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Abstract Background Most toxicological studies on titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles to date have concentrated on carcinogenicity and acute toxicity, with few studies focusing of pneumoconiosis, which is a variety of airspace and interstitial lung diseases caused by particle-laden macrophages. The present study examined rat pulmonary lesions associated with pneumoconiosis after inhalation exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Methods Male and female F344 rats were exposed to 6.3, 12.5, 25, or 50 mg/m3 anatase type TiO2 NPs for 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 13 weeks using a whole-body inhalation exposure system. After the last exposure the rats were euthanized and blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and all tissues including lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes were collected and subjected to biological and histopathological analyses. Results Numerous milky white spots were present in the lungs after exposure to 25 and 50 mg/m3 TiO2 NPs. Histopathological analysis revealed that the spots were alveolar lesions, characterized predominantly by the agglomeration of particle-laden macrophages and the presence of reactive alveolar epithelial type 2 cell (AEC2) hyperplasia. We defined this characteristic lesion as pulmonary dust foci (PDF). The PDF is an inflammatory niche, with decreased vascular endothelial cells in the interstitium, and proliferating AEC2 transformed into alveolar epithelial progenitor cells. In the present study, the AEC2 in the PDF had acquired DNA damage. Based on PDF induction, the lowest observed adverse effect concentration for pulmonary disorders in male and female rats was 12.5 mg/m3 and 6.3 mg/m3, respectively. The no observed adverse effect concentration for male rats was 6.3 mg/m3. There was a sex difference in lung lesion development, with females showing more pronounced lesion parameters than males. Conclusions Inhalation exposure to TiO2 NPs caused PDF, an air-space lesion which is an alveolar inflammatory niche containing particle-laden macrophages and proliferating AEC2. These PDFs histopathologically resemble some pneumoconiosis lesions (pulmonary siderosis and hard metal pneumoconiosis) in workers and lung disease in smokers, suggesting that PDFs caused by exposure to TiO2 NPs in rats are an early pneumoconiosis lesion and may be a common alveolar reaction in mammals. Graphical Abstract

Anthracene is an environmental pollutant and its adverse effects on human health have long been a concern due to its persistence and bioaccumulation properties. However, there is insufficient evidence for its chronic toxicity, especially carcinogenicity, in either humans or experimental animals. In this study, its carcinogenicity and chronic toxicity were investigated in compliance with the OECD test guideline 451 (OECD TG 451) and Good Laboratory Practice Standards. Fifty male and 50 female F344 rats and 50 female BDF1 mice were administrated 0, 8000, 20000, or 50000 ppm anthracene in the diet for 104 weeks, and 50 male BDF1 mice were fed diets containing anthracene at 0, 3200, 8000, or 20000 ppm. Anthracene treatment had no adverse effect on either the survival rate or general condition of the rats or mice during the study period. Body weights were lower or tended to be lower in the anthracene‐treated groups than in the control groups. Increased incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatocellular adenoma was observed in male rats and female mice. Renal cell carcinoma and renal cell adenoma, fibroadenoma in the mammary gland, and uterine endometrial stromal sarcoma were increased in female rats. Transitional cell carcinoma and transitional cell papilloma in the urinary bladder were also increased in male and female rats. In addition, several different pre‐neoplastic lesions were increased in the anthracene‐treated male and female rats and female mice. These results provide clear evidence that oral administration of anthracene for 104 weeks has a carcinogenic effect in male and female rats and female mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most toxicological studies on titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles to date have concentrated on carcinogenicity and acute toxicity, with few studies focusing of pneumoconiosis, which is a variety of airspace and interstitial lung diseases caused by particle-laden macrophages. The present study examined rat pulmonary lesions associated with pneumoconiosis after inhalation exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Methods: Male and female F344 rats were exposed to 6.3, 12.5, 25, or 50 mg/m3 anatase type TiO2 NPs for 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 13 weeks using a whole-body inhalation exposure system. After the last exposure the rats were euthanized and blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and all tissues including lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes were collected and subjected to biological and histopathological analyses. Results: Numerous milky white spots were present in the lungs after exposure to 25 and 50 mg/m3 TiO2 NPs. Histopathological analysis revealed that the spots were alveolar lesions, characterized predominantly by the agglomeration of particle-laden macrophages and the presence of reactive alveolar epithelial type 2 cell (AEC2) hyperplasia. We defined this characteristic lesion as pulmonary dust foci (PDF). The PDF is an inflammatory niche, with decreased vascular endothelial cells in the interstitium, and proliferating AEC2 transformed into alveolar epithelial progenitor cells. In the present study, the AEC2 in the PDF had acquired DNA damage. Based on PDF induction, the lowest observed adverse effect concentration for pulmonary disorders in male and female rats was 12.5 mg/m3 and 6.3 mg/m3, respectively. The no observed adverse effect concentration for male rats was 6.3 mg/m3. There was a sex difference in lung lesion development, with females showing more pronounced lesion parameters than males. Conclusions: Inhalation exposure to TiO2 NPs caused PDF, an air-space lesion which is an alveolar inflammatory niche containing particle-laden macrophages and proliferating AEC2. These PDFs histopathologically resemble some pneumoconiosis lesions (pulmonary siderosis and hard metal pneumoconiosis) in workers and lung disease in smokers, suggesting that PDFs caused by exposure to TiO2 NPs in rats are an early pneumoconiosis lesion and may be a common alveolar reaction in mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously reported on thymomas in Wistar Hannover rats with medullary differentiation and revealed that two different cytokeratin (CK) immunohistochemical types of thymic epithelia (TE), CK18 and CK14, lead to the formation of cortical-medullary structures. In aged F344 rats, epithelial-type thymoma rarely occurs, and thymic epithelial hyperplasia is common. However, CK expression in these F344 rat lesions is unknown. We investigated three hyperplasia and four thymomas in F344 for histopathological features and CK18 and CK14 expression. Hyperplasia was characterized by an increase in tubular structures in the medulla. Thymomas were nodular in shape, with tubular structures similar to those observed in hyperplasia, along with irregular structures such as cord, papillary, and spindloid. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the tubular structures consisted of two layers: inner cuboidal-to-columnar TE and outer round-to-oval TE, positive for CK18 and CK14, respectively. The two-layer pattern was maintained to some extent in the irregular structures., Competing Interests: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (©2024 The Japanese Society of Toxicologic Pathology.)

