Developmental toxicity evaluation of sodium thioglycolate administered topically to Sprague-Dawley (CD) rats and New Zealand White rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Sodium thioglycolate, which has widespread occupational and consumer exposure to women from cosmetics and hair-care products, was evaluated for developmental toxicity by topical exposure during the embryonic and fetal periods of pregnancy METHODS: Timed-mated Sprague-Dawley rats (25/group) and New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits (24/group) were exposed to sodium thioglycolate in vehicle (95% ethanol:distilled water, 1:1) by unoccluded topical application on gestational days (GD) 6-19 (rats) or 6-29 (rabbits) for 6 hr/day, at 0, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg body weight/day (rats) and 0, 10, 15, 25, or 65 mg/kg/day (rabbits). At termination (GD 20 rats; GD 30 rabbits), fetuses were examined for external, visceral, and skeletal malformations and variations. RESULTS: In rats, maternal topical exposure to sodium thioglycolate, at 200 mg/kg/day (the highest dose tested) on GD 6-19, resulted in maternal toxicity, including reduced body weights and weight gain, increased relative water consumption and one death. Treatment-related increases in feed consumption and changes at the applicationsite occurred at all doses, in the absence of increased body weights or body weight change. Fetal body weights/litter were decreased at 200 mg/kg/day, with no other embryo/fetal toxicity and no treatment-related teratogenicity in any group. In rabbits, maternal topical exposure to sodium thioglycolate on GD 6-29 resulted in maternal dose-related toxicity at the dosing site in all groups; no maternal systemic toxicity, embryo/fetal toxicity, or treatment-related teratogenicity were observed in any group. CONCLUSIONS: A no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was not identified for maternal toxicity in either species with the dosages tested. The developmental toxicity NOAEL was 100 mg/kg/day (rats) and > or = 65 mg/kg/day (rabbits; the highest dose tested). The clinical relevance of theses study results is uncertain because no data were available for levels, frequency, or duration of exposures in female workers or end users.

The genetic toxicity of 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazobenzene and 3,3',4, 4'-tetrachloroazoxybenzene: discordance between acute mouse bone marrow and subchronic mouse peripheral blood micronucleus test results.

3,3',4,4'-Tetrachloroazobenzene (TCAB) and 3,3',4, 4'-tetrachloroazoxybenzene (TCAOB) are dioxin-like chemicals that were investigated for toxicity in 13-week gavage studies in male and female B6C3F(1) mice and F344N rats by the National Toxicology Program. As part of the comprehensive toxicological investigation of these chemicals, peripheral blood smears from mice treated 5 days per week for 13 weeks with 0.1-30mg/kg/day TCAB or TCAOB were analyzed for the frequency of micronucleated (MN) normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE). Both chemicals produced significant increases in MN-NCE in male and female mice. In contrast to these positive results in subchronic exposure studies, no significant increases were seen in acute bone marrow MN tests in male mice administered three daily injections of 50-200mg/kg/day TCAB and TCAOB. The results with TCAB and TCAOB suggest that the routine integration of MN tests with subchronic toxicity studies may allow detection of mutagenic activity for some chemicals that fail to elicit responses in short-term, high dose tests. In addition, the integration of mutagenicity tests into general toxicity tests reduces the use of laboratory animals and the cost of the testing.

Toxicokinetics.

The toxicokinetic determinants of dioxin and related chemicals depend on three major properties: lipophilicity, metabolism, and binding to CYP1A2 in the liver. The induction of CYP1A2 is partially under the control of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Lipophilicity increases with more chlorination and controls absorption and tissue partitioning. Metabolism is the rate-limiting step for elimination. Induction of CYP1A2 leads to hepatic sequestration of TCDD. Binding to this inducible hepatic protein results in non-linear dose-dependent tissue distribution: with increasing doses, the relative concentration in extra-hepatic tissues decreases while that in liver increases. The induction of this protein occurs in both animals and humans and results in an increase in the liver to fat ratio of these compounds. Humans have similar sensitivities to rodents for dioxin-like compounds when using tissue concentration (from in vitro studies), body burden, average lifetime serum lipid concentration, or lifetime area-under-the-curve concentration based on both low dose (biochemical) and high dose (cancer) driven endpoints. To reach the same tissue concentration in humans as rodents however, humans need a lower daily intake than rodents based on differences in pharmacokinetic behaviour. This clearly indicates that physiologically based pharmacokinetic models should be explored for the estimation of the daily intake of dioxin-like compounds in humans based on tissue dose levels or derivatives of those.

