Evidence for non-linear metabolism at low benzene exposures? A reanalysis of data.

The presence of a high-affinity metabolic pathway for low level benzene exposures of less than one part per million (ppm) has been proposed although a pathway has not been identified. The variation of metabolite molar fractions with increasing air benzene concentrations was suggested as evidence of significantly more efficient benzene metabolism at concentrations <0.1 ppm The evidence for this pathway is predicated on a rich data set from a study of Chinese shoe workers exposed to a wide range of benzene concentrations (not just "low level"). In this work we undertake a further independent re-analysis of this data with a focus on the evidence for an increase in the rate of metabolism of benzene exposures of less than 1 ppm. The analysis dataset consisted of measurements of benzene and toluene from personal air samplers, and measurements of unmetabolised benzene and toluene and five metabolites (phenol hydroquinone, catechol, trans, trans-muconic acid and s-phenylmercapturic acid) from post-shift urine samples for 213 workers with an occupational exposure to benzene (and toluene) and 139 controls. Measurements from control subjects were used to estimate metabolite concentrations resulting from non-occupational sources, including environmental sources of benzene. Data from occupationally exposed subjects were used to estimate metabolite concentrations as a function of benzene exposure. Correction for background (environmental exposure) sources of metabolites was achieved through a comparison of geometric means in occupationally exposed and control populations. The molar fractions of the five metabolites as a function of benzene exposure were computed. A supra-linear relationship between metabolite concentrations and benzene exposure was observed over the range 0.1-10 ppm benzene, however over the range benzene exposures of between 0.1 and 1 ppm only a modest departure from linearity was observed. The molar fractions estimated in this work were near constant over the range 0.1-10 ppm. No evidence of high affinity metabolism at these low level exposures was observed. Our reanalysis brings in to question the appropriateness of the dataset for commenting on low dose exposures and the use of a purely statistical approach to the analysis.

The application of physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling in the analysis of occupational exposure to perchloroethylene.

A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for perchloroethylene was parameterized, calibrated and validated using anatomic, physiologic, biochemical and physicochemical data obtained from the literature. The model was used to analyse human exposure data obtained under controlled conditions and from dry cleaning establishments in the Padua area of northern Italy. Whilst the model satisfactorily simulated the urinary excretion of trichloroacetic acid, following experimental inhalation exposure to 10, 20 and 40 ppm perchloroethylene under controlled conditions the opposite was true for the occupational exposure data. However, further model refinement to incorporate inter-individual variability of anatomical, physiological and biochemical parameters which have an impact on model output, would further improve the predictive capabilities of the model. The possibility of perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene co-exposure in the occupational setting was indicated by the model.

The effects of alcohol and diallyl sulphide on CYP2E1 activity in humans: a phenotyping study using chlorzoxazone.

The effects of acute administration of dietary levels of ethanol and the garlic oil extract, diallyl sulphide (DAS), on cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) activity in volunteers were studied using the selective probe substrate, chlorzoxazone (CZX). The ratio of the CZX metabolite 6- hydroxychlorzoxazone (6-OHCZX) to CZX was taken to indicate CYP2E1 activity. The mean differences between the baseline and DAS-treated (0.2 mg/kg) CYP2E1 activities were significantly different (two-tailed p value = 0.0242, n = 8). Likewise, the mean differences between the baseline and ethanol-treated (0.8 g/kg) CYP2E1 activities were also significantly different (two-tailed p value = 0.0005, n = 7). The reduction in in vivo CYP2E1 activity by DAS is consistent with reported inhibition observed in vitro. The marked reduction in CYP2E1 activity following acute ingestion of ethanol is consistent with a competitive inhibition mechanism of CZX metabolism. The inhibitory effect of DAS maybe additive with daily consumption of Allium vegetables in particular. This may explain the lower 6-OHCZX/CZX metabolic ratios measured in various European and Mexican cohorts and is consistent with the lower incidence of stomach, liver and colon cancers observed in southern Europeans.

Gas-uptake pharmacokinetics and metabolism of 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-124) in the rat, mouse, and hamster.

Gas-uptake pharmacokinetics and metabolism of the chlorofluorocarbon replacement 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-124) were investigated in rats, mice, and hamsters. Species differences in the rate of uptake of HCFC-124 and urinary excretion of trifluoroacetic acid were observed. In rats and mice, the uptake of HCFC-124 was described by both saturable and first-order components, whereas in the hamster only first-order uptake was observed. The in vivo metabolic rate constants obtained from computer simulation of the gas-uptake data were: for rats-KM = 1.2 mg liter-1 (8.79 mmol liter-1, Vmaxc = 0.35 +/- 0.01 mg kg-1 hr-1 (2.56 +/- 0.01 mmol kg-1 hr-1), and kfc = 1.25 +/- 0.01 hr-1 kg231; for mice-KM = 1.2 mg liter-1 (8.79 mmol liter-1), Vmaxc = 1.78 +/- 0.01 mg kg-1 hr-1 (13.0 +/- 0.007 mmol kg-1 hr-1), and kfc = 4.08 +/- 0.01 hr-1 kg-1; and for hamsters-kfc = 1.47 +/- 0.02 hr-1 kg-1. The production and excretion of trifluoroacetic acid, the major urinary metabolite of HCFC-124, were also simulated in rats and mice, but not in hamsters, by the physiologically based pharmacokinetic model when the in vivo metabolic rate constants obtained in the gas-uptake simulation studies were used. The blood:air partition coefficient of HCFC-124 in the hamster was lower than in the rat or mouse. A low blood:air partition coefficient may limit the pulmonary uptake of volatile chemicals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Gas-uptake pharmacokinetics of 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123).

The in vivo metabolic rate constants for the metabolism of the chlorofluorocarbon replacement 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123) were determined for both male and female rats with a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model. Uptake studies with 500-5,000 ppm HCFC-123 indicated that a single saturable component was involved in both sexes, and no significant differences were observed in in vivo metabolic rate constants between male and female rats. The in vivo metabolic rate constants obtained from computer simulation studies were: for male rats--KM = 1.2 mg liter-1 (7.85 mumol liter-1) and Vmaxc = 7.20 +/- 0.28 mg kg-1 hr-1 (47.1 +/- 1.83 mumol kg-1 hr-1); for female rats--KM = 1.2 mg liter-1 (7.85 mumol liter-1) and Vmaxc = 7.97 +/- 0.30 mg kg-1 hr-1 (52.1 +/- 1.96 mumol kg-1 hr-1). The physiologically based pharmacokinetic model failed to simulate the reduction in HCFC-123 uptake in female rats at 2,000-5,000 ppm. The production and excretion of trifluoroacetic acid, the major urinary metabolite of HCFC-123, was also predicted by the physiologically based pharmacokinetic model with in vivo metabolic rate constants obtained in the gas-uptake simulation studies. Diallyl sulfide, a selective, mechanism-based inhibitor of cytochrome P450 2E1, inhibited the metabolism of HCFC-123, as indicated by a decreased uptake of HCFC-123 and by a lowered urinary excretion of trifluoroacetic acid in diallyl sulfide-treated rats.

Gas-uptake pharmacokinetics and biotransformation of 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b).

A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model was used to determine the in vivo metabolic constants of the candidate chlorofluorocarbon replacement 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b). Rats were exposed by inhalation to HCFC-141b concentrations ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 ppm. Uptake studies of HCFC-141b in the rat indicated the involvement of saturable and first-order components. The in vivo metabolic constants for HCFC-141b were: KM = 7.0 mg liter-1 (59.9 mumol liter-1), Vmax = 0.2 mg kg-1 hr-1 (1.71 mumol kg-1 hr-1), and k = 0.5 hr-1. In rats exposed to HCFC-141b, 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethanol was excreted in the urine as its glucuronide conjugate, and the rate of 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethanol excretion increased linearly with increasing HCFC-141b exposure concentrations. Diallyl sulfide, a selective, mechanism-based inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 2E1, inhibited the metabolism of HCFC-141b, as indicated by a decreased uptake of HCFC-141b and by a lowered urinary excretion of 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethanol in diallyl-sulfide-treated rats. In vitro biotransformation studies with microsomes from rats treated with pyridine, an inducer of cytochrome P-450 2E1, confirmed that cytochrome P-450 2E1 is involved in the metabolism of HCFC-141b. The in vitro metabolic rate constants for the biotransformation of HCFC-141b to 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethanol were: KM = 0.39 +/- 0.11 mM and Vmax = 2.08 +/- 0.23 nmol mg protein-1 hr-1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine 5'-(2-fluorodiphosphate) is a selective agonist at P2-purinoceptors mediating relaxation of smooth muscle.

The pharmacological effects of ATP and of an adenine nucleotide analogue, adenosine 5'-(2-fluorodiphosphate) (ADP-beta-F) on various guinea-pig isolated smooth muscle preparations were investigated. ATP relaxed the taenia coli and the aorta, and contracted the urinary bladder and vas deferens. ADP-beta-F mimicked the effects of ATP on the taenia coli and aorta, but did not contract the bladder or vas deferens. The lack of potency of ADP-beta-F on the bladder was not due to its rapid degradation by ectonucleotidases, as it was degraded more slowly than ATP by both the bladder and the taenia coli. These results are consistent with the suggestion that the P2-purinoceptors mediating contraction of smooth muscle (P2X) are different from those mediating inhibitory effects (P2Y), and suggest that ADP-beta-F is a specific agonist at the P2Y-purinoceptor.

Pharmacological effects of isopolar phosphonate analogues of ATP on P2-purinoceptors in guinea-pig taenia coli and urinary bladder.

Isopolar methylene phosphonate analogues of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were synthesized and tested on the guinea-pig isolated taenia coli (where ATP causes relaxation) and urinary bladder (where ATP causes contraction), to see if restoration of the electronegativity of the methylene linkage would enhance pharmacological potency. The compounds used were the dichloromethylene and difluoromethylene analogues of adenosine 5'-(beta,gamma-methylene)triphosphonate (AMP-PCP), L-adenosine 5'-(beta,gamma-methylene)triphosphonate (L-AMP-PCP) and 2-methylthioadenosine 5'-(beta,gamma-methylene)-triphosphonate (2-methylthio-AMP-PCP). The order of potency of the analogues depended on the tissue, and was independent of the nature of the purine or ribose moieties. None of the analogues was degraded by ectonucleotidases on either tissue. In the taenia coli the order of potency for relaxation was difluoromethylene greater than or equal to dichloromethylene greater than methylene, and this reflected the order of electronegativity of the analogues. The isopolar analogues of L-AMP-PCP were inactive in the taenia coli. In the bladder the order of potency for contraction was difluoromethylene greater than or equal to methylene greater than dichloromethylene, suggesting that electronegativity is of lesser importance here. The isopolar analogues of L-AMP-PCP were active in this tissue. The differences between the two tissues in the order of potency for these non-degradable analogues supports suggestions that P2-purinoceptors in the taenia coli (P2Y) are different from those in the bladder (P2X). The isopolar analogues of L-AMP-PCP, like L-AMP-PCP itself, were selective agonists at the P2X-purinoceptor.

Pharmacological effects of L-AMP-PCP on ATP receptors in smooth muscle.

The pharmacological effects of ATP and of two of its analogues, AMP-PCP and L-AMP-PCP, were investigated in various isolated smooth muscle preparations. In the guinea-pig vas deferens, the rat portal vein and the rat anococcygeus the nucleotides all caused contraction, and the order of potency was L-AMP-PCP greater than AMP-PCP greater than ATP. In the guinea-pig field-stimulated ileal longitudinal muscle the nucleotides all inhibited the contractions, and the order of potency was ATP greater than AMP-PCP greater than L-AMP-PCP. In the guinea-pig thoracic aorta ATP and AMP-PCP caused relaxations, ATP being more potent than AMP-PCP, and L-AMP-PCP caused contractions. These results are consistent with the suggestion that the ATP receptors mediating contraction of smooth muscle are different from those mediating relaxation, and show that L-AMP-PCP is a potent, specific agonist at excitatory ATP receptors.