Placental transfer and pharmacokinetics of a single dermal dose of [14C]methyl parathion in rats.

The pharmacokinetics and placental transfer of a single dermal 10.0 mg (10microCi)/kg dose of uniformly phenyl-labeled [14C] methyl parathion (0,0-dimethyl 0-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate) were investigated in pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats at 14-18 days of gestation. Three rats were killed at each time interval: 1, 2, 4, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after dosing. Radioactivity disappeared biexponentially from the administration sites, which retained 50% and 3% of the dose after 1 h and 96 h, respectively. Most of the absorbed radioactivity was excreted in the urine (91%). Only 3% of the 14C was recovered in the feces. One h after the administration, radioactivity was detected in all tissues, including fetal tissue. The peak maternal plasma concentration of radioactivity (ng methyl parathion equivalent/ml) was 1005 at 2 h, compared to 318 ng for fetal plasma at 12 h. The maximum concentrations of radioactivity (ng methyl parathion equivalent/g), detected in most tissues within 12 h of dosing, were, in descending order: adipose tissue (67,532), kidney (1,571), spleen (1,256), spinal cord (1,004), heart (729), liver (706), brain (546), placenta (389), and fetus (256). The metabolism studies showed that methyl parathion, detected by HPLC, was the major compound identified in plasma and tissues. The maximum concentration detected was in plasma, at 513 ng/ml, and in the following tissues (ng/g fresh tissue): kidney (819), fetus (668), placenta (394), liver (375), and brain (282). The metabolite methyl paraoxon was detected in maternal brain and liver at maximum concentrations (ng/g fresh tissue) of 135 and 64 after 12 h and 4 h respectively, while p-nitrophenol was only detected in liver at a maximum concentration of 21 ng/g 72 h after dosing. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that methyl parathion disappeared monoexponentially from plasma and tissues. The half-life of elimination of methyl parathion from plasma was 11 h corresponding to a constant rate value of 0.06 h(-1). The results indicate that skin and placenta are poor barriers against methyl parathion permeability, resulting in a rapid and extensive dermal absorption of this insecticide and extensive placental transfer. This is indicated by the relative residence (R(R)) of methyl parathion in the plasma, which was largest in the placenta followed by the fetus. This study suggests that pregnant women and fetuses may be at risk of cholinergic toxicity following dermal exposure to methyl parathion.

Urinary excretion of metabolites following a single dermal dose of [14C]methyl parathion in pregnant rats.

The identification and kinetics of urinary excretion of metabolites of uniformly phenyl-labeled O,O-dimethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate ([14C]methyl parathion) were carried out following a single dermal dose of 10.0 mg (10 microCi)/kg in pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats at 14-18 days of gestation. Urine was collected at each time interval of 1, 2, 4, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after dosing. Total p-nitrophenol in the conjugated and non-conjugated metabolites was measured as a marker of methyl parathion exposure. Elimination of radioactivity in the urine was rapid. Of the total 14C urinary excretion, 30% of the dose was excreted within 4 h, while 50 and 90% of the dose were recovered in the urine by 24 and 96 h, respectively. Excretion rate of total radioactivity was 60 microgram methyl parathion equivalent/h (1.4 mg/day). By the end of the 96-h experiment, conjugated and non-conjugated metabolites accounted for 78.1 and 21.9%, respectively. Of the non-conjugated metabolites, p-nitrophenol and O,O-dimethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (methyl paraoxon) were identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) that accounted for 20%, and 1.9% of total urinary excretion, respectively. Appearance and disappearance rate constants of p-nitrophenol in urine were 0.12 and 0.048 microgram/h, respectively. Conjugated metabolites were classified as: glucuronides 12% of urinary excretion, sulfates 3%, hot sulfuric acid hydrolysable residues 47% and 16.1% remained as unidentified water soluble metabolites. Direct hot acid hydrolysis of urine yielded 49% of extractable 14C-radioactivity compared to 62% when hot acid hydrolysis followed the enzymatic hydrolysis. The presence of the conjugated metabolites as the major class of metabolites of the total excretion indicates that determining only unbound p-nitrophenol as a biological marker for methyl parathion exposure underestimates total urinary excretion of p-nitrophenol. Sequential enzymatic and acid hydrolyses of urine prior solvent extraction are necessary for complete recovery of p-nitrophenol. The results indicate that the present method would show that the pregnant field worker or a housewife being at a greater risk than previously thought.

Combined exposure to sarin and pyridostigmine bromide increased levels of rat urinary 3-nitrotyrosine and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, biomarkers of oxidative stress.

In this study concentrations of markers of oxidative stress 3-nitrotyrosine and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OhdG) were determined in rat urine following a single oral dose of pyridostigmine bromide (PB) 13 mg/kg and a single intramuscular dose of sarin 80 microg/kg alone or in combination. Urine samples were collected 16, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h following dosing. Control urine samples of five rats treated with normal saline were also collected at the same time intervals. A combined dose of PB and sarin significantly increased levels of 3-nitrotyrosine and (8-OhdG) starting 48 h after dosing. An increase in the concentration of these markers was not detected following a single dose of PB or sarin alone. Maximal increase in 3-nitrotyrosine and 8-OhdG was detected 48 h after administration of a combination PB and sarin. The results indicate that concurrent exposure to PB and sarin could generate free radical species that may cause oxidative stress in rats. The results may have significant impact if veterans were expose to sarin following an oral dose of PB.

Induction of urinary excretion of 3-nitrotyrosine, a marker of oxidative stress, following administration of pyridostigmine bromide, DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) and permethrin, alone and in combination in rats.

In this study, we determined levels of 3-nitrotyrosine in rat urine following administration of a single oral dose of 13 mg/kg pyridostigmine bromide (PB) (3-dimethylaminocarbonyloxy-N-methylpyridinum bromide), a single dermal dose of 400 mg/kg N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) and a single dermal dose of 1.3 mg/kg permethrin, alone and in combination. Urine samples were collected from five treated and five control rats at 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, and 72 h following dosing. Solid-phase extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection at 274 nm was used for the determination of tyrosine and 3-nitrotyrosine. A single oral dose of PB and a single dermal dose of DEET or their combination significantly (P<0.05) increased levels of 3-nitrotyrosine starting 24 h after dosing compared with control urine samples. The maximum increase of 3-nitroytyrosine was detected 48 h after combined administration of PB and DEET. The ratio of 3-nitrotyrosine to tyrosine in urine excreted 48 h after dosing was 0.19+/-0.04, 0.20+/-0.05, 0.28+/-0.03, 0.32+/-0.04, 0.19+/-0.05, 0.42+/-0.04, 0.27+/-0.03, 0.36+/-0.04, and 0.48+/-0.04 following administration of water, ethanol, PB, DEET, permethrin, PB+DEET, PB+permethrin, DEET+permethrin, and PB+DEET+permethrin, respectively. The results indicate that an oral dose of PB and a dermal administration of DEET, alone and in combination, could generate free radical species, and thus increase levels of 3-nitrotyrosine in rat urine. Induction of 3-nitrotyrosine, a marker of oxidative stress, following exposure to these compounds could be significant in understanding the proposed enhanced toxicity following combined exposure to these compounds.

Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of daily oral doses of [14C]methyl parathion in hens.

Adult hens were given oral daily doses of 2 mg (2 microC(i))/kg/day (14% of oral LD(50) in male rats) of [14C]methyl parathion (O,O-dimethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate) for 10 consecutive days. Five treated hens were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h after the last dose. Methyl parathion was absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed rapidly. Maximum radioactivity was detected in tissues within 8 h of dosing, (ng methyl parathion equivalent/g fresh tissue or ml plasma): Plasma (189.2), liver (94.7), kidney (146.2), brain (61.4), gastrointestinal tissues (106.7). Methyl parathion was detected in the plasma, kidney and liver, while methyl parathion metabolite p-nitrophenol was detected in the liver and in the kidney. Elimination of methyl parathion from plasma was monophasic with a terminal half-life of 17.5 h, corresponding to an elimination rate constant of 0.039 ng/hr. Most of the absorbed radioactivity was excreted in the combined fecal-urine excreta (98%). Analysis of the metabolites in the excreta revealed that non-conjugated metabolites accounted for 13% of the total excretion. Conjugated metabolites accounted for 87% of the total excretion; of that, 6% as p-nitrophenyl-glucoronide conjugate, 7% as p-nitrophenyl-sulfate conjugate, 23% as bound hot sulfuric acid hydrolyzable residues, and 51% as water soluble metabolites. The presence of majority of radioactivity in the excreta as conjugated metabolites indicates that determining only unbound p-nitrophenol as a biological marker for methyl parathion exposure underestimates total fecal-urine excretion of p-nitrophenol. The slow elimination rate of methyl parathion is significant, since hens are more comparable to humans with respect to their cytochrome P450 activities.

Sarin: health effects, metabolism, and methods of analysis.

Sarin (O-isopropylmethylphosphonofluoridate) is a highly toxic nerve agent produced for chemical warfare. Sarin is an extremely potent acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitor with high specificity and affinity for the enzyme. Death by sarin is due to anoxia resulting from airway obstruction, weakness of the muscles of respiration, convulsions and respiratory failure. The main clinical symptoms of acute toxicity of sarin are seizures, tremors and hypothermia. Exposure to sarin during incidents in Japan in 1994, 1995 and 1998, and possible exposure to low levels of sarin during the Gulf War, resulted in the deaths and injury of many people in Japan and caused possible long-term health effects on Gulf War veterans. Symptoms related to sarin poisoning in Japan still exist 1-3 years after the incident and include fatigue, asthenia, shoulder stiffness and blurred vision. Sarin produced seizures in rats and pigs. Recent studies showed that long-term exposure to low levels of sarin caused neurophysiological and behavioral alterations. Toxicity from sarin significantly increased following concurrent exposure to other chemicals such as pyridostigmine bromide. Further research to examine effects of sarin on the cellular and the molecular levels, gene transcription, endocrine system as well as its long-term impact is needed.

DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) alone and in combination with permethrin increased urinary excretion of 6beta-hydroxycortisol in rats, a marker of hepatic CYP3A induction.

In this study, the ratio of 6beta-hydroxycortisol (6beta-OHF) to free cortisol (F) was determined in urine following a single dermal dose of 400 mg/kg of DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), and 1.3 mg/kg of permethrin, alone and in combination, in rats. Urine samples were collected at 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, and 72 h after application. Recoveries of 6beta-OHF and cortisol (F) from control urine samples were between 75 and 85%, with limits of detection at 30 and 10 ng/ml for cortisol and 6beta-OHF, respectively. A single dermal dose of DEET alone and in combination with permethrin significantly increased urinary excretion of 6beta-hydroxycortisol 24 h after dosing. Permethrin did not significantly alter the urinary excretion of 6beta-hydroxycortisol. These results indicate that DEET, alone and in combination with permethrin, increased urinary excretion of 6beta-OHF in rats following a single dermal dose application.

Combined exposure to DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) and permethrin-induced release of rat brain mitochondrial cytochrome c.

The release of cytochrome c from the mitochondrial intermembrane space can induce apoptosis. The levels of mitochondrial cytochrome c in rat brain following a single dermal dose of 400 mg/kg of DEET, and of 1.3 mg/kg of permethrin, alone or in combination were determined. Rats were sacrificed at a time interval of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, or 72 h after dosing. Brain mitochondria were isolated and the levels of cytochrome c were measured using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV) detection. Average percentage recovery of cytochrome c spiked with control rat brain mitochondria was 83.2 +/- 8.9%. Limits of detection and quantitation were 1 and 5 ng, respectively. The results showed that a single dermal dose of a combination of DEET and permethrin significantly increased the release of brain mitochondrial cytochrome c starting 24 h after treatment. DEET and permethrin alone did not affect the release of cytochrome c. The results indicate that combined exposure to DEET and permethrin might induce the apoptotic processes in rat brain as seen by the release of cytochrome c.

Inhibition of cholinesterase enzymes following a single dermal dose of chlorpyrifos and methyl parathion, alone and in combination, in pregnant rats.

Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (14-18 d of gestation) were treated with either a single dermal subclinical dose of 30 mg/kg (15% of dermal LD50) chlorpyrifos (O,O-diethyl-O-[3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl] phosphorothioate) or a single dermal subclinical dose of 10 mg/kg (15% of dermal LD50) methyl parathion (O,O-dimethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate) or the two in combination. Chlorpyrifos inhibited maternal and fetal brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity within 24 h of dosing, (48% and 67% of control activity, respectively). Following application of methyl parathion, peak inhibition of maternal and fetal brain AChE activity occurred at 48 h and 24 h after dosing (17% and 48% of control activity, respectively). A combination of chlorpyrifos and methyl parathion produced peak inhibition of maternal and fetal brain AChE activity at 24 h postdosing (35% and 73% of control activity, respectively). Maternal and fetal brain AChE activity recovered to various degrees of percentage of control 96 h after dosing. Application of methyl parathion or chlorpyrifos alone or in combination significantly inhibited maternal plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity. No significant inhibition of fetal plasma BuChE activity was detected. Peak inhibition of maternal liver BuChE occurred 24 h after application of methyl parathion or chlorpyrifos alone or in combination (64%, 80%, and 61% of control activity, respectively). Significant inhibition of placental AChE occurred within 24 h after application of methyl parathion or chlorpyrifos alone or in combination. The results suggest that methyl parathion and chlorpyrifos, alone or in combination, were rapidly distributed in maternal and fetal tissues, resulting in rapid inhibition of cholinesterase enzyme activities. The lower inhibitory effect of the combination could be due to competition between chlorpyrifos and methyl parathion for cytochrome P-450 enzymes, resulting in inhibition of the formation of the potent cholinesterase inhibitor oxon forms. The faster recovery of fetal plasma BuChE is attributed to the de novo synthesis of cholinesterase by fetal tissues compared to maternal tissues.

A validated HPLC method for the determination of pyridostigmine bromide, acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid and caffeine in rat plasma and urine.

A method was developed for the separation and quantification of the anti-nerve agent pyridostigmine bromide (PB; 3-dimethylaminocarbonyloxy-N-methyl pyridinium bromide), the analgesic drugs acetaminophen and acetylsalicylic acid, and the stimulant caffeine (3,7-dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-1-H-purine-2,6-dione) in rat plasma and urine. The compounds were extracted using C(18) Sep-Pak(R) cartridges then analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with reversed phase C18 column, and UV detection at 280 nm. The compounds were separated using gradient of 1-85% acetonitrile in water (pH 3.0) at a flow rate ranging between 1 and 1.5 ml/min in a period of 14 min. The retention times ranged from 8.8 to 11.5 min. The limits of detection were ranged between 100 and 200 ng/ml, while limits of quantitation were 150-200 ng/ml. Average percentage recovery of five spiked plasma samples were 70.9+/-9.5, 73.7+/-9.8, 88.6+/-9.3, 83.9+/-7.8, and from urine 69.1+/-8.5, 74.5+/-8.7, 85.9+/-9.8, 83.2+/-9.3, for pyridostigmine bromide, acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid and caffeine, respectively. The relationship between peak areas and concentration was linear over range between 100 and 1000 ng/ml. The resulting chromatograms showed no interfering peaks from endogenous plasma or urine components. This method was applied to analyze these compounds following oral administration in rats.

Determination of depleted uranium, pyridostigmine bromide and its metabolite in plasma and urine following combined administration in rats.

A simple and reliable method was developed for the quantification of depleted uranium, the anti nerve agent drug pyridostigmine bromide (PB;3-dimethylaminocarbonyloxy-N-methyl pyridinium bromide) and its metabolite N-methyl-3-hydroxypyridinium bromide in rat plasma and urine. The method involved using solid phase extraction and spectrophotometric determination of uranium, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with reversed phase C(18) column, and UV detection at 280 nm for PB and its metabolite. Uranium was derivatized using dibenzoylmethane (DBM) then the absorbance was measured at 405 nm. PB and its metabolite were separated using a gradient of 1--40% acetonitrile in 0.1% triflouroacetic acid water solution (pH 3.2) at a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min in a period of 14 min. Limits of detection were 2 ng/ml for uranium and 50 ng/ml for PB and its metabolite. Limits of quantitation were between 10 and 100 ng/ml for uranium and the other two analytes, respectively. Average percentage recovery of five spiked plasma samples were 83.7+/-8.6, 76.8+/-6.7, 79.1+/-7.1, and from urine 82.7+/-8.6, 79.3+/-9.5 and 78.0+/-6.2, for depleted uranium, PB and N-methyl-3-hydroxypyridinium bromide, respectively. The relationship between peak areas and concentration was linear for standards between 100 and 1000 ng/ml for all three analytes. This method was applied to analyze the above chemicals and metabolites following combined administration in rats.

Simultaneous determination of malathion, permethrin, DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), and their metabolites in rat plasma and urine using high performance liquid chromatography.

A method was developed for the separation and quantification of the insecticide malathion (O,O-dimethyl-S-(1,2-carbethoxyethyl) phosphorodithioate), its metabolite malaoxon (O,O-dimethyl-S-(1,2-carbethoxyethyl) phosphorothioate), the insecticide permethrin (3-(2,2-dichloro-ethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid(3-phenoxyphenyl)methylester), two of its metabolites m-phenoxybenzyl alcohol and m-phenoxybenzoic acid, the insect repellent N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET), and its metabolites m-toluamide and m-toluic acid in rat plasma and urine. The method used high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with reversed phase C(18) column, and UV detection at 210 nm. The compounds were separated using gradient of 45--99% acetonitrile in water (pH 3.5) at a flow rate ranging between 0.5 and 2 ml/min in a period of 15 min. The retention times ranged from 7.4 to 12.3 min. The limits of detection ranged between 20 and 100 ng/ml, while limits of quantitation were 50-150 ng/ml. Average percentage recovery of five spiked plasma samples were 80.1+/-4.2, 75.2+/-4.6, 84.5+/-4.0, 84.3+/-3.4, 82.8+/-3.9, 83.9+/-5.5, 82.2+/-6.0, 83.1+/-4.3, and from urine 78.8+/-3.9, 76.4+/-4.9, 82.3+/-4.5, 82.5+/-3.9, 81.4+/-4.0, 83.9+/-4.3, 81.5+/-5.0, and 84.5+/-3.8 for, malathion, malaoxon, DEET, m-toluamide, m-toluic acid, permethrin, m-phenoxybenzyl alcohol, and m-phenoxybenzoic acid, respectively. The method was reproducible and linear over range between 100 and 1000 ng/ml. This method was applied to analyze the above chemicals and metabolites following combined dermal administration in rats.

Simultaneous determination of chlorpyrifos, permethrin, and their metabolites in rat plasma and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for the separation and quantitation of the insecticide chlorpyrifos (O,O-diethyl-O[3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl] phosphorothioate), its metabolites chlorpyrifos-oxon (O,O-diethyl-O[3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl] phosphate) and TCP (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol), the insecticide permethrin (3-(2,2-dichloro-ethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid-(3-phenoxyphenyl) methylester), and two of its metabolites, m-phenoxybenzyl alcohol and m-phenoxybenzoic acid, in rat plasma and urine. The method is based on using C18 Sep-Pak cartridges for solid-phase extraction and reversed-phase HPLC. The compounds were separated using a gradient of 1 to 80% acetonitrile in water (pH 3.2) at a flow rate ranging between 1 and 1.5 mL/min in a period of 17 min and gradient UV detection ranging between 210 and 280 nm. The retention times ranged from 9.3 to 14.5 min. The limits of detection ranged between 20 and 150 ng/mL, whereas the limits of quantitation were 150-200 ng/mL. The respective average percentage recoveries of chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-oxon, TCP, permethrin, m-phenoxybenzyl alcohol, and m-phenoxybenzoic were 78.6 +/- 6.4, 72.8 +/- 6.8, 84.8 +/- 8.0, 79.2 +/- 8.4, 80.5 +/- 7.2, and 82.3 +/- 7.1 from five spiked plasma samples and 77.5 +/- 8.1, 72.8 +/- 8.3, 79.9 +/- 6.4, 79.1 +/- 8.9, 80.5 +/- 7.6, and 81.4 +/- 7.8 from urine samples. The relationship between peak areas and concentration was linear for concentrations between 200 and 2,000 ng/mL. This method was used to analyze these chemicals and metabolites following dermal administration in rats.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of pyridostigmine bromide, nicotine, and their metabolites in rat plasma and urine.

This study reports on the development of a rapid and simple method for the determination of the antinerve agent drug pyridostigmine bromide (3-dimethylaminocarbonyloxy-N-methyl pyridinium bromide) (PB), its metabolite N-methyl-3-hydroxypyridinium bromide, nicotine (S-1-methyl-5-(3-pyridyl)-2-pyrrolidine), and its metabolites nornicotine (2-(3-pyridyl)pyrrolidine) and cotinine (S-1-methyl-5-(3-pyridyl)-2-pyrrolidone) in rat plasma and urine. The compounds are extracted and eluted by methanol and acetonitrile using C18 Sep-Pak cartridges and separated using high-performance liquid chromatography by a gradient of methanol, acetonitrile, and water (pH 3.2) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min in a period of 14 min. UV detection was at 260 nm for nicotine and its metabolites and at 280 nm for PB and its metabolite. The limits of detection ranged between 20 and 70 ng/mL, and the limits of quantitation were 50-100 ng/mL. The average percent recovery of five spiked plasma samples were 85.7 +/- 7.3%, 80.4 +/- 5.8%, 78.9 +/- 5.4%, 76.7 +/- 6.4%, and 79.7 +/- 5.7% and for urine were 85.9 +/- 5.9%, 75.5 +/- 6.9%, 82.6 +/- 7.9%, 73.6 +/- 5.9%, and 77.7 +/- 6.3% for nicotine, nornicotine, cotinine, PB, and N-methyl-3-hydroxypyridinium bromide, respectively. The calibration curves for standard solutions of the compounds of peak areas and concentration are linear for a range between 100 and 1,000 ng/mL. This method is applied in order to analyze the previously mentioned chemicals and metabolites following their oral administration in rats.

Determination of diazinon, chlorpyrifos, and their metabolites in rat plasma and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography.

This study reports a simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of the insecticide diazinon (O,O-diethyl-O[2-isopropyl-6-methylpyridimidinyl] phosphorothioate), its metabolites diazoxon (O,O-diethyl-O-2-isopropyl-6-methylpyridimidinyl phosphate) and 2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinol, the insecticide chlorpyrifos (O,O-diethyl-O[3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl] phosphorothioate) and its metabolites chlorpyrifos-oxon (O,O-diethyl-O[3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl] phosphate), and TCP (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol) in rat plasma and urine samples. The method is based on using C18 Sep-Pak cartridges for solid-phase extraction and HPLC with a reversed-phase C18 column and programmed UV detection ranging between 254 and 280 nm. The compounds are separated using a gradient of 1% to 80% acetonitrile in water (pH 3.0) at a flow rate ranging between 1 and 1.5 mL/min in a period of 16 min. The limits of detection ranged between 50 and 150 ng/mL, and the limits of quantitation were 100 to 200 ng/mL. The average percentage recovery of five spiked plasma samples were 86.3 +/- 8.6, 77.4 +/- 7.0, 82.1 +/- 8.2, 81.8 +/- 8.7, 73.1 +/- 7.4, and 80.3 +/- 8.0 and from urine were 81.8 +/- 7.6, 76.6 +/- 7.1, 81.5 +/- 7.9, 81.8 +/- 7.1, 73.7 +/- 8.6, and 80.7 +/- 7.7 for diazinon, diazoxon, 2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinol, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-oxon, and TCP, respectively. The relationship between the peak area and concentration was linear over a range of 200 to 2,000 ng/mL. This method was applied in order to analyze these chemicals and metabolites following dermal administration in rats.

In vitro metabolism and interactions of pyridostigmine bromide, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, and permethrin in human plasma and liver microsomal enzymes.

1. The in vitro human plasma activity and liver microsomal metabolism of pyridostigmine bromide (PB), a prophylactic treatment against organophosphate nerve agent attack, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET), an insect repellent, and permethrin, a pyrethroid insecticide, either alone or in combination were investigated. 2. The three chemicals disappeared from plasma in the following order: permethrin > PB > DEET. The combined incubation of DEET with either permethrin or PB had no effect on permethrin or PB. Binary incubation with permethrin decreased the metabolism of PB and its disappearance from plasma and binary incubation with PB decreased the metabolism of permethrin and its clearance from plasma. Incubation with PB and/or permethrin shortened the DEET terminal half-life in plasma. These agents behaved similarly when studied in liver microsomal assays. The combined incubation of DEET with PB or permethrin (alone or in combination) diminished DEET metabolism in microsomal systems. 3. The present study evidences that PB and permethrin are metabolized by both human plasma and liver microsomal enzymes and that DEET is mainly metabolized by liver oxidase enzymes. Combined exposure to test chemicals increases their neurotoxicity by impeding the body's ability to eliminate them because of the competition for detoxifying enzymes.

A solid phase extraction reversed-phase HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of methoprene, permethrin and selected metabolites in rat plasma and urine.

A method was validated and applied for the analysis of the insect growth regulator methoprene [Isopropyl (2E,4E)-11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4-dienoate], its metabolite methoprene acid, the insecticide permethrin [3-(2,2-dichloro-ethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid(3-phenoxyphenyl)methylester], and two of its metabolites, m-phenoxybenzyl alcohol and m-phenoxybenzoic acid, in rat plasma and urine using solid-phase extraction and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The analytes were separated using gradient of 55-100% acetonitrile in water (pH 4.0) at a flow rate ranging between 0.6 and 1.0 mL/min over a period of 20 min, and UV detection at 210 and 254 nm. The retention times ranged from 7.3 to 18.4 min. The limits of detection ranged between 50 and 100 ng/ml, while limits of quantitation were 100-150 ng/mL. Average percentage recovery of five spiked plasma samples was 83.6 +/- 3.9, 80.1 +/- 5.4, 82.1 +/- 4.4, 83.7 +/- 3.9 and 83.1 +/- 4.7, and from urine 79.3 +/- 4.3, 82.0 +/- 5.4, 80.7 +/- 4.2, 78.9 +/- 5.7 and 83.9 +/- 4.5 for methoprene, methoprene acid, permethrin, m-phenoxybenzyl alcohol and m-phenoxybenzoic acid, respectively. The method was linear and reproducible over the range of 100-1000 ng/mL. This method was applied to analyze the above chemicals and metabolites following their combined administration in rats.

Biomarkers of apoptosis: release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-3, induction of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, increased 3-nitrotyrosine, and alteration of p53 gene.

Biomarkers rely on biochemical, histological, morphological, and physiological changes in whole organisms. Their use is becoming an important tool to examine changes at cellular and molecular levels, especially in nucleic acids and proteins. Biomarkers are used to measure exposure to a toxic agent, to detect severity of any toxic response, and to predict the possible outcome. Information on the mechanisms of action of toxicants can allow the development of potential biomarkers of effect and thus improvement of the risk assessment processes. Use of biomarkers as a tool to predict induction of apoptosis allows identification of biological signs that may indicate increased risk for disease. In cells undergoing apoptosis, the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm and the activation of caspase-3, a key enzyme to execution stage of apoptotic pathway, have been studied as biomarkers of cell death (apoptosis). Products of DNA fragmentation that either accumulate in the cellular tissues or are excreted in the urine are useful markers of DNA damage. The induction level of urinary or cellular level of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and 3-nitrotyrosine has been used as a marker to measure extent of DNA oxidative damage. Furthermore, alteration or overexpression of the p53 gene was considered an indication of apoptosis. This article reviews some of the aspects of biomarkers of apoptosis, indicating relevance of their uses to predict apoptosis following exposure to environmental toxicants.

High performance liquid chromatographic determination of diazinon, permethrin, DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), and their metabolites in rat plasma and urine.

A rapid method was developed for the analysis of the insecticide (A) diazinon (O,O-diethyl O-2-isopropyl-6-methylpyridimidinyl) phosphorothioate, its metabolites (B) diazoxon (O,O-diethyl O-2-isopropyl-6-methylpyridimidinyl) phosphate, and (C) 2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinol, the insecticide (D) permethrin [3-(2,2-dichloro-ethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid (3-phenoxyphenyl)methylester], its metabolites (E) m-phenoxybenzyl alcohol, and (F) m-phenoxybenzoic acid, the insect repellent (G) DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), and its metabolites (H) m-toluamide and (I) m-toluic acid in rat plasma and urine. The method is based on using C18 Sep-Pak cartridges (Waters Corporation, Milford, Mass., U.S.A.) for solid phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography with a reversed phase C18 column, and absorbance detection at 230 nm for compounds A, B, and C, and at 210 nm for compounds D-I. The compounds were separated using a gradient from 1% to 99% acetonitrile in water (pH 3.0) at a flow rate ranging between 1 and 1.7 mL/min in a period of 17 min. The limits of detection were ranged between 20 and 100 ng/mL, while limits of quantification were 80-200 ng/mL. The relationship between peak areas and concentration was linear over a range of 100-1000 ng/mL. This method was applied to determine the above insecticides and their metabolites following dermal administration in rats.

Inhibition and recovery of maternal and fetal cholinesterase enzyme activity following a single cutaneous dose of methyl parathion and diazinon, alone and in combination, in pregnant rats.

Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (14-18 days of gestation) were treated with a single cutaneous subclinical dose(s) of 10 mg kg(-1) (15% of LD(50)) of methyl parathion (O,O-dimethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate) and 65 mg kg(-1) (15% of LD(50)) of diazinon (O,O)-diethyl O-2-isopropyl-6-methylpyrimidinyl phosphorothioate, and their combination. Animals were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after dosing. Inhibition of maternal and fetal cholinesterase enzyme activity has been determined. Methyl parathion significantly inhibited maternal and fetal brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity within 24 h after dosing. Diazinon and a mixture of methyl parathion and diazinon caused lesser inhibition compared with methyl parathion alone. Recovery of maternal and fetal brain AChE activity was in the order of diazinon > combination of diazinon and methyl parathion > methyl parathion 96 h after dosing. Although fetal plasma BuChE activity recovered to 100% of control within 96 h of application, maternal BuChE activity remained inhibited to 55% and 32% of control 96 h after application of methyl parathion and a mixture of methyl parathion and diazinon, respectively. Following a single dermal dose of methyl parathion, the activity of maternal liver BuChE was 63% of control 2 h after dosing, whereas inhibition of placental AChE or BuChE activity occurred 12 and 1 h following a single dose of methyl parathion, corresponding to activities of 63% and 54% of control, respectively. Diazinon, alone or in combination with methyl parathion, did not inhibit significantly the maternal liver BuChE or placental AChE and BuChE activity. The results suggest that dermal application of a single dose of methyl parathion and diazinon, alone or in combination, has an easy access into maternal and fetal tissues, resulting in inhibition of cholinesterase enzymes. The lower inhibitory effect of the combination of methyl parathion and diazinon might be due to competition of diazinon with methyl parathion for cytochrome P-450 enzymes, resulting in formation of the potent cholinesterase inhibitor methyl paraoxon. The faster recovery of fetal cholinesterase enzymes is attributed to the rapid de novo synthesis of cholinesterase fetal tissues compared with the mother.