Carcinogenesis studies of cresols in rats and mice.

Cresols, monomethyl derivatives of phenol, are high production chemicals with potential for human exposure. The three isomeric forms of cresol are used individually or in mixtures as disinfectants, preservatives, and solvents or as intermediates in the production of antioxidants, fragrances, herbicides, insecticides, dyes, and explosives. Carcinogenesis studies were conducted in groups of 50 male F344/N rats and 50 female B6C3F1 mice exposed to a 60:40 mixture of m- and p-cresols (m-/p-cresol) in feed. Rats and mice were fed diets containing 0, 1500, 5000, or 15,000 ppm and 0, 1000, 3000, or 10,000 ppm, respectively. Survival of each exposed group was similar to that of their respective control group. Mean body weight gains were depressed in rats exposed to 15,000 ppm and in mice exposed to 3000 ppm and higher. A decrease of 25% over that of controls for the final mean body weight in mice exposed to 10,000 ppm appeared to be associated with lack of palatability of the feed. A marginally increased incidence of renal tubule adenoma was observed in the 15,000-ppm-exposed rats. The increased incidence was not statistically significant, but did exceed the range of historical controls. No increased incidence of hyperplasia of the renal tubules was observed; however, a significantly increased incidence of hyperplasia of the transitional epithelium associated with an increased incidence of nephropathy was observed at the high exposure concentration. The only significantly increased incidence of a neoplastic lesion related to cresol exposure observed in these studies was that of squamous cell papilloma in the forestomach of 10,000-ppm-exposed mice. A definitive association with irritation at the site-of-contact could not be made because of limited evidence of injury to the gastric mucosa at the time of necropsy. However, given the minimal chemical-related neoplastic response in these studies, it was concluded that there was no clear evidence of carcinogenicity in male rats or female mice exposed to the cresol mixture.

Carcinogenesis studies of benzophenone in rats and mice.

Benzophenone, an aryl ketone, is used primarily as a photoinitiator and fragrance enhancer. Groups of 50 male and 50 female F344 rats and B6C3 F1 mice were fed diets containing 0, 312, 625, and 1250 ppm benzophenone for 105 weeks. Survival of males exposed to 1250 ppm benzophenone was significantly less than that of controls. There was a positive trend in the incidence of renal tubule adenoma in male rats; these neoplasms were accompanied by significantly increased incidences of renal tubule hyperplasia. Increased incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia were observed in male rats exposed to 312 or 625 ppm benzophenone and in female rats exposed to 625 ppm benzophenone. Liver lesions observed included significantly increased incidences of hepatocytic centrilobular hypertrophy in all exposed groups of rats. In mice, survival of all exposed groups was generally similar to that of the control groups. In male mice, there were significantly increased incidences of hepatocellular adenoma in the 625 and 1250 ppm groups. In female mice, the incidences of hepatocellular adenoma in the 625 and 1250 ppm groups were higher than expected after adjusting for the lower body weights in these groups. The incidences of kidney nephropathy in exposed groups of female mice, as well as the severity of nephropathy in exposed groups of males, were significantly increased. The incidences of metaplasia of the olfactory epithelium were significantly increased in 1250 ppm mice. Rare histiocytic sarcomas were observed in female rats and mice in the 625 and 1250 ppm groups. Under the conditions of these 2-year studies, there was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of benzophenone in male F344/N rats based on increased incidences of renal tubule adenoma. There was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of benzophenone in female F344/N rats based on the marginal increased incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia and histiocytic sarcoma. There was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of benzophenone in male B6C3F(1) mice based on increased incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms, primarily adenoma. There was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of benzophenone in female B6C3F(1) mice based on increased incidences of histiocytic sarcoma; the incidences of hepatocellular adenoma in female B6C3F(1) mice may have been related to benzophenone exposure.

Ion-acoustic compressive and rarefactive double layers in a warm multicomponent plasma with negative ions.

Propagation of ion-acoustic double layers has been studied in plasma consisting of warm positive- and negative-ion species with different masses, concentrations, and charge states along with electrons with two-electron temperature distributions. It is found that there exist two critical concentrations of negative ions, alpha(R) and alpha(Q). One of them (alpha(R)) generally decides the existence of the double layer, whereas the other one (alpha(Q)) decides the nature of the double layer. It is found that the system supports ion-acoustic double layers only when the negative-ion concentration (alpha) is greater than the critical concentration alpha(R). It is also found that below the critical concentration alpha(Q), compressive double layers exist and above it rarefactive double layers exist. For some values of cold-electron concentrations (mu) it is found that if the temperature of the negative-ion species is higher than the positive-ion species, then the system supports compressive double layers for all values of alpha lying in the range 0

Comparative gavage subchronic toxicity studies of o-chloroaniline and m-chloroaniline in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice.

ortho-Chloroaniline (o-CA) andmeta-chloroaniline (m-CA) are chemical intermediates for pigment production in the textile industry. Comparative subchronic gavage studies were conducted to determine the effect of structure on toxicity.o-CA orm-CA was administered to 10 animals/sex/species in deionized water at dosages of 0, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg for 13 weeks. Blood samples for clinical pathology were collected after 3 and 23 days in rats and at study termination (Day 93) in rats and mice. No mortalities occurred that could be directly attributed to treatment. Transient clinical signs of toxicity observed after dosing included cyanosis in rats and ataxia and tremors in mice. Methemoglobin formation was directly related to dosage (rats and mice) and duration of treatment (rats). At study termination, Heinz body formation in erythrocytes in association with decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell count was a prominent treatment-related effect. Enlarged spleens (gross necropsy observation) and increased spleen weight were treatment effects of each chemical in both species. Microscopic lesions typical of increased red blood cell production were found in hematopoietic tissues (bone marrow, spleen, and liver), while lesions due to increased red cell destruction were found in these tissues and also the kidneys (rats). Microscopic changes were more frequently seen and severe, and involved more body organs, in rats than mice, and in m-CA-treated animals thano-CA-treated animals. Sex differences in lesion incidence/severity were not evident.

Hematological effects in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice during the 13-week gavage toxicity study of methylene blue trihydrate.

Methylene blue trihydrate is used widely as a dye and therapeutic agent. Methylene blue was administered by gavage to 30 animals/sex/dose group in a 0.5% aqueous methylcellulose suspension at doses of 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg. Blood samples from 10 animals/sex/dose group were collected at the end of study weeks 1, 6, and 13. Methylene blue treatment resulted in methemoglobin formation and oxidative damage to red blood cells, leading to a regenerative anemia and a variety of tissue and biochemical changes secondary to erythrocyte injury. An early change was a dose-related increase in methemoglobin, where the response of rats and mice was similar in magnitude. Mice appeared to be more sensitive than rats to the formation of Heinz bodies and the development of anemia that was characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin, hematocrit, and erythrocyte count. Splenomegaly was apparent in all treated mice and in the 100 mg/kg (males only) and 200 mg/kg rats at necropsy. There was a dose-related increase in absolute and relative spleen weight for both species. Microscopic examination revealed increased splenic hematopoiesis in all mice treatment groups and in rats at the 50 mg/kg dose level and above. Splenic congestion and bone marrow hyperplasia were also observed in these rat-dose groups. Mice at the higher doses showed hematopoiesis in the liver and accumulation of hemosiderin in Kupffer cells. These gross and microscopic findings are consistent with the development of hemolytic anemia. A dose-related increase in the reticulocyte count during study weeks 6 and 13 suggested a compensatory response to anemia.

Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone in rats and mice.

p,p'-Dichlorodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) is used as a starting material in the production of polysulfones and polyethersufones, a family of thermoplastics. DDS was studied because of its high production volume and use. In toxicology studies, 10 Fischer 344 rats and 10 B6C3F1 mice/sex/group were fed diets containing 0, 30, 100, 300, 1,000 or 3,000 ppm DDS for 14 weeks. All animals survived until the end of the studies. Mean body weights of groups exposed to 300 ppm or greater were significantly decreased. Liver and kidney in rats and liver in mice were the major target organs of DDS toxicity. Dose-related increases in liver weights and incidences of centrilobular hepatocyte hypertrophy were observed in DDS-exposed groups. Nephropathy was seen in male and female rats only at and above 300 ppm. Neurotoxicity evaluations were negative in DDS-treated animals. Clinical chemistry and hematology parameters were minimally affected. In the 2-year toxicity and carcinogenicity studies, 50 rats and 50 mice/sex/group were fed diets containing 0, 10 (male rats), 30, 100, or 300 ppm DDS for 104 to 105 weeks. Survival of exposed groups was not affected. There were no clinical signs of toxicity related to DDS exposure. Final mean body weights were 2-17% lower in DDS-treated groups. Liver was the only target organ of DDS-induced toxicity. The incidence of centrilobular hepatocyte hypertrophy in mice and rats, and the incidence of bile duct hyperplasia and centrilobular degeneration in female rats was significantly greater than in controls. A no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of 30 ppm DDS in the diet (1.5 mg/kg body weight) was established for rats. DDS was not carcinogenic in these studies.

NTP technical report on the toxicity studies of benzophenone (CAS No. 119-61-9). Administered in feed to F344/N rats and B6C3F mice.

Benzophenone is used as a photoinitiator, a fragrance enhancer, an ultraviolet curing agent, and, occasionally, as a flavor ingredient; it is also used in the manufacture of insecticides, agricultural chemicals, and pharmaceuticals and is an additive for plastics, coatings, and adhesives. In 14-week studies conducted to determine the toxicity of benzophenone, groups of 10 male and 10 female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice were given 0, 1,250, 2,500, 5,000, 10,000, or 20,000 ppm benzophenone in feed. These exposure concentrations resulted in the following average daily doses: 75, 150, 300, 700, or 850 mg benzophenone per kilogram body weight for male rats; 80, 160, 300, 700, or 1,000 mg/kg for female rats; 200, 400, 800, 1,600, or 3,300 mg/kg for male mice; and 270, 540, 1,000, 1,900, or 4,200 mg/kg for female mice. Animals were evaluated for clinical pathology, reproductive system effects, liver cytochrome P450 effects, and histopathology. Genetic toxicity studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium and mouse bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes. Benzophenone was unpalatable at 20,000 ppm. All 20,000 ppm rats had significant body weight loss and were terminated for humane reasons before the end of studies. All male mice and four female mice in the 20,000 ppm group died. There was no exposure-related mortality in the remaining groups. Significantly decreased body weights relative to the controls were observed in all exposed groups of female rats and all exposed groups of male rats except the 1,250 ppm group. Lower body weights were apparent in 10,000 ppm male mice and in 5,000 ppm or greater female mice. In rats, the liver and kidney were identified as target organs of benzophenone toxicity. Treatment-related increases in liver weights were attributed to hypertrophy and/or cytoplasmic vacuolization of hepatocytes. Increased kidney weights were associated with a spectrum of renal changes in exposed males and females. Unique lesions observed in animals that died early as well as in survivors were well demarcated, wedge-shaped areas of prominent tubule dilatation. The lesion occurred in 2,500 ppm or greater males and in 10,000 and 20,000 ppm females. Foci of tubule regeneration were increased relative to the controls in exposed males and females. In exposed mice, significant microscopic findings were limited to centrilobular hypertrophy in the liver that corresponded to increased liver weights. The severity of hepatocyte hypertrophy was exposure-concentration dependent, with marked severity in all 20,000 ppm animals. Clinical chemistry analyses confirmed liver toxicity. In rats, increases in serum bile salt concentrations indicated cholestatic liver disease. On day 22, a 15-fold increase was evident in the 20,000 ppm groups, and at week 14, a twofold increase was seen in the 10,000 ppm groups. Increases in alanine aminotransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities were mild in mice; however, more convincing of liver damage were increased alkaline phosphatase activities and serum bile salt concentrations, especially in 20,000 ppm females. Biochemical data indicated that benzophenone was a relatively potent inducer of the phenobarbital-type (2B) cytochrome P450 enzymes. Overall, induction was greater in rats than in mice. The gross (increased organ weights) and microscopic (hepatocellular hypertrophy) liver changes associated with benzophenone administration in rats and mice accompanied benzophenone-induced increases in pentoxyresorufin dealkylase activity. Benzophenone was not mutagenic in S. typhimurium strain TA98, TA100, TA1535, or TA1537, with or without S9 activation, and it did not induce micronuclei in bone marrow erythrocytes of male mice administered benzophenone by intraperitoneal injection. In conclusion, the liver is the primary target organ of benzophenone toxicity in rats and mice based on increases in liver weights, hepatocellular hypertrophy, clinical chemistry changes, and induction of liver microsomal cytochrome P450 2B isomer. The kidney was also identified as a target organ of benzophenone toxicity in rats only, based on exposure concentration-related increases in kidney weights and microscopic changes. The no-observed-adverse-effect level for benzophenone was not achieved in these studies.

Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of pentachlorophenol in rats.

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) has been used as an herbicide, algaecide, defoliant, wood preservative, germicide, fungicide, and molluscicide. A 28-day toxicity study of PCP in F344/N rats of both sexes was conducted to select dose levels for a carcinogenicity study. Groups of 10 male and 10 female rats were given 0, 200, 400, 800, 1600, or 3200 ppm PCP in feed for 28 days. The incidences of minimal to mild hepatocyte degeneration in males and females exposed to 400 ppm or greater and the incidences of centrilobular hepatocyte hypertrophy in the 3200-ppm groups were increased. For carcinogenicity studies, groups of 50 male and 50 female F344/N rats were fed diets containing 200, 400, or 600 PCP for 2 years. A stop-exposure group of 60 male and 60 female rats received 1000 ppm of PCP in feed for 52 weeks and control feed thereafter for the remainder of the 2-year studies; 10 male and 10 female rats were evaluated at 7 months. Survival of 600-ppm males was significantly greater than that of the controls; survival of all other exposed groups was similar to that of the control groups. Mean body weights of the 400- and 600-ppm groups were generally less than those of the controls throughout the studies. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of PCP in male or female rats fed diets containing 200, 400, or 600 ppm for 2 years. Stop-exposure study males and females regained a transitory body weight reduction by the end of the 2 year study, and males had better survival than the controls. At a 7-month interim evaluation, the incidences of centrilobular hypertrophy in stop-exposure males and females exceeded those in the controls. At 2 years, malignant mesothelioma originating from the tunica vaginalis was present in 9 1000-ppm males and 1 control male (p = 0.014). Nasal squamous cell carcinomas were present in five 1000-ppm males and 1 control male. This incidence was not significantly increased but exceeded the historical control range (0-4%). Based on the increased incidences of mesotheliomas and nasal tumors, there was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of PCP in male rats given a diet containing 1000 ppm for 1 year followed by control diet for 1 year. There was no evidence of PCP carcinogenic activity in stop-exposure female rats.

Induction of micronucleated erythrocytes in rodents by diisopropylcarbodiimide and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide: dependence on exposure protocol.

The induction of micronucleated erythrocytes by diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC) and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) was investigated as part of a U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) evaluation of the subchronic toxicity of these chemicals. Analysis of peripheral blood smears from male and female B6C3F1 mice exposed to 17.5-140.0 mg DIC/kg/day by skin painting for 13 weeks revealed dose-related increases in the frequency of micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes (MN-NCE) in both sexes. Results of a similar 13-week peripheral blood micronucleus (MN) test with DCC (1.5-12.0 mg/kg/day) were also positive, although the increases in MN-NCE were not as great as those observed with DIC. In contrast to the positive results of the subchronic skin-painting studies in mice, acute bone marrow MN studies with DIC and DCC in male F344 rats, using intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, yielded negative results. Both the acute and the subchronic exposures included doses that produced clinical signs of toxicity. Acute mouse bone marrow MN tests with DIC administered in single or triple i.p. injection protocols were subsequently conducted to determine if the differing responses between mice and rats were due to species or protocol differences. The results of these acute tests were negative or equivocal. Because the subchronic studies produced positive results, it was hypothesized that these carbodiimides required multiple treatments over an extended period of time to produce an increase in MN-erythrocytes. To confirm the original response, a second dermal subchronic study was conducted with DIC; the protocol was modified to include sequential blood samplings to permit monitoring MN frequencies over time. The data demonstrated a small but consistent induction of micronucleated erythrocytes in mice treated with DIC by skin painting.

Carcinogenesis studies of tetrahydrofuran vapors in rats and mice.

Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is a widely used industrial solvent and was selected for carcinogenesis studies by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) because of its potential for widespread occupational exposure in humans and a lack of information on animal toxicity and carcinogenicity. Groups of 50 male and 50 female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice were exposed to 0, 200, 600, or 1800 ppm THF by inhalation, 6 h per day, 5 days per week, for 105 weeks. Survival and mean body weights of male and female rats exposed to THF were comparable to that of the controls. No clinical findings or nonneoplastic lesions related to THF exposure were observed in male or female rats. The incidences of renal tubule epithelial adenoma or carcinoma (combined) in exposed male rats occurred with a positive trend, and in males exposed to 600 and 1800 ppm exceeded the historical range for controls in 2-year NTP inhalation studies. There were no other neoplastic lesions related to THF exposure observed in male or female rats. After week 36, the survival of male mice exposed to 1800 ppm was significantly lower than that of the controls. Mean body weights of male and female mice exposed to THF were similar to those of the controls throughout the study. Male mice exposed to 1800 ppm were observed in a state of narcosis during and up to 1 h after the exposure periods. Nonneoplastic lesions related to THF exposure were not observed in male or female mice. The neoplastic lesions related to THF exposure were seen in female mice only. In female mice exposed to 1800 ppm, the incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms were significantly greater than those in the controls. In conclusion, there was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of THF in male F344/N rats due to increased incidences of adenoma or carcinoma (combined) of the kidney at the 600 and 1800 ppm exposure levels. There was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity in female B6C3F1 mice based on increased incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms at the 1800 ppm exposure level. THF was not carcinogenic in female rats or male mice exposed at 200, 600, or 1800 ppm.

Comparative carcinogenicity of polybrominated biphenyls with or without perinatal exposure in rats and mice.

Chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity studies of a polybrominated biphenyl mixture (PBB) were conducted in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice of each sex. The major objective of the study was to determine if exposure to PBB during the perinatal period, in addition to conventional exposure of animals for 2 years, enhances the sensitivity of the bioassay to identify the carcinogenic potential of this chemical. The studies were designed to determine the toxic and carcinogenic effects of dietary PBB in rats and mice receiving (i) perinatal exposure up to 8 weeks of age followed by control diet for 2 years, (ii) exposure for 2 years beginning at the age of 8 weeks, and (iii) combined perinatal/adult exposure to PBB (perinatal exposure to 8 weeks of age followed by adult exposure for 2 years). During the perinatal period, rats were exposed to PBB at dose levels ranging from 1 to 10 ppm and adult exposure concentrations ranged from 3 to 30 ppm in the diet. In the mice, the dose levels ranged from 3 to 30 ppm in both perinatal and adult exposure portions of the chronic studies. A total of eight dose groups (including controls) were used with 60 animals in each group. Liver was the major target organ of PBB toxicity. Perinatal exposure alone (through dietary administration of 10 ppm PBB to the dams) had no effect on the incidences of neoplasms in female F344/N rats, but in male rats, perinatal exposure was associated with a marginally increased incidence of hepatocellular adenomas that may have been related to chemical administration. In male and female B6C3F1 mice, perinatal exposure to 30 ppm PBB resulted in significantly increased incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms. In adult-only dietary exposure studies, PBB was carcinogenic in male and female F344/N rats and male and female B6C3F1 mice based on increased incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms. Combined perinatal and adult dietary exposure to PBB confirmed the findings of the adult-only exposures for the increased incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms in rats and mice. In male rats, there were no enhancing effects of combined perinatal and adult exposure. However, perinatal exposure enhanced the susceptibility of female rats receiving adult exposure of 10 or 30 ppm to the induction of liver neoplasms. For male and female rats, a combined analysis of the incidences of leukemia in the adult-only, perinatal-only, and combined perinatal and adult exposure groups revealed an apparent association between increasing incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia and exposure to PBB.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Comparative carcinogenicity of 5,5-diphenylhydantoin with or without perinatal exposure in rats and mice.

Chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity studies of 5,5-diphenylhydantoin (DPH), were conducted in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice of each sex. The major objective of the study was to determine if incorporating exposure to DPH during the perinatal period, in addition to conventional exposure of animals for 2 years, enhances the sensitivity of the bioassay to identify the carcinogenic potential of chemical. The studies were designed to determine the toxic and carcinogenic effects of dietary DPH in rats and mice receiving; (1) the perinatal administration including exposure of maternal animals prior to breeding, through gestation, lactation, weaning, and continued dietary exposure of offspring to the age of 8 weeks followed by control diet for 2 years, (2) exposure for 2 years beginning at the age of 8 weeks, and (3) of combined perinatal/adult exposure to DPH (perinatal exposure to 8 weeks of age followed by the adult exposure for 2 years). During the perinatal period, rats were exposed to DPH at dose levels ranging from 63 to 630 ppm and adult exposure concentrations ranged from 240 to 2400 ppm in diet. In the mice, the perinatal exposure ranged from 21 to 210 ppm in both males and females. In the adult exposure portion of the mouse studies, the dietary levels ranged from 30 to 300 ppm in males and 60 to 600 ppm in females. A total of eight dose groups (including controls) were used with 60 animals in each group. The only effect of perinatal exposure alone on tumor rate was a marginal increase in the incidence of hepatocellular neoplasms in female mice. The adult exposure to DPH significantly increased the incidence of hepatocellular neoplasms in female mice. There were also marginal increases in the incidence of liver tumors in male rats exposed to high DPH dietary concentrations during the adult-only regimen. Combined perinatal and adult dietary exposure to 5,5-diphenylhydantoin confirmed the findings for the increased incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms in male rats and female mice, although combined exposure did not enhance these effects. However, in male mice, perinatal and adult exposure resulted in an increase in the incidence of hepatocellular neoplasms that was not seen when dietary exposure was limited to the adult period only.

Comparison of maternal sera, cord blood, and neonatal sera for detecting presumptive congenital syphilis: relationship with maternal treatment.

The incidence of congenital syphilis has increased rapidly over the past few years. Most infected mothers and their newborns are asymptomatic at birth and diagnosis depends on serologic testing during pregnancy and at delivery. This study was initiated to compare maternal sera, cord blood, and neonatal sera for detecting presumptive congenital syphilis and to assess the role of maternal treatment (administration of penicillin to the mother at least 1 month before delivery) on the serologic results at the time of delivery. The serologic results from all live deliveries complicated by a positive maternal and/or neonatal test for syphilis during a 12-month period were compared using chi 2 analysis and multiple comparisons for proportions. Of 3306 livebirths, 73 (2.2%) were complicated by a positive maternal or neonatal serology. At delivery, the serologic test was positive in 68 (94%) of 72 maternal sera, 30 (50%) of 60 cord sera, and 43 (63%) of 68 neonatal sera. In the absence of maternal treatment, 95% of the maternal sera, 66% of the cord blood samples, and 86% of the neonatal sera were positive. If the mother had been treated, 94% of maternal sera, 36% of cord sera, and 39% of neonatal sera were positive. Cord blood and neonatal sera appear to be inferior to maternal sera for detecting prenatal exposure to syphilis. Cord serology is also inferior to neonatal serology at 2 to 3 days of age. The most effective way to identify newborns at risk for congenital syphilis is to obtain a maternal serologic diagnosis during pregnancy and to test maternal and neonatal sera at delivery.

Comparative carcinogenicity of ethylene thiourea with or without perinatal exposure in rats and mice.

Chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity studies of ethylene thiourea (ETU), 97% pure, were conducted in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice of each sex. The major objective of the study was to determine if incorporation of perinatal exposure, in addition to the conventional exposure of young adult animals for 2 years, enhances the sensitivity of the bioassay in identification of the carcinogenic potential of chemicals when compared to the conventional exposure of animals to a chemical for 2 years, usually beginning at the age of 6-8 weeks. The studies were designed to determine (1) the toxic and carcinogenic effects of dietary ETU in rats and mice receiving perinatal exposure up to 8 weeks of age followed by control diet for 2 years, (2) the effects of ETU in rats and mice receiving exposure for 2 years beginning at the age of 8 weeks, and (3) the effects of combined perinatal/adult exposure to ETU (perinatal exposure to 8 weeks of age followed by the adult exposure for 2 years). During the perinatal period, rats were exposed to dietary ETU concentrations ranging from 9 to 90 ppm and adult exposure concentrations ranged from 25 to 250 ppm. In the mice, the perinatal exposure concentrations of ETU in the diet ranged from 33 to 330 ppm, and in the adults the concentrations were 100 to 1000 ppm. A total of eight exposure groups (including controls) were used with 60 animals in each group. Ten animals from each group were killed at Month 9 of the study for interim evaluation. The thyroid gland in rats and mice and the liver in mice were identified as target organs of ETU toxicity at the 9-month interim evaluation. The perinatal only exposure to ETU was not carcinogenic in rats or mice, while adult or perinatal/adult combination exposures to ETU were carcinogenic both in rats and in mice. The thyroid gland was the major site of ETU carcinogenicity both in rats and in mice. The liver and pituitary glands were other major sites of ETU carcinogenicity in mice. The carcinogenic effects of ETU were generally similar by adult and perinatal/adult combination protocols except that the incidences of thyroid tumors were slightly higher in the rats receiving the perinatal/adult combination of ETU exposure in the diet.

Carcinogenicity of p-chloroaniline in rats and mice.

p-Chloroaniline (PCA), a dye intermediate, was evaluated for potential long-term toxicity and carcinogenicity. Groups of 50 F344/N rats of each sex were given by gavage PCA hydrochloride in deionized water at doses of 0, 2, 6 or 18 mg/kg body weight, 5 days/wk for 103 wk. Groups of 50 male and female B6C3F1 mice of each sex were given 0, 3, 10 or 30 mg/kg on the same schedule. In general, body weights and survival were unaffected by PCA administration. In rats the group given 18 mg/kg had mild haemolytic anaemia and slight increases in methaemoglobin at various times during the study. Fibrosis of the spleen was significantly increased in all PCA-treated groups of male rats and in the 18-mg/kg group of female rats. Sarcomas of the spleen occurred in male rats, their incidence being 0/49, 1/50, 3/50 and 38/50 in control low-, mid- and high-dose groups, respectively. There was a slightly increased incidence of pheochromocytomas of the adrenal gland in both male and female rats. Dosed groups of male mice had increased incidences of hepatocellular adenomas or carcinomas (11/50, 21/49, 20/50 and 21/50 in controls, low- mid- and high-dose groups, respectively). Haemangiosarcomas of the liver or spleen were also increased in the high-dose group (incidences of 4/50, 4/49, 1/50 and 10/50 in controls, low-, mid- and high-dose groups, respectively). In conclusion, PCA was carcinogenic in male rats and male mice.

Toxicity of p-chloroaniline in rats and mice.

p-Chloroaniline (PCA) was administered as PCA hydrochloride in water by gavage to groups of ten Fischer 344 rats and ten B6C3F1 mice of each sex for 13 wk. The doses, calculated as PCA rather than the hydrochloride salt, were 0, 5, 10, 20, 40 or 80 mg PCA/kg body weight/day for rats and 0, 7.5, 15, 30, 60 or 120 mg/kg body weight/day for mice. The vehicle controls were given deionized water by gavage. All male rats survived to the end of the studies. One of the ten female rats that received 80 mg PCA/kg died from unknown causes. The final body weights of rats that received 80 mg/kg were 16% lower than those of vehicle controls in the case of males and 4% lower in females. In mice, there was no mortality related to PCA administration. The final body weights of treated mice were similar to those of vehicle controls. In both rats and mice, no treatment-related effects on organ weights were observed at autopsy, except for a dose-related increase in spleen weight. The proportion of haemoglobin in the form of methaemoglobin was increased in dosed groups in both species and resulted in a secondary anaemia, the severity of which was dose related. Compound-related lesions observed histologically in rats and mice, included pigmentation (haemosiderin) in the kidney, spleen and liver and increased haematopoiesis in the liver and spleen and in the bone marrow (in rats but not mice), reflecting the response to the haemolytic anaemia and methaemoglobinaemia induced by PCA. It is concluded that the haematopoietic system is a target of PCA toxicity.

An overview of prechronic and chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity experimental study designs and criteria used by the National Toxicology Program.

Since the establishment of the National Toxicology Program (NTP), there have been gradual changes in strategies to evaluate the overall toxicity of chemicals as well as their carcinogenic potential. The spectrum of toxicologic information sought on selected chemicals has been broadened by the multidisciplinary approach to evaluating chemicals. This paper describes the scientific rationale and experimental processes used by NTP in designing studies. Also, an outline of current NTP protocols are given for prechronic and chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity studies.

Toxicity of 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene diepoxide after 13 weeks of dermal or oral exposure in rats and mice.

4-Vinyl-1-cyclohexene diepoxide (VCHD) is used as a chemical intermediate and as a reactive diluent for diepoxides and epoxy resins. Toxicology studies were conducted by administering VCHD in acetone by dermal application or in corn oil by gavage to F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice for 13 weeks. In the 13-week dermal studies, groups of 10 rats of each sex received 0.3 ml of VCHD in acetone at concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 200 mg/ml, and mice received 0.1 ml at concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 100 mg/ml. Skin lesions were observed at the site of application at the top two dose levels for both species and sexes, and consisted of acanthosis, parakeratosis, and hyperkeratosis of the epidermis and sebaceous gland hyperplasia. In mice, follicular atrophy of the ovary, characterized by decreased numbers of primary and secondary follicles, occurred at the 50- and 100-mg dose levels. In 13-week oral studies, groups of 10 rats and mice of each sex were administered VCHD at dose levels ranging from 62.5 to 1000 mg/kg in corn oil. In rats and mice, there were body weight decreases in the groups given the two highest doses. The major target organs in rats were forestomach (hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis) and kidney (tubular cell degeneration/necrosis and regeneration). In mice the target organs included forestomach (hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis), ovary (follicular atrophy), and testis (degeneration of germinal epithelium).

Dermal toxicity and carcinogenicity of 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene diepoxide in Fischer rats and B6C3F1 mice.

4-Vinyl-1-cyclohexene diepoxide (VCHD) is used as a chemical intermediate and as a reactive diluent for diepoxides and epoxy resins. Studies were conducted by administering VCHD in acetone by dermal application, 5 days per week for 105 weeks, to groups of 60 rats of each sex at 0, 15, or 30 mg/animal. Groups of 60 mice of each sex were administered 0, 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/animal on the same schedule for up to 103 weeks. Ten animals from each group were humanely killed, necropsied, and examined histopathologically during Month 15. At the 15-month evaluation, 2 of 10 male rats that received 30 mg had a squamous cell carcinoma of the skin at or adjacent to the site of application. Squamous cell papillomas and carcinomas were seen in all mice that received 5 or 10 mg. Two of nine female mice given 10 mg had granulosa cell tumors of the ovary, and one of nine female mice given 10 mg had an ovarian papillary cystadenoma. In the 2-year studies, body weight and survival were lower in high-dose rats and mid- and high-dose mice than in vehicle controls. All high-dose male mice died by Week 83; remaining high-dose female mice were killed during Week 84 for humane reasons. Squamous cell papillomas of the skin in dermally exposed male rats and squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell adenomas or carcinomas of the skin in exposed male and female rats were increased. The incidence of squamous cell carcinomas of the skin was increased in male and female mice at all dose levels. Mid- and high-dose female mice had an increased incidence of benign or malignant granulosa cell tumors and of benign mixed tumors of the ovary.