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This paper represents the first integrative assessment and documentation of taurine-induced hormetic effects in the biological and biomedical areas, their dose response features, mechanistic frameworks, and possible public health, therapeutic and commercial applications. Taurine-induced hormetic effects are documented in a wide range of experimental models, cell types and for numerous biological endpoints, with most of these experimental findings being reported within the past five years. It is suggested that the concept of hormesis may have a transformative effect on taurine research and its public health and therapeutic applications., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The diverse biological effects of polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) were reviewed in the context of hormesis in an integrative manner for the first time. The findings illustrate that each of these polyamines commonly induces hormetic dose responses in a wide range of biological models and types of cells for multiple endpoints in numerous plant species and animal models. Plant research emphasized preconditioning experimental studies in which the respective polyamines conferred some protection against the damaging effects of a broad range of environmental stressors such as drought, salinity, cold/heat, heavy metals and UV-damage in an hormetic manner. Polyamine-based animal hormesis studies emphasized biomedical endpoints such as longevity and neuroprotection. These findings have important biological and biomedical implications and should guide experimental designs of low dose investigations., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:, (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The present paper provides the first integrative assessment of the capacity of naringin and its metabolite, naringenin, to induce hormetic dose responses within a broad range of experimental biomedical models. The findings indicate that these agents commonly induced protective effects that are typically mediated via hormetic mechanisms leading to biphasic dose-response relationships. The maximum protective effects are generally modest, 30-60 % greater than control group values. The range of experimental findings with these agents has been reported for models with various neurodegenerative diseases, nucleus pulpous cells (NPCs) located within intravertebral discs, several types of stem cells (i.e., bone marrow, amniotic fluid, periodontal, endothelial) as well as cardiac cells. These agents also were effective within preconditioning protocols protecting against environmental toxins such as ultraviolet radiation (UV), cadmium, and paraquat. The mechanism(s) by which the hormetic responses mediates these biphasic dose responses is complex but commonly involves the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), an increasingly recognized regulator of cellular resistance to oxidants. Nrf2 appears to play a role in controlling the basal and induced expression of an array of antioxidant response element-dependent genes to regulate oxidant exposure's physiological and pathophysiological outcomes. Hence its importance in the assessment of toxicologic and adaptive potential is likely to be significant., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: G. Dhawan is employed by Stantec (ChemRisk), a consulting firm that provides scientific support to the government, corporations, law firms, and various scientific/professional organizations., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Neurodegeneration is progressive cell loss in specific neuronal populations, often resulting in clinical consequences with significant medical, societal, and economic implications. Because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties, oxytocin has been proposed as a potential neuroprotective and neurobehavioral therapeutic agent, including modulating mood disturbances and cognitive enchantment., Methods: Literature searches were conducted using the following databases Web of Science, PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct, Google Scholar, the Core Collection, and Cochrane from January 2000 to February 2023 for articles dealing with oxytocin neuroprotective properties in preventing or treating neurodegenerative disorders and diseases with a focus on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis/cell death., Results: The neuroprotective effects of oxytocin appears to be mediated by its anti-inflammatory properties, inhibition of neuro inflammation, activation of several antioxidant enzymes, inhibition of oxidative stress and free radical formation, activation of free radical scavengers, prevent of mitochondrial dysfunction, and inhibition of apoptosis., Conclusion: Oxytocin acts as a neuroprotective agent by preventing neuro-apoptosis, neuro-inflammation, and neuronal oxidative stress, and by restoring mitochondrial function., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None declared., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The present study investigated the effects of PCBs on the rat kidneys with attention given to the determination critical effect dose (CED) using the Benchmark dose (BMD) approach. Male albino Wistar rats (7 animals per group) were given by oral gavage Aroclor 1254 dissolved in corn oil at doses of 0.0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 mg/kg b.w./day for 28 days. The PCB nephrotoxicity was manifested by a dose-dependent changes in serum urea levels. The study has also revealed PCB-induced oxidative stress induction in kidneys. The observed nephrotoxic effects can be partly explained by oxidative damage of lipids and proteins in the kidneys due to observed reduced CuZnSOD activity and disturbances in antioxidant protection. Аll the renal oxidative stress parameters showed dependence on PCB oral doses as well as internal, measure kidney PCB levels. Calculated BMDL values were lower than estimated no observed adverse effect levels (NOAEL) based on the study, suggesting the importance of BMD approach use in future risk assessment., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are currently the most common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Experimental studies suggest that liver kinase B1 (LKB1) plays an important role in the heart. Several studies have shown that cardiomyocyte-specific LKB1 deletion leads to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, left ventricular contractile dysfunction, and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. In addition, the cardioprotective effects of several medicines and natural compounds, including metformin, empagliflozin, bexarotene, and resveratrol, have been reported to be associated with LKB1 activity. LKB1 limits the size of the damaged myocardial area by modifying cellular metabolism, enhancing the antioxidant system, suppressing hypertrophic signals, and inducing mild autophagy, which are all primarily mediated by the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) energy sensor. LKB1 also improves myocardial efficiency by modulating the function of contractile proteins, regulating the expression of electrical channels, and increasing vascular dilatation. Considering these properties, stimulation of LKB1 signaling offers a promising approach in the prevention and treatment of heart diseases., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rodent cancer bioassays have been long-required studies for regulatory assessment of human cancer hazard and risk. These studies use hundreds of animals, are resource intensive, and certain aspects of these studies have limited human relevance. The past 10 years have seen an exponential growth of new technologies with the potential to effectively evaluate human cancer hazard and risk while reducing, refining, or replacing animal use. To streamline and facilitate uptake of new technologies, a workgroup comprised of scientists from government, academia, non-governmental organizations, and industry stakeholders developed a framework for waiver rationales of rodent cancer bioassays for consideration in agrochemical safety assessment. The workgroup used an iterative approach, incorporating regulatory agency feedback, and identifying critical information to be considered in a risk assessment-based weight of evidence determination of the need for rodent cancer bioassays. The reporting framework described herein was developed to support a chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity study waiver rationale, which includes information on use pattern(s), exposure scenario(s), pesticidal mode-of-action, physicochemical properties, metabolism, toxicokinetics, toxicological data including mechanistic data, and chemical read-across from similar registered pesticides. The framework could also be applied to endpoints other than chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity, and for chemicals other than agrochemicals., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Although the 3Rs are broadly applied in nonclinical testing, a better appreciation of the 3Rs is needed in the field of differentiated or value-added pharmaceutical generics because the minor changes in formulation, dosage form, indication, and application route often do not require additional safety testing. The US FDA and the EU EMA have comprehensive regulations for such drugs based on quality, therapeutic equivalence, and safety guidelines. However, no scientific publications on how the concept of replacement and reduction from 3Rs principles can be applied in the safety assessment of differentiated generics were found in the public domain. In this review, we discuss the application of 3Rs in nonclinical testing requirements for differentiated generics. Practical examples are provided in the form of case studies from regulated markets. We highlight the need for utilization of existing data to establish equivalence (differentiated generic vs innovator) in efficacy and safety. The case studies indicate that data requirements from animal experiments have been reduced to a large extent in some major markets without compromising quality and safety. In this context, we also highlight the problem that on a global scale, a true reduction of animal experiments will only be achieved when all countries adopt similar practices., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Obesity as determined by BMI is a confounder in clinical evaluations of the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Validated regulatory tests are used to determine whether a chemical acts via a mode of action (MOA) that affects estrogen, androgen, thyroid or steroidogenic pathways. Test batteries for evaluating EDCs include QSAR, in vitro assays, and animal testing. Studies suggest that EDCs pose the greatest risk during prenatal and early infant development when organ systems are developing. Health effects include lowered fertility, endometriosis, and cancers associated with estrogenic activity. Epidemiology studies on adverse effects of EDCs in the general population are difficult to conduct due to very low exposures of EDCs in non-occupational cohorts, and lack of exposure measurements between cases and controls. In contrast with very low levels of hormonal perturbation from nano-molar to micro-molar exposures to EDCs, adipose tissue in obesity alters estrogen, testosterone, thyroid stimulating hormone, and inflammation levels. Obesity in pregnancy and gestational diabetes are associated with adverse outcomes in infants and children including autism, poor motor skills, lowered IQ, and altered birth weight. Neonatal effects of obesity are confounded by average lower socio-economic status. The already perturbed endocrine balance in overweight or obese persons renders them particularly worthy subjects for clinical epidemiology investigations on the possible effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals. However, inclusion of subjects with obesity requires accounting for potentially confounding effects of the hormonal influences arising from excess adiposity. If subjects with obesity are to be included in clinical epidemiological evaluations related to hormonal effects, the subjects should be classified by body fat percentage rather than by the much less exact measure of body mass index (BMI)., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a pulmonary illness with high rates of mortality and morbidity. Rho GTPase and its downstream effector, Rho kinase (ROCK), have been demonstrated to be involved in cell adhesion, motility, and contraction which can play a role in ALI. The electronic databases of Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched to obtain relevant studies regarding the role of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in the pathophysiology of ALI and the effects of specific Rho kinase inhibitors in prevention and treatment of ALI. Upregulation of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway causes an increase of inflammation, immune cell migration, apoptosis, coagulation, contraction, and cell adhesion in pulmonary endothelial cells. These effects are involved in endothelium barrier dysfunction and edema, hallmarks of ALI. These effects were significantly reversed by Rho kinase inhibitors. Rho kinase inhibition offers a promising approach in ALI [ARDS] treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A series of regulatory studies were carried out to investigate the effects of the FAAH inhibitor BIA 10-2474 on fertility, embryo-fetal toxicity and pre- and post-natal development in rats and rabbits. Despite some reductions in sperm count in rats from 50 mg/kg, there were no major changes in male fertility up to 100 mg/kg. In female rats administered up to GD6, there were increases in pre-implantation loss at 50 and 100 mg/kg but neither post-implantation loss nor early embryonic development was affected. In contrast, when administered to female rats during pregnancy (GD6-GD17), BIA 10-2474 at 75 mg/kg/day reduced food consumption resulting in weight loss, increased post-implantation loss and reduced mean fetal body weight. In rabbits, the same maternal toxicity was seen but there were no effects in this species on post-implantation loss or fetal body weights. There were no teratological effects clearly due to BIA 10-2474 and developmental milestones and behavior of offspring were not affected. When administered during pregnancy and lactation (GD6-PND20), some post-implantation loss was seen from 20 mg/kg/day, but developmental milestones and behavior of the offspring were not affected, although males tended to have lower body weight. Based on these data the NOAEL for parental fertility was established as 50 mg/kg/day, the maternal NOAEL during pregnancy was 25 mg/kg/day in rats and developmental NOAEL was 25 and 75 mg/kg/day in rats and rabbits, respectively. When administered during post-natal development to rats the maternal NOAEL was 6 mg/kg/day. The parental reproductive NOAEL, the NOAEL for viability and growth of the F1 offspring, the F1 parental NOAEL and the F1 reproductive NOAEL were all considered to be 20 mg/kg/day., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:The studies were funded by Bial Portela & Companhia S.A. (São Mamede do Coronado, Portugal). Stephen B. Harris, Jerold F. Hardisty, A. Wallace Hayes, and Klaus Weber were paid consultants of Bial. The manuscript was written by the authors and reviewed by Bial; however, the work product and conclusions are those of the authors., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In 2016 one person died and others had neurological sequelae during a clinical trial with BIA 10-2474 (3-(1-(cyclohexyl(methyl)carbamoyl)-lH-imidazol-4-yl)pyridine 1-oxide), a novel fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor being developed for the treatment of medical conditions such as pain. Prior to the clinical trial a full battery of regulatory toxicology tests were carried out and this paper describes the genotoxicity/mutagenicity tests undertaken with BIA 10-2474 using the Ames (Salmonella typhimurium) reverse mutation test, the Escherichia coli WP2uvrA forward mutation test, an in vitro chromosome damage assay in human lymphocytes, and an in vivo micronucleus test in mice. All tests were conducted with and without a rat liver S9 metabolic activation system. None of the test results were judged to be positive with regards to the mutagenicity/genotoxicity of BIA 10-2474 making it unlikely that any such effect was involved in the toxicity observed in the clinic., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests. The study was funded by Bial Portela & Companhia S.A. (São Mamede do Coronado, Portugal). Stephen B. Harris, Jerry F. Hardisty, A. Wallace Hayes, and Klaus Weber were paid consultants of Bial. Furthermore, one of the authors (KW) was the study pathologist on all of the studies. The manuscript was written by the authors and reviewed by Bial; however, the work product and conclusions are those of the authors., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The author declares the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: The study was funded by Bial Portela & Companhia S.A. (São Mamede do Coronado, Portugal). A. Wallace Hayes was a paid consultants of Bial. The manuscript was written by the author and reviewed by Bial; however, the work product and conclusions are those of the author.

BIA 10-2474 (3-(1-(cyclohexyl(methyl)carbamoyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl)pyridine 1-oxide) is a novel fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor developed by BIAL for the treatment of medical conditions which would benefit from enhanced levels of endogenous anandamide (AEA) such as pain disorders. During a Phase I clinical trial one subject died after receiving BIA 10-2474 and others displayed neurological signs. As part of series of papers presenting all the toxicology data available prior to the clinical trial we report here the nonclinical toxicology studies performed in cynomolgus monkeys. Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) studies and a preliminary 14-day study by oral (capsule) administration of BIA 10-2474 established a dose between 90 and 120 mg/kg/day as a suitable high dose for a subsequent regulatory toxicity studies. An up-titration scheme was used to achieve these doses. The dose-limiting effect was the early sacrifice for ethical reasons of monkeys at doses from 125 mg/kg/day upwards. Thereafter, regulatory 4- and 13-week oral gavage toxicity studies followed by a 2- or a 4-week recovery period, respectively, were performed. In both cases a 3-4-week up-titration period was used prior to repeat dosing with the target doses. One female was euthanized during the up-titration period after receiving 9 administrations of 75 mg/kg as a result of bleeding erosion on the feet and hands and ulceration on the tongue. These signs were not seen in any other monkeys during these studies. Doses of 10, 50 or 100 mg/kg/day were administered during the 4-week study and clinical signs related to the pharmacological action of BIA 10-2474 (e.g., tremors and weakness, incoordination and loss of balance, reduction in food intake and reduced body weight) were observed in several monkeys from the intermediate and high dose. Histological alterations consisted of axonal dystrophy in the fasciculus cuneatus (dorsal medulla oblongata) characterized by swollen axons and myelin sheath edema, edema in the pars nervosa of the pituitary gland and vacuolation of Meissner's plexus ganglia in all gastrointestinal segments. All lesions recovered and a dose of 100 mg/kg/day was considered to be the NOAEL. In the 13-week oral study the monkeys received BIA 10-2474 daily by gavage at a dose of 6.25, 37.5 or 75 mg/kg/day. Similar clinical signs and histological alterations as noted in monkeys of the 28-day study were observed in monkeys at 37.5 or 75 mg/kg/day. All findings recovered, and the dose of 75 mg/kg/day was considered the NOAEL., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: The study was funded by Bial Portela & Companhia S.A. (São Mamede do Coronado, Portugal). Stephen B. Harris, Jerry F. Hardisty, A. Wallace Hayes, Yoshimasa Okazaki(,) and Klaus Weber were paid consultants of Bial. Furthermore, one of the authors (KW) was the study pathologist on all of the studies. The manuscript was written by the authors and reviewed by Bial; however, the work product and conclusions are those of the authors., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

BIA 10-2474 is a novel fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor developed for the treatment of medical conditions which would benefit from enhanced levels of endogenous anandamide (AEA) such as pain disorders. During a Phase I clinical trial one subject died after receiving BIA 10-2474 and four other subjects displayed neurological signs. As part of series of papers presenting all the toxicology data available prior to the clinical trial, we report here the preclinical toxicology studies examining once-a-day oral administration of BIA 10-2474 to male and female Wistar rats. These included a 14-day dose range finding (150, 200 and 250 mg/kg/day), a 4-week study (30, 90 and 150 mg/kg/day) and 13- and 26-week studies (both at 10, 30 and 90 mg/kg/day). The 13- and 26-week studies also included a 4-week recovery arm and a toxicokinetic arm for the parent compound, BIA 10-2474, and the two major metabolites (BIA 10-2445 and BIA 10-2583) were also measured in the 26-week study. At 150 mg/kg and below, all animals survived the scheduled treatment periods although neurological side-effects (abnormal or stiff gait, dragging of fore- or hind-limbs) were seen at 150 mg/kg in both the dose-range finding and 4-week studies. At 90 mg/kg/day, even up to 26-weeks treatment, no clinical signs were seen apart from some decreases in body weight gain. A number of consistent hematological and biochemical changes were noted which were considered related to treatment with BIA 10-2474. Morphologically, in the 4-week study, except for a slight gliosis in the hippocampus of one female at 150 mg/kg, no CNS histopathology was observed; hippocampus gliosis was not observed in subsequent studies. In the 13-week study axonal swelling was present in the medulla oblongata in about half the animals at 90 mg/kg/day and this increased to nearly all the rats at 90 mg/kg/day in the 26-week study. Additional signs seen only in the 26-week study at 90 mg/kg/day included axonal swelling of the fasiculus gracilis and vacuolar changes in the medulla oblongata and ventral commissure of the 3rd ventricle. Other findings included vacuolar degeneration in the ganglia of the GI tract, salivary glands, prostate gland, uterus, and parathyroid glands. The pituitary gland showed edema and mitotic figures in the pars nervosa. These observations outside the CNS were seen in most rats at 90 and 150 mg/kg/day independent of study duration. At 30 mg/kg/day, most of these observations were only seen in isolated cases except for the vacuolar degeneration in GI tract ganglia, which was absent at this dose after 4 weeks treatment but was present in almost all rats at 13 and 26 weeks. Hepatocellular hypertrophy and nephropathy were seen across all studies and the extent of these changes was similar in the 13- and 26-week studies. Most findings resolved after the 4-week recovery periods except for the axonal swelling seen in the medulla oblongata and spinal cord. BIA 10-2474 exposure was markedly higher than the exposure to either metabolite, BIA 10-2445 (19- to 192-fold) and BIA 10-2583 (63- to 526-fold). Exposure to metabolites differed between sexes with higher concentrations of BIA 10-2445 in females compared to males, but the inverse for BIA 10-2583. Although a No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of 30 mg/kg/day was concluded following the 4-week study, the histopathological findings at that dose in the 13- and 26-week studies resulted in the NOAEL being determined to be 10 mg/kg/day., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: The study was funded by Bial Portela & Companhia S.A. (São Mamede do Coronado, Portugal). Stephen B. Harris, Jerry F. Hardisty, A. Wallace Hayes, Yoshimasa Okazaki(,) and Klaus Weber were paid consultants of Bial. Furthermore, one of the authors (KW) was the study pathologist on all of the studies. The manuscript was written by the authors and reviewed by Bial; however, the work product and conclusions are those of the authors., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We independently and retrospectively reviewed three studies that evaluated the toxicity of BIA 10-2474 (3-(1-(cyclohexyl(methyl)carbamoyl)-lH-imidazol-4-yl)pyridine 1-oxide), a novel fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor in male and female CD-1 mice based upon raw data obtained from Bial Portela & Companhia S.A. (São Mamede do Coronado, Portugal). These studies were carried out prior to the clinical trial with BIA 10-2474 and formed part of the regulatory submission. An initial oral dose range-finding study with BIA 10-2474 showed that doses from 600 mg/kg/day were poorly tolerated with a high mortality rate and signs of weakness, prostration, labored breathing, clear lacrimation, tachypnea/bradypnea and decreased activity. At lower doses (100 and 300 mg/kg/day) there were few signs but post-mortem analysis showed increased liver weight. In a 28-day study a third of the animals receiving 500 mg/kg/day died or required euthanasia, with similar signs to those seen in the dose-range finding study. At lower doses (i.e. 100 and 300 mg/kg/day) there were few clinical signs although there were dose-related decreases in erythrocyte count and hemoglobin. Histopathology was seen in the 300 and 500 mg/kg/day groups and included hepatocellular hypertrophy (with increased liver weight), nephropathy and enterocyte vacuolation. Finally, in the 13-week oral gavage study, BIA 10-2474 was administered to CD-1 mice of both sexes at dose levels of 25, 75 and 150 mg/kg/day. Under these conditions, there were almost no clinical signs apart from a tendency to increase body-weight. Cholesterol was increased at 75 and 150 mg/kg and remained high after recovery. Liver and spleen weights increased at 75 and 150 mg/kg/day. Histopathologically, there was a dose-dependent increase in sciatic nerve and myofiber degeneration, hepatocellular hypertrophy, nephropathy and inflammatory loci in the bladder. The nerve damage and nephropathy seen at 150 mg/kg/day persisted after a 4-week recovery period. Toxicokinetic analysis in the 4- and 13-week studies showed that exposure was broadly dose-proportional with no evidence of accumulation. On the basis of the changes seen during the 13-week study, the NOAEL was established at 75 mg/kg/day., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests. The study was funded by Bial Portela & Companhia S.A. (São Mamede do Coronado, Portugal). Stephen B. Harris, Jerold F. Hardisty, A. Wallace Hayes, and Klaus Weber were paid consultants of Bial. Furthermore, one of the authors (KW) was the study pathologist on all of the studies. The manuscript was written by the authors and reviewed by Bial; however, the work product and conclusions are those of the authors., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The present paper describes the regulatory safety pharmacology studies that were carried out to support the clinical trial application for BIA 10-2474. Animal studies complied with worldwide regulatory guidelines (e.g. EEC Council Directive 75/318/EEC and subsequent amendments). Oral administration of BIA 10-2474 at doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg to male Han Wistar rats did not cause any significant physiological or behavioral changes, affect the respiration rate or the tidal volume, the gastrointestinal transit, urinary output volume or pH, nor urinary sodium, potassium or chloride excretion. BIA 10-2474, at 30 μg/mL, slightly, but significantly, reduced the hERG outward tail currents by 10.62%, but had no effect at 1, 3 or 10 μg/mL. BIA 10-2474 (1.5, 4.5 and 15 μg/mL) had no substantial effects on resting membrane potential (RMP), maximal upstroke velocity (V max ), action potential amplitude (APA), action potential duration at 30%, 60% and 90% or action potential triangulation over the 30-min superfusion period in the dog isolated Purkinje fiber. In conscious dogs monitored by telemetry, BIA 10-2474 (20, 50 and 100 mg/kg p.o.) did not significantly modify arterial blood pressure as compared with controls (inter-group comparison), although a tendency toward an increase in arterial blood pressure was observed at 100 mg/kg, with systolic blood pressure being the most affected parameter. In conclusion, BIA 10-2474 had no adverse effects on any of the major vital organ systems, and, unfortunately, the data shed no further light on the mechanism(s) responsible for the clinical trial accident with BIA 10-2474., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest These studies were funded by Bial-Portela & Cª S.A. (São Mamede do Coronado, Portugal). Patrício Soares-da-Silva is an employee of Bial Portela & Companhia S. A. Paul Moser was previously an employee of Bial Portela & Companhia S. A. and is now acting as a paid consultant to them. A. Wallace Hayes, Peter Pressman are paid consultants of Bial-Portela & Cª S.A., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Botanical safety science continues to evolve as new tools for risk assessment become available alongside continual desire by consumers for "natural" botanical ingredients in consumer products. Focusing on botanical food/dietary supplements a recent international roundtable meeting brought together scientists to discuss the needs, available tools, and ongoing data gaps in the botanical safety risk assessment process. Participants discussed the key elements of botanical safety evaluations. They provided perspective on the use of a decision tree methodology to conduct a robust risk assessment and concluded with alignment on a series of consensus statements. This discussion highlighted the strengths and vulnerabilities in common assumptions, and the participants shared additional perspective to ensure that this end-to-end safety approach is sufficient, actionable and timely. Critical areas and data gaps were identified as opportunities for future focus. These include, better context on history of use, systematic assessment of weight of evidence, use of in silico approaches, inclusion of threshold of toxicological concern considerations, individual substances/matrix interactions of plant constituents, assessing botanical-drug interactions and adaptations needed to apply to in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic modelling of botanical constituents., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is a class of non-coding RNA with ≥200 nucleotides in length which are involved as critical regulators in various cellular processes. LncRNAs contribute to the development and progression of many human diseases. Autophagy is a key catabolic process which helps to maintain the cellular homeostasis through the decay of damaged or unwanted proteins and dysfunctional cytoplasmic organelles. The impairment of the autophagy process has been described in numerous diseases. The autophagy possess can have either a protective or a detrimental role in cells depending on its activation status and other cellular conditions. LncRNAs have been shown to have an important function in the regulation of important biological processes such as autophagy. The relationship between lncRNAs and autophagy has been shown to be involved in the progression and possibly in the prevention of many diseases. In this review, recent findings on the regulatory roles of lncRNAs in the cell autophagy pathway, as well as their relevance to different diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cerebral ischemic stroke and cancer are highlighted., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Melatonin has long been known for its apparent effects on sleep and circadian rhythm. It may participate as a possible therapeutic agent in neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and endocrine disorders as well. Autophagy is a lysosomal degradation process that occurs in response to starvation and other stresses. Recent studies have reported that melatonin may modulate the autophagy process. We reviewed the current literature that has reported on how different diseases and/or experimental models change autophagy parameters. We also discussed the effect of melatonin on autophagy parameters in the central nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and endocrine systems as reported in nonclinical studies. Moreover, the molecular targets for melatonin are discussed in details. In summary, melatonin has been reported to enhance significant protective effects in different in vitro and in vivo studies either through enhancement or inhibition of the autophagy process. Melatonin holds promise in the treatment of several major diseases. Regulation of autophagy by melatonin is a determinant parameter that should be considered in the future studies., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A major part of the wineries' wastes is composed of grape stems which are discarded mainly in open fields and cause environmental problems due mainly to their high polyphenolic content. The grape stem extracts' use as a source of high added value polyphenols presents great interest because this combines a profitable venture with environmental protection close to wine-producing zones. In the present study, at first, the Total Polyphenolic Content (TPC) and the polyphenolic composition of grape stem extracts from four different Greek Vitis vinifera varieties were determined by HPLC methods. Afterwards, the grape stem extracts were examined for their ability to inhibit growth of colon (HT29), breast (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-23), renal (786-0 and Caki-1) and thyroid (K1) cancer cells. The cancer cells were exposed to the extracts for 72 h and the effects on cell growth were evaluated using the SRB assay. The results indicated that all extracts inhibited cell proliferation, with IC₅₀ values of 121-230 μg/ml (MCF-7), 121-184 μg/ml (MDA-MD-23), 175-309 μg/ml (HT29), 159-314 μg/ml (K1), 180-225 μg/ml (786-0) and 134->400 μg/ml (Caki-1). This is the first study presenting the inhibitory activity of grape stem extracts against growth of colon, breast, renal and thyroid cancer cells., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The 2-year rodent carcinogenicity test has been the regulatory standard for the prediction of human outcomes for exposure to industrial and agro-chemicals, food additives, pharmaceuticals and environmental pollutants for over 50 years. The extensive experience and data accumulated over that time has spurred a vigorous debate and assessment, particularly over the last 10 years, of the usefulness of this test in terms of cost and time for the information obtained. With renewed interest in the United States and globally, plus new regulations in the European Union, to reduce, refine and replace sentinel animals, this review offers the recommendation that reliance on information obtained from detailed shorter-term, 6 months rodent studies, combined with genotoxicity and chemical mode of action can realize effective prediction of human carcinogenicity instead of the classical two year rodent bioassay. The aim of carcinogenicity studies should not be on the length of time, and by obligation, number of animals expended but on the combined systemic pathophysiologic influence of a suspected chemical in determining disease. This perspective is in coordination with progressive regulatory standards and goals globally to utilize effectively resources of animal usage, time and cost for the goal of human disease predictability., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Extensive experience in conducting long term cancer bioassays has been gained over the past 50 years of animal testing on drugs, pesticides, industrial chemicals, food additives and consumer products. Testing protocols for the conduct of carcinogenicity studies in rodents have been developed in Guidelines promulgated by regulatory agencies, including the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration), the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) for the EU member states and the MAFF (Ministries of Agriculture, Forestries and Fisheries) and MHW (Ministry of Health and Welfare) in Japan. The basis of critical elements of the study design that lead to an accepted identification of the carcinogenic hazard of substances in food and beverages is the focus of this review. The approaches used by entities well-known for carcinogenicity testing and/or guideline development are discussed. Particular focus is placed on comparison of testing programs used by the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) and advocated in OECD guidelines to the testing programs of the European Ramazzini Foundation (ERF), an organization with numerous published carcinogenicity studies. This focus allows for a good comparison of differences in approaches to carcinogenicity testing and allows for a critical consideration of elements important to appropriate carcinogenicity study designs and practices. OECD protocols serve as good standard models for carcinogenicity testing protocol design. Additionally, the detailed design of any protocol should include attention to the rationale for inclusion of particular elements, including the impact of those elements on study interpretations. Appropriate interpretation of study results is dependent on rigorous evaluation of the study design and conduct, including differences from standard practices. Important considerations are differences in the strain of animal used, diet and housing practices, rigorousness of test procedures, dose selection, histopathology procedures, application of historical control data, statistical evaluations and whether statistical extrapolations are supported by, or are beyond the limits of, the data generated. Without due consideration, there can be result conflicting data interpretations and uncertainty about the relevance of a study's results to human risk. This paper discusses the critical elements of rodent (rat) carcinogenicity studies, particularly with respect to the study of food ingredients. It also highlights study practices and procedures that can detract from the appropriate evaluation of human relevance of results, indicating the importance of adherence to international consensus protocols, such as those detailed by OECD., (Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Nicotine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found primarily in members of the solanaceous plant family, which includes tobacco. Nicotine is rapidly absorbed by humans and then metabolized, primarily by cytochrome P450's. Studies on the genotoxic potential of these metabolites are limited. Nicotine and four of its major metabolites: cotinine, nicotine-N'-oxide, cotinine-N-oxide, and trans-3'-hydroxycotinine were evaluated for genotoxic potential in the Salmonella mutagenicity assay (strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537, and TA1538) at concentrations ranging from 0 to 1000 micrograms/plate and in the Chinese hamster ovary sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) assay at concentrations ranging from 0 to 1000 micrograms/ml. All assays were conducted with and without S9 metabolic activation. None of the five compounds increased the frequency of mutations or the frequency of SCEs. These results indicate that nicotine and its major metabolites are not genotoxic in the assays conducted.

The genotoxic potential of mainstream whole smoke (MWS) from cigarettes which heat tobacco (TEST) was compared to the genotoxic potential of MWS from a cigarette which burns tobacco (REFERENCE). MWS was collected from a University of Kentucky 1R4F cigarette (REFERENCE) and two, TEST cigarettes, one with regular flavor and the other with menthol flavor. All cigarettes were smoked on a smoking machine and the particulate phase was collected on Cambridge filter pads. The vapor phase, which passed through the pad, was bubbled into a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) trap. The filter pad was extracted with the DMSO in the trap and additional DMSO to obtain MWS. MWS representing an identical number of cigarettes was tested to make a per-cigarette comparison of their genotoxic potential. REFERENCE MWS was mutagenic and cytotoxic in the Ames assay in the presence of metabolic activation while it was cytotoxic but not mutagenic in the absence of metabolic activation. Statistically significant increases in frequency of both sister-chromatid exchanges and chromosomal aberrations were observed in Chinese hamster ovary cells exposed to REFERENCE MWS with and without metabolic activation. MWS from the TEST cigarettes, with either regular or menthol flavor, was neither cytotoxic nor mutagenic in any of these assays. In summary, MWS from the 2 TEST cigarettes was neither genotoxic nor cytotoxic under conditions where MWS from the REFERENCE cigarettes was genotoxic and/or cytotoxic in a concentration-dependent manner.

The results of in vitro genetic toxicology studies of sidestream cigarette smoke (SSCS) from cigarettes which heat but do not burn tobacco were compared to those of sidestream smoke from cigarettes which burn tobacco. SSCSs from 5 cigarettes were compared. Three of the cigarettes, the Kentucky reference research cigarette (1R4F), a commercially available ultra-low-tar brand (ULT) and a commercially available ultra-low-tar menthol brand (ULT-menthol) burn tobacco while two of the cigarettes, a regular (TEST) and a menthol (TEST-menthol) heat tobacco. SSCSs from all cigarettes were prepared by identical techniques, which involved collecting sidestream smoke particulate matter on Cambridge filter pads and combining the particulate matter with the vapor-phase materials collected by bubbling the smoke exiting the Cambridge pad through DMSO. The SSCSs obtained (equivalent to 0.4 cigarettes/ml DMSO) were evaluated at identical concentrations in an in vitro genetic toxicology test battery. SSCS from 1R4F, ULT and ULT-menthol cigarettes produced positive results in Ames bacterial strains TA98, TA100, TA1537 and TA1538 in the presence of metabolic activation (S9 from Aroclor-induced rat liver) but negative results in strain TA1535. In the absence of metabolic activation, 1R4F, ULT and ULT-menthol SSCSs were not significantly mutagenic. TEST and TEST-menthol SSCSs produced negative results in all 5 bacterial strains, both with and without metabolic activation. SSCS from 1R4F, ULT and ULT-menthol cigarettes produced positive results in the CHO chromosomal aberration assay and in the CHO sister-chromatid exchange assay both with and without metabolic activation while TEST and TEST-menthol SSCSs produced negative results in both assays, either with or without metabolic activation. The SSCSs from 1R4F, ULT and ULT-menthol cigarettes were weakly positive in inducing DNA repair in cultured rat hepatocytes while TEST and TEST-menthol SSCSs were negative in this assay. All 5 SSCSs were nonmutagenic in the CHO-HGPRT assay both with and without metabolic activation. SSCSs from the 1R4F, ULT and ULT-menthol cigarettes were cytotoxic in the CHO-HGPRT assay, both with and without metabolic activation, while TEST and TEST-menthol SSCSs were not cytotoxic under either condition. These results demonstrate that sidestream smoke from cigarettes which heat but do not burn tobacco (TEST and TEST-menthol) was neither genotoxic nor cytotoxic under conditions where sidestream smoke from cigarettes which burn tobacco (1R4F, ULT and ULT-menthol) was genotoxic and/or cytotoxic in a concentration-dependent manner.

The effect of rubratoxin B on the electron transport system of mouse liver mitochondria was investigated. Oxygen consumption in mitochondria isolated from male mice was measured polarographically in a Gilson Oxygraph Model K-ICC. Oxygen consumption was depressed 73% at a concentration of 1.13 mM rubratoxin. At concentrations as low as 0.08 mM rubratoxin B, 50% inhibition was observed. Rubratoxin B (0.28 mM) depressed oxygen consumption 67% in ADP-coupled mitochondria and 60% in 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP)-uncoupled mitochondria using either pyridine-nucleotide linked substrates or succinate. By employing the N,N,N',N''-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) shunt, it was shown that inhibition was not between cytochrome b and cytochrome C1 or C. It appears, based on these studies and comparison with known inhibitors of specific sites along the electron transport system that the principal site of action of rubratoxin B is between cytochrome C1 or C and the termination of electron flow.

Citrinin, a fungal metabolite produced by several species of Penicillium and Aspergillus, has been found to contaminate foods used by animals and man. Citrinin is nephrotoxic and has been implicated in disease outbreaks in animals and humans. In this study the teratogenicity, embryotoxicity, and fetotoxicity of citrinin was determined in Sprague-Dawley rats after subcutaneous administration of a single dose of 35 mg/kg on gestation day 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15. Dams so treated lost weight for 2 days following administration. Subsequently, weight gain for treated animals was similar to that for controls. Relatively high maternal mortalities also were associated with this pretreatment regimen. Treatment with 35 mg/kg on certain days of gestation resulted in deaths of one half or more of the pregnant dams. No significant effects of citrinin were observed on the number of implants. Resorption of implants, however, was higher in treated animals than controls when dams were treated on days 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 or 12 of gestation. Fetuses from dams given citrinin were significantly smaller than those from controls by about 22% on average. No major gross or skeletal malformations were found in fetuses born to mothers which received citrinin. Major internal soft tissue malformations seen were enlarged kidneys, internal hydrocephalus and cleft palate.

Citrinin is a product of fungal metabolism capable of producing nephrotoxicity. Distribution, excretion and metabolism of [14C]citrinin was studied in pregnant female rats after subcutaneous administration of 35 mg/kg on the 12th day of gestation. Elimination of [14C]citrinin-derived radioactivity from plasma was biphasic. The half-lives for the rapid (alpha) and slower (beta) phases of elimination were 1.95 h and 39.7 h, respectively. Approximately 74% of the radioactivity appeared in the urine in the first 24 h, with only 1.7% and 1.4% in the urine at 48 h and 72 h, respectively. Fecal elimination accounted for 9.5%, 4.1% and 7.3% of the total radioactivity at each of these times. At least one metabolite of citrinin was demonstrable with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of plasma extracts. Retention times for the parent compound and metabolite were 270 s and 175 s, respectively. The metabolite was more polar than the parent compound. At least 2 metabolites of citrinin were found in urine of the same rats. Retention times for two metabolites were 140 s and 180 s, with both metabolites more polar than the parent compound. Chromatograms of bile samples suggested at least one metabolite was present with a retention time of 140 s. Chromatograms of uterus extracts indicated the presence of one metabolite with a retention time of 180 s. Chromatograms of fetus extracts indicated that no metabolites of citrinin were present.

To study the interference by mycotoxins in protein measurements, solutions of various concentrations of aflatoxin B 1 , citrinin, cytochalasin B, ochratoxin A, patulin, penicillic acid, rubratoxins A and B, T-2 toxin and zearalenone were tested for a positive copper-Folin reaction. Except for T-2 toxin, all mycotoxins tested developed a blue color, characteristic of proteins, in the copper-Folin solution. The Lowry reaction for the mycotoxins was linear over the concentration range of 20-100 μg/ml for most of these toxins. Aflatoxin B 1 and citrinin at 2 μg/ml and zearalenone at 0.5 mg/ml developed a blue color in the copper-Folin solution. The linear relationship between color development and toxin concentration plus high sensitivity makes the copper-Folin reaction a potential analytical method for these toxins but only in the absence of protein or other copper-Folin positive materials.

Nitrofen (4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)nitrobenzene; TOK herbicide) was administered dermally as an aqueous dilution of an emulsifiable concentrate on Day 6-15 of gestation to pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats at dose levels of 0, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2 and 12.0 mg/kg/day. No maternal toxicity occurred. At 12 mg/kg neonatal survival was reduced and the animals that died had a high incidence of diaphragmatic hernias. Survivors showed increased incidences of diaphragmatic hernias and of missing or reduced Harderian glands, chromodarcryorrhea (a clear red exudate around the eyes), and a high frequency of slight to severe dilation of the renal pelvis. Thyroid and Harderian gland weights were significantly depressed in Day 42 survivors of both sexes at 12.0 mg/kg; liver and lung weights were decreased, and renal weight was increased in the females. At 12.0 mg/kg thyroid weights of males and females were significantly depressed at 146 days postnatal. The incidence of dilated kidneys was increased at 0.3 mg/kg and higher. No effect was observed at any dose level on time to eye opening, time to vaginal opening, mitotic index of the liver, or T3 levels in the dams or the offspring, and no gross behavioral effects were recorded. The no observable effect level was estimated to be 0.28 mg/kg in males and 0.17 mg/kg in females using a mathematical extrapolation.

The effects of the mycotoxin patulin (4-hydroxy-4H-furo[3,2c]pyran-2(6H)-one) on short circuited intact toad bladder and on Na+-K+, activated ATPase were examined in an attempt to elucidate the relationship between toxin, the Na+-K+ ATPase enzyme system and associated active sodium transport. Patulin inhibited transbladder short circuit current and Na+-K+ ATPase from isolated bladder preprations. The effect was exponentially dependent on time. A significantly slower rate of inhibition was achieved within 15-30 min. The results are compatible with the assumption that Na+-K+ ATPase is associated with the pump mechanism since patulin inhibited enzyme activity and concomitantly reduced the rate of electrogenic Na+ transport. A significant correlation suggested a cause-effect relationship.

The teratogenic effects of a single subcutaneous dose of 1.75 mg/kg ochratoxin A given on day 6 of gestation was compared in weanling rats fed 5% protein diet for 4 weeks followed by normal protein diet (referred to as 5% normal protein diets) for the remainder of the experimental period, rats maintained on 10% protein diet, and rats on a normal protein diet throughout. These different diets are based on total dietary concentration of protein. Of the rats fed 10% protein diet, 22% failed to mate and in 39% failure of fertilization was observed. In rats fed 5% normal protein diets, the fertilization rate was 100%. Ochratoxin A treatment resulted in significant depression of fetal body weight in rats fed 5% normal protein diets and in rats maintained on normal protein diet throughout. Significant numbers of malformations (gross and skeletal) occurred in all the treated groups. Rats on a 5% normal protein diet and rats on the normal diet yielded a significant number of fetuses with internal soft tissue anomalies. The highest incidence of skeletal malformations occurred in ochratoxin A treated rats maintained on 10% protein diet throughout the experiment. Complete rehabilitation took place by replacement of low protein diet with normal protein diet.

Penicillic acid (PA) is a carcinogenic food contaminant produced by several food-borne fungi. PA was resolved as a sharp peak by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on a small-particle (10 micrometer) column in 3-4 min by an elution system composed of acetonitrile (AN), water and glacial acetic acid (AC) with detection by ultraviolet (UV) absorbance at 254 nm. Peak height and peak area were related linearly to the amount of PA injected over a range of 5-500 ng. Reproducibility of retention time, peak height and peak area was demonstrated. The lower detection limit was 5 ng in two elution systems [AN-H2O-AC(45:55:2), flow-rate (F) 1 ml/min; AN-H2O-AC(40:60:2), F = 1.2 ml/min] and 10 ng in a third system [AN-H2O-AC(25:75:2), F = 1.6 ml/min]. Based on the sensitivity and separation of PA from (40:60:2), F = 12 ml/min; urine, AN-H2O-AC (25:75:2), F = 1.6 ml/min. Good recovery (89-98%) over a range of 1-50 microgram/ml of PA was obtained from PA-spiked plasma samples treated first with 25% HPO3 followed by extraction with chloroform. A single peak detected either by UV absorbance or by radioactivity was obtained when plasma samples spiked with [14C]PA were extracted. Good recovery (92-105%) of PA also was obtained from spiked urine and bile samples.

Alterations in the hepatic microsomal monooxygenase system and in the concentrations of rubratoxin B in urine and feces were examined in male mice pretreated with corn oil, phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) and then given a single i.p. dose of rubratoxin B (1 mg/2.5 ml propylene glycol/kg). Twenty-four hours later the following parameters were determined; hepatic cytochrome P-450 content, enzyme activities of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, NADPH-dependent dehydrogenase, aniline hydroxylase and ethylmorphine N-demethylase, and hepatic microsomal protein and reduced glutathione levels. Excretion of rubratoxin B in urine and feces also was determined. Rubratoxin B reduced the elevated cytochrome P-450 (136%, 134%) and protein (128%, 112%) to control values in animals pretreated with phenobarbital or 3MC, respectively; whereas, in the corn oil pretreated group, the mycotoxin reduced cytochrome P-450 by 38%. Aniline hydroxylase activity was reduced 31% or more in all pretreated animals. Rubratoxin B did not affect ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity in mice pretreated with phenobarbital; however, the enzyme activity was decreased significantly in the 3MC group. Rubratoxin B reduced the hepatic glutathione level in animals receiving 3MC (33%) or corn oil (22%). More rubratoxin B was detected in the urine than in the feces regardless of animals from the 3MC group. These data suggest a greater effect of rubratoxin B in the 3MC pretreated mice than in the phenobarbital pretreated animals.

The potential of Kathon biocide, an aqueous solution containing, as active ingredients (a.i.), a mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (14.4% a.i.), to produce delayed contact dermatitis, a sensitization response, was evaluated in outbred Hartley guinea pigs by a modified Buehler's occluded epicutaneous patch technique. The relationship of the response as a function of induction/elicitation concentrations was investigated. Groups of guinea pigs received 9 induction doses of the biocide, 3 times a week, at concentrations ranging from 25-2000 ppm a.i. These guinea pigs were challenged with the biocide at concentrations ranging from 20-2000 ppm a.i., and the application sites were scored for erythema 24 and 48 h after the challenge. The incidence of delayed contact dermatitis in induced guinea pigs was dependent on both the induction and challenge concentrations. The EC50 (concentration at which delayed contact dermatitis was seen in 50% of the population) for induction at a challenge concentration of 2000 ppm a.i., a nonirritating concentration, was estimated to be 88 ppm a.i. with a slope of 3.47 probits/unit log concentration. The EC50 for elicitation at an induction concentration of 1000 ppm a.i. was estimated to be 429 ppm a.i. with a slope of 2.74 probits/unit log concentration. These data demonstrate that for Kathon biocide, there is an induction/elicitation concentration dependency for delayed contact dermatitis response, and there is a "no response concentration" zone where the biocide can be used without concern for clinically significant delayed contact dermatitis. In comparison with a previous study, these data also suggest that the number of induction doses may be an important factor in demonstrating the sensitization potential of a chemical.

Teratogenic effects of secalonic acid D (SAD), a toxic fungal metabolite, produced by P. oxalicum has been studied in rats. Crystalline SAD was injected as a single subcutaneous dose (25 mg/kg) on one of the gestation day 6-10, 12 or 14. Pregnant rats were treated with 15 mg/kg SAD on gestation day 10. Both doses produced teratogenic and fetotoxic effects, although the effects produced with the lower dose were less marked. Treatment on days 9 and 10 resulted in increased fetal resorptions and decreased fetal body weights. The highest number of resorptions, greatest depression of fetal body weights and largest number of malformations occurred when SAD was injected on day 10. Anophthalmia (days 9 and 10), exencephaly (day 9) and defects in limbs, digits and tail (day 10) were the major gross malformations. The main internal soft tissue defects were hydronephrosis (days 9 and 10) and tracheo-esophageal fistula and renal agenesis (day 10). Major skeletal defects involved the vertebrae and ribs. For all of the abnormalities observed, administration of SAD on day 10 of gestation produced the most marked effects in rats.

Ochratoxin A has been suggested to be an important, environmentally prominent nephrotoxin. Possible involvement in both human and animal disease states has been indicated. This study was designed to examine under controlled laboratory conditions, the nephrotoxic potential of ochratoxin A in the rat. Daily administration of ochratoxin A in doses of 0.75 and 2.0 mg/kg caused persistent urinary hypoosmolality coupled with excessive glucose and protein excretion. In addition the renal slice transport of several organic compounds also was altered. Renal slice tissue electrolytes and water were unaffected by ochratoxin A pretreatment. Direct addition of ochratoxin A to fresh renal cortex slices also depressed transport of some organic compounds. Although rats pretreated with ochratoxin A lost large amounts of body weight, the weight loss alone did not account totally for the changes in renal function. These data indicate that ochratoxin A has the capability of producing alterations in renal function suggestive of nephrotoxicity. However, the pattern of response is different than that observed with citrinin.

Renal function and transport have been examined in male and female rats at various times during a 6-month exposure to sodium saccharin. The animals were maintained on special diets containing 0%, 1%, 5% or 7.5% sodium saccharin. Developmental patterns for renal transport and renal function in the control animals were normal. The 5% and 7.5% concentrations of saccharin caused a reduction in the renal slice steady-stable accumulation of p-aminohippurate (PAH) and tetraethylammonium (TEA) which became significant after the animals were 30 days of age or older. Enhanced sodium excretion was observed in every age group of animals tested when these animals consumed sodium saccharin concentrations greater than or equal to 1% in the diet. At 60 days of age, increased urine volume, a decrease in urine osmolality, and increased potassium excretion were also found. All effects of saccharin on renal function and transport were promptly and completely reversible when the animals were removed from the saccharin diet for as little as 24 h. The effects of saccharin on PAH transport apparently were attributable to competitive inhibition. Although effects on TEA transport and other renal function parameters were not defined as to mechanism, the effects were as readily reversible as those on PAH when saccharin was removed from the diet.

The mutagenic effects of fiteen mycotoxins on Salmonella typhimurium strains TA1535, TA1537 and TA1538 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain D-3 were tested. Only aflatoxin B1 and sterigmatocystin were mutagenic. Both were active against S. typhimurium strain TA1538 and S. cerevisiae strain D-3; however, both required activation by the hepatic S-9 enzyme preparation. A positive correlation between the other mycotoxins reported to be carcinogenic and the two in vitro test systems employed was not demonstrated in our hands.

Secalonic acid D (SAD) is an acutely toxic, teratogenic and possibly mutagenic fungal metabolite produced in corn by Penicillium oxalicum. Using ultraviolet absorbance at 340 nm as a means of detection, SAD was resolved as a sharp peak by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a small particle (10 mu m) mu Bondapak C18 column in 4 min by an acetonitrile--water--glacial acetic acid-tetrahydrofuran (5:3:0.5:0.5 for solvent system A and 4:3:0.5:0.5 for solvent system B) elution solvent system. The flow-rates for the two solvent systems (A and B) were 1.5 and 1.7 ml/min; column operating pressures of 1500 and 1800 p.s.i., respectively, resulted. The relationship between peak height or peak area and the quantity of SAD injected was linear over a range of 1--50 ng. Detection was very sensitive with lower limits of detection of 0.6 and 0.7 ng of SAD in solvent systems A and B, respectively. Retention times, peak heights and peak areas were highly reproducible in both solvent systems. Detection of SAD in spiked (0.2--10 mu g/ml) urine and bile samples injected without cleanup onto the HPLC column and quantitative extraction of SAD by ethyl acetate from spiked, acidified plasma samples (0.1--5 mu g/ml) followed by HPLC analysis were obtained. Solvent system B gave better resolution of SAD from the interfering substances in bile and urine than solvent system A. However, sensitivity was slightly greater in solvent system A.

With the exception of occasional reports of skin irritation, 20 years of commercial nitrofen use has not produced indications of toxicity in man. In mature non-pregnant laboratory animals nitrofen is only slightly toxic after acute oral, dermal, or respiratory exposures, and it is not a sensitizer. However, absorption through skin occurs rapidly from solvent-based formulations. Chronic administration in the diet at doses of 20 mg/kg body wt/day and higher produced liver toxicity in mice, rats, and dogs with liver tumors developing in mice at dose levels at 470 mg/kg/day. In addition to liver tumors in mice, the National Cancer Institute's Carcinogen Bioassay Program also found a dose-related incidence of pancreatic tumors in females of 1 of 2 strains of rat after lifetime feeding at levels at and above 65 mg/kg/day. Single and repeated doses given during pregnancy to rats and mice produce neonatal lethality accompanied by signs of impaired breathing, diaphragmatic hernias, heart anomalies, hydronephrosis, and apparent eye anomalies which are due to effects on the Harderian gland. These anomalies were produced by both oral and dermal doses, but did not occur in the rabbit or when dosing was restricted to the male parent only. Neonatal deaths appear after repeated maternal doses of 3 mg/kg/day and higher; the overall no observed effect level for effects in the offspring was 0.17 mg/kg/day. Based on a 10(-6) level of tumorigenic risk the acceptable average daily intake for man is 1 microgram/kg/day; pregnant women should not be exposed to more than 1.7 micrograms/kg in any single 24-h period.