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Showing papers on "Toxicity published in 2006"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that human hepatotoxicity is highly concordant with in vitro cytotoxicity in this novel model and as detected by HCS.
Abstract: To develop and validate a practical, in vitro, cell-based model to assess human hepatotoxicity potential of drugs, we used the new technology of high content screening (HCS) and a novel combination of critical model features, including (1) use of live, human hepatocytes with drug metabolism capability, (2) preincubation of cells for 3 days with drugs at a range of concentrations up to at least 30 times the efficacious concentration or 100 μM, (3) measurement of multiple parameters that were (4) morphological and biochemical, (5) indicative of prelethal cytotoxic effects, (6) representative of different mechanisms of toxicity, (7) at the single cell level and (8) amenable to rapid throughput. HCS is based on automated epifluorescence microscopy and image analysis of cells in a microtiter plate format. The assay was applied to HepG2 human hepatocytes cultured in 96-well plates and loaded with four fluorescent dyes for: calcium (Fluo-4 AM), mitochondrial membrane potential (TMRM), DNA content (Hoechst 33342) to determine nuclear area and cell number and plasma membrane permeability (TOTO-3). Assay results were compared with those from 7 conventional, in vitro cytotoxicity assays that were applied to 611 compounds and shown to have low sensitivity (<25%), although high specificity (∼90%) for detection of toxic drugs. For 243 drugs with varying degrees of toxicity, the HCS, sublethal, cytotoxicity assay had a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 98%. Drugs testing positive that did not cause hepatotoxicity produced other serious, human organ toxicities. For 201 positive assay results, 86% drugs affected cell number, 70% affected nuclear area and mitochondrial membrane potential and 45% affected membrane permeability and 41% intracellular calcium concentration. Cell number was the first parameter affected for 56% of these drugs, nuclear area for 34% and mitochondrial membrane potential for 29% and membrane permeability for 7% and intracellular calcium for 10%. Hormesis occurred for 48% of all drugs with positive response, for 26% of mitochondrial and 34% nuclear area changes and 12% of cell number changes. Pattern of change was dependent on the class of drug and mechanism of toxicity. The ratio of concentrations for in vitro cytotoxicity to maximal efficaciousness in humans was not different across groups (12±22). Human toxicity potential was detected with 80% sensitivity and 90% specificity at a concentration of 30× the maximal efficacious concentration or 100 μM when efficaciousness was not considered. We conclude that human hepatotoxicity is highly concordant with in vitro cytotoxicity in this novel model and as detected by HCS.

579 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: What fraction of drug toxicity actually involves metabolism, and how species and human interindividual variations affect pharmacokinetics and toxicity are considered are considered.
Abstract: The cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes are the major catalysts involved in the metabolism of drugs. bioavailability and toxicity are 2 of the most common barriers in drug development today, and P450 and the conjugation enzymes can influence these effects. The toxicity of drugs can be considered in 5 contexts: on-target toxicity, hypersensitivity and immunological reactions, off-target pharmacology, bioactivation to reactive intermediates, and idiosyncratic drug reactions. the chemistry of bioactivation is reasonably well understood, but the mechanisms underlying biological responses are not. In the article we consider what fraction of drug toxicity actually involves metabolism, and we examine how species and human interindividual variations affect pharmacokinetics and toxicity.

546 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, quantitative structure-property relationship models are developed to assess the factors that govern the toxicity of a range of different ionic liquids to two aquatic organisms (Vibrio fischeri and Daphnia magna).

525 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Further research is needed to ascertain the areas of the world in which subclinical toxicity exists and to evaluate its effects on overall health and well-being, because emerging evidence suggests that subtoxicity without clinical signs of toxicity may be a growing concern.

450 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of 13 drugs merged to mimic both the association and low concentration (ng/L) profiles detected in the environment were investigated, with the highest effect observed as a 30% decrease in cell proliferation compared to controls.
Abstract: The potential risk associated with the presence of low levels of pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments is currently under debate. In this study we investigated the effects of 13 drugs merged to mimic both the association and low concentration (ng/L) profiles detected in the environment. The mixture comprised atenolol, bezafibrate, carbamazepine, cyclophosphamide, ciprofloxacin, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, ibuprofen, lincomycin, ofloxacin, ranitidine, salbutamol, and sulfamethoxazole. At environmental exposure levels, the drug mix inhibited the growth of human embryonic cells HEK293, with the highest effect observed as a 30% decrease in cell proliferation compared to controls. Pharmaceuticals activated stress-response signaling protein kinases (ERK1/2), and induced overexpression of glutathione-S-transferase P1 gene. No evidence was found for apoptosis or necrosis in HEK293 cells, although morphological changes were observed. The drug mixture effectively stimulated the expression of cell-cycle progression-mediating genes p16 and p21, with a slight accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell-cycle. Our results suggest that a mixture of drugs at ng/L levels can inhibit cells proliferation by affecting their physiology and morphology. This also suggests that water-borne pharmaceuticals can be potential effectors on aquatic life.

438 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results indicate that UGT1A1*28 polymorphism is of some relevance to toxicity; however, it is less important than discussed in previous smaller trials.
Abstract: Purpose UGT1A1*28 polymorphism has been associated with decreased glucuronidation of SN38, the active metabolite of irinotecan. This could increase toxicity with this agent. Patients and Methods In a prospective study, 250 metastatic colorectal cancer patients were treated with irinotecan, fluorouracil, and leucovorin as first-line treatment. UGT1A1*28 polymorphism was investigated with respect to the distribution of hematologic and nonhematologic toxicity, objective response rate, and survival. Pharmacokinetics was investigated in a subgroup of patients (71 of 250) who had been analyzed with respect to toxicity and efficacy. Results UGT1A1*28 polymorphism was associated with a higher risk of grade 3 to 4 hematologic toxicity (odds ratio [OR], 8.63; 95% CI, 1.31 to 56.55), which was only relevant for the first cycle, and was not seen throughout the whole treatment period for patients with both variant alleles TA7/TA7 compared with wild-type TA6/TA6. The response rate was also higher in TA7/TA7 patients (O...

326 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: With long-term follow-up for toxicity, it is demonstrated that much higher doses of radiation than are traditionally administered can be safely delivered to a majority of patients with NSCLC.
Abstract: Purpose: We aimed to report the final toxicity results on a radiation-dose escalation trial designed to test a hypothesis that very high doses of radiation could be safely administered to patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by quantifying the dose–volume toxicity relationship of the lung. Methods and Materials: A total of 109 patients with unresectable or medically inoperable NSCLC were enrolled and treated with radiation-dose escalation (on the basis of predicted normal-lung toxicity) either alone or with neoadjuvant chemotherapy by use of 3D conformal techniques. Eighty-four patients (77%) received more than 69 Gy, the trial was stopped after the dose reached 103 Gy. Estimated median follow-up was 110 months. Results: There were 17 (14.6%) Grade 2 to 3 pneumonitis and 15 (13.8%) Grade 2 to 3 fibrosis and no Grade 4 to 5 lung toxicity. Multivariate analyses showed them to be (1) not associated with the dose prescribed to the tumor, and (2) significantly ( p Conclusions: With long-term follow-up for toxicity, we have demonstrated that much higher doses of radiation than are traditionally administered can be safely delivered to a majority of patients with NSCLC. Quantitative lung dose–volume toxicity–based dose escalation can form the basis for individualized high-dose radiation treatment to maximize the therapeutic ratio in these patients.

306 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
R.A. Isbrucker, James Edwards1, Erich Wolz1, Alberto Davidovich1, Jochen Bausch1 
TL;DR: From these studies a no-observed adverse effect level of 500 mg EGCG preparation/kg/day was established, and this dose caused morbidity when administered to fasted dogs as a single bolus dose, although this model was considered an unrealistic comparison to the human condition.

285 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that severe renal damage could occur in the N-Zn treated mice, though no significant change of blood biochemical levels occurred, which indicated that N- Zn powder could cause severe anemia.

281 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that 13 g of oral silybin-phytosome daily, in 3 divided doses, appears to be well tolerated in patients with advanced prostate cancer and is the recommended phase II dose.
Abstract: Silibinin is a polyphenolic flavonoid isolated from milk thistle with anti-neoplastic activity in several in vitro and in vivo models of cancer, including prostate cancer Silybin-phytosome is a commercially available formulation containing silibinin This trial was designed to assess the toxicity of high-dose silybin-phytosome and recommend a phase II dose Silybin-phytosome was administered orally to prostate cancer patients, giving 25-20 g daily, in three divided doses Each course was 4 weeks in duration Thirteen patients received a total of 91 courses of silybin-phytosome Baseline patient characteristics included: median age of 70 years, median baseline prostate specific antigen (PSA) of 43 ng/ml, and a median ECOG performance status of 0 The most prominent adverse event was hyperbilirubinemia, with grade 1-2 bilirubin elevations in 9 of the 13 patients The only grade 3 toxicity observed was elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in one patient; no grade 4 toxicity was noted No objective PSA responses were observed We conclude that 13 g of oral silybin-phytosome daily, in 3 divided doses, appears to be well tolerated in patients with advanced prostate cancer and is the recommended phase II dose Asymptomatic liver toxicity is the most commonly seen adverse event

272 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated here that coexposure of zebrafish embryos to the PAH-type AHR agonist beta-naphthoflavone (BNF) and the CYP1A inhibitor alpha- naphth oflav one (ANF) significantly enhanced toxicity above that observed for single-compound exposures, and suggested that mechanisms underlying developmental toxicity of PAH -type A HR agonists are different from those of pHAHs.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Higher serum levels and prolonged administration of anti-CTLA-4 antibody resulted in a trend toward a greater incidence of grade III/IV autoimmune toxicity than previously reported, but did not seem to increase objective response rates.
Abstract: We previously reported our experience in treating 56 patients with metastatic melanoma using a human anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) antibody. Durable tumor regressions were seen that correlated with the induction of autoimmune toxicities. In this study, we treated 46 additional patients using an intrapatient dose escalation schema to test whether higher doses of anti-CTLA-4 antibody would induce increased autoimmunity and concomitant tumor regression. Twenty-three patients started anti-CTLA-4 antibody administration at 3 mg/kg and 23 patients started treatment at 5 mg/kg, receiving doses every 3 weeks. Patients were dose-escalated every other dose to a maximum of 9 mg/kg or until objective clinical responses or grade III/IV autoimmune toxicity were seen. Escalating doses of antibody resulted in proportionally higher plasma concentrations. Sixteen patients (35%) experienced a grade III/IV autoimmune toxicity. Five patients (11%) achieved an objective clinical response. Two of the responses are ongoing at 13 and 16 months, respectively. Flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood revealed significant increases in both T-cell surface markers of activation and memory phenotype. Thus, higher serum levels and prolonged administration of anti-CTLA-4 antibody resulted in a trend toward a greater incidence of grade III/IV autoimmune toxicity than previously reported, but did not seem to increase objective response rates.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The finding suggests that patients with reduced ABCG2 activity due to a common genetic variant are at increased risk for substrate drug-induced diarrhea, with implications for optimizing treatment with such agents.
Abstract: Gefitinib is an inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase with activity in non-small-cell lung cancer. Diarrhea and skin toxicity are prominent gefitinib-related adverse events that potentially limit its use. Gefitinib is a substrate for ABCG2 (ABCP, BCRP, MXR), a polymorphic efflux transporter protein that is highly expressed in the intestines and liver. Here we investigated associations between allelic variants of EGFR, ABCG2, and the transporter protein ABCB1 with diarrhea and skin toxicity in gefitinib-treated patients. One variant, a common functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the ABCG2 gene, was associated with diarrhea in 124 patients treated with oral gefitinib 250 mg once daily; seven (44%) of 16 patients heterozygous for ABCG2 421C>A (Q141K) developed diarrhea, versus only 13 (12%) of 108 patients homozygous for the wild-type sequence (P = .0046). However, this SNP was not associated with skin toxicity (P = .99). The finding suggests that patients with reduced ABCG2 activity due to a common genetic variant are at increased risk for substrate drug-induced diarrhea, with implications for optimizing treatment with such agents.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A complete dichotomy between the systemic toxicity of organophosphates and their propensity to elicit developmental neurotoxicity is indicated, for parathion, the threshold for lethality lies below that necessary for adverse effects on brain development, whereas the opposite is true for chlorpyrifos and diazinon.
Abstract: A comparative approach to the differences between systemic toxicity and developmental neurotoxicity of organophosphates is critical to determine the degree to which multiple mechanisms of toxicity ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results show that MCs exposure induces adaptive responses such as increase in the antioxidant enzymatic activities, mainly those of SOD and CAT, as well as in LPO values.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The use of linezolid with medications that increase concentrations of serotonin in the central nervous system may result in serotonin toxicity, and doctors and patients should be cognizant of signs and symptoms of serotonin toxicity and should initiate appropriate measures if such symptoms develop.
Abstract: Background: Linezolid is the first oxazolidinone antimicrobial marketed in the United States. It exhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO) type A and MAO type B inhibitory effects. The concomitant administration of nonselective MAO inhibitors or MAO‐A inhibitors with drugs that increase serotonin concentrations is associated with serotonin toxicity. Methods: We requested from the US Food and Drug Administration all postmarketing adverse event reports regarding linezolid that included serotonin toxicity or any report describing cognitive or behavioral symptoms and autonomic and neuromuscular excitability. We assessed the case summaries obtained from the Adverse Event Reporting System database for serotonin toxicity. A case of serotonin toxicity was defined as having the following: (1) linezolid as the primary suspect drug; (2) concurrent administration of 1 secondary suspect drug known to increase serotonin concentrations in the central nervous system; and (3) serotonin toxicity, as defined by the modified Hunter Serotonin Toxicity Criteria or by the reporter. Results: Twenty‐nine cases were classified as serotonin toxicity. Patients' ages ranged from 17–83 years, and the ratio of females to males was 1:1. The most common class of drugs received concurrently with linezolid was selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (26 of 43 patients). Thirteen patients required an intervention to prevent permanent impairment or required hospitalization for the adverse event. Conclusion: The use of linezolid with medications that increase concentrations of serotonin in the central nervous system may result in serotonin toxicity. Prescribers must weigh risks and benefits of this combination. Patients and prescribers should be cognizant of signs and symptoms of serotonin toxicity and should initiate appropriate measures if such symptoms develop.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: These studies have shown that zfAHR2 and zfARNT1 mediate TCDD developmental toxicity, and the growing use of molecular and genomic tools for research on zebrafish have led to advances in understanding of the mechanism of TCDd developmental toxicity at the molecular level.
Abstract: Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have advantages over mammals as an animal model for investigating developmental toxicity. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (dioxin, TCDD), a persistent global contaminant, is the most comprehensively studied developmental toxicant in zebrafish. The hallmark responses of TCDD developmental toxicity manifested in zebrafish larvae include edema, anemia, hemorrhage, and ischemia associated with arrested growth and development. Heart and vasculature development and function are severely impaired, and jaw malformations occur secondary to inhibited chondrogenesis. The swim bladder fails to inflate, and the switch from embryonic to adult erythropoiesis is blocked. This profile of developmental toxicity responses, commonly referred to as "blue sac syndrome" because the edematous yolk sac appears blue, is observed in the larval form of all freshwater fish species exposed to TCDD at the embryonic stage of development. Components of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor/aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (AHR/ARNT) signaling pathway in zebrafish have been identified and functionally characterized. Their role in mediating TCDD toxicity has been determined using morpholinos to specifically knockdown the translation of zfAHR1, zfAHR2, zfARNT1, and zfARNT2 mRNAs, respectively, and a line of zfARNT2 null mutant zebrafish has provided further insight. These studies have shown that zfAHR2 and zfARNT1 mediate TCDD developmental toxicity. In addition, the growing use of molecular and genomic tools for research on zebrafish have led to advances in our understanding of the mechanism of TCDD developmental toxicity at the molecular level, including the recent finding that toxicity is not mediated by increased cytochrome P4501A (zfCYP1A) expression.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Fullerenes did not cause genetic damage in Salmonella typhimurium TA100, TA1535, TA98 and TA1537 and Escherichia coli WP2uvrA/pKM101 and were not of high toxicological significance.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The induction in hepatic glutathione- S -transferase (GST) levels indicates the protection against the toxicity of xenobiotic-induced lipid peroxidation and the increase of biomarker enzymes in plasma might be due to the necrosis of liver.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings of the present study suggest that beta-glucan, through its antioxidant and immunoregulatory effects, may be of therapeutic value in alleviating the leukocyte apoptosis, oxidative tissue injury and thereby the intestinal and hepatorenal side effects of methotrexate treatment.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Acute GI toxicity is an independent significant predictor of lateGI toxicity, and suggests a significant consequential component in the development of late GI toxicity.
Abstract: Purpose: Late gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity after radiotherapy can be partly explained by late effects of acute toxicity (consequential late damage) We studied whether there is a direct relationship between acute and late GI toxicity Patients and Methods: A total of 553 evaluable patients from the Dutch dose escalation trial (68 Gy vs 78 Gy) were included We defined three outcomes for acute reactions: 1) maximum Radiation Therapy Oncology Group acute toxicity, 2) maximum acute mucous discharge (AMD), and 3) maximum acute proctitis Within a multivariable model, late endpoints (overall toxicity and five toxicity indicators) were studied as a function of acute toxicity, pretreatment symptoms, and relevant dose parameters Results: At multivariable analysis, AMD and acute proctitis were strong predictors for overall toxicity, “intermittent bleeding,” and “incontinence pads” (p ≤ 001) For “stools ≥6/day” all three were strong predictors No significant associations were found for “severe bleeding” and “use of steroids” The predictive power of the dose parameters remained at the same level or became weaker for most late endpoints Conclusions: Acute GI toxicity is an independent significant predictor of late GI toxicity This suggests a significant consequential component in the development of late GI toxicity

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence is presented herein that OA is less toxic to human lymphocytes than LA, however, both fatty acids promoted apoptosis and necrosis of these cells, and OA may offer an immunological less problematic alternative to LA with respect to fatty acid composition of parenteral nutritional emulsions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: No absolute hydrophobicity cutoff exists for baseline toxicity at a log Kow value of 6, because aquatic baseline toxicity for fish and algae was observed for chemicals withLog Kow values greater than 6.5 and with effect concentrations less than 10 microg/L.
Abstract: Effect concentrations for aquatic baseline toxicity generally decrease with increasing log octanol-water partition coefficient (Kow) values of up to 5 to 6, whereas less is known about the baseline toxicity of organic chemicals with log Kow values above 6. A physicochemical analysis of the dissolution process for organic chemicals was combined with reported baseline toxicity data, leading to the following conclusions. First, no absolute hydrophobicity cutoff exists for baseline toxicity at a log Kow value of 6, because aquatic baseline toxicity for fish and algae was observed for chemicals with log Kow values greater than 6.5 and with effect concentrations less than 10 μg/L. Second, the baseline toxicity of hydrophobic organic substances was exerted at a relatively constant chemical activity of 0.01 to 0.1. Finally, organic chemicals with high melting points cannot provide sufficient chemical activity to exert baseline toxicity when considered as individual, pure chemicals. However, such substances are still expected to contribute to baseline toxicity when part of a complex mixture.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that the combination treatment provided antioxidant defense with strong chemopreventive activity against the genesis of DMBA-induced mammary tumors in Wistar rats.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Mar 2006-Ejso
TL;DR: Cytoreduction in combination with intraoperative HIPEC in PMP patients is a treatment with a relatively high toxicity, but a considerable long-term survival in selected patients.
Abstract: Aims To report on treatment related toxicity and mortality in patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) treated by cytoreduction in combination with intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and to identify prognostic factors. Methods A review was performed of 103 procedures of cytoreduction and intraoperative HIPEC for PMP between 1996 and 2004. Toxicity was graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI CTC) classification. A surgical complication was defined as any post-operative event that needed re-intervention. Pre and peroperative factors were studied on their relationship to toxicity and mortality. Results The median hospital stay was 21 days (4–149) with a treatment related toxicity of 54% and a 30 days mortality of 3%. In univariate analysis, toxicity was associated with abdominal tumour load ( p p p =0.05). Surgical complications, mainly small bowel perforations/suture leaks, were the main cause of toxicity. A favourable pathology decreased mortality. Conclusions Cytoreduction in combination with intraoperative HIPEC in PMP patients is a treatment with a relatively high toxicity, but a considerable long-term survival in selected patients. Toxicity is mainly surgery related. Concentration of cases to acquire sufficient experience and better selection on age, pathology, and extent of disease is essential to reduce treatment related toxicity and mortality.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Squalene may be efficacious as a cytoprotectant in cyclophosphamide-induced toxicities and confirmed the protective efficacy of squalene in the toxicity induced by cycloph phosphamide.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The effect of humic acids (HAs) on the toxicity of copper, zinc, and lead was investigated using the photobacterium Vibrio fischeri (Microtox test) as a test organism and the effects of HAs on metal toxicity were evaluated as functions of time and concentration in pure compound solutions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Short-term and subchronic oral toxicity tests performed with various cresols using mice, rats, hamsters, and rabbits resulted in no observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs), although the NOEL was 2000 ppm ina chronic study using rats.
Abstract: Sodium p-Chloro-m-Cresol, p-Chloro-m-Cresol (PCMC), Mixed Cresols, m-Cresol, o-Cresol, p-Cresol, Isopropyl Cresols, Thymol, Chlorothymol, o-Cymen-5-ol, and Carvacrol are substituted phenols used as cosmetic biocides/preservatives and/or fragrance ingredients. Only PCMC, Thymol, and o-Cymen-5-ol are reported to be in current use, with the highest concentration of use at 0.5% for o-Cymen-5-ol in perfumes. The use of PCMC in cosmetics is restricted in Europe and Japan. Cresols can be absorbed through skin, the respiratory tract, and the digestive tract; metabolized by the liver; and excreted by the kidney as glucuronide and sulfate metabolites. Several of these cresols increase the dermal penetration of other agents, including azidothymidine. In acute oral toxicity studies, LD50 values were in the 200 to 5000 mg/kg day-1 range across several species. In short-term studies in rats and mice, an o-Cresol, m-Cresol, p-Cresol or m-Cresol/p-Cresol mixture at 30,000 ppm in the diet produced increases in liver and kidney weights, deficits in liver function, bone marrow hypocellularity, irritation to the gastrointestinal tract and nasal epithelia, and atrophy of female reproductive organs. The no observed effect levels (NOEL) of o-Cresol was 240 mg/kg in mink and 778 mg/kg in ferrets in short-term feeding studies, with no significant dose-related toxicity (excluding body weight parameters). In mice, 0.5% p-Cresol, but neither m-Cresol nor o-Cresol, caused loss of pigmentation. Short-term and subchronic oral toxicity tests performed with various cresols using mice, rats, hamsters, and rabbits resulted in no observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) for mice of 625 ppm and rats of 50 mg/kg day-1, although the NOEL was 2000 ppm in a chronic study using rats. In rabbits, 20 mg/m(3) for o-Cresol to >583 mg/m(3) for PCMC. No deaths were recorded in mice given o-Cresol at 50 mg/m(3). Cats exposed (short-term) to 9 to 50 mg/m(3) of o-Cresol developed inflammation and irritation of the upper respiratory tract, pulmonary edema, and hemorrhage and perivascular sclerosis in the lungs. Rats exposed (subchronic) to o-Cresol at 9 mg/m(3) had changes in leukocytes, spinal cord smears, nervous activity, liver function, blood effects, clinical signs, and neurological effects. In guinea pigs, exposure to 9 mg/m(3) produced changes in hemoglobin concentrations and electrocardiograms (EKGs). Rats exposed (subchronic) to 0.05 mg/m(3) Mixed Cresols by inhalation exhibited central nervous system (CNS) excitation, denaturation of lung protein, and decreased weight gain. All cresols appear to be ocular irritants. Numerous sensitization studies have been reported and most positive reactions were seen with higher concentrations of Cresol ingredients. Developmental toxicity is seen in studies of m-Cresol, o-Cresol, and p-Cresol, but only at maternally toxic levels. In a reproductive toxicity study of a mixture of m-Cresol and p-Cresol using mice under a continuous breeding protocol, 1.0% caused minimal adult reproductive and significant postnatal toxicity in the presence of systemic maternal toxicity. The o-Cresol NOAEL was 0.2% for both reproductive and general toxicity in both generations. Cresol ingredients were generally nongenotoxic in bacterial, fruit fly, and mammalian cell assays. Thymol did not induce primary lung tumors in mice. No skin tumors were found in mice exposed dermally to m-Cresol, o-Cresol, or p-Cresol for 12 weeks. In the trypthan blue exclusion assay, antitumor effects were observed for Thymol and Carvacrol. Clinical patch testing with 2% PCMC may produce irritant reactions, particularly in people with multiple patch test reactions, that are misinterpreted as allergic responses. o-Cresol, p-Cresol, Thymol, Carvacrol, and o-Cymen-5-ol caused no dermal irritation at or above use concentrations. In two predictive patch tests, PCMC did not produce a sensitization reaction. Overall, these ingredients are not significant sensitizing or photosensitizing agents. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel noted some of these ingredients may increase the penetration of other cosmetic ingredients and advised cosmetic formulators to take this into consideration. The CIR Expert Panel concluded that the toxic effects of these ingredients are observed at doses higher than would be available from cosmetics. A concentration limitation of 0.5% was chosen to ensure the absence of a chemical leukoderma effect. For p-Cresol and Mixed Cresols (which contain p-Cresol), the Panel considered that the available data are insufficient to support the safety of these two ingredients in cosmetics. Studies that would demonstrate no chemical leukoderma at concentrations of use of p-Cresol and Mixed Cresols, or would demonstrate a dose response from which a safe concentration could be derived, are needed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Concentrations of individual pharmaceuticals currently detected in surface water are far below concentrations of effective and lethal concentrations, which are orders of magnitude below EPA’s levels for concern for harm to aquatic animals.
Abstract: The toxicity of fourteen widely used human pharmaceuticals was determined using the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus (FETAX). Stage 9 Xenopus blastulae were exposed for 96 h to single concentrations of commonly prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), statin blood lipid regulators, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, a stimulant, and an anti-epileptic. Toxicity, teratogenicity, minimum concentration to inhibit growth, and types and severity of associated malformations were determined. EC(10)s ranged from 3.0 mg/l to >100 mg/l and LC(10)s ranged from 3.6 mg/l to >100 mg/l. Toxicity varied between and within compound class of pharmaceutical. The fluoroquinolones, stimulants, anti-epileptics, and antibiotics tested were determined to be nontoxic and non-teratogenic at singular, water-soluble concentrations. The hazard quotients (HQ) for the pharmaceuticals ranged from 6.10 x 10(-7 )to 1.6 x 10(-4), all of which are orders of magnitude below EPA's levels for concern for harm to aquatic animals. Thus, based on the data from the present study, concentrations of individual pharmaceuticals currently detected in surface water are far below concentrations of effective and lethal concentrations.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is found that pretreatment with 5 mM lithium AA and 4 mM Na β‐OHB protected the HT22 hippocampal cell line and primary hippocampal neuronal culture against 5 mM glutamate toxicity and that up to 2 hr of pretreatmentwith 5 mM AA had a protective effect against 5M glutamate toxicity in the HT 22 cell line.
Abstract: Glutamate cytotoxicity contributes to neuronal degeneration in many central nervous system (CNS) diseases, such as epilepsy and ischemia. We previously reported that a high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet, the ketogenic diet (KD), protects against kainic acid-induced hippocampal cell death in mice. We hypothesized based on these findings that ketosis resulting from KD might inhibit glutamate cytotoxicity, resulting in inhibition of hippocampal neuronal cell death. Therefore, we investigated the role of ketone bodies [acetoacetate (AA) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-OHB)] both in a mouse hippocampal cell line (HT22) and in rat primary hippocampal neurons. As a result, we found that pretreatment with 5 mM lithium AA and 4 mM Na beta-OHB protected the HT22 hippocampal cell line and primary hippocampal neuronal culture against 5 mM glutamate toxicity and that up to 2 hr of pretreatment with 5 mM AA had a protective effect against 5 mM glutamate toxicity in the HT22 cell line. Pretreatment with 5 mM AA decreased ROS production of HT22 cell line at 2 and 8 hr exposure of glutamate, and it decreased the appearance of annexin V-positive HT22 cells, which are indicative of an early stage of apoptosis, and propidium iodide-positive HT22 cells, which are indicative of necrosis.