Statistical analysis of skin tumor data from Tg.AC mouse bioassays.

New strategies for identifying chemical carcinogens and assessing risk have been proposed based on the Tg.AC (zetaglobin promoted v-Ha-ras) transgenic mouse. Preliminary studies suggest that the Tg. AC mouse bioassay may be an effective means of quickly evaluating the carcinogenic potential of a test agent. The skin of the Tg.AC mouse is genetically initiated, and the induction of epidermal papillomas in response to dermal or oral exposure to a chemical agent acts as a reporter phenotype of the activity of the test chemical. In Tg.AC mouse bioassays, the test agent is typically applied topically for up to 26 weeks, and the number of papillomas in the treated area is counted weekly. Statistical analyses are complicated by within-animal and serial dependency in the papilloma counts, survival differences between animals, and missing data. In this paper, we describe a statistical model for the analysis of skin tumor data from a Tg.AC mouse bioassay. The model separates effects on papilloma latency and multiplicity and accommodates important features of the data, including variability in expression of the transgene and dependency in the tumor counts. Methods are described for carcinogenicity testing and risk assessment. We illustrate our approach using data from a study of the effect of 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure on tumorigenesis.

Effects of glutaraldehyde in a 2-year inhalation study in rats and mice.

Whole-body inhalation toxicology and carcinogenicity studies were performed with the widely used fixative and cold-sterilant glutaraldehyde. Groups of 50 male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F(1) mice were exposed to glutaraldehyde (rats: 0, 250, 500, or 750 ppb; mice: 0, 62.5, 125, or 250 ppb) 6 h/day, 5 days/week, for 104 weeks. Survival of 500- and 750-ppb female rats was less than that of controls. Mean body weights of all exposed groups of male rats, 500- and 750-ppb female rats, and 250-ppb female mice were generally less than those of controls. No exposure-related neoplastic lesions were observed in either rats or mice. Non-neoplastic lesions were limited primarily to the most anterior region of the nasal cavity. In rats, hyperplasia and inflammation of the squamous epithelium; hyperplasia, goblet cell hyperplasia, inflammation, and squamous metaplasia of the respiratory epithelium; and hyaline degeneration of the olfactory epithelium were observed. In mice, the nasal lesions were qualitatively similar to those in rats. Squamous metaplasia of the respiratory epithelium was observed in both sexes of mice while female mice also had inflammation and hyaline degeneration of the respiratory epithelium. In contrast to the nasal carcinogen formaldehyde, no neoplastic lesions were observed after inhalation exposure to glutaraldehyde. However, exposure to glutaraldehyde resulted in considerable non-neoplastic lesions in the noses of rats and mice.

Toxicity of 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazoxybenzene in rats and mice.

