also suggested that peroxisome proliferation due to MEHP may be due to an initial biochemical lesion of fatty acid metabolism.

Comparative pharmacokinetics and subacute toxicity of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in rats and marmosets: extrapolation of effects in rodents to man.

Certain phthalate esters and hypolipidemic agents are known to induce morphological and biochemical changes in the liver of rodents, which have been associated with an increased incidence of hepatocellular tumors in these species. There is evidence that hypolipidemic agents do not induce these effects in either subhuman primates or man. The oral and intraperitoneal administration of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) to the marmoset monkey at doses up to 5 mmole DEHP/kg body weight/day for 14 days did not induce morphological or biochemical changes in the liver or testis comparable with those obtained in rats given the same amount of DEHP. In the marmoset, the excretion profile of [14C]-DEHP following oral, IP, and IV administration and the lower tissue levels of radioactivity demonstrated a considerably reduced absorption in this species compared to the rat. The urinary metabolite pattern in the marmoset was in many respects qualitatively similar to but quantitatively different from that in the rat; the marmoset excreted principally conjugated metabolites derived from omega- 1 oxidation. The pharmacokinetic differences between these two species indicate that the tissues of the marmoset are exposed to a level of DEHP metabolites equivalent to the complete absorption of a dose of Ca. 0.1 to 0.25 mmole DEHP/kg body weight/day without significant toxicological effects. These exposure levels are at least 100-fold greater than the worst estimates of incidental human exposure (ca. 0.0015 mmole/kg/day). They are comparable with the human therapeutic dose of many hypolipidemic drugs (ca. 0.15 mmole/kg/day), a dose at which it is claimed that there is an absence of morphological or biochemical changes to human or subhuman primate liver.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effect of chlorinated paraffins on hepatic enzymes and thyroid hormones.

Male rats and mice were administered chlorinated paraffins (CPs) by daily gavage in corn oil for 14 days. Chlorowax 500C (short chain CP with 58% chlorination), Cereclor 56L (short chain CP with 56% chlorination) and Chlorparaffin 40G (medium chain CP with 40% chlorination) were the CPs studied at dose levels of 0, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg for both rats and mice. The no effect levels for hepatic peroxisome proliferation for the above chemicals, as determined by the CN- insensitive palmitoyl co-enzyme A beta-oxidation (PCO) assay, were calculated as 184, 600 and 473 mg/kg and 180, 120 and 252 mg/kg for rats and mice, respectively, whilst those for percent liver weight/body weight were calculated as 74, 51 and 31 mg/kg and 215, 70 and 426 mg/kg for rats and mice, respectively. The short chain CPs were more potent peroxisome proliferators than the medium chain CP, with the mouse proving to be more responsive than the rat. Rats administered the highest dose of CPs showed a depressed plasma thyroxine (T4) level, with a concomitant increase in the plasma concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The decreased plasma T4 levels appeared to be the result of increased T4 glucuronidation.

The effect of implantation of osmotic pumps on rat thyroid hormone and testosterone levels in the plasma, an implication for tissue 'S' phase studies.

In order to monitor the effect of the procedures required to s.c. implant osmotic pumps into rats on plasma thyroid and testosterone hormone levels, male Fischer 344 rats (8-10 weeks old) were divided into six groups of 10 rats and the groups treated in the following manner: (1) controls housed 5 per cage; (2) controls housed individually; (3) animals anaesthetised for surgery and individually housed; (4) anaesthetised, sham operated and individually housed; (5) anaesthetised, s.c. implanted with osmotic pumps containing saline and individually housed; (6) anaesthetised, s.c. implanted with osmotic pumps containing 5-bromo 2-deoxyuridine (BRDU) and individually housed. Four days after performing the surgery the study was terminated and the level of hormones in the plasma determined by radio immunoassay (RIA). Tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) plasma levels (free and total) were significantly decreased with each additional step in the procedure used for the s.c. implantation of an osmotic pump containing BRDU, when compared with the individually housed controls. Similarly, testosterone plasma levels were significantly decreased by the s.c. implantation of osmotic pumps, implying a 'stress' response might occur following implantation. These observations might need to be considered by investigators when performing toxicological research which, as part of the study, uses osmotic pumps for the delivery of the nucleotide precursor required for monitoring cells in 'S' phase.

Characterization of the effects of known hepatic monooxygenase inducers on male and female rat and mouse kidneys.

Few studies have been designed to quantify the response of the mammalian kidney to agents known to induce monooxygenase activity of renal monooxygenase response to three agents representing different classes of inducers: 2,4,2',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (2,4,2',4',-TCB), representative of the barbiturate class, beta-naphthoflavone (BNF), representative of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon class and isosafrole (ISO) as a novel class of inducing agent. Studies were carried out using adult rats and mice of both sexes. Treatment with BNF and ISO stimulated ethoxycoumarin and ethoxyresorufin deethylase activities in renal microsomes from male and female rats and mice, whereas treatment with 2,4,2',4',-TCB had no effect on either enzyme in rats of either sex. NADPH-cytochrome-c-reductase activity was unaffected by any treatment. In rat renal microsomes, cytochromes P-450 and b5 were increased by treatment with BNF and ISO but were not altered by 2,4,2',4'-TCB. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel treated with BNF showed the appearance of a protein band in the 50-60000 dalton range which is similar to that observed in liver microsomes following BNF treatment. These studies confirm and extend previous observations that rat kidney is refractory to induction by inducers of the phenobarbital class, but responds to ISO and the polycyclic aromatic class of inducers. In addition, the studies have demonstrated the presence of a protein in renal microsomes after pretreatment of rats with BNF that was not apparent in microsomes from control rat kidneys.

The absence of testicular atrophy and in vivo and in vitro effects on hepatocyte morphology and peroxisomal enzyme activities in male rats following the administration of several alkanols.

Previous studies have shown that ethylhexanol (2-EH) and its oxidation products, but not n-hexanol, produce hepatomegaly, peroxisomal proliferation and hypotriglyceridaemia. In the present studies we have confirmed that at 1 mmol/kg doses, neither the linear nor branched chain alcohols induce testicular atrophy, hepatomegaly, peroxisome proliferation or hypolipidaemia. In vivo, neither the free alcohols nor their metabolic products seem to be responsible for the activity of the parent plasticiser. The released monoesters are probably the more potent metabolic products responsible for the hepatomegaly, peroxisomal proliferation and hypolipidaemia. This contention is supported by the in vitro hepatocyte data which demonstrate the induction of peroxisomal oxidative enzymes by MEHP whereas the alcohols were without effects.