Flavored e-cigarette use: Characterizing youth, young adult, and adult users.

The purpose of this study is to investigate how the use of flavored e-cigarettes varies between youth (12-17 years old), young adults (18-29 years old), and older adults (30 + years old). Cross-sectional surveys of school-going youth (n = 3907) and young adult college students (n = 5482) in Texas, and young adults and older adults (n = 6051) nationwide were administered in 2014-2015. Proportions and 95% confidence intervals were used to describe the percentage of e-cigarette use at initiation and in the past 30 days that was flavored, among current e-cigarette users. Chi-square tests were applied to examine differences by combustible tobacco product use and demographic factors. Most e-cigarette users said their first and "usual" e-cigarettes were flavored. At initiation, the majority of Texas school-going youth (98%), Texas young adult college students (95%), and young adults (71.2%) nationwide said their first e-cigarettes were flavored to taste like something other than tobacco, compared to 44.1% of older adults nationwide. Fruit and candy flavors predominated for all groups; and, for youth, flavors were an especially salient reason to use e-cigarettes. Among adults, the use of tobacco flavor at initiation was common among dual users (e-cigarettes + combustible tobacco), while other flavors were more common among former cigarette smokers (P = 0.03). Restricting the range of e-cigarette flavors (e.g., eliminating sweet flavors, like fruit and candy) may benefit youth and young adult prevention efforts. However, it is unclear what impact this change would have on adult smoking cessation.

Relative contribution of calories from dietary fat, carbohydrate, and fiber in the promotion of DMBA-induced mammary tumors in Sprague-Dawley rats.

It is well known that caloric restriction inhibits, whereas excess calories promote, mammary tumorigenesis in rats. However, the relative contribution to carcinogenesis by calories derived from fat or from carbohydrate are not well established. To determine the relative effects of calories from fat or from carbohydrate, as well as any interaction of dietary fiber on the promotion of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary tumors, we fed isocalorically nine diets containing different ratios of fat, carbohydrate, and fiber to female Sprague-Dawley rats treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (30/group). Under conditions of isocaloric consumption, at or near ad libitum feeding, calories from dietary fat had approximately twofold greater promoting effect on final body weight and tumor incidence than calories derived from dietary carbohydrate. Dietary fiber had an inhibitory effect on tumor development, but the effect was evident only in the high-fat groups. Logistic regression analysis of tumor incidence gave beta-coefficient estimates for the relative effects of fat, carbohydrate, and fiber of 0.866, 0.189, and -4.281, respectively. Time-to-tumor analysis by the Weibull model indicated beta-estimates of 3.016, 3.324, and 5.825 for dietary fat, carbohydrate, and fiber, respectively, indicating that fat shortens and fiber increases the length of time to tumor. The statistical model derived from these results also indicates a significant synergistic interaction of dietary fat and carbohydrate on final body weight and tumor incidence.

Dietary restriction modulated carcinogen-DNA adduct formation and the carcinogen-induced DNA strand breaks.

Dietary restriction (DR) alters the activities of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes and modulates the formation of carcinogen-DNA adducts in carcinogen treated animals. Our previous results showed that a 40% restriction of diet (60% of ad libitum (AL) food consumption) reduced the hepatic metabolic activation of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) but increased the activation of benzo[a]-pyrene (BaP) in both rats and mice. In this study, the focus was directed toward the levels of carcinogen-DNA adducts formation and the carcinogen-induced DNA strand breaks in mouse kidney and liver DNA. DR significantly inhibited both AFB1-DNA adduct formation and AFB1-induced DNA strand breaks in kidney DNA of mice that received a single dose of [3H]AFB1 (5 mg/kg). The levels of AFB1-DNA adduct formation in mouse kidney DNA correlated well with increased AFB1-induced DNA strand breaks. The correlation between the levels of AFB1-DNA-adducts formed and DNA strand breaks in kidney DNA of DR-mice was less linear than between its AL-counterpart suggesting that other factors, such as different rates of DNA repair, may be involved. In addition, DR enhanced hepatic BaP- and 6-nitrochrysene (6-NC)-DNA adduct formation in the mice treated with BaP and 6-NC, respectively. The formation of the specific BaP-adduct, 10-(N2-deoxyguanosinyl)-7,8,9-trihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-BaP (N2-dG-BaP), in mouse liver was proportional to the dose, and was compatible to the BaP-induced DNA strand breaks affected by DR. The enhancement of the total 6-NC-DNA adduct formation in DR-mouse was also in correlation with the increased 6-NC-induced DNA strand breaks. The activity of mouse liver microsomal nitro-reductase increased by 2-fold in response to DR indicating that the nitroreduction may contribute to the increase of the metabolic activation of 6-NC. Our present results indicate that the effect of DR on the carcinogen activation is dependent upon the DR-modulated carcinogen metabolizing enzyme activities.

Dietary nucleotides: effects on cell proliferation following partial hepatectomy in rats fed NIH-31, AIN-76A, or folate/methyl-deficient diets.

The requirement of a number of tissues for dietary nucleotides could explain some of the differences observed in animals fed natural ingredient diets vs. those fed purified diets lacking a source of dietary nucleotides. Lack of dietary nucleotides is exacerbated in animals fed folate- or methyl-deficient semipurified diets, in which both salvage and folate-dependent de novo synthetic pathways are diminished. We examined hepatocyte proliferation following partial hepatectomy in weanling male Fischer-344 rats fed natural ingredient NIH-31 diet, nucleotide-free purified AIN-76A diet or a basal diet similar to AIN-76A but deficient in the methyl donors folate, choline and methionine. Additional groups were fed AIN-76A or folate/methyl-deficient diets supplemented with 0.25% yeast RNA. Compared with NIH-31, AIN-76A increased dUMP/dTTP ratios, reduced the mitotic index (MI) and increased the ratio of proliferating cell index (PCI) to mitotic cells, an indication that hepatocytes were delayed in S-phase. Addition of yeast RNA to AIN-76A reversed (by approximately 50%) the effects of AIN-76A on dUMP/dTTP and cell proliferation. A folate/methyl-deficient diet also produced an increased dUMP/dTTP ratio and markedly reduced the MI, increasing the PCI/MI, which suggested even further delay of cells in S-phase. Addition of yeast RNA to the folate/methyl-deficient diet was effective in significantly reversing the effects of folate/methyl deficiency.

Effects of retinoic acid on cell differentiation and reversion toward normal in human endometrial adenocarcinoma (RL95-2) cells.

BACKGROUND: All-trans retinoic acid is currently used in clinical trials in combination with tamoxifen to treat breast cancer, and 13-cis retinoic acid is used with a-interferon to treat metastatic endometrial cancer. We examined the effects of all-trans retinoic acid and 13-cis RA alone on endometrial adenocarcinoma (RL95-2) cells to investigate the cell biological mechanisms by which retinoic acid may reduce the metastatic phenotype and induce differentiation. METHODS: RL95-2 cells were seeded onto 4-chamber plastic slides and treated with 13-cis retinoic acid or all-trans retinoic at 0.5 microM, 1 microM and 5 microM doses for 90 minutes at 37 degrees C and stained for F-actin. RESULTS: Untreated RL95-2 cells exhibited staining of disrupted aggregates of F-actin only near the cell periphery. Cells treated with the three doses of 13-cis retinoic acid exhibited a dramatic reorganization of F-actin throughout the cells. When cells were treated with 0.5 microM all-trans retinoic acid, actin filaments reorganized. Cells treated with 1 microM all-trans retinoic acid and 5 microM all-trans retinoic acid displayed increased organization of F-actin and cell size increased. The percentage of S-phase cells increased at the high doses of retinoic acid treatment. This effect was apparently transient, since retinoic acid did not significantly affect cell growth. CONCLUSION: An organized cytoskeleton and an increase in cell size are associated with differentiation. We suggest that retinoic acid exerts its effects on these transformed cells by reorganizing actin filaments, and inducing differentiation, thus inducing a more stationary phenotype.

Local versus systemic immunotoxicity of isobutyl nitrite following subchronic inhalation exposure of female B6C3F1 mice.

Female B6C3F1 mice were exposed to isobutyl nitrite (IBN) by inhalation at 0, 37.5, 75, or 150 ppm for 6 hr per day, 5 days per week for 15 weeks. The potential of this compound to induce immunotoxicity was assessed during the 3rd, 13th, 14th, and 15th week of exposure and after 2 weeks of recovery following the 15 weeks of exposure. Both systemic and lung immune functions were examined, including body and lymphoid organs weights, pulmonary macrophage function and host defense, expression of splenic lymphocyte cell-surface markers, natural killer cell function, mixed lymphocyte reaction, and induction of specific antibody to a T-cell-dependent antigen. There was a dose-related suppression of T-cell-dependent antibody-forming cell responses in the spleen following IBN exposure; however, other measures of T-cell and nonspecific immunity were not significantly affected. A dose-related increase of H202 production by alveolar macrophages was present after 12 but not after 68 exposures to IBN. In contrast, pulmonary host defense mechanisms against Klebsiella pneumoniae were unaffected. These results suggest that in the absence of changes in host resistance, IBN may have selective and partially reversible effects on the immune system.

Prechronic inhalation toxicity studies of isobutyl nitrite.

Isobutyl nitrite (IBN) is a volatile liquid that has become increasingly popular as an inhaled recreational drug. To investigate short-term toxic effects and establish exposure parameters for chronic inhalation studies, F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice were exposed to IBN vapors on a 6 hr/day + t90, 5 days/week schedule. Twelve exposures were administered at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 400, 600, and 800 ppm IBN. This exposure series resulted in mortality in rats exposed to greater than or equal to 600 ppm and mice exposed to 800 ppm. Animals exposed at the lower concentrations developed hyperplasia of the bronchiolar and nasal turbinate epithelium (rats and mice) and lymphocytic atrophy in the spleen and thymus (mice). Longer term, 13-week, subchronic exposures were conducted at concentrations of 0, 10, 25, 75, 150, and 300 ppm IBN. Exposure to 300 ppm IBN reduced the body weight gains in both sexes of rats and in female mice. IBN-related clinical pathology changes included reduced RBC counts accompanied by moderate increases in mean corpuscular volume and reticulocyte counts, increased WBC counts, and mildly increased methemoglobin concentration. Bone marrow hyperplasia was observed in all groups of IBN-exposed rats, while in mice only females at greater than or equal to 150 ppm IBN displayed this change. Excessive splenic pulp hematopoiesis was noted in mice at all IBN exposure levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Subchronic studies of doxylamine in B6C3F1 mice.

Doxylamine succinate, a histamine (H1) antagonist (antihistamine), was administered as an admixture in the feed to male and female B6C3F1 mice for 14 or 90 days. Dose levels of 0, 100, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 ppm doxylamine were administered to males and females in the 14-day study while dose levels of 0, 80, 162, 325, 750, and 1500 ppm were administered to both sexes in the 90-day study. Little toxicity was seen in the 14-day study. Final body weights in the highest dose group were reduced 4.0 and 7.3% in males and females, respectively. Treatment-related histopathological changes in the 14-day study were limited to a very low incidence of hepatic necrosis in both sexes. There was little toxicity observed in the 90-day study and no clear dose response relative to weight gain was observed. Histologically, the liver was the only organ affected by doxylamine administration. The liver lesions consisted of hepatic cell cytomegaly and/or karyomegaly which varied from mild to severe and a possible dose-related hepatic necrosis.

Subchronic studies of doxylamine in Fischer 344 rats.

Doxylamine succinate was administered as an admixture in the feed to male and female Fischer 344 rats for either 14 or 90 days. The 14-day study included dose levels of 0, 100, 250, 500, 1000, or 2000 ppm doxylamine. Except for a 7% decrease in final body weight in female rats in the 2000 ppm group, there were no significant clinical observations made in the 14-day study. Microscopic lesions judged to be treatment-related were limited to cytoplasmic vacuolization in the livers. The lesions were more numerous in the higher dose groups of males and present only in the 2000 ppm group of females. Dose levels of 0, 162, 405, 1012, 2530, and 6325 ppm doxylamine were administered in the 90-day study. There were no deaths during the study. Final body weights were decreased 13.3% in males of the 6325 ppm group and 5.2, 10.1, and 14.4% in females in the 1012, 2530, and 6325 ppm groups, respectively. Liver/brain weight ratios were increased in all treated male groups and in the two highest dose groups of females. Other organ weight changes were decreases and believed to result from general reduction in weight gain in those groups where the decreases occurred. Treatment-related histological changes were identified in the liver and parotid salivary gland. Cytoplasmic vacuolization or fatty change of the liver was found in all groups of males but was more severe in the higher dose groups. In females, these liver lesions were observed only in the two highest dose groups. A dose-related change in the parotid salivary gland, consisting of cytomegaly with basophilic and coarsely granular or vacuolated cytoplasm, was observed.

A toxicological review of beta-adrenergic blockers.

The use of various beta-adrenergic blockers has become extensive as they have been found to be efficacious in the treatment of a number of cardiovascular problems including cardiac arrhythmias, angina pectoris, and hypertension. The widespread and chronic use of these drugs has generated a concern for their potential chronic toxicity. Eighteen beta-adrenergic blockers have been reviewed and the available literature pertaining to their potential carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and teratogenicity has been summarized and compared.

The role of urinary physiological changes in the genesis of urothelial lesions in mice given 4-ethylsulfonylnaphthalene-1-sulfonamide, acetazolamide, and oxamide.

BALB/c female mice were administered several compounds, including 4-ethylsulfonylnaphthalene-1-sulfonamide, acetazolamide, and oxamide, in the diet for six weeks. Fresh urine samples were analyzed three times per week for pH, osmolality, micro-crystals, and protein; and a histopathological evaluation was made of the urothelium at the end of the six weeks test. Incidences of hyperplasia, nodular hyperplasia, vacuolization, ulceration and acute inflammation of the bladder urothelium appeared to be related to the osmolality of the urine and the micro-crystalluria experienced by the mice. Correlation coefficients between lesions and urinary osmolality or crystals were -0.69 (p less than 0.0001) and 0.31 (p less than 0.03), respectively, at the 5% significance level.

Urothelial lesions in mice given 4-ethylsulfonylnaphthalene-1-sulfonamide, acetazolamide, and oxamide.

4-Ethylsulfonylnaphthalene-1-sulfonamide, acetazolamide and oxamide were administered in the diet to female BALB/c mice for varying periods of time from three to eighty weeks. All three compounds induced lesions in the urothelium. In the bladder, these included simple hyperplasia, nodular hyperplasia, inflammation and calculi. Similar lesions were observed in the ureter and urethra, along with a novel lesion, diverticulum, in the ureter. The diverticular lesions existed as down-growths of the transitional epithelium which often extended from the mucosa through the muscle layers to the adventitial surface. The etiology of the lesions appeared to be related to urinary physiological alterations (crystalluria, calculi, hypoosmolality) caused by administration of the compounds.

Persistence of DNA adducts in rat liver and kidney after multiple doses of the carcinogen N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene.

Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated by gastric intubation either 1, 2, 3, or 4 times at biweekly intervals with 10-mg/kg doses of the hepatocarcinogen of N-[ring-3H]-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene. Then either 1 or 14 days following the last treatment, the concentrations of 2-aminofluorene and 2-acetylaminofluorene adducts in liver and kidney DNA were established. 2-Acetylaminofluorene adducts were found in male rat liver DNA only. The C-8-acetylated adduct, N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-acetylaminofluorene, was detected only on the day following treatment at a concentration between 1.0 and 2.4 pmol/mg DNA. A second acetylated adduct, 3-(deoxyguanosin-N2-yl)-2-acetylaminofluorene, was found at both 1 and 14 days after treatment and, as a result, increased in concentration with repeated doses, from 0.2 pmol/mg DNA after one dose to 2.8 pmol/mg DNA after four treatments. The major adduct detected in male rat liver and the only adduct found in female rat liver and in kidney from either sex was N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene. This adduct was slowly lost from the DNA and therefore increased in concentration with repetitive treatments as follows: male liver, 4.0 to 9.4 pmol/mg DNA; female liver, 11.4 to 30.6 pmol/mg DNA; male kidney, 1.1 to 1.8 pmol/mg DNA; and female kidney, 1.8 to 17.7 pmol/mg DNA. These data indicate that certain DNA adducts can accumulate in both target and non-target tissues and therefore suggest that persistence of DNA adducts per se is not sufficient for tumor induction.

Saccharin effects on the urinary physiology and urothelium of the rat when administered in diet or drinking water.

Three groups of 4 rats each were given 5% saccharin in the diet, 4% saccharin in the drinking water, or control diet, and were observed for changes in urinary physiology and pathology. Rats receiving saccharin in the water showed a significantly increased urinary osmolality over control values. Rats receiving saccharin in the diet showed significant increases in food and water consumption, urine elimination, and urinary sediment. Only the latter rats exhibited histopathological changes consisting of two instances of mild hyperplasia and one instance of mild cellular vacuolization.

A simple method for in vitro studies with rodent urinary bladders.

A method was developed for the in vitro study of rodent urinary bladders. The method consists of everting and distending the urinary bladder in a manner to allow exposure of the luminal surface of the urothelium during in vitro incubation while maintaining the integrity of the structure and morphology of the bladder. A technique for selectively removing the urothelium with SDS buffer for biochemical analysis was described. Incorporation of [3H]leucine into urothelial protein was linear over a 4 h period in the presence of tissue culture medium, but no significant incorporation occurred when urine was used as incubation medium. Autoradiography indicated the [3H]leucine incorporation was almost exclusively in the urothelial cells with essentially no incorporation by cells below the tunica propria.

Tissue binding of 2-acetylaminofluorene in BAlB/c and C57Bl/6 mice during chronic oral administration.

Blood and tissue binding levels of [9-14C]2-acetylaminofluorene ([9-14C]2-AAF) administered in the diets of female BALB/c and C57Bl/6 mice, were determined. Blood and liver levels reached a plateau after 2--4 weeks, while levels in bladder tissue continued to increase. Binding levels two weeks administration were determined in liver, bladder, kidney, lung, spleen, heart and skeletal muscle. In every instance the binding was linear over a dose range of 0.5--500 ppm 2-AAF. Removal of the 2-AAF in the diet after 48 weeks resulted in a rapid loss of radioactivity from blood and liver, with little or no loss from bladder tissue. The linear dose-response relationship of tissue binding correlated well with the previously reported linear dose response curve for liver tumors but did not correlated with the reported non-linear dose response curve for bladder tumors. A reversed correlation was found in the ability of the tissue to remove bound fluorene residues and the observed rate of tumor occurrence following discontinued administration of the carcinogen.