The toxicity of 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazoxybenzene (TCAOB) was evaluated in 13-week gavage studies in male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice. In addition to histopathology, evaluations included clinical chemistry, hematology, thyroid hormone analyses, and effects on sperm morphology and estrous cycle length. Groups of 10 rats and 10 mice of each sex were exposed to TCAOB at dose levels of 0, 0.1, 1, 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg 5 days a week for 13 weeks. In the rat studies, the major effects included death in the 30 mg TCAOB/kg dose group; at lower exposure levels, a decrease in body weight gain, a decrease in thymus weight, an increase in liver weight, an increase in hematopoietic cell proliferation in the spleen and liver, a responsive anemia, a decrease in platelet counts, a chronic active inflammation of the vasculature in the lung, an increase in cardiomyopathy, hyperplasia of the forestomach, and a marked decrease in circulating thyroxine concentrations were observed. In male rats a decrease in sperm motility in the epididymides was observed. In addition, in female rats an increase in lung, spleen, kidney, and heart weights and nephropathy was observed. Furthermore, the estrous cycle length was increased. In the mouse studies, the major effects for males and females included a decrease in thymus weights, an increase in liver and kidney weights, centrilobular hypertrophy in the liver, hematopoietic cell proliferation, hyperplasia of the forestomach, and dilatation of hair follicles. The spectrum of effects in both rats and mice after exposure to TCAOB indicates that dioxin-like effects occur in addition to effects that have not been observed with dioxin-like compounds. No no-observed-adverse-effect level was reached in male or female rats or mice.

Toxicity of 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazobenzene in rats and mice.

The toxicity of 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazobenzene (TCAB) was evaluated in 13-week gavage studies in male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice. In addition to histopathology, evaluations included clinical chemistry, hematology, thyroid hormone analyses, and reproductive parameters. Groups of 10 rats and 10 mice of each sex were exposed to TCAB at dose levels of 0, 0.1, 1, 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg for 5 days a week for 13 weeks. In the rat studies, the major effects for both males and females included a 10% decrease in terminal body weight at 30 mg/kg/day, an increase in hematopoietic cell proliferation in the spleen at 10 and 30 mg/kg/day, and a responsive anemia at 10 and 30 mg/kg/day. A 15 to 30% decrease in platelet counts and a 20 to 40% decrease in thymus weights was observed at 10 and 30 mg/kg/day. An increase in liver weight up to 15% was found at 3 mg/kg/day and higher doses in males and at 10 and 30 mg/kg/day in females, respectively. An increase in spleen weights up to 15% was observed at 10 and 30 mg/kg/day in males and at 30 mg/kg/day in females. A marked decrease in circulating total thyroxine (TT4) was found in both males and females at all dose levels tested. TT4 could hardly be detected at 10 and 30 mg TCAB/kg/day. In addition, hyperplasia of the forestomach was increased at 3 mg/kg/day and higher doses in males and at 30 mg/kg/day in females. In the mouse studies, an increase in liver and spleen weight was observed up to approximately 25% in both males and females at 10 and 30 mg/kg/day. Hyperplasia of the forestomach was observed at 1 mg/kg/day and higher doses in both males and females. In males, a 30% decrease in thymus weights at 30 mg/kg/day and a 60% decrease in epididymal sperm density at 3 and 30 mg/kg/day was observed. Also in males, centrilobular hypertrophy of hepatocytes and an increase in hematopoietic cell proliferation in the spleen was observed at 3 mg/kg/day and higher doses. Based on the current study and information in the literature, TCAB has dioxin-like properties. Comparison of the effects of TCAB in the present study and in the literature to those with 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) indicates that TCAB is from two to six orders of magnitude less potent than TCDD depending on the end point.

Hexachlorobenzene as a possible major contributor to the dioxin activity of human milk.

A dioxinlike compound is a compound that binds to the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor, results in dioxinlike effects, and bioaccumulates. These are the three factors for including dioxinlike chemicals in the toxic equivalency factor (TEF) concept. Risk assessment of dioxinlike compounds is based on using these TEFs. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) has all three features and should therefore be included in this TEF concept. Relative potency values express the potency of a specific compound in comparison to 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the most potent dioxinlike compound, with a relative potency value of 1. For the estimation of the total dioxin activity in an environmental biological sample, the TEF value of a compound is multiplied by the concentration in the specific matrix. This results in a certain amount of toxic equivalents (TEQs) for this compound. The summation of all TEQs in a certain mixture gives the total dioxin activity of this mixture. HCB binds to the Ah receptor about 10,000 times less than TCDD. HCB is also about 10,000 times less potent than TCDD based on in vitro cytochrome P4501A induction and porphyrin accumulation. Using a relative potency value of 0.0001, HCB could add 10-60% to the total TEQ in human milk samples in most countries. In a few countries such as Spain, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, HCB levels in human milk expressed as TEQ could contribute up to a factor of six to the total TEQ in comparison to the contribution of polychlorinated dioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls together, i.e., up to a daily intake of about 1 ng TEQ/kg for a breast-fed infant. The HCB levels in human milk in these countries are about the same as in India. Biochemical, immunological, and neurological alterations have been observed in infants fed breast milk in countries with relatively low TEQ levels in human milk. Based on the above information, it is clear that HCB should be classified as a dioxinlike compound, that more studies are needed to reduce the uncertainty in the estimation of a relative potency value for HCB, and that epidemiological studies should be undertaken in infants fed breast milk in countries with high HCB exposure levels. Furthermore, measurements of HCB levels in human and environmental samples in conjunction with other dioxinlike compounds is a prerequisite to estimate the total dioxin activity in these samples.

Induction of oxidative stress in brain tissues of mice after subchronic exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

The ability of single doses of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) to induce oxidative stress in hepatic and some extrahepatic tissues of animals is well documented. However, no previous study has examined the ability of TCDD to induce oxidative stress and tissue damage in brain in vivo. In this study the ability of TCDD to induce oxidative stress in brain tissues of mice was studied after subchronic exposures. Groups of female B6C3F1 mice were treated orally with TCDD (0, 0.45, 1.5, 15, and 150 ng/kg/day) for 13 weeks, 5 days/week. The animals were euthanized 3 days after the last treatment and brain tissues were collected. Biomarkers of oxidative stress including production of superoxide anion, lipid peroxidation, and DNA-single-strand breaks (SSB) were determined. TCDD treatment resulted in significant and dose-dependent increases in the production of superoxide anion as assessed by reduction of cytochrome c. Significant increases were also observed in lipid peroxidation and DNA-SSB in those tissues, as assessed by the presence of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and the alkaline elution technique, respectively. These results clearly indicate that subchronic exposure to low doses of TCDD can induce oxidative tissue damage in brain tissues which may at least in part play a role in the effects of TCDD on the central nervous system.

Kinetics of the incorporation of dietary fatty acids into serum cholesteryl esters, erythrocyte membranes, and adipose tissue: an 18-month controlled study.

Tissue levels of n-3 fatty acids reflect dietary intake, but quantitative data about rate of incorporation and levels as a function of intake are scarce. We fed 58 men 0, 3, 6, or 9 g/d of fish oil for 12 months and monitored fatty acids in serum cholesteryl esters, erythrocytes, and subcutaneous fat during and after supplementation. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in cholesteryl esters plateaued after 4-8 weeks; the incorporation half-life was 4.8 days. Steady-state levels increased by 3.9 +/- 0.3 mass % points (+/- SE) for each extra gram of EPA eaten per day. Incorporation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was erratic; plateau values were 1.1 +/- 0.1 mass % higher for every g/d ingested. Incorporation of EPA into erythrocyte membranes showed a half-life of 28 days; a steady state was reached after 180 days. Each g/d increased levels by 2.1 +/- 0.1 mass %. C22:5n-3 levels increased markedly. Changes in DHA were erratic and smaller. EPA levels in adipose tissue rose also; the change after 6 months was 67% of that after 12 months in gluteal and 75% in abdominal fat. After 12 months each gram per day caused an 0.11 +/- 0.01 mass % rise in gluteal fat for EPA, 0.53 +/- 0.07 for C22:5n-3, and 0.14 +/- 0.03 for DHA. Thus, different (n-3) fatty acids were incorporated with different efficiencies, possibly because of interconversions or different affinities of the enzymatic pathways involved. EPA levels in cholesteryl esters reflect intake over the past week or two, erythrocytes over the past month or two, and adipose tissue over a period of years. These findings may help in assessing the intake of (n-3) fatty acids in epidemiological studies.

Interactive effects between 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl in female B6C3F1 mice: tissue distribution and tissue-specific enzyme induction.

The distribution of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153) was studied in female B6C3F1 mice. Single doses of TCDD alone (0, 0.1, 1, or 10 micrograms [3H]TCDD/kg), PCB 153 alone (0, 3.58, 35.8, or 358 mg [14C]PCB 153/kg), and all possible combinations of these doses were administered in corn oil, po. At 7 days after dosing, 11 different tissues were analyzed for radioactivity. When TCDD was administered alone, TCDD-derived radioactivity distributed to all tissues in a dose-dependent manner, increasing with dose in the liver, while decreasing (as a percentage of the administered dose) in all other tissues. When PCB 153 was administered alone, the PCB 153 concentration was dose-dependently (percentage of dose) decreased in liver, skin, lung, adrenals, kidney, and blood; no dosimetric effects were observed in the other organs. Coadministration of low doses of both TCDD and PCB 153 resulted in little or no effect on the distribution of either compound. Interactive effects occurred in the pharmacokinetic behavior of both compounds only at higher doses. For example, the amount of TCDD in the liver was increased by 358 mg PCB 153/kg. In most other organs administration of PCB 153 resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the TCDD content. Coadministration of PCB 153 with 10 micrograms TCDD/kg increased PCB 153 in the liver, but not in other tissues. These results clearly demonstrate that interactive effects on pharmacokinetic behavior occur only at high doses.

Synergistic effect of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on hepatic porphyrin levels in the rat.

We studied the effect of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on hepatic porphyrin accumulation in female Sprague-Dawley rats by feeding them diets containing 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153), 2,3,3',4,4',5-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 156), 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126), or combinations of the single PCB congeners with TCDD for 13 weeks. A dose-dependent increase in hepatic porphyrin accumulation occurred after TCDD, PCB 126, or PCB 156 administration, reaching maximal levels of about twice control values. The lowest dose levels for which a significant increase in hepatic porphyrin accumulation was found were 0.7 microgram TCDD/kg diet, 50 micrograms PCB 126/kg diet, or 6 mg PCB 156/kg diet. These doses are equivalent to 47 ng TCDD/kg/day, 3.2 micrograms PCB 126/kg/day, and 365 micrograms PCB 156/kg/day. Relative potencies for hepatic porphyrin accumulation, using TCDD as a reference, ranged from 0.015 to 0.06 for PCB 126 and from 0.0001 to 0.0003 for PCB 156. CYP1A2 activities significantly correlated with hepatic porphyrin levels, with coefficients of 0.629, 0.483, or 0.808 for TCDD, PCB 126, or PCB 156, respectively. Administration of PCB 153 alone did not result in hepatic porphyrin accumulation. Co-administration of PCB 153 and TCDD revealed a strong synergistic effect on porphyrin accumulation (about 800 times control levels). This synergistic effect was significant in rats fed diets containing any combination of PCB 153 with TCDD. Uroporphyrin III and heptacarboxylic porphyrin were accumulated in porphyrinogenic livers. These results suggest that TCDD induction of CYP1A2 may be involved, leading to oxidation of uroporphyrinogen III to uroporphyrin III, in combination with an increase in delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase induced by PCB 153. Under porphyrinogenic conditions, an inhibitor of CYP1A2 activity may also be formed. The interactive effects on porphyrin accumulation after co-administration of dioxinlike and non-dioxinlike compounds may have significant implications for the risk assessment of these chemicals.

Relative potencies of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls derived from hepatic porphyrin accumulation in mice.

Hepatic porphyrin accumulation was studied after subchronic dosing of female B6C3F1 mice by gavage with single congeners of polychlorinated or polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs, PBDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Quantitative hepatic porphyrin profile analyses in selected samples showed uroporphyrin and heptacarboxylporphyrin as the main porphyrins detected. Dose-dependent increases in total hepatic porphyrins were found for all congeners tested. At lower dose levels, relative potencies, based on administered dose as well as target tissue dose, of PCDDs, PCDFs, and coplanar PCBs, using 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin as a reference compound, were in the same range as those previously derived from the induction of hepatic CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 enzyme activities. CYP1A2 has been reported to be involved in the oxidation of uroporphyringen III to uroporphyrin III. All these facts suggest the involvement of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor-medicated mechanism in hepatic porphyrin accumulation, possibly via CYP1A2. However, the relative potencies of the mono-ortho-substituted PCBs were higher for hepatic porphyrin accumulation than for hepatic CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 induction. In addition, hepatic porphyrin accumulation was the highest after exposure to mono-ortho-PCBs. Since mono-ortho- substituted PCBs induce the phenobarbital-inducible CYP2B isoforms of cytochrome P450, an additional induction of delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase may also contribute to hepatic porphyrin accumulation following subchronic exposure to these particular congeners. Relative potencies derived from hepatic porphyrin accumulation after PCDD, PCDF, or coplanar PCB administration are a useful tool in risk assessment. However, the higher potencies of the mono-ortho-substituted PCBs have important implications for risk assessment of these compounds.

Subchronic effects of 2,3,7,8-TCDD or PCBs on thyroid hormone metabolism: use in risk assessment.

Effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126), or 2,3,3',4,4',5-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 156) on thyroid hormone metabolism were studied in 13-week feeding studies in female Sprague-Dawley rats. The diets were supplemented with the compounds tested at concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 20 micrograms/kg diet for TCDD, 7 to 180 micrograms/kg diet for PCB 126, or 1.2 to 12 mg/kg diet for PCB 156, respectively. Significant correlations were found for all three compounds between reductions in plasma total thyroxine (TT4) levels and inductions of the microsomal phase II enzyme UDP-glucuronosyltransferase by using T4 as a substrate (T4UGT). Furthermore, the coinduction of certain phase I and II isozymes, i.c., cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and UGT1A1, by these compounds, clearly suggests the involvement of an Ah receptor-mediated mechanism in the disturbance of thyroid hormone metabolism by these polyhalogenated aromatic compounds. These results provide a mechanistic base for the use of certain effects on thyroid hormone metabolism by polyhalogenated aromatic compounds in risk assessment. By using these effects, potencies of PCB 126 and PCB 156 relative to TCDD ranged from 0.008 to 0.1 for PCB 126, and from 0.00007 to 0.004 for PCB 156, respectively. These values correspond very well with relative potencies of PCB 126 and PCB 156 by using some other well-known Ah receptor-mediated toxic and biochemical parameters.

Subchronic dose-response study of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Toxic and biochemical potencies of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) were studied in a 13-week feeding study in female Sprague-Dawley rats. The diets were supplemented with 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.7, 5, or 20 micrograms TCDD/kg diet. The estimated daily intakes were calculated to be 0, 14, 26, 47, 320, or 1024 ng TCDD/kg body wt/day. At the end of the study, TCDD concentrations were measured in liver and adipose tissue. The lowest estimated daily intake that caused an increase in liver weight was 320 ng TCDD/kg/day, while an intake of 47 ng TCDD/kg/day resulted in a decrease in plasma thyroid hormone concentrations and a decrease in body weight gain. Decreases in relative thymus weights, loss of hepatic retinoids, and induction of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 activities were already found at 14 ng/kg/day, the lowest dose used. Therefore, 95% confidence limits for the no-effect levels (CNELs) were calculated from the corresponding dose-response relationships by using sigmoidal curve fittings (Hill, Weibull, and a Logistic model) and a probability level of p < 0.05. For increases in CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 activities, the right critical values for the CNELs ranged from 0.7 to 4 ng TCDD/kg/day (Hill and Weibull). Based on hepatic TCDD residue levels, these right critical values for the CNELs ranged from 0.06 to 0.4 ng TCDD/g liver (wet weight) (Hill and Weibull). The CNELs in this study agree very well with the no-observed-adverse-effects levels as reported before in chronic, carcinogenicity, and reproductive studies with rats and TCDD, i.e., 1 ng/kg/day.