This case report describes a case of spontaneous pancreatic islet cell carcinoma with vascular invasion in a 110-week-old male F344 rat. Histologically, a pancreatic nodule consisting of tumor cells and many blood-rich vessels, and covered with a fibrous capsule showed local invasion in the capsule and adjacent acinar tissues, encircling a large duct-like structure (DS). The tumor was composed of well-differentiated tumor cells resembling normal pancreatic islet cells, which had small round nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm. Mitotic figures were rare. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumor cells were positive for insulin. Although endothelial cells were not detected, the DS wall showed cells positive for a-smooth muscle actin and elastic fibers, suggesting that the DS is the pancreatic artery. This is a rare case of islet cell carcinoma consisting of well-differentiated tumor cells with invasion of the pancreatic artery in a rat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 110-week-old male F344 rat from the high-dose group of a 104-week carcinogenicity study, exhibited a spontaneously occurring subcutaneous mass in the left axilla extending to the chest. Histologically, the mass was well-demarcated from the adjacent mammary tissue and slightly encapsulated without evidence of infiltration into the surrounding tissues. The mass contained both epithelial and adipose components. The epithelial component consisted of ductal structures of various sizes lined by a single layer of flattened to cuboidal epithelial cells with relatively clear or vacuolated cytoplasm. These ductal structures were well-intermingled with an adipose component that consisted of a uniform monomorphic cell population of mature adipocytes. Both cell types were welldifferentiated and did not exhibit cellular atypia. Within the mass, fibrous connective tissue was found in the stroma with infiltration of numerous mast cells. Based on these findings, the mass was diagnosed as an adenolipoma of the mammary gland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although gpt delta rats, as reporter gene-transgenic rats, were originally developed for in vivo mutation assays, they have also been used to evaluate chemical carcinogenesis and comprehensive toxicity. Therefore, it is necessary to accumulate background data on carcinogenicity and general toxicity in gpt delta rats. Here, we investigated the background data of 110-week-old male and female F344 gpt delta rats and wild-type rats. There was no effect of reporter gene transfection on animal survival rates and body weights during the experiment. The relative weight of male gpt delta rat adrenals was significantly higher than that of wild-type rats, possibly due to the higher incidence of pheochromocytoma. There were no intergenotype differences in the incidence of nonneoplastic lesions in both sexes, including chronic progressive nephropathy and focus of cellular alteration in the liver, which had a higher incidence in both genotypes. Additionally, the significantly higher incidence of adrenal pheochromocytoma in male gpt delta rats than that in wildtype rats was likely incidental because of the lack of differences in the incidences of preneoplastic (male and female) and neoplastic (female) adrenal lesions in both genotypes. Other neoplastic lesions in both sexes showed no intergenotype differences in incidence rates, although large granular lymphocytic leukemia in the spleen and Leydig cell tumors in the testes of males showed higher incidence rates. Overall, there were no effects of reporter gene transfection on the spectrum of spontaneous lesions in F344 gpt delta rats, thus supporting their applicability in evaluating chemical toxicity and carcinogenicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A3, generated as a monoclonal antibody against rat malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH)-derived cloned cells, recognizes somatic stem cells (bone-marrow/hair follicle stem cells). We investigated the distribution of cells immunoreactive to A3 in the developing rat intestine (particularly, the colon), focusing on the ontogenic kinetics of A3-positive cells. In the rat intestine, A3 labeled spindle-shaped stromal cells localized in the submucosa and labeled endothelial cells of capillaries in the lamina propria forming villi in the early development stage. With development progression, A3-positive cells were exclusively localized around the crypts of the colon. Double immunofluorescence revealed that A3-positive cells around the crypts reacted to vimentin (for mesenchymal cells) and Thy-1 (for mesenchymal stromal cells) but not to α-SMA (for mesenchymal myofibroblastic cells) or CD34 (for hematopoietic stem cells), indicating that A3-positive cells around the crypts may have characteristics of immature mesenchymal cells. In addition, A3 labeled a few epithelial cells at the base of colon crypts. Furthermore, immunoelectron microscopy revealed that A3-positive cells lay inside myofibroblasts adjacent to the epithelium of the crypts. A3-positive cells were regarded as a new type of immature mesenchymal cells around the crypts. Collectively, A3-positive cells might take part in the stem cell niche in the colon, which is formed through epithelial-mesenchymal interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transgenic rat model of Huntington disease expressing a fragment of mutant HTT (tgHD rat) has been thoroughly characterized and reproduces hallmark symptoms of human adult-onset HD. Pursuing the optimization of this model for evaluation of translational therapeutic approaches, the F344 inbred rat strain was considered as advantageous genetic background for the expression of the HD transgenic construct. In the present study, a novel congenic line of the SPRDtgHD transgenic model of HD, carrying 51 CAG repeats, was generated on the F344 rat genetic background. To assess the behavioral phenotype, classical assays investigating motor function, emotion, and sensorimotor gating were applied, along with automated screening of metabolic and activity parameters as well as operant conditioning tasks. The neuropathological phenotype was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging. F344tgHD rats displayed markedly reduced anxiety-like behavior in the social interaction test and elevated impulsivity traits already at 3 months of age. Neuropathologically, reduced striatal volume and pronounced aggregation of mutant huntingtin in several brain regions were detected at later disease stage. In conclusion, the congenic F344tgHD model reproduces key aspects of the human HD phenotype, substantiating its value for translational therapeutic approaches.

The transgenic rat model of Huntington disease expressing a fragment of mutant HTT (tgHD rat) has been thoroughly characterized and reproduces hallmark symptoms of human adult-onset HD. Pursuing the optimization of this model for evaluation of translational therapeutic approaches, the F344 inbred rat strain was considered as advantageous genetic background for the expression of the HD transgenic construct. In the present study, a novel congenic line of the SPRDtgHD transgenic model of HD, carrying 51 CAG repeats, was generated on the F344 rat genetic background. To assess the behavioral phenotype, classical assays investigating motor function, emotion, and sensorimotor gating were applied, along with automated screening of metabolic and activity parameters as well as operant conditioning tasks. The neuropathological phenotype was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging. F344tgHD rats displayed markedly reduced anxiety-like behavior in the social interaction test and elevated impulsivity traits already at 3 months of age. Neuropathologically, reduced striatal volume and pronounced aggregation of mutant huntingtin in several brain regions were detected at later disease stage. In conclusion, the congenic F344tgHD model reproduces key aspects of the human HD phenotype, substantiating its value for translational therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ochratoxin A is best known as a potent renal carcinogen in male rats and mice after necessarily protracted ingestion, although valid extrapolation to any human disease has not been verified. The hypothesis that the toxin is a cause of human testicular cancer was proposed a decade ago and has proliferated since, partly through incomplete study of the scientific literature. Archived tumorous rat testes were available from Fischer F344 rats exposed to continuous dietary exposure for half of or the whole life in London in the 2000s. Renal cancer occurred in some of these cases and testicular tumours were observed frequently, as expected, in both treated and untreated animals. Application of clinical immunohistochemistry has for the first time consistently diagnosed the testicular hypertrophy in toxin-treated rats as Leydig cell tumours. Comparison is made with similar analysis of tumorous testes from control (untreated) rats from U.S. National Toxicology Program studies, both of ochratoxin A (1989) and the more recent one on Ginkgo biloba. All have been found to have identical pathology as being of sex cord-stromal origin. Such are rare in humans, most being of germinal cell origin. The absence of experimental evidence of any specific rat testicular cellular pathology attributable to long-term dietary ochratoxin A exposure discredits any experimental animal evidence of testicular tumorigenicity. Thus, no epidemiological connection between ochratoxin A and the incidence of human testicular cancer can be justified scientifically.

Prolonged treatment with human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) in rats results in development of bone tumors, though this finding has not been supported by clinical experience. The PTH type 1 receptor agonist abaloparatide, selected for its bone anabolic activity, is under clinical development to treat postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. To determine the carcinogenic potential of abaloparatide, Fischer (F344) rats were administered SC daily abaloparatide at doses of 0, 10, 25, and 50 μg/kg or 30 μg/kg hPTH(1–34) as a positive control for up to 2 years. Robust increases in bone density were achieved at all abaloparatide doses and with hPTH(1–34). Comprehensive histopathological analysis reflected a comparable continuum of proliferative changes in bone, mostly osteosarcoma, in both abaloparatide and hPTH(1–34) treated rats. Comparing the effects of abaloparatide and hPTH(1–34) at the 25 and 30 μg/kg respective doses, representing similar exposure multiples to the human therapeutic doses, revealed similar osteosarcoma-associated mortality, tumor incidence, age at first occurrence, and metastatic potential. There were no increases in the incidence of non-bone tumors with abaloparatide compared to vehicle. Thus, near life-long treatment with abaloparatide in rats resulted in dose and time dependent formation of osteosarcomas, with a comparable response to hPTH(1–34) at similar exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An eleven-month old male F344/DuCrj (F344) rat was found dead and had right kidney mass at necropsy. Histopathologically, the mass was composed of nests of neoplastic stellate cells. At the center of the nests, neoplastic epithelial cells formed a tubular structure. In the fibrous connective tissue surrounding the nests, neoplastic cells with striations demonstrable by phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin were observed. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic stellate cells were partially positive for Wilms Tumor 1 and vimentin, and neoplastic cells with striations were partially positive for desmin. We diagnosed this tumor as a nephroblastoma with striated muscle differentiation. To our knowledge, this is the first case of nephroblastoma with apparent striated muscle differentiation in an F344 rat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that contaminates foodstuffs. The most relevant concern is its high kidney carcinogenicity in male rats and its unclear mechanism of action. It has been hypothesized that variations in transport mechanisms in kidney cells may be the reason of different sex-dependent sensitivities towards OTA. The aim of this study was to analyze, by RT- qPCR, renal transporters expression in 15-week-old male (M) and female (F) F344 rats at basal level and after single oral OTA administration (0.50 mg/kg bw). Temporal profiles (24h, 48h, 72h, 96h, 1 and 2 months) were studied per sex and transporter. The reference gene for all comparisons was Ppia. At basal level, sex differences were confirmed for Oatp1, Bcrp (M>F) and Oat2 (F>M). OTA tended to inhibit the expression of almost all transporters in both sexes, but clearly induced the expression of Oat2 in males. Regarding time profiles, the highest sex differences involved Oat (Slc22) transporters: Oat2, Oat3 and Oat5 expression showed a significant increase in males (24h) while Oat1, Oat2 and Oat5 level decreased in females (48h). Overall, basal sex differences in F344 rats and the specific sex-dependent response to OTA of Oat2 might contribute to high kidney damage in male rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

l-Carnitine, a key component of fatty acid oxidation, is nowadays being extensively used as a nutritional supplement with allegedly 'fat burning' and performance-enhancing properties, although to date there are no conclusive data supporting these claims. Furthermore, there is an inverse relationship between exogenous supplementation and bioavailability, i.e., fairly high oral doses are not fully absorbed and thus a significant amount of carnitine remains in the gut. Human and rat enterobacteria can degrade unabsorbed l-carnitine to trimethylamine or trimethylamine- N-oxide, which, under certain conditions, may be transformed to the known carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine. Recent findings indicate that trimethylamine- N-oxide might also be involved in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. We therefore investigated whether a 1-year administration of different l-carnitine concentrations (0, 1, 2 and 5 g/l) via drinking water leads to an increased incidence of preneoplastic lesions (so-called aberrant crypt foci) in the colon of Fischer 344 rats as well as to the appearance of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta of these animals. No significant difference between the test groups regarding the formation of lesions in the colon and aorta of the rats was observed, suggesting that, under the given experimental conditions, l-carnitine up to a concentration of 5 g/l in the drinking water does not have adverse effects on the gastrointestinal and vascular system of Fischer 344 rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To characterize the hepatic lesions in Fischer 344 (F344) rats afflicted with large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia, the livers of rats with LGL leukemia at various stages were examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically. The morphologic features in the livers of rats afflicted with LGL leukemia were diffuse, uniform-sized, granular, or micronodular lesions consisting of hepatocytes showing centrilobular atrophy and perilobular hypertrophy (CAPH) without fibrosis. With progression in the stage of the LGL leukemia, the severity of the CAPH of hepatocytes increased resulting in fatty change and/or single-cell necrosis, along with compensatory hyperplasia of the hepatocytes, finally resulting in lesions similar to those seen in nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) in the human liver. The CAPH of hepatocytes was a nonspecific tissue adaptation against ischemia or hypoxemia and/or imbalance in blood supply due to disturbance in the portal circulation and hemolytic anemia induced by the leukemia cells. In addition, direct and/or indirect hepatocellular injuries by leukemia cells were considered to be necessary for the formation of human NRH-like lesions. Morphogenetic investigation of the livers of rats afflicted with LGL leukemia may be helpful to clarify the pathogenesis of NRH in the human liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(+)-Usnic acid (UA) has been known to be a strong uncoupler, and mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–related stresses are suggested to be involved in the mechanism of hepatotoxicity. However, it has not been clarified whether UA causes toxicity in other mitochondria-rich organs such as the heart. We elucidated whether UA induces cardiotoxicity and its mechanism. UA was orally administered to rats for 14 days, and laboratory and histopathological examinations were performed in conjunction with toxicogenomic analysis. As a result, there was no alteration in blood chemistry, whereas cytoplasmic rarefaction of myocardium was observed microscopically. This finding corresponded to the swollen mitochondria observed ultrastructurally. Immunohistochemically, expression of prohibitin, indicating mitochondrial imbalance, increased in the sarcoplasmic area. Toxicogenomic analysis highlighted the upregulation of gene groups consisting of oxidative stress, ER stress, and amino acid limitation. Interestingly, the number of upregulated genes was larger in the amino acid limitation-related gene group than that in other groups, implying that amino acid limitation might be one of the sources of oxidative stress, not only mitochondria and ER-originated stresses. In conclusion, the heart was manifested to be one of the target organs of UA. Mitochondrial imbalance with complex stresses may be involved in the toxic mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Seasonal or photoperiodically sensitive animals respond to altered day length with changes in physiology (growth, food intake and reproductive status) and behaviour to adapt to predictable yearly changes in the climate. Typically, different species of hamsters, voles and sheep are the most studied animal models of photoperiodism. Although laboratory rats are generally considered nonphotoperiodic, one rat strain, the inbred Fischer 344 ( F344) rat, has been shown to be sensitive to the length of daylight exposure by changing its physiological phenotype and reproductive status according to the season. The present study aimed to better understand the nature of the photoperiodic response in the F344 rat. We examined the effects of five different photoperiods on the physiological and neuroendocrine responses. Young male F344 rats were held under light schedules ranging from 8 h of light/day to 16 h of light/day, and then body weight, including fat and lean mass, food intake, testes weights and hypothalamic gene expression were compared. We found that rats held under photoperiods of ≥ 12 h of light/day showed increased growth and food intake relative to rats held under photoperiods of ≤ 10 h of light/day. Magnetic resonance imaging analysis confirmed that these changes were mainly the result of a change in lean body mass. The same pattern was evident for reproductive status, with higher paired testes weight in photoperiods of ≥ 12 h of light/day. Accompanying the changes in physiological status were major changes in hypothalamic thyroid hormone ( Dio2 and Dio3), retinoic acid ( Crabp1 and Stra6) and Wnt/β-Catenin signalling genes ( sFrp2 and Mfrp). Our data demonstrate that a photoperiod schedule of 12 h of light/day is interpreted as a stimulatory photoperiod by the neuroendocrine system of young male F344 rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In seasonal animals, photoperiod exerts profound effects on physiology, such as growth, energy balance and reproduction, via changes in the neuroendocrine axes. A key element of the photoperiodic response is the thyroid hormone level in the hypothalamus, which is controlled via retrograde transport of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the pars tuberalis of the pituitary. TSH regulates type II deiodinase (Dio2) expression, which transforms inactive thyroid hormone to its active form, via TSH receptors expressed in the ependymal cells of the hypothalamus. In the present study, we hypothesised that a second peptide hormone, neuromedin U (NMU), may play a role in the photoperiodic response alongside TSH because the gene for NMU is also expressed in a strongly photoperiod-dependent manner in the pars tuberalis and its receptor NMU2 is expressed in the ependymal layer of the third ventricle in photoperiod-sensitive F344 rats. Consistent with other studies conducted in nonseasonal mammals, we found that acute i.c.v. injections of NMU into the hypothalamus negatively regulated food intake and body weight and increased core body temperature in F344 rats. At the same time, NMU increased Dio2 mRNA expression in the ependymal region of the hypothalamus similar to the effects of TSH. These data suggest that NMU may affect acute and photoperiodically controlled energy balance through distinct pathways. We also showed that TSH inhibits the expression of type III deiodinase (Dio3) in F344 rats, a response not mimicked by NMU. Furthermore, NMU also increased the expression of genes from the Wnt/β-catenin pathway within the ependymal layer of the third ventricle. This effect was not influenced by TSH. These data indicate that, although NMU acts with some similarities to TSH, it also has completely distinct signalling functions that do not overlap. In summary, the present study of NMU signalling reveals the potential for a new player in the control of seasonal biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to accurately assess the carcinogenicity of chemicals with regard to rare tumors such as rat CNS tumors, sufficient information about spontaneous tumors are very important. This paper presents the data on the type, incidence and detected age of CNS tumors in F344/DuCrlCrlj (a total of 1363 males and 1363 females) and Crl:CD(SD) rats (a total of 1650 males and 1705 females) collected from in-house background data-collection studies and control groups of carcinogenicity studies at our laboratory, together with those previously reported in F344 and SD rats. The present data on F344/DuCrlCrlj rats (F344 rats) and Crl:CD(SD) rats (SD rats) clarified the following. (1) The incidences of all CNS tumors observed in F344 rats were less than 1%. (2) The incidences of malignant astrocytoma and granular cell tumor were higher in male SD rats than in female SD rats. (3) The incidences of astrocytoma and granular cell tumor were higher in SD rats than in F344 rats. (4) Among astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma and granular cell tumor, oligodendroglioma was detected at the youngest age, followed by astrocytoma, and ultimately, granular cell tumor developed in both strains. The incidences observed in our study were almost consistent with those previously reported in F344 and SD rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical control data of tumor incidence were collected from the control groups (215 animals of each sex) in four recent carcinogenicity studies that were started between 2005 to 2009 (terminally sacrificed between 2007 and 2011) at BoZo Research Center Inc. (Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan) using Fischer 344 rats (F344/DuCrlCrlj). These data were compared to the previous historical control data (from 1990 to 2004, previously reported) in the same facility. In the results, the incidence of C-cell adenoma in the thyroid tended to increase in both sexes in recent years (30.8% for males and 24.4% for females in 2005-2009) as compared with the previous data (17.4% and 20.1% for males and 11.5% and 11.8% for females in 1990-1999 and 2000-2004, respectively). In addition, the incidences of pancreatic islet cell adenoma in males and uterine adenocarcinoma tended to increase from around 2000 and remained high in recent years (incidences of islet cell adenoma in males of 10.5%, 17.1% and 20.5% in 1990-1999, 2000-2004 and 2005-2009; incidences of uterine adenocarcinoma of 3.3%, 12.0% and 13.5% in 1990-1999, 2000-2004 and 2005-2009, respectively). There was no apparent difference in the incidence of other tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aloe vera is one of the most commonly used botanicals for various prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. Recently, NTP/NCTR has demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in large intestinal tumors in F344 rats chronically exposed to Aloe barbadensis Miller (Aloe vera) non-decolorized whole leaf extract (AVNWLE) in drinking water. The morphological and molecular pathways of AVNWLE-induced large intestinal tumors in the F344 rats were compared to human colorectal cancer (hCRC) literature. Defined histological criteria were used to compare AVNWLE-induced large intestinal tumors with hCRC. The commonly mutated genes (Kras, Ctnnb1, and Tp53) and altered signaling pathways (MAPK, WNT, and TGF-β) important in hCRC were evaluated within AVNWLE-induced large intestinal tumors. Histological evaluation of the large intestinal tumors indicated eight of twelve adenomas (Ads) and four of twelve carcinomas (Cas). Mutation analysis of eight Ads and four Cas identified point mutations in exons 1 and 2 of the Kras gene (two of eight Ads, two of four Cas), and in exon 2 of the Ctnnb1 gene (three of eight Ads, one of four Cas). No Tp53 (exons 5–8) mutations were found in Ads or Cas. Molecular pathways important in hCRC such as MAPK, WNT, and TGF-β signaling were also altered in AVNWLE-induced Ads and Cas. In conclusion, the AVNWLE-induced large intestinal tumors in F344 rats share several similarities with hCRC at the morphological and molecular levels. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: A two year carcinogenicity study of anthelmintic drug levamisole (LV) was performed using 50 male and 50 female F344 rats at dietary drug concentrations of 0, 60, or 300ppm. The daily intakes of LV were calculated to be 2.6, 12.9mg/kg b.w./day for males and 2.9, 14.1mg/kg b.w./day for females, respectively. No significant differences in general condition and survival rate (82%, 74%, 80% in males and 84%, 84%, 84% in females, respectively) were observed. In the 300ppm group, suppression of body weight gain was observed from the onset of treatment and reduction in final body weights was 6% in males and 11% in females. Significant increases in the absolute and/or relative weights of the lungs, heart, spleen, liver, kidneys, and adrenals were observed in males and/or females treated with 300ppm. Some of high incidences neoplasms were observed, and there were also tendencies to increase for mammary gland fibroma and thoracic/abdominal cavity mesothelioma in males. However, there were no significant inter-group differences in incidences, histopathological types or differences compared with historical control data. Thus, it was concluded that LV was not carcinogenic to male and female F344 rats under the experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equisetum arvense, commonly known as the field horsetail, has potential as a new functional food ingredient. However, little information is available on its side effects, and the general toxicity of Equisetum arvense has yet to be examined in detail. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of administration in diet at doses of 0, 0.3, 1 and 3% for 13 weeks in male and female F344 rats. No toxicity was detected with reference to clinical signs, body weight, urinalysis, hematology and serum biochemistry data and organ weights. Microscopic examination revealed no histopathological lesions associated with treatment. In conclusion, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for Equisetum arvense was determined to be greater than 3% in both sexes of F344 rat (males and females: >1.79 g/kg BW/ day and >1.85 g/kg BW/day, respectively) under the conditions of the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acrylamide (AA) has been reported to be formed in fried and baked foods with various concentrations, and exposure levels to AA from cooked foods in children are estimated to be higher than those in adults. In order to evaluate the carcinogenicity of AA exposure during childhood, we conducted a medium-term carcinogenicity study with prepubertal administration of AA followed by treatments of a multi-organ-targeted genotoxic carcinogen and a promoting agent for thyroid carcinogenesis in rats. A total of 36 postpartum F344 rats were given drinking water containing AA at 0, 20, 40 or 80 ppm for 3 weeks during the lactation period, and their weaned offspring received the same AA-containing water for 3 more weeks. Offspring were then injected with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU; 40 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) once at week 7 after birth. Half the animals of the 0 and 40 ppm groups were additionally treated with the anti-thyroid agent sulfadimethoxine (SDM; 125 ppm) in the drinking water thereafter. Offspring were subjected to complete necropsy at week 50. All the major organs and macroscopic abnormalities were excised and examined histopathologically. There was no significant difference in the incidences of hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions in the target organs of AA and/or MNU, such as the brain, spinal cord, pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenal glands, uterus, mammary glands, clitoral gland and tunica vaginalis. In conclusion, no significant modifying actions of AA on MNU-induced multi-organ carcinogenesis were exhibited in any organs of rats when exposed prepubertally under the present experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand the relevance of tunica vaginalis mesotheliomas (TVM) to human cancer risk, we examined the nature of TVM responses in 21 published rat cancer bioassays against the backdrop of the biology and molecular biology of mesothelium, and of spontaneous and treatment-induced TVM. Although relatively rare in all species including humans, TVM are seen most frequently in F344 male rats, as opposed to other rat strains, and are causally associated with the high background incidence of Leydig-cell tumors of the testes of these rats. Hormone imbalance brought about by perturbations of the endocrine system is proposed as a key factor leading to both spontaneous and treatment-associated TVM. Of 21 F344 rat studies with a treatment-associated TVM response, 7 were judged to have a nonsignificant to marginal response, 11 had a robust TVM response, and 3 were noninformative due to early mortality from other induced tumors. Of the 11 chemicals with robust responses, 8 were directly mutagenic in Salmonella and 3 are known to be mutagenic after metabolism. Only 2 of the 7 with nonsignificant to marginal responses were Ames test positive. TVM induction is a male F344 rat-specific event, and chemicals/agents that induce only TVM in the male F344 rat from a typical two-sex rat and mouse chronic bioassay are likely irrelevant in human risk assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Combined chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity studies of paprika color, used as a food additive in various countries, were performed in male and female F344 rats. Dietary concentrations of 0%, 0.62%, 1.25%, 2.5% and 5% were applied in a 52-week toxicity study and 0%, 2.5% and 5% in a 104-week carcinogenicity study. Treatment with paprika color caused a significant increase in incidence of hepatocellular vacuolation in 5% males, but no toxicological effects were found with reference to survival rates, body weights, hematological or serum biochemical parameters and organ weights at any dose level in either sex in the chronic toxicity study. Also, paprika color did not induce specific tumors nor did it exert significant influence on the development of spontaneous tumors in any of the organs examined in the carcinogenicity study. In conclusion, based on slight histopathological changes observed in 5% male livers, the no-observed-effect level (NOEL) was estimated to be 2.5% in the diet (1253mg/kgbw/day) and the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was determined to be 5% in the diet (2388mg/kgbw/day) for male rats, and for females, the NOEL was concluded to be 5% in the diet (2826mg/kgbw/day). Additionally, paprika color was not carcinogenic to male and female F344 rats under the present experimental conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: l-Asparagine is an amino acid listed as an existing food additive in Japan. The present 90-day toxicity study in F344/DuCrlCrj rats was conducted for safety assessment and to determine a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of l-asparagine. Groups of 10 males and 10 females were given the material at dose levels of 0%, 1.25%, 2.5% or 5% in diet for 90 days. During the experiment, there were no remarkable changes in general conditions and no deaths occurred in any group. Final body weights of male 5% and 1.25% groups were significantly decreased. There were also significant increases in relative organ weights of the brain, kidney and testis in 5% males. On serological examination, GLU, PL, K and ALT were increased significantly in 5% females, and GLU was increased significantly and CRN was decreased significantly in the female 1.25% group. However, histopathological examination did not reveal any significant variation in development of lesions among the groups. Changes in body and organ weights, as well as other parameters, were concluded to be due to treatment with 5% l-asparagine. The NOAEL was determined to be 2.5% in the diet (males, 1.65g/kg body weight/day; females, 1.73g/kg body weight/day). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Age-dependent changes in dopaminergic (DA) innervation of the neostriatum (Str) were studied in male F344/N rats. Projections from the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) to the neostriatum were quantified using electrophysiological methods at age points from 6 to 24 months. The percentage of DA neurons activated antidromically by electrical stimulation (P-index) of Str increased between 18 and 24 months. Additionally, the percentage of DA neurons showing multiple antidromic latencies from striatal stimulation (M-index), which suggests axonal branching of individual DA neurons, increased significantly between 6 and 12 months and 6 and 24 months. These results suggest that DA neurons exhibit increased axonal branching in the aged brain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Kava (Piper methysticum), used for relaxation and pain relief, has been one of the leading dietary supplements and several reports linking hepatic functional disturbances and liver failure to kava have resulted in a ban on sales in Europe and Canada and the issuance of warnings by the US FDA. The National Toxicology Program conducted 14-week rat studies to characterize the toxicology of kava exposure in Fischer 344 rats [National Toxicity Program. 90 day gavage toxicity studies of KAVA KAVA EXTRACT in Fischer rats and B6C3F1 mice. Research Triangle Park, NC; 2005a; National Toxicity Program. Testing status of agents at NTP (KAVA KAVA EXTRACT M990058). Research Triangle Park, NC; 2005b. (http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/index.cfm?objectid=071516E-C6E1-7AAA-C90C751E23D14C1B)]. Groups of 10 male and 10 female rats were administered kava extract by gavage at 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0g/kg/day. Increased γ-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) activities were observed in the 2.0g/kg males and 1.0 and 2.0g/kg females, as well as increased serum cholesterol levels in males and females at 0.5g/kg and higher. Increases in incidence and severity of hepatocellular hypertrophy (HP) were noted in males at 1.0g/kg and females at 0.5g/kg and higher, as well as increased liver weights. Immunohistochemical analyses of the expression of cytochrome-P450 (CYP) enzymes in liver of the control and 1.0- and 2.0-g/kg-treated groups indicated decreased expression of CYP2D1 (human CYP2D6 homolog) in 2.0g/kg females and increased expression of CYP1A2, 2B1, and 3A1 in 1.0 and 2.0g/kg groups of both sexes. The no observed adverse effect levels were decided as 0.25g/kg in both genders, based on neurotoxic effects, increases in GGT, cholesterol, liver weight, and HP and decreases in body weight. Kava-induced hepatic functional changes in the F344 rat might be relevant to human clinical cases of hepatotoxicity following exposure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The carcinogenic potential of human parathyroid hormone 1-84 (PTH) was assessed by daily subcutaneous injection (0, 10, 50, 150 μ g/kg/day) for 2 years in Fischer 344 rats. Histopathological analyses were conducted on the standard set of soft tissues, tissues with macroscopic abnormalities, selected bones, and bones with abnormalities identified radiographically. All PTH doses caused widespread osteosclerosis and significant, dose-dependent increases in femoral and vertebral bone mineral content and density. In the mid-and high-dose groups, proliferative changes in bone increased with dose. Osteosarcoma was the most common change, followed by focal osteoblast hyperplasia, osteoblastoma, osteoma and skeletal fibrosarcoma. The incidence of bone neoplasms was comparable in control and low-dose groups providing a noncarcinogenic dose for PTH of 10 μ g/kg/day at a systemic exposure to PTH that is 4.6-fold higher than for a 100 μ g dose in humans. The ability of PTH to interact with and balance the effects of both the PTH-1 receptor and the putative C-terminal PTH receptor, may lead to the lower carcinogenic potential observed with PTH than reported previously for teriparatide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene transcript changes after exposure to the heart toxin, bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane (CEM), were analyzed to elucidate mechanisms in cardiotoxicity and recovery. CEM was administered to 5-week-old male F344/N rats at 0, 200, 400, or 600 mg/kg by dermal exposure, 5 days per week, for a total of 12 doses by study day 16. Heart toxicity occurred after 2 days of dosing in all 3 regions of the heart (atrium, ventricle, interventricular septum) and was characterized by myofiber vacuolation, necrosis, mononuclear-cell infiltration, and atrial thrombosis. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that the primary site of damage was the mitochondrion. By day 5, even though dosing was continued, the toxic lesions in the heart began to resolve, and by study day 16, the heart appeared histologically normal. RNA was extracted from whole hearts after 2 or 5 days of CEM dosing. After a screen for transcript change by microarray analysis, dose-response trends for selected transcripts were analyzed by qRT-PCR. The selected transcripts code for proteins involved in energy production, control of calcium levels, and maintenance of heart function. The down-regulation of ATP subunit transcripts(Atp5j, ATP5k), which reside in the mitochondrial membranes, indicated a decrease in energy supply at day 2 and day 5. This was accompanied by down-regulation of transcripts involved in high-energy consumption processes such as membrane transport and ion channel transcripts (e.g.,abc1a, kcnj12). The up-regulation of transcripts encoding for temperature regulation and calcium binding proteins (ucp1 and calb3) only at the 2 low exposure levels, suggest that these adaptive processes cannot occur in association with severe cardiotoxicity as seen in hearts at the high exposure level. Transcript expression changes occurred within 2 days of CEM exposure, and were dose- and time-dependent. The heart transcript changes suggest that CEM cardiotoxicity activates protective processes associated energy conservation and maintenance of heart function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mononuclear cell leukemia (MNCL) is an extremely common spontaneous disease of ageing F344 rats accompanied by splenomegaly, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukemic infiltration (initially of the spleen, liver, and lung). Rare in other rat strains, incidence in F344 rats is variable, has been increasing, and can exceed 70% in controls. MNCL cells possess natural killer (NK) cell characteristics and apparently, the neoplastic cells derive from large granular lymphocytes (LGL), hence the alternative name of LGL leukemia. LGL leukemia is uncommon in man and occurs in two forms: T-LGL leukemia which has a chronic course, and the much rarer NK-LGL leukemia. In addition to cell type, the latter resembles F344 LGL leukemia being acute in course and involving more pronounced splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia. Chemically related increases in MNCL in F344 rats have not been associated with induction of human LGL leukemia. Carcinogenicity studies of perchloroethylene (PERC) in several rat strains have shown moderate, not clearly dose-related, increases in MNCL only in F344 rats (two studies). There was no consistent decrease in latency and the incidence in the PERC treated groups is within the overall control range. As a response in a rat strain highly predisposed to developing MNCL, these results are not considered predictive for human cancer risk. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Using in vivo electrophysiological techniques and continuous local infusion methods, we examined the effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its specific antibody (anti-BDNF) on the noradrenergic axon terminals of the locus coeruleus (LC) neurons in the frontal cortex of aging rats. Recently, we observed that LC neurons with multiple-threshold antidromic responses (multi-threshold LC neurons) increased critically between 15 and 17 months of age. To examine whether the BDNF is involved in this change occurred in the aging brain, we continuously infused BDNF into the frontal cortex for 14 days. Exogenous BDNF produced a marked increase in the multi-threshold LC neurons in the 13-month-old brain, accompanied with a decrease in threshold current. However, no morphological change in the noradrenergic axons was observed in the BDNF-infused cortex. In contrast, infusion of anti-BDNF led to a dose-dependent reduction of the multi-threshold LC neurons in the 19-month-old brain, accompanied with an increase in threshold current. These findings suggest that BDNF may contribute to functional changes in the presynaptic axon terminals of LC neurons in the aging brain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report a case of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) that developed in a male F344 rat at week 101 of an experiment in a carcinogenicity study. Macroscopically, the primary tumor, which measured 1 cm in diameter, involved the submucosal tissue of the forestomach at the lesser curvature extending to the glandular stomach and esophagus. Histopathologically, the tumor was composed of neoplastic cells with small- to medium-sized spindle-shaped single nuclei and fibrillary cytoplasm lacking distinct cell borders. It invaded extensively into the tunica muscularis and subserosa, further extending to the lamina propria mucosa and serosal surface. A few densely proliferating portions showed a tendency to storiform pattern. Metastatic tumor nodules were found in the liver, spleen, and femur bone marrow, with multiple nodules, up to 1 cm in diameter, apparent in the liver. Immunohistochemically, diffuse, but weak cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for KIT was evident, and most neoplastic cells also exhibited strong immunoreactivity for a -smooth muscle actin and vimentin. Sparse nuclear S-100-immunoreactive cells were further observed, but none of neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for CD34, caldesmon, desmin, cytokeratin, or synaptophysin. Collectively, these features meet the criteria for a GIST, with limited potential for differentiation to smooth muscle and neural cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Epidemiological studies indicated that human arsenic exposure can induce urinary bladder cancer. Methylation of inorganic arsenic can generate more reactive and toxic organic arsenical species. In this regard, it was recently reported that the methylated arsenical metabolite, dimethylarsinic acid [DMA(V)], induced urinary bladder tumors in rats. However, other methylated metabolites, like monomethylarsonic acid [MMA(V)] and trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO) were not carcinogenic to the urinary bladder. In order to compare the early effects of DMA(V), MMA(V), and TMAO on the urinary bladder transitional cell epithelium at the scanning electron microscope (SEM) level, we investigated the sub-chronic (13 weeks) toxicological effects of MMA(V) (187 ppm), DMA(V) (184 ppm), TMAO (182 ppm) given in the drinking water to male and female F344 rats with a focus on the urinary bladder in this study. Obvious pathological changes, including ropy microridges, pitting, increased separation of epithelial cells, exfoliation, and necrosis, were found in the urinary bladders of both sexes, but particularly in females receiving carcinogenic doses of DMA(V). Urine arsenical metabolic differences were found between males and females, with levels of MMA(III), a potential genotoxic form, higher in females treated with DMA(V) than in males. Thus, this study provides clear evidence that DMA(V) is more toxic to the female urinary bladder, in accord with sensitivity to carcinogenesis. Important gender-related metabolic differences including enhanced presentation of MMA(III) to the urothelial cells might possibly account for heightened sensitivity in females. However, the potential carcinogenic effects of MMA(III) need to be further elucidated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Dunaliella carotene, extracted from dunaliella alga (Dunaliella bardawil or Dunaliella salina), for use as a food-coloring agent, has β-carotene as its mainly constituent. As there have been no reports of toxicological evaluation, a 90-day subchronic toxicity study was here performed in F344 rats at dose levels of 0 (control), 0.63%, 1.25%, 2.5% and 5% in powdered basal diet. The average daily intakes of dunaliella carotene were 352, 696, 1420 and 2750mg/kg/day, respectively, for males, and 370, 748, 1444 and 2879mg/kg/day for females. No mortality or treatment-related clinical signs were observed throughout the experimental period in any of the groups. Body weight gain was slightly but significantly (p <0.05) reduced from week 5 to the end of the experiment in 2.5% and 5% males. Increased PLT were observed in 1.25% and 5% males, and 2.5% and 5% females. Significant elevations or tendencies for increase in serum T. Cho and Ca were observed in all treated males and females, with clear dose-dependence in males. Organ weight measurement and histopathological observation revealed no toxicological changes. Based on growth suppression, no-observed-adverse-effect-levels (NOAELs) were estimated to be 1.25% (696mg/kg/day) for males and 5% (2879mg/kg/day) for females. As increases in serum Ca were observed in the lowest group in both sexes, a no-observed-effect level (NOEL) could not be determined in this study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effects of pregnancy on CYPs protein level in the liver have been investigated in our previous study. Since pregnancy was associated with a decrease in CYPs protein level, the objective of this study was to investigate whether CYPs protein can revert to the virgin control level after delivery. Western blot analysis was performed to investigate the changes of total nine CYPs protein (CYP1A1, CYP2B1/CYP2B2, CYP2C6, CYP2C12, CYP2D1, CYP2D4, CYP2E1, CYP3A1 and CYP4A1) at three distinct phases: delivery (postpartum day 0, PPD 0), peak lactation (PPD 14) and on weaning (PPD 28). By PPD 0, CYP1A1, 2B1, 2B2, 2C6, 2E1 and CYP4A1 were markedly down-regulated when compared with virgin controls. By PPD 14, however, CYP1A1, 2B1, 2B2 and CYP2C6 returned to the virgin control level. All the decreased CYPs during lactation were at the virgin control level at PPD 28. The expression of CYP2C12, CYP2D1 and CYP 3A1 did not differ between lactating, post-lactation and virgin control rats. CYP2D4 was not detectable in microsomal proteins obtained from virgin control rats at a protein loading of 20 μg total protein per lane. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Agaricus blazei Murrill, an edible mushroom, is widely used as a functional food due to its possible medicinal effects. Aqueous extracts are also used as food additive to provide an agreeable bitter taste. As a part of its safety assessment, the present 90-day subchronic toxicity study was performed in F344 rats. To establish a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL), rats were fed powder diet containing A. blazei Murrill aqueous extract at dose levels of 0 (basal diet), 0.63, 1.25, 2.5 and 5% (maximum) for 90 days. During the experiment, there were no remarkable changes in general appearance and no deaths occurred in any experimental group. Although serum blood urea nitrogen was slightly but significantly increased in males of the 2.5 and 5% groups, no related histopathological changes were observed in the kidney, and serum creatinine levels were rather reduced, suggesting the increase of blood urea nitrogen to be of little toxicological significance. Hematology, organ weight measurement and histopathological observation revealed no test compound-related toxicological changes. In conclusion, A. blazei Murrill extract even at 5% in the diet (2654mg/kgb.w./day for male rats and 2965mg/kgb.w./day for female rats) did not cause remarkable adverse effects in F344 rats. Thus, the NOAEL was concluded to be 5% in the diet. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A body of evidence suggests that pregnancy may be responsible for the depression in the microsomal enzyme activity and the reduction in the total content of cytochrome P450 (CYP) in the rat liver. However, changes in expression of individual CYP isozyme remain poorly known. The current study was designed to examine the changes in CYPs protein expression in the liver of F344 rats in midpregnancy and late pregnancy by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Total nine antirat CYPs antibodies (CYP1A1, CYP2B1/CYP2B2, CYP2C6, CYP2C12, CYP2D1, CYP2D4, CYP2E1, CYP3A1, and CYP4A1) were used. In comparison with age-matched nonpregnant control rats, there were significant decreases in hepatic levels of CYP2B2, CYP2C6, and CYP4A1 in midpregnancy (day 13) and CYP2B2, CYP2C6, CYP4A1, CYP1A1, CYP2B1, and CYP2E1 in late pregnancy (day 19). The expression of CYP2C12, CYP2D1, and CYP 3A1 did not differ between nonpregnant and pregnant rats, and CYP2D4 was not detectable in microsomal proteins obtained from nonpregnant and pregnant rats at a protein loading of 20 μg total protein per lane. Immunohistochemistry showed that there were no differences in the distribution and degree of immunostainability for the abovementioned antibodies to nine CYPs between pregnant and nonpregnant rats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Propylene oxide (1,2-epoxypropane) is a nasal toxicant and weak site-of-contact carcinogen in the rodent. The current study was aimed at providing quantitative information on upper respiratory tract (URT) dosimetry of this vapor. Since depletion of nasal non-protein sulfhydryls (NPSH) may be important in the toxicity of this vapor and may serve as a biomarker for delivery of propylene oxide to nasal tissues, measurements of respiratory and olfactory NPSH content after propylene oxide exposure were also made. Towards these ends, uptake of this vapor was measured in the surgically isolated URT of the F344 rat at constant velocity inspiratory flow rates of 50 or 200 ml/min throughout a 60-min exposure. Immediately after exposure, nasal respiratory and olfactory tissues were removed and analyzed for NPSH content. Propylene oxide was scrubbed from the airstream with moderate efficiency in the isolated URT. Similar uptake efficiencies were observed at inspired concentrations of 25, 50, 100, and 300 ppm, averaging 25 and 11% at flow rates of 50 and 200 ml/min, respectively. After 1-h exposure to concentrations of 100 ppm or more, statistically significant depletion of nasal respiratory mucosal NPSH was observed. Nasal respiratory mucosal NPSH levels averaged approximately 90, 70, 50, 40, and 15% of control levels after 1-h exposure to 25, 50, 100, 300, or 500 ppm propylene oxide. Olfactory mucosal NPSH levels also generally decreased at 300 or 500 ppm propylene oxide, but did not demonstrate statistically significant, consistent changes after propylene oxide exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chronic combined toxicity and carcinogenicity study of S-170, a sucrose fatty acid ester, was performed in male and female F344 rats. S-170 was given ad libitum in the diet at levels of 0, 1.25, 2.5 or 5% to 10 rats/sex/group for 12 months to determine chronic toxicity and 0, 2.5 or 5% to 50 rats/sex/group for two years in the carcinogenicity study. Treatment with S-170 exerted no effect on survival in either sex. In the 12-month chronic toxicity study, no treatment-related effects on body weights, or hematological, blood biochemical, urinary and pathological parameters were demonstrated in any of the treated groups. In the carcinogenicity study, S-170 did not cause any dose-related significant increase in the incidences of tumors in any organs or tissues. Taken together, the results clearly demonstrate that S-170 has neither toxic nor carcinogenic activity in F344 rats under the conditions of the study. No observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) calculated from the 12-month chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity study were 2.37 g/kg/day in males and 2.80 g/kg/day in females, and 2.12 g/kg/day in males and 2.42 g/kg/day in females, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the axon terminals of the locus coeruleus (LC) neurons, a high level of axonal branching was occurred in the middle-aged brain, and the increased branching was maintained in the aged brain. In the present study, we hypothesized that neurotrophic support is necessary for the morphological age-related changes seen in the noradrenergic innervations from the LC to frontal cortex. Through immunohistochemical and quantitative image analyses, we examined the age-dependent effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on the noradrenergic axon terminals in the frontal cortex of F344 rats. We continuously infused BDNF into the frontal cortex of young (6-months-old), middle-aged (13-months-old), or aged (25-months-old) rats. Exogenous BDNF infusion caused a marked increase in the density of noradrenergic axons in the aged brain, but no trophic action of BDNF was observed in the young and middle-aged brain. Neutralization of endogenous BDNF with a specific function-blocking antibody to BDNF led to a reduction in noradrenergic axons in the frontal cortex of 19-month-old rats. The present results suggest that BDNF is not involved in the augmentation of noradrenergic innervations in the aging brain, but it is necessary for the maintenance of noradrenergic innervations in the aged brain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Peripheral T cell lymphopenia (lyp) in the BioBreeding (BB) rat is linked to a frameshift mutation in Ian5, a member of the Immune Associated Nucleotide (Ian) gene family on rat chromosome 4. This lymphopenia leads to type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (T1DM) at rates up to 100% when combined with the BB rat MHC RT1 u/u genotype. In order, to better study the lymphopenia phenotype without possible confounding effects of diabetes or other autoimmune disease, we generated congenic F344.lyp rats by introgression of lyp on diabetes-resistant MHC RT1 lv1/lv1 F344 rats. Analysis of thymic CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes revealed no difference in the percentage of CD4−CD8+and CD4+CD8−subsets in lyp/lyp compared to +/+ F344 rats. The same subsets was however dramatically reduced in blood (P=0.005), spleen (P=0.019) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) (P<0.0001). Compared to F344 +/+ rats double positive CD4+CD8+T cells were increased only in lyp/lyp spleen (P=0.034) while double negative CD4−CD8−were increased in thymus (P=0.033), spleen (P=0.012), MLN (P<0.0001), and peripheral blood (P<0.0001). There were no signs of inflammatory lesions in organs and tissues in F344.lyp/lyp rats examined at 120 days of age or older. We thus conclude that the lymphopenia phenotype was reconstituted by introgression of lyp on to F344 rats without subsequent development of organ-specific autoimmunity. The congenic F344.lyp rat should prove useful to dissect the mechanisms by which the Ian5 frameshift mutation affects T cell selection, differentiation and maturation without organ-specific autoimmunity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Formaldehyde (FA), an occupational and environmental toxicant used extensively in the manufacturing of many household and personal use products, is known to induce squamous cell carcinomas in the nasal turbinates of rats and mice and squamous metaplasia in monkey noses. Tissue responses to FA include a dose dependent epithelial degeneration, respiratory cell hypertrophy, and squamous metaplasia. The primary target for FA-induced toxicity in both rodents and monkeys is the respiratory nasal epithelium. FA increases nasal epithelial cell proliferation and DNA–protein crosslinks (DPX) that are associated with subsequent nasal cancer development. To address the acute effects of FA exposure that might contribute to known pathological changes, cDNA gene expression analysis was used. Two groups of male F344 rats received either 40 ul of distilled water or FA (400 mM) instilled into each nostril. Twenty-four hours following treatment, nasal epithelium was recovered from which total RNA was used to generate cDNA probes. Significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) hybridization data using Clontech™ Rat Atlas 1.2 arrays revealed that 24 of the 1185 genes queried were significantly up-regulated and 22 genes were significantly downregulated. Results for ten of the differentially expressed genes were confirmed by quantitative real time RT PCR. The identified genes with FA-induced change in expression belong to the functional gene categories xenobiotic metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis, and DNA repair. These data suggest that multiple pathways are dysregulated by FA exposure, including those involved in DNA synthesis/repair and regulation of cell proliferation. Differential gene expression profiles may provide clues that could be used to define mechanisms involved in FA-induced nasal cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lewis and Fischer 344 (F344) rats differ in their physiological and pharmacological responses to a variety of environmental stimuli, which have been partially attributed to endogenous opioid function. Since opioid and α2-adrenoceptor mechanisms are closely related, we have comparatively examined the contribution of both systems to antinociception in female Lewis and F344 rats by the tail-flick method. Basal responses of F344 and Lewis rats were found to be similar, both showing a slight but significant increase in reaction time along the experimental period which was not completely reversed by naloxone. Morphine exhibited a bell-shaped dose–response curve in Lewis rats, these animals being more sensitive than F344 at 1 and 5 mg/kg but less sensitive at 10 mg/kg. Clonidine up to 0.1 mg/kg was more active in F344 rats. The α2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine provoked a higher hyperalgesic effect in Lewis rats and decreased morphine antinociception in both strains. The existence of a balanced contribution of opioid and α2-adrenoceptor mechanisms to control pain transmission in both strains is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bromodichloromethane (BDCM) is a drinking water disinfectant by-product that has been implicated in liver, kidney and intestinal cancers in rodents and in intestinal tumors and low birth weight effects in humans. BDCM is also hepatotoxic and requires metabolic activation for both toxicity and carcinogenicity. We have recently reported that CYP1A2 may participate in that metabolism and we now report experiments to support that implication. Induction of CYP1A2 in male F344 rats without inducing CYP2E1 or CYP2B1/2, using TCDD, increased the hepatotoxicity of BDCM when compared to earlier work conducted under similar protocols. Inhibition of CYP1A2, with isosafrole, reduced the metabolism and toxicity of BDCM in the previously induced rats. In addition, specific activities and Western blots for these CYP isoenzymes were measured 24 h after exposure. Activity data show that only CYP1A2 was inhibited by isosafrole; isosafrole forms a complex with CYP1A2 that persists for more than 24 h. Western blot results generally agree with the activity data except that isosafrole induced the protein for all isoenzymes measured. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model, developed previously, estimated that BDCM metabolism was complete about 7 h after gavage dosing. It is noteworthy that the reduction in CYP1A2 activity was still measurable despite the production of additional CYP1A2 protein during the period of approximately 18 h after BDCM metabolism was complete. These results demonstrate that CYP1A2 does metabolize BDCM and does contribute to hepatotoxicity under certain conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]