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BACKGROUND Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a side-effect frequently associated with the use of broad spectrum antibiotics. Although a number of clinical studies show that co-administration of specific probiotics reduces the risk for AAD, there is still unclarity among healthcare professionals on the recommendation of probiotic products. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to provide a practical guide to inform healthcare professionals, patients and consumers about the exact product characteristics of available probiotics with a proven efficacy to prevent AAD. DESIGN and METHODS The workflow in this paper includes three consecutive steps: a systematic review of relevant clinical studies for effective probiotics by a meta-analysis, compilation of a list of available probiotic products, and recommendation of probiotic products that match effective formulations. Our systematic review on the efficacy of probiotics for the prevention of AAD included only studies with randomized, double blind placebo-controlled trials, a clear definition of antibiotic associated diarrhea, and a probiotic administration regime for at least the duration of the antibiotic therapy. RESULTS Using our inclusion criteria, we selected 32 out of 128 identified trials and pooled the results of these studies for each specific dairy product and food supplement. The results indicate a total of seven single or multiple-strain formulations favoring the probiotic treatment group, with the strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG being the most effective (relative risk ratio of probiotic versus placebo 0.30 with 95% CI 0.16 - 0.5]. We selected products for recommendation from a compiled list of all probiotic dairy products and food supplements available in The Netherlands and categorized them into groups of products showing effects against the incidence of AAD in at least one, two, or three independent clinical studies. We excluded all products which did not unambiguously declare on the label the specific probiotic strain(s) and the number of colony forming units. CONCLUSION Here, we present a practical guide that informs healthcare professionals and patients on the availability of probiotic products with a proven efficacy for the prevention of AAD.

Toxicology and safety assessment are changing and require new strategies for evaluating risk that are less depending on apical toxicity endpoints in animal models and relying more on knowledge of the mechanism of toxicity. This manuscript describes a number of developments that could contribute to this change and implement this in a stepwise roadmap that can be applied for the evaluation of food and food ingredients. The roadmap was evaluated in four case studies by using literature and existing data. This preliminary evaluation was shown to be useful. However, this experience should be extended by including examples where experimental work needs to be included. To further implement these new insights in toxicology and safety assessment for the area of food and food ingredients, the recommendation is that stakeholders take action in addressing gaps in our knowledge, e.g. with regard to the applicability of the roadmap for mixtures and food matrices. Further development of the threshold of toxicological concern is needed, as well as cooperation with other sectors where similar schemes are under development. Moreover, a more comprehensive evaluation of the roadmap, also including the identification of the need for in vitro experimental work is recommended. published

Background Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a side-effect frequently associated with the use of broad spectrum antibiotics. Although a number of clinical studies show that co-administration of specific probiotics reduces the risk for AAD, there is still unclarity among healthcare professionals on the recommendation of probiotic products. This paper aims at a practical guide to inform healthcare professionals, patients and consumers about the exact product characteristics of available probiotics with a proven efficacy to prevent AAD. Methods The workflow in this paper includes three consecutive steps: 1) systematic review of relevant clinical studies for effective probiotics by a meta-analysis, 2) compilation of a list of available probiotic products, and 3) recommendation of probiotic products that match effective formulations. Our systematic review on the efficacy of probiotics for the prevention of AAD included only studies with randomized, double blind placebo-controlled trials, a clear definition of antibiotic associated diarrhea, and a probiotic administration regime for at least the duration of the antibiotic therapy. Results Using our inclusion criteria, we selected 32 out of 128 identified trials and pooled the results of these studies for each specific dairy product and food supplement. The results indicate a total of seven single or multiple-strain formulations favoring the probiotic treatment group, with the strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG being the most effective [relative risk ratio of probiotic versus placebo 0.30 (95% CI 0.16–0.5)]. We selected products for recommendation from a compiled list of all probiotic dairy products and food supplements available in The Netherlands and categorized them into groups of products showing effects against the incidence of AAD in at least one, two or three independent clinical studies. We excluded all products which did not unambiguously declare on the label the specific probiotic strain(s) and the number of colony forming units. Conclusion Here we present a practical guide that informs healthcare professionals and patients on the availability of probiotic products with a proven efficacy for the prevention of AAD. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12876-018-0831-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Recently revised OECD Testing Guidelines highlight the importance of considering the first site-of-contact when investigating the genotoxic hazard. Thus far, only in vivo approaches are available to address the dermal route of exposure. The 3D Skin Comet and Reconstructed Skin Micronucleus (RSMN) assays intend to close this gap in the in vitro genotoxicity toolbox by investigating DNA damage after topical application. This represents the most relevant route of exposure for a variety of compounds found in household products, cosmetics, and industrial chemicals. The comet assay methodology is able to detect both chromosomal damage and DNA lesions that may give rise to gene mutations, thereby complementing the RSMN which detects only chromosomal damage. Here, the comet assay was adapted to two reconstructed full thickness human skin models: the EpiDerm™- and Phenion® Full-Thickness Skin Models. First, tissue-specific protocols for the isolation of single cells and the general comet assay were transferred to European and US-American laboratories. After establishment of the assay, the protocol was then further optimized with appropriate cytotoxicity measurements and the use of aphidicolin, a DNA repair inhibitor, to improve the assay's sensitivity. In the first phase of an ongoing validation study eight chemicals were tested in three laboratories each using the Phenion® Full-Thickness Skin Model, informing several validation modules. Ultimately, the 3D Skin Comet assay demonstrated a high predictive capacity and good intra- and inter-laboratory reproducibility with four laboratories reaching a 100% predictivity and the fifth yielding 70%. The data are intended to demonstrate the use of the 3D Skin Comet assay as a new in vitro tool for following up on positive findings from the standard in vitro genotoxicity test battery for dermally applied chemicals, ultimately helping to drive the regulatory acceptance of the assay. To expand the database, the validation will continue by testing an additional 22 chemicals. © 2018 The Authors Chemicals/CAS: 7,12 dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, 57-97-6; aphidicolin, 38966-21-1; cadmium chloride, 10108-64-2; cyclohexanone, 108-94-1; ethylnitrosourea, 759-73-9; eugenol, 97-53-0; gallic acid propyl ester, 121-79-9; mitomycin, 1404-00-8, 50-07-7, 74349-48-7; phthalic acid bis(2 ethylhexyl) ester, 117-81-7

The epithelium that covers the conducting airways and alveoli is a primary target for inhaled toxic substances, and therefore a focus in inhalation toxicology. The increasing concern about the use of animal models has stimulated the development of in vitro cell culture models for analysis of the biological effects of inhaled toxicants. However, the validity of the current in vitro models and their acceptance by regulatory authorities as an alternative to animal models is a reason for concern, and requires a critical review. In this review, focused on human lung epithelial cell cultures as a model for inhalation toxicology, we discuss the choice of cells for these models, the cell culture system used, the method of exposure as well as the various read-outs to assess the cellular response. We argue that rapid developments in the 3D culture of primary epithelial cells, the use of induced pluripotent stem cells for generation of lung epithelial cells and the development of organ-on-a-chip technology are among the important developments that will allow significant advances in this field. Furthermore, we discuss the various routes of application of inhaled toxicants by air-liquid interface models as well as the vast array of read-outs that may provide essential information. We conclude that close collaboration between researchers from various disciplines is essential for development of valid methods that are suitable for replacement of animal studies for inhalation toxicology.

A reliable prediction of the oral bioavailability in humans is crucial and of high interest for pharmaceutical and food industry. The predictive value of currently used in silico methods, in vitro cell lines, ex vivo intestinal tissue and/or in vivo animal studies for human intestinal absorption, however, is often insufficient, especially when food-drug interactions are evaluated. Ideally, for this purpose healthy human intestinal tissue is used, but due to its limited availability there is a need for alternatives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of healthy porcine intestinal tissue mounted in a newly developed InTESTine™ system to predict human intestinal absorption of compounds with different chemical characteristics, and within biorelevant matrices. To that end, first, a representative set of compounds was chosen of which the apparent permeability (Papp) data in both Caco-2 cells and human intestinal tissue mounted in the Ussing chamber system, and absolute human oral bioavailability were reported. Thereafter, Papp values of the subset were determined in both porcine jejunal tissue and our own Caco-2 cells. In addition, the feasibility of this new approach to study regional differences (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) in permeability of compounds and to study the effects of luminal factors on permeability was also investigated. For the latter, a comparison was made between the compatibility of porcine intestinal tissue, Caco-2 cells, and Caco-2 cells co-cultured with the mucin producing HT29-MTX cells with biorelevant samples as collected from an in vitro dynamic gastrointestinal model (TIM). The results demonstrated that for the paracellularly transported compounds atenolol, cimetidine, mannitol and ranitidine porcine Papp values are within 3-fold difference of human Papp values, whereas the Caco-2 Papp values are beyond 3-fold difference. Overall, the porcine intestinal tissue Papp values are more comparable to human Papp values (9 out of 12 are within 3-fold difference), compared to Caco-2 Papp values (4 out of 12 are within 3-fold difference). In addition, for the selected hydrophilic compounds a significant increase in the permeability was observed from duodenum to ileum. Finally, this study indicated that porcine jejunal tissue segments can be used with undiluted luminal samples to predict human intestinal permeability and the effect of biorelevant matrices on this. In conclusion, viable porcine intestinal tissue mounted in the InTESTine™ system can be applied as a reliable tool for the assessment of intestinal permeability in the absence and presence of biorelevant samples. This would enable an accessible opportunity for a reliable prediction of human intestinal absorption, and the effect of luminal compounds such as digested foods, early in drug development. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Chemicals/CAS: acebutolol, 34381-68-5, 37517-30-9; atenolol, 29122-68-7, 93379-54-5; candesartan, 139481-59-7; cetirizine, 83881-51-0, 83881-52-1; cimetidine, 51481-61-9, 70059-30-2; ciprofloxacin, 85721-33-1; diazepam, 439-14-5; digoxin, 20830-75-5, 57285-89-9; famotidine, 76824-35-6; hydrocortisone, 50-23-7; ibuprofen, 15687-27-1, 79261-49-7, 31121-93-4, 527688-20-6; indometacin, 53-86-1, 74252-25-8, 7681-54-1; mannitol, 69-65-8, 87-78-5; melagatran, 159776-70-2; metoprolol, 37350-58-6; oxprenolol, 22972-97-0, 6452-71-7, 6452-73-9; phenazone, 60-80-0; pindolol, 13523-86-9, 21870-06-4; propranolol, 13013-17-7, 318-98-9, 3506-09-0, 4199-09-1, 525-66-6; ranitidine, 66357-35-5, 66357-59-3; salazosulfapyridine, 599-79-1; salicylic acid, 63-36-5, 69-72-7; testosterone, 58-22-0; verapamil, 152-11-4, 52-53-9 Manufacturers: Gibco, United Kingdom; Sigma Aldrich, Netherlands; Newport, United States

Pertussis vaccines are routinely administered to infants to protect them from whooping cough. Still, an adequate safety test for pertussis toxin (PT), one of the main antigens in these vaccines, is not available. The histamine sensitization test is currently the only assay accepted by regulatory authorities to test for the absence of active PT in vaccines. This is however, a lethal animal test with poor reproducibility. In addition, it is not clear whether the assumed underlying mechanism, i.e., ADP-ribosylation of G proteins, is the only effect that should be considered in safety evaluation of PT. The in vitro safety test for PT that we developed is based on the clinical effects of PT in humans. For this, human cell lines were chosen based on the cell types involved in the clinical effects of PT. These cell lines were exposed to PT and analyzed by microarray. In this review, we discuss the clinical effects of PT and the mechanisms that underlie them. The approach taken may provide as an example for other situations in which an in vitro assay based on clinical effects in humans is required.

In this study we aimed to identify genes that are responsive to pertussis toxin (PTx) and might eventually be used as biological markers in a testing strategy to detect residual PTx in vaccines. By microarray analysis we screened six human cell types (bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B, fetal lung fibroblast cell line MRC-5, primary cardiac microvascular endothelial cells, primary pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, hybrid cell line EA.Hy926 of umbilical vein endothelial cells and epithelial cell line A549 and immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells) for differential gene expression induced by PTx. Immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (iMoDCs) were the only cells in which PTx induced significant differential expression of genes. Results were confirmed using different donors and further extended by showing specificity for PTx in comparison to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Bordetella pertussis lipo-oligosaccharide (LOS). Statistical analysis indicated 6 genes, namely IFNG, IL2, XCL1, CD69, CSF2 and CXCL10, as significantly upregulated by PTx which was also demonstrated at the protein level for genes encoding secreted proteins. IL-2 and IFN-γ gave the strongest response. The minimal PTx concentrations that induced production of IL-2 and IFN-γ in iMoDCs were 12.5 and 25IU/ml, respectively. High concentrations of LPS slightly induced IFN-γ but not IL-2, while LOS and detoxified pertussis toxin did not induce production of either cytokine. In conclusion, using microarray analysis we evaluated six human cell lines/types for their responsiveness to PTx and found 6 PTx-responsive genes in iMoDCs of which IL2 is the most promising candidate to be used as a biomarker for the detection of residual PTx.

In 1944, Draize et al., published a paper entitled “Methods for the study of irritation and toxicity of substances applied topically to the skin and mucous membranes”. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development published their first guideline on eye irritation in 1981, using rabbits. In the early eighties the development of alternative non-animal tests to replace the Draize eye test started. The first attempts to validate alternative tests for eye irritation were considered to be relatively simple by comparing in vitro and in vivo irritation index scores. In the early nineteen-eighties, we introduced the use of isolated eyes as an alternative test for the Draize eye irritation test. What was expected to be a process of several years, however, turned out to be a decades spanning process still not fully completed. For a large part, this can be attributed to the nature of the in vivo test in rabbits, which is more complicated and compromised than originally believed. This paper describes, most chronologically, the development, performance, validation and application of the Isolated Eye Test and, in broader perspective, the international validation and acceptance of this alternative test by regulatory authorities and agencies.

Sub-chronic toxicity studies of 163 non-genotoxic chemicals were evaluated in order to predict the tumour outcome of 24-month rat carcinogenicity studies obtained from the EFSA and ToxRef databases. Hundred eleven of the 148 chemicals that did not induce putative preneoplastic lesions in the sub-chronic study also did not induce tumours in the carcinogenicity study (True Negatives). Cellular hypertrophy appeared to be an unreliable predictor of carcinogenicity. The negative predictivity, the measure of the compounds evaluated that did not show any putative preneoplastic lesion in de sub-chronic studies and were negative in the carcinogenicity studies, was 75%, whereas the sensitivity, a measure of the sub-chronic study to predict a positive carcinogenicity outcome was only 5%. The specificity, the accuracy of the sub-chronic study to correctly identify non-carcinogens was 90%. When the chemicals which induced tumours generally considered not relevant for humans (33 out of 37 False Negatives) are classified as True Negatives, the negative predictivity amounts to 97%. Overall, the results of this retrospective study support the concept that chemicals showing no histopathological risk factors for neoplasia in a sub-chronic study in rats may be considered non-carcinogenic and do not require further testing in a carcinogenicity study.

In an exercise designed to reduce animal use, we analyzed the results of rat subchronic toxicity studies from 289 pharmaceutical compounds with the aim to predict the tumor outcome of carcinogenicity studies in this species. The results were obtained from the assessment reports available at the Medicines Evaluation Board of the Netherlands for 289 pharmaceutical compounds that had been shown to be non-genotoxic. One hundred forty-three of the 239 compounds not inducing putative preneoplastic lesions in the subchronic study did not induce tumors in the carcinogenicity study [true negatives (TNs)], whereas 96 compounds were categorized as false negatives (FNs) because tumors were observed in the carcinogenicity study. Of the remaining 50 compounds, 31 showed preneoplastic lesions in the subchronic study and tumors in the carcinogenicity study [true positives (TPs)], and 19 only showed preneoplastic lesions in subchronic studies but no tumors in the carcinogenicity study [false positives (FPs)]. In addition, we then re-assessed the prediction of the tumor outcome by integrating the pharmacological properties of these compounds. These pharmacological properties were evaluated with respect to the presence or absence of a direct or indirect proliferative action. We found support for the absence of cellular proliferation for 204 compounds (TN). For 67 compounds, the presence of cellular hyperplasia as evidence for proliferative action could be found (TP). Therefore, this approach resulted in an ability to predict non-carcinogens at a success rate of 92% and the ability to detect carcinogens at 98%. The combined evaluation of pharmacological and histopathological endpoints eventually led to only 18 unknown outcomes (17 categorized as FN and 1 as FP), thereby enhancing both the negative and positive predictivity of an evaluation based upon histopathological evaluation only. The data show the added value of a consideration of the pharmacological properties of compounds in relation to potential class effects, both in the negative and positive direction. A high negative and a high positive predictivity will both result in waiving the need for conducting 2-year rat carcinogenicity studies, if this is accepted by Regulatory Authorities, which will save large numbers of animals and reduce drug development costs and time.

This is the report from the “ECVAM–EFPIA workshop on 3T3 NRU Phototoxicity Test: Practical Experience and Implications for Phototoxicity Testing”, jointly organized by ECVAM and EFPIA and held on the 25–27 October 2010 in Somma Lombardo, Italy. The European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) was established in 1991 within the European Commission Joint Research, based on a Communication from the European Commission (1991). The main objective of ECVAM is to promote the scientific and regulatory acceptance of alternative methods which are of importance to the biosciences and which reduce, refine and replace the use of laboratory animals. The European Federation of Pharmaceuticals Industries and Association (EFPIA) represent the pharmaceutical industry operating in Europe. Through its direct membership of 31 national associations and 40 leading pharmaceutical companies, EFPIA is the voice on the EU scene of 2200 companies committed to researching, developing and bringing to patients new medicines that improve health and the quality of life around the world. The workshop, co-chaired by Joachim Kreysa (ECVAM) and Phil Wilcox (GSK, EFPIA) involved thirty-five experts from academia, regulatory authorities and industry, invited to contribute with their experiences in the field of phototoxicology. The main objectives of the workshop were: – to present ‘in use’ experience of the pharmaceutical industry with the 3T3 Neutral Red Uptake Phototoxicity Test (3T3 NRU-PT), – to discuss why it differs from the results in the original validation exercise, – to discuss technical issues and consider ways to improve the usability of the 3T3 NRU-PT for (non-topical) pharmaceuticals, e.g., by modifying the threshold of chemical light absorption to trigger photo-toxicological testing, and by modifying technical aspects of the assay, or adjusting the criteria used to classify a positive response. During the workshop, the assay methodology was reviewed by comparing the OECD Test Guideline (TG 432) with the protocols used in testing laboratories, data from EFPIA and JPMA ‘surveys’ were presented and possible reasons for the outcomes were discussed. Experts from cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries reported on their experience with the 3T3 NRU-PT and evidence was presented for phototoxic clinical symptoms that could be linked to certain relevant molecules. Brainstorming sessions discussed if the 3T3 NRU-PT needed to be improved and whether alternatives to the 3T3 NRU-PT exist. Finally, the viewpoint from EU and US regulators was presented. In the final session, the conclusions of the meeting were summarized, with action points. It was concluded that the 3T3 NRU-PT identifies phototoxicological hazards with a 100% sensitivity, and thus is accepted as the tier one test that correctly identifies the absence of phototoxic potential. Consequently, positive results in the 3T3 NRU-PT often do not translate into a clinical phototoxicity risk. Possible ways to improve the practical use of this assay include: (i) adaptation of changed UV/vis-absorption criteria as a means to reduce the number of materials tested, (ii) reduction of the highest concentration to be tested, and (iii) consideration of modifying the threshold criteria for the prediction of a positive call in the test.

As a result of the chemical legislation concerning the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals (REACH), and the Seventh Amendment to the Cosmetics Directive, which prohibits animal testing in Europe for cosmetics, alternative methods for safety evaluation of chemicals are urgently needed. Current in vitro genotoxicity assays are not sufficiently predictive for the in vivo situation, resulting in an unacceptably high number of misleading positives. For many chemicals and ingredients of personal care products the skin is the first site of contact, but there are no in vitro genotoxicity assays available in the skin for additional evaluation of positive or equivocal responses observed in regulatory in vitro genotoxicity assays. In the present study ex vivo human skin tissue obtained from surgery was used for genotoxicity evaluation of chemicals by using the comet assay. Fresh ex vivo human skin tissue was cultured in an air-liquid interface and topically exposed to 20 chemicals, including true positive, misleading positive and true negative genotoxins. Based on the results obtained in the present study, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the ex vivo skin comet assay to predict in vivo genotoxicity were 89%, 90% and 89%, respectively. Donor and experimental variability were mainly reflected in the magnitude of the response and not the difference between the presence and absence of a genotoxic response. The present study indicates that human skin obtained from surgery is a promising and robust model for safety evaluation of chemicals that are in direct contact with the skin.

At the IVTIP (In Vitro Testing Industrial Platform) meeting of November 26th 2009 entitled 'Toxicology in the 21st century ('21C') - working our way towards a visionary reality' all delegates endorsed the emerging concept of the '21C' vision as the way forward to enable a thorough, reliable and systematic approach to future toxicity testing without the use of animals. One of the emerging concepts focused on integrating a defined number of tests modelling in vivo-relevant and well-characterised toxicity pathways representing mechanistic endpoints. At this meeting the importance of Integrated Testing Strategies (ITS) as tools towards reduction and eventually replacement of the animals currently used for hazard identification and risk assessment was recognised.A follow-up IVTIP Spring 2010 meeting entitled 'Integrated In Vitro Testing Strategies (ITS) - Implementation Challenges' was organised to address pending questions about ITS. This report is not a review of the ITS literature, but a summary of the discussions triggered by presented examples on how to develop and implement ITS. Contrasts between pharmaceutical and chemical industry, as well as a list of general but practical aspects to be considered while developing an ITS emerged from the discussions. In addition, current recommendations on the validation of ITS were discussed.In conclusion, the outcome of this workshop improved the understanding of the participants of some important factors that may impact the design of an ITS in function of its purpose (e.g. screening, or early decision making versus regulatory), the context in which they need to be applied (e.g. ICH guidelines, REACH) and the status and quality of the available tools. A set of recommendations of best practices was established and the importance of the applicability of the individual tests as well as the testing strategy itself was highlighted. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

The toxicological assessment of chemically complex food matrices (CCFM) usually is very time consuming, expensive and uses many animal studies. Improvements to obtain a more efficient assessment process remain limited as long as we retain traditional approaches to toxicological risk assessment. New concepts would be needed to achieve real innovations in risk assessment. The threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) potentially is such a concept that has existed for many years and recently has been further developed. The safety of CCFM is difficult to assess as there are numerous unknown substances present (often referred to as 'Forest-of-Peaks' in chromatographic analysis). Usually, for the evaluation of CCFM, a full safety assessment approach involving animal studies is needed, but the exposure to most substances is low and TTC might be applicable. However, to apply TTC efficiently to CCFM, a strategy is needed to deal with large numbers of unknowns (substances of which structural information is lacking). Therefore, we have drafted a framework for application of TTC in safety assessment of CCFM. This paper describes the criteria and development of the framework proposing a stepwise approach for the application of TTC in safety assessment of CCFM and future developments required.

This study was designed to determine the toxicity (oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity) in extracts of combustion aerosols. A typical Euro Ill heavy truck engine was tested over the European Transient Cycle with three different fuels: conventional diesel EN590, biodiesel EN14214 as 8100 and blends with conventional diesel (B5, 810, and 1320) and pure plant oil DIN51605 (PPO). In addition application of a (wall flow) diesel particulate filter (DPF) with conventional diesel EN590 was tested. The use of B100 or PPO as a fuel or the DPF reduced particulate matter (PM) mass and numbers over 80%. Similarly, significant reduction in the emission of chemical constituents (EC 90%, (oxy)-PAH 70%) were achieved. No significant changes in nitro-PAH were observed. The use of B100 or PPO led to a NOx increase of about 30%, and no increase for DPF application. The effects of B100, PPO and the DPF on the biological test results vary strongly from positive to negative depending on the biological end point. The oxidative potential, measured via the DDT assay, of the B100 and PPO or DPF emissions is reduced by 95%. The cytotoxicity is increased for B100 by 200%. The measured mutagenicity, using the Ames assay test with TA98 and YG1024 strains of Salmonella typhimurium indicate a dose response for the nitroarene sensitive YG1024 strain for B100 and PPO (fold induction: 1.6). In summary B100 and PPO have good potential for the use as a second generation biofuel resulting in lower PM mass, similar to application of a DPF, but caution should be made due to potential increased toxicity. Besides regulation via mass, the biological reactivity of exhaust emissions of new (bio)fuels and application of new technologies, needs attention. The different responses of different biological tests as well as differences in results between test laboratories underline the need for harmonization of test methods and international cooperation. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

For pharmaceuticals, current regulatory guidance for photosafety testing states that studies are warranted for drug candidates that both absorb light in the range of 290-700 nm and that are either applied topically or reach the skin or eyes by systemic exposure. In contrast to standard genotoxicity evaluations, where a positive (or equivocal) result in vitro can be placed into context with additional testing in vivo, there are no equivalent short-term in vivo photogenotoxicity assays in the current photosafety test battery. Therefore, a short-term in vivo assay for the evaluation of a photogenotoxic potential in the skin, the target organ for photocarcinogenicity, was developed in rats. After oral 8-methoxypsoralen administration, rats were exposed to ultraviolet radiation and sacrificed 3 days after treatment to isolate epidermal cells for subsequent micronucleus (MN) evaluation. Optimal conditions were determined to obtain maximal induction of MN, followed by demonstrating feasibility and reproducibility of the method. The results of the present study indicate that the in vivo rat skin photomicronucleus test may be a promising tool for detection of photoclastogenicity. Given the association between MN induction and cancer, the assay may also provide a promising tool for the early detection of photocarcinogenesis and help bridge the gap in the existing photosafety testing paradigm. © The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the UK Environmental Mutagen Society. All rights reserved.

In vivo genetic toxicology tests measure direct DNA damage or the formation of gene or chromosomal mutations, and are used to predict the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of compounds for regulatory purposes and/or to follow-up positive results from in vitro testing. These tests are widely used and consume large numbers of animals, with a foreseeable marked increase as a result of the EU chemicals legislation (REACH), which may require follow-up of any positive outcome in the in vitro standard battery with appropriate in vivo tests, regardless of the tonnage level of the chemical. A 2-day workshop with genotoxicity experts from academia, regulatory agencies and industry was hosted by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) in Ranco, Italy from 24 to 25 June 2008. The objectives of the workshop were to discuss how to reduce the number of animals in standard genotoxicity tests, whether the application of smarter test strategies can lead to lower animal numbers, and how the possibilities for reduction can be promoted and implemented. The workshop agreed that there are many reduction options available that are scientifically credible and therefore ready for use. Most of these are compliant with regulatory guidelines, i.e. the use of one sex only, one administration and two sampling times versus two or three administrations and one sampling time for micronucleus (MN), chromosomal aberration (CA) and Comet assays; and the integration of the MN endpoint into repeat-dose toxicity studies. The omission of a concurrent positive control in routine CA and MN tests has been proven to be scientifically acceptable, although the OECD guidelines still require this; also the combination of acute MN and Comet assay studies are compliant with guidelines, except for sampling times. Based on the data presented at the workshop, the participants concluded that these options have not been sufficiently utilized to date. Key factors for this seem to be the uncertainty regarding regulatory compliance/acceptance, lack of awareness, and an in many cases unjustified uncertainty regarding the scientific acceptance of reduction options. The workshop therefore encourages the use and promotion of these options as well as the dissemination of data related to reduction opportunities by the scientific community in order to boost the acceptance level of these approaches. Furthermore, experimental proof is needed and under way to demonstrate the credibility of additional options for reduction of the number of animals, such as the integration of the Comet assay into repeat-dose toxicity studies. © 2009 Elsevier B.V.

Data in a toxicity test are evaluated generally per parameter. Information on the response per animal in addition to per parameter can improve the evaluation of the results. The results from the six studies in rats, described in the paper by Kemmerling, J., Fehlert, E., Rühl-Fehlert, C., Kuper, C.F., Stropp, G., Vogels, J., Krul, C., Vohr, H.-W., 2015. The transferability from rat subacute 4-week oral toxicity study to translational research exemplified by two pharmaceutical immunosuppressants and two environmental pollutants with immunomodulating properties (In this issue), have been subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and principal component discriminant analysis (PC-DA). The two pharmaceuticals azathioprine (AZA) and cyclosporine A (CSA) and the two environmental pollutants hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) all modulate the immune system, albeit that their mode of immunomodulation is quite diverse. PCA illustrated the similarities between the two independent studies with AZA (AZA1 and AZA2) and CSA (CSA1 and CSA2). The PC-DA on data of the AZA2 study did not increase substantially the information on dose levels. In general, the no-effect levels were lower upon single parameter analysis than indicated by the distances between the dose groups in the PCA. This was mostly due to the expert judgment in the single parameter evaluation, which took into account outstanding pathology in only one or two animals. The PCA plots did not reveal sex-related differences in sensitivity, but the key pathology for males and females differed. The observed variability in some of the control groups was largely a peripheral blood effect. Most importantly, PCA analysis identified several animals outside the 95% confidence limit indicating high-responders; also low-to-non-responders were identified. The key pathology enhanced the understanding of the response of the animals to the four model compounds.

The new EU legislations for chemicals (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals, REACH) and cosmetics (Seventh Amendment) stimulate the acceptance of in vitro and in silico approaches to test chemicals for their potential to cause reproductive effects. In the current study seven compounds with known in vivo developmental effects were tested in the embryonic stem cell test (EST). The EST correctly classified 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate, retinoic acid, 2-ethoxyacetic acid and 2-methoxyacetic acid for their in vivo embryotoxic potential. The toxicity of 2-methoxyethanol and 2-ethoxyethanol was underestimated due to a lack of metabolic capacity in the EST. This study further investigated the possibility to use in silico techniques to extrapolate in vitro effect concentrations determined in the EST to in vivo exposure levels. This approach was evaluated by comparing in silico predicted in vivo effect levels with effect levels measured in rodents. The in vivo effect levels of 2-methoxyethanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, methotrexate and retinoic acid were correctly predicted with in silico modelling. Contrary, in vivo embryotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil was overestimated following this approach. It is concluded that a combination of in vitro and in silico techniques appears to be a promising alternative test method for risk assessment of embryotoxic compounds.

Regulatory requirements: According to the current Notes for Guidance of the Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products (SCCNFP), cosmetic ingredients and mixtures of ingredients absorbing UV light (in particular UV filter chemicals used, for example, to ensure the light stability of cosmetics or used in sun protection products) should be tested for acute phototoxic and photogenotoxic potential. Testing for photosensitisation (immunological photoallergy) potential is not specifically required, but it is nevertheless often performed. Acute phototoxicity: Due to a thorough multi-stage and multi-centre validation trial (1992-1998) the In Vitro 3T3 Neutral Red Uptake Phototoxicity Test (3T3-NRU-PT) had already gained acceptance by the SCCNFP in 1998, and it is recommended by the EMEA/CPMP as a basic preclinical test for acute phototoxicity. It was accepted as Method No. 41 in Annex V to Directive 67/548/EEC in the year 2000, and was accepted as the new Test Guideline 432 by the OECD in 2002. The 3T3-NRU-PT is regarded as a basic screen for identifying acute phototoxic potential. Two additional in vitro tests, formally evaluated in controlled blind trials, the RBC Phototoxicity Test (RBC-PT) and the Human 3-D Skin Model Phototoxicity Test (H3D-PT), are regarded as useful and important adjunct tests to overcome some limitations of the 3T3-NRU-PT, namely the fairly low UVB tolerance of the 3T3 fibroblasts and the inability to model the bioavailability of test materials topically applied to the skin. In addition, the RBC-PT permits an evaluation of the phototoxic mechanisms involved. In conclusion, the identification of acute phototoxic hazards is now regarded as being sufficiently covered by in vitro tests, so that animal testing for that endpoint can now be 100% replaced. Photogenotoxicity: In the area of photogenotoxicity, almost the whole battery of in vitro genetic toxicity tests have been (or are currently being) converted into test protocols of photogenotoxicity tests. Tests exclusively predictive for gene mutation, for example, the Photo-Ames (P-Ames) Test and the Photo-Thymidine Kinase Test (P-TKT), have become less important than tests for clastogenic effects (for example, the Photo-Chromosome Aberration Test [P-CAT] and the Photo-Micronucleus Test [P-MNT]). In addition, a number of promising indicator tests, such as the Photo-Comet Assay (P-Comet) have been developed. Although routinely used, to date none of the new photogenotoxicity tests have been formally validated. Therefore, the P-MNT and the P-Comet are currently being evaluated in a formal interlaboratory validation study. It is expected that these in vitro photogenotoxicity test methods may become available as validated and accepted methods within the next five years. Photoallergy (Photosensitisation): In the area of photoallergy (photosensitisation), as development of predictive in vitro tests for delayed contact sensitisation (allergenicity) potential without the involvement of light, due to a lack of ability to model the complex mechanisms underlying allergy, no promising in vitro methods to predict photo-sensitisation potential are currently in sight (see the section on skin sensitisation). One in vitro screening method, which models the covalent binding of a light activated chemical to human serum albumin, may become relevant. However, while the binding of an excited chemical to proteins is a prerequisite for photoallergy, this is not a sufficient predictor on its own. The only promising alternatives currently under development are in vivo refinements, like the Photo Local Lymph Node Assay (PLLNA). Once a reliable and predictive in vitro test battery and strategy for the assessment of "dark" sensitisation potential have been developed and accepted, their adaptation into similar photosensitisation testing will become possible.

Alpha-cyclodextrin glucosyltransferase (α-CGTase, EC 2.4.1.19) is an amylolytic enzyme used for the production of α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), a novel, soluble dietary fiber, from food-grade starch. The safety of an α-CGTase preparation obtained by batch fermentation from a recombinant strain of Escherichia coli K12 harboring the α-CGTase gene from Klebsiella oxytoca strain M5a1 was examined. In a 13-week subchronic toxicity study in rats, the administration by gavage of the α-CGTase preparation at levels of up to 20ml/kg bw/day, corresponding to a total organic solids dosage of 260mg/kg bw/day, did not cause any systemic toxic effect. Some signs of irritation were observed in the respiratory tract which occurred, however, in one sex only and/or were not dose-related. Accordingly, these changes were considered to be an unspecific consequence of the reflux and aspiration of the dosing solution. There was no evidence of a genotoxic activity in Ames tests and a chromosome aberration test in cultured human lymphocytes. It is concluded that the examined α-CGTase preparation is safe when used for the production of α-CD. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Chemicals / CAS: amylase, 9000-90-2, 9000-92-4, 9001-19-8; cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase, EC 2.4.1.19; Food Additives; Glucosyltransferases, EC 2.4.1.

Exposure to chemicals may have an influence on the immune system. Often, this is an unwanted effect but in some pharmaceuticals, it is the intended mechanism of action. Immune function tests and in depth histopathological investigations of immune organs were integrated in rodent toxicity studies performed according to an extended OECD test guideline 407 protocol. Exemplified by two immunosuppressive drugs, azathioprine and cyclosporine A, and two environmental chemicals, hexachlorobenzene and benzo[a]pyrene, results of subacute rat studies were compared to knowledge in other species particular in humans. Although immune function has a high concordance in mammalian species, regarding the transferability from rodents to humans various factors have to be taken into account. In rats, sensitivity seems to depend on factors such as strain, sex, stress levels as well as metabolism. The two immunosuppressive drugs showed a high similarity of effects in animals and humans as the immune system was the most sensitive target in both. Hexachlorobenzene gave an inconsistent pattern of effects when considering the immune system of different species. In some species pronounced inflammation was observed, whereas in primates liver toxicity seemed more obvious. Generally, the immune system was not the most sensitive target in hexachlorobenzene-treatment. Immune function tests in rats gave evidence of a reaction to systemic inflammation rather than a direct impact on immune cells. Data from humans are likewise equivocal. In the case of benzo[a]pyrene, the immune system was the most sensitive target in rats. In the in vitro plaque forming cell assay (Mishell-Dutton culture) a direct comparison of cells from different species including rat and human was possible and showed similar reactions. The doses in the rat study had, however, no realistic relation to human exposure, which occurs exclusively in mixtures and in a much lower range. In summary, a case by case approach is necessary when testing immunotoxicity. Improvements for the translation from animals to humans related to immune cells can be expected from in vitro tests which offer direct comparison with reactions of human immune cells. This may lead to a better understanding of results and variations seen in animal studies.

Despite changing attitudes towards animal testing and current legislation to protect experimental animals, the rate of animal experiments seems to have changed little in recent years. On May 15–16, 2013, the In Vitro Testing Industrial Platform (IVTIP) held an open meeting to discuss the state of the art in alternative methods, how companies have, can, and will need to adapt and what drives and hinders regulatory acceptance and use. Several key messages arose from the meeting. First, industry and regulatory bodies should not wait for complete suites of alternative tests to become available, but should begin working with methods available right now (e.g., mining of existing animal data to direct future studies, implementation of alternative tests wherever scientifically valid rather than continuing to rely on animal tests) in non-animal and animal integrated strategies to reduce the numbers of animals tested. Sharing of information (communication), harmonization and standardization (coordination), commitment and collaboration are all required to improve the quality and speed of validation, acceptance, and implementation of tests. Finally, we consider how alternative methods can be used in research and development before formal implementation in regulations. Here we present the conclusions on what can be done already and suggest some solutions and strategies for the future.

Pharmaceuticals and chemicals are subjected to regulatory safety testing accounting for approximately 25% of laboratory animal use in Europe. This testing meets various objections and has led to the development of a range of 3R models to Replace, Reduce or Refine the animal models. However, these models must overcome many barriers before being accepted for regulatory risk management purposes. This paper describes the barriers and drivers and options to optimize this acceptance process as identified by two expert panels, one on pharmaceuticals and one on chemicals. To untangle the complex acceptance process, the multilevel perspective on technology transitions is applied. This perspective defines influences at the micro-, meso- and macro level which need alignment to induce regulatory acceptance of a 3R model. This paper displays that there are many similar mechanisms within both sectors that prevent 3R models from becoming accepted for regulatory risk assessment and management. Shared barriers include the uncertainty about the value of the new 3R models (micro level), the lack of harmonization of regulatory requirements and acceptance criteria (meso level) and the high levels of risk aversion (macro level). In optimizing the process commitment, communication, cooperation and coordination are identified as critical drivers.

Reconstructed 3D human epidermal skin models are increasingly being used for safety testing of chemicals. Based on EpiDerm™ tissues, an assay was developed in which the tissues were topically exposed to test chemicals for 3h followed by cell isolation and assessment of DNA damage using the comet assay. Inter-laboratory reproducibility of the 3D skin comet assay was initially demonstrated using two model genotoxic carcinogens, methyl methane sulfonate (MMS) and 4-nitroquinoline-n-oxide (4NQO), and the results showed good concordance among three different laboratories and with in vivo data. In Phase 2 of the project, intra- and inter-laboratory reproducibility was investigated with five coded compounds tested at three different laboratories. For MMS and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), all laboratories found a dose-related and statistically significant increase (p30% cell loss), and the overall response was comparable in all laboratories despite some differences in doses tested. The results of the collaborative study for the coded compounds were generally reproducible among the laboratories involved and intra-laboratory reproducibility was also good. These data indicate that the comet assay in EpiDerm™ skin models is a relevant model for the safety assessment of compounds with a dermal route of exposure., JRC.I.5-Systems Toxicology

s / Toxicology Letters 221S (2013) S59–S256 S133 These results underlie the crucial role of Nrf2 in CHS. Nrf2 seems to control the inflammation response and the lymphocyte proliferation, involved in allergic response to chemical sensitizers. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2013.05.251

The lack of toxicological information on many of the compounds that humans use or are exposed to, intentionally or unintentionally, poses a big problem in risk assessment. To fill this data gap, more emphasis is given to fast in vitro screening tools that can add toxicologically relevant information regarding the mode(s) of action via which compounds can elicit adverse effects, including genotoxic effects. By use of bioassays that can monitor the activation of specific cellular signalling pathways, many compounds can be screened in a high-throughput manner. We have developed two new specific reporter-gene assays that can monitor the effects of compounds on two pathways of interest: the p53 pathway (p53 CALUX) for genotoxicity and the Nrf2 pathway (Nrf2 CALUX) for oxidative stress. To exclude non-specific effects by compounds influencing the luciferase reporter-gene expression non-specifically, a third assay was developed to monitor changes in luciferase expression by compounds in general (Cytotox CALUX). To facilitate interpretation of the data and to avoid artefacts, all three reporter-gene assays used simple and defined reporter genes and a similar cellular basis, the human U2OS cell line. The three cell lines were validated with a range of reference compounds including genotoxic and non-genotoxic agents. The sensitivity (95%) and specificity (85%) of the p53 CALUX was high, showing that the assay is able to identify various types of genotoxic compound, while avoiding the detection of false positives. The Nrf2 CALUX showed specific responses to oxidants only, enabling the identification of compounds that elicit part of their genotoxicity via oxidative stress. All reporter-gene assays can be used in a high-throughput screening format and can be supplemented with other U2OS-based reporter-gene assays that can profile nuclear receptor activity, and several other signalling pathways.

An in vivo photomicronucleus test (MNT) using rat skin, the target organ for photoirritancy and carcinogenicity, was recently described. The assay was evaluated using fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics with varying degrees of phototoxic potency (i.e. sparflocacin [SPFX], lomefloxacin [LOFX], ciprofloxacin [CIFX], levofloxacin [LEFX], gemifloxacin [GEFX] and gatifloxacin [GAFX]) using a solar simulator producing both UVA and UVB (ratio 23:1). Experiments were performed at The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to investigate interlaboratory variability, including evaluation of phototoxicity (clinical signs), micronucleus induction and histopathology. The potency of micronuclei (MN) formation in rat skin induced by the FQs was SPFX = LOFX > CIFX = LEFX, however, MN induction was only statistically significant for SPFX and LOFX. In both laboratories, GEFX and GAFX did not increase the MN frequencies compared to the irradiated vehicle control. Signs of phototoxicity, including clinical and histopathological changes, were observed with SPFX and LOFX to a similar degree as the positive control, 8-methoxypsoralen. In addition, there were some clinical signs of phototoxicity seen with CIFX, LEFX, GEFX and GAFX, but not always in both laboratories for CIFX, GEFX and GAFX and when observed, these were considered only mild. Of these, only LEFX also showed histopathological changes. In all studies, photogenotoxic potency correlated with photocarcinogenic potential and moreover, photogenotoxicity was not observed in the absence of phototoxicity. The results of the TNO/GSK study indicate that the in vivo rat skin photoMNT may be a promising tool for detection of photoclastogencity and photoirritancy in the skin/eye in the same animal. Given the association between the MNT and cancer, the skin photoMNT may also provide a promising tool for the early detection of photocarcinogenesis and help bridge the gap in the existing photosafety testing paradigm. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the UK Environmental Mutagen Society. All rights reserved.

A workshop to reappraise the previous IWGT recommendations for photogenotoxicity testing [E. Gocke, L. Muller, P.J. Guzzie, S. Brendler-Schwaab, S. Bulera, C.F. Chignell, L.M. Henderson, A. Jacobs, H. Murli, R.D. Snyder, N. Tanaka, Considerations on photochemical genotoxicity: report of the International Workshop on Genotoxicity Test Procedures working group, Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 35 (2000) 173-184] was recently held as part of the 5th International Workshop on Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT) meeting in Basel, Switzerland (August 17-19, 2009). An Expert Panel was convened from regulatory, academic and industrial scientists (with several members serving on the original panel) and chaired by Dr Peter Kasper (BfArM, Germany). The aim of the workshop was to review progress made in photo(geno)toxicity testing over the past decade; a period which saw the introduction of several regulatory photosafety guidances in particular in Europe and the USA. Based on current regulatory guidelines a substantial proportion of compounds trigger the requirements for photosafety testing. Moreover, there has been growing concern within industry about the performance of the in vitro photosafety tests in the "real world" of compound development. Therefore, the expert group reviewed the status of the current regulatory guidance's and the impact these have had on compound development in the context of the various triggers for photosafety testing. In addition, the performance of photogenotoxicity assays (old and new) was discussed, particularly in view of reports of pseudophotoclastogencity. The Expert Panel finished with an assessment of the positioning of photogenotoxicity testing within a photosafety testing strategy. The most significant conclusion made by the Expert Panel was that photogenotoxicity testing should no longer be recommended as part of the standard photosafety testing strategy. In addition, progress was made on the refinement of triggers for photosafety testing. For example, there was support for harmonisation of methods to determine the Molar Extinction Coefficient (MEC) and a consensus agreement that there should be no requirement for testing of compounds with a MEC

Photosafety testing is of concern for the evaluation of personal care products and pharmaceuticals. Current regulatory guidance state that photosafety should be evaluated for compounds that absorb radiation between 290 and 700 nm with relevant exposure in the skin or eyes. However, oversensitivity and the occurrence of 'pseudo-effects' with current in vitro photo(geno)toxicity assays have become a major problem. Furthermore, at this moment, there are no relevant in vitro assays available to identify the photocarcinogenic potential of compounds, which might result in unnecessary in vivo photocarcinogenicity studies for pharmaceutical ingredients or unnecessary dropouts in the development of ingredients of personal care products. For these reasons, availability of a relevant and highly predictive in vitro model from human origin to identify the photogenotoxic and/or photocarcinogenic potential of compounds is viewed as high priority. In the present study, human skin tissue obtained from surgery was used for developing a photomicronucleus test. Prior to investigations of the photogenotoxic potential of 8-methoxypsoralen, tissue viability (lactate production and lactate dehydrogenase leakage), cell proliferation (Ki-67 expression) and the effect of ultraviolet (UV) exposure on viability (MTT test), proliferation (Ki-67 expression) and p53 expression were determined. Results of the present study indicate that ex vivo human skin seems to be a relevant method for safety evaluation of compounds that reach the skin in combination with UV exposure. © The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the UK Environmental Mutagen Society. All rights reserved.

In November 2009 the In Vitro Testing Industrial Platform (IVTIP) organized a meeting entitled '. Toxicology in the 21st century - working our way towards a visionary reality'. Participating delegates included scientists, key opinion leaders, developers and users of 3Rs-related tests and testing strategies. This paper summarizes the discussions with respect to the conditions required to move the vision towards an applicable reality. It should not be considered as a comprehensive review of technologies that could be relevant for moving the in vitro testing and risk assessment field forward.Overall, the US National Research Council (NRC) vision and strategy for toxicity testing in the 21st century was unanimously considered as the right approach to enable future toxicity testing without animal experimentation. Many elements of this vision were identified in the European initiatives aimed at the development of non-animal based methods. However, the need for concerted actions moving the current state-of-the-art towards a thorough, reliable and systematic approach to future toxicity testing was made evident by the discussions.Among the difficulties and hurdles on the way forward, the lack of physiologically relevant, metabolic competent and robust in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro models of both healthy and diseased people was frequently mentioned. In addition, there was a call for immediate implementation of emerging technologies and paradigms considered to be essential for transferring the vision into the reality of a toxicity-testing system assessing biologically significant perturbations in key pathways which are relevant for human biology. While the unique strengths of each of the available and emerging technologies was recognized, integration of available data and emerging technologies to integrated testing strategies (ITS) was highlighted as the preferred way forward. Method harmonization and standardization, as well as procedures and guidelines for putting together ITS, were urgently requested in order to facilitate proper implementation and acceptance.There was an urgent call for better coordination of the efforts that are ongoing or initiated in the 3Rs arena at national and international level. Education, training, communication and dissemination were addressed. It was recognised that the EPAA, through its 'Platform for Communication and Dissemination', has a very important and central role in this area. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

Contains fulltext : 89323.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) Pectin-derived acidic oligosaccharides (pAOS) are non-digestible carbohydrates to be used in infant formulae and medical nutrition. To support its safety, the genotoxic potential of pAOS was evaluated. pAOS was not mutagenic in the Ames test. Positive results were obtained in the chromosome aberration test only at highly cytotoxic concentrations. The effects obtained in the mouse lymphoma test were equivocal; pAOS was not mutagenic in vivo. A sub-chronic dietary study, preceded by 4-week parental and in utero exposure phase, investigated general safety. Administration of pAOS did not affect parental health nor pup characteristics. No effects specific for acidic oligosaccharides were observed in the subsequent sub-chronic study. Slight diffuse hyperplasia of epithelial layer of the urinary bladder was noted to result from concurrently elevated urinary sodium, due to high sodium in pAOS, and elevated urinary pH. This phenomenon was confirmed in a mechanistic (sub-chronic) study. In contrast, in rats fed pAOS in combination with NH(4)Cl, an acidifying agent, the induced low urinary pH completely prevented the development of urothelial hyperplasia. Hyperplasia induced by this mechanism in rats is considered not relevant to man. Based on the current knowledge we consider pAOS safe for human consumption under its intended use. 01 juni 2010

Dietary flavonoids are poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Colonic bacteria convert flavonoids into smaller phenolic acids (PA), which can be absorbed into the circulation and may contribute to the chemopreventive activity of the parent compounds. The purpose of our study was to determine whether flavonoids from green and black tea (GT, BT), citrus fruit with rutin (CF+R) and soy (S) supplements exposed to the same conditions in a dynamic in vitro model of the colon (TIM-2) will form the same phenolic acid products of microbial metabolism. About 600 mg of flavonoids from GT, BT, CF+R and S extracts were infused at t = 0 and 12 h into the TIM-2. Samples from the lumen and dialysate were collected at t = 0,4,8,12,16,24 and 28h. The flavonoid and PA concentrations were measured by HPLC and GC-MS. GT, BT, and CF+R formed 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (3M4HPAA), 4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid (4HPAA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (3,4DHPAA), and 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid (3,3HPPA). BT flavonoids were also metabolized to 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzoic acid (2,4,6THBA) and CF+R flavonoids to 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) propionic acid (3,4H3MPPA), 3-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid (3HPAA) and a small amount of hippuric acid. After S infusion, we found 3M4HPAA and 4HPAA only. Among these phenolic acids, only 3,4DHPAA exhibited antiproliferative activity in prostate and colon cancer cells. 3,4DHPAA was significantly (P < 0.005) more inhibitory in colon cancer cells (HCT116) compared with an immortalized normal intestinal epithelial cell line (IEC6). In summary, fermentation by intestinal microbes of GT, BT, C+R, and S flavonoids resulted in the conversion to the same major phenolic acids. © 2006 American Society for Nutrition.

Contains fulltext : 48468.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) Interest in mechanisms of colon cancer prevention by food compounds is strong and research in this area is often performed with cultured colon cancer cells. In order to assess utility for screening of potential cancer-preventive (food) compounds, expression profiles of 14 human cell lines derived from colonic tissue were measured using cDNA microarrays with 4000 genes and compared with expression profiles in biopsies of human colon tumours and normal tissue. Differences and similarities in the gene expression profiles of the cell lines were analysed by clustering and principal component analysis (PCA). Cytoskeleton genes and immune response genes are two functional classes of genes that contributed to the differences between the cell lines. A subset of 72 colon cancer-specific genes was identified by comparing expression profiles in human colon biopsies of tumour tissue and normal tissue. A separation of the cell lines based on the tumour stage of the original adenocarcinoma was observed after PCA of expression data of the subset of colon cancer-specific genes in the cell lines. The results of this study may be useful in the ongoing research into mechanisms of cancer prevention by dietary components.

Human exposure to carcinogenic N-alkylnitrosamines can occur exogenously via food consumption or endogenously by formation of these compounds through nitrosation of amine precursors. Information on the intragastric formation of NDMA from complex mixtures of precursors and inhibitors in humans is not available. In this study the formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) has been quantitatively analysed in a dynamic in vitro gastrointestinal model, in which gastric conditions can be modulated and closely simulates the physiological situation in humans. Substantial amounts of NDMA were produced when nitrite and dimethylamine or codfish were simultaneously introduced into the model. However, humans are gradually exposed to nitrite by the intake of nitrate-containing food. Nitrate secreted in saliva is converted to nitrite by oral bacteria. To mimic the human exposure to nitrite in a realistic way, nitrite was gradually added into the gastric compartment, simulating the swallowing of nitrite containing oral fluid after the intake of nitrate at the level of 0.1-10 times the ADI. Under these conditions, the cumulative amounts of NDMA formed were 2.3-422 μg NDMA and 1.8-42.7 μg NDMA at a rapid and slow gastric pH decrease, respectively. Beside codfish, various fish species and batches in combination with nitrite, simulating the intake of for times the ADI of nitrate, were investigated. Herring, pollack and plaice were also able to induce NDMA formation. Mackerel, salmon and pike perch did not result in increased NDMA formation. Furthermore, the effect of nitrosation modulators on NDMA formation was investigated. Thiocyanate (2 mM) increased NDMA formation, but the increase was not statistically significant. In contrast, orange jus and tea effectively, but not totally, reduced the amount of NDMA formed in the gastric compartment. These experiments show that (1) the dynamic in vitro gastrointestinal model is an appropriate tool for mechanistic studies on the intragastric formation of nitrosamines, and (2) that the results obtained with this model are helpful in evaluating human cancer risk for the combined intake of codfish-like fish species and nitrate-containing vegetables. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cruciferous vegetables, such as Brassica, which contain substantial quantities of glucosinolates, have been suggested to possess anticarcinogenic activity. Cutting and chewing of cruciferous vegetables releases the thioglucosidase enzyme myrosinase, which degrades glucosinolates to isothiocyanates and other minor metabolites. Cooking of cruciferous vegetables inactivates the myrosinase enzyme, allowing intact glucosinolates to reach the large intestine, where they can be degraded by the indigenous microflora into isothiocyanates. This local release of isothiocyanates may explain the protective effect of cruciferous vegetables on the colon epithelium. However, little is known about the amounts and identities of glucosinolate metabolites produced by the human microflora. The production of allyl isothiocyanate from sinigrin was investigated in a dynamic in vitro large-intestinal model, after inoculation with a complex microflora of human origin. Sinigrin and allyl isothiocyanate concentrations were analysed in the lumen and dialysis fluid of the model. Peak levels of allyl isothiocyanate were observed between 9 and 12 h after the addition of sinigrin. The model was first set up with a pooled and cultured human microflora, in which 1 and 4% of, respectively, 1 and 15 mM sinigrin, was converted into AITC. However, the conversion rate was remarkably higher if different individual human microflora were used. Between 10% and 30% (mean 19%) of the sinigrin was converted into allyl isothiocyanate. The results of this study suggest that allyl isothiocyanate is converted further into other, yet unknown, metabolites. Chemicals/CAS: Anticarcinogenic Agents; Glucosinolates; sinigrin, 534-69-0

An in vitro gastrointestinal model, which simulates the conditions in the human digestive tract, was used to determine potential antimutagenic activity of extracts of black tea and green tea. In this paper, results are presented on the availability for absorption of potential antimutagenic compounds present in tea and on the influence of the food matrix on this activity. Between 60 and 180 min after the tea was introduced into the model, antimutagenic activity was recovered from the jejunal compartment by means of dialysis: the dialysate appeared to inhibit the mutagenicity of the food mutagen MeIQx in the direct plate assay with Salmonella typhimurium (Ames test). The maximum inhibition was measured at 2 h after the start of the experiment and was comparable for black tea and green tea extract. To determine the influence of food matrices on the antimutagenic activity of tea, the model was loaded with black tea together with milk or a homogenized standard breakfast. The maximum inhibition observed with black tea was reduced by 22, 42 and 78% in the presence of whole milk, semi-skimmed milk, and skimmed milk, respectively. Whole milk and skimmed milk abolished the antimutagenic activity of green tea by more than 90%; for semi-skimmed milk the inhibition was more than 60%. When a homogenized breakfast was added into the model together with the black tea extract, the antimutagenic activity was completely eliminated. When tea and MeIQx were added together into the digestion model, MeIQx mutagenicity was efficiently inhibited, with green tea showing a slightly stronger antimutagenic activity than black tea. In this case, the addition of milk had only a small inhibiting effect on the antimutagenicity. Antioxidant capacity and the concentration of catechins were also measured in the jejunal dialysates. The reduction in antimutagenic activity corresponded with reduction in antioxidant capacity and with a decrease of concentration of three catechins, viz. catechin, epigallocatechin gallate and epigallocatechin. The in vitro gastrointestinal model appears to be a useful tool to study the antimutagenicity of food components. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.Chemicals/CAS: Antimutagenic Agents; Antioxidants; Plant Extracts