Toxic potency of 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl relative to and in combination with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in a subchronic feeding study in the rat.

Toxic and biochemical potencies of 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126) were studied relative to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in a 13-week feeding study in female Sprague-Dawley rats. To study possible interactive effects the combinations of both compounds were administered. The diets were supplemented with PCB 126 (7, 50, or 180 micrograms/kg diet), with TCDD (0.4 or 5 micrograms/kg diet), or with combinations of both compounds. An estimated daily intake of 0.47 micrograms PCB 126/kg body weight/day caused thymic atrophy, a dramatic loss in hepatic retinoids, and a marked induction in CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 activities. At a daily intake of 3.18 micrograms PCB 126/kg body weight/day a decrease in body weight gain, liver enlargement, and plasma thyroid hormone concentrations occurred. Based on a simultaneous subchronic feeding study with TCDD, a toxic equivalency factor range between 0.01 and 0.1 was estimated for PCB 126 for the mentioned effects. Antagonism was found between TCDD and PCB 126 for hepatic retinol levels and CYP1A2 activity. At the same time, TCDD and PCB 126 liver residue levels were slightly decreased by coadministration. However, these antagonistic effects occurred at maximum induction levels of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, which are not likely to occur at levels relevant for humans.

Toxic potency of 2,3,3',4,4',5-hexachlorobiphenyl relative to and in combination with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in a subchronic feeding study in the rat.

Interactive effects on toxicity and biochemical parameters were studied between 2,3,3',4,4',5-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 156) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in a 13-week feeding study of female Sprague-Dawley rats. The diets were supplemented with PCB 156 (1.2, 6, or 12 mg/kg), with TCDD (5 micrograms/kg), or with combinations of both compounds. Estimated daily intake of 365 micrograms/kg body wt/day (6 mg/kg diet group) of PCB 156 caused a decrease in body weight gain, thymic atrophy, liver enlargement, a loss in hepatic retinoids, induction of CYP2B activity, and a decrease in plasma thyroxine concentrations. At an estimated daily intake of 81 micrograms PCB 156/kg body wt/day CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 activities were induced. Compared to a simultaneous subchronic feeding study with TCDD a toxic equivalency factor (TEF) between 0.00004 and 0.001 was estimated for PCB 156 with respect to the mentioned effects. Antagonistic effects were found between TCDD and PCB 156 for CYP2B activity and hepatic retinol levels. These effects concurred with a PCB 156 dose-dependent decrease in hepatic TCDD levels. Hepatic PCB 156 levels were found to be increased at the 1.2-mg PCB 156/kg dose group in coadministration with TCDD. In conclusion, at least part of the antagonistic effects between PCB 156 and TCDD observed have a toxico-kinetic base. Furthermore, the magnitude of the antagonistic effects may be neglected in comparison with the uncertainty in the TEF value. Therefore, the interactive effects found between PCB 156 and TCDD may have no implications for the additivity of the TEF concept.

Biological markers of dietary intake, with emphasis on fatty acids.

The level of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids in body fluids or tissues can be a valid indicator of their consumption in man. In 59 housewives studied over a 2.5-year period we found a correlation of 0.70 between the intake of linoleic acid, assessed as the mean of nineteen 24-hour recalls, and the level in fat tissue [Van Staveren et al.: Am J Epidemiol 1986; 123:455-465]. In 58 adult men supplemented with fish oil capsules for 1 year, the rise of eicosapentaenoic acid levels in erythrocyte membranes was strongly and specifically related to the rise in intake. We conclude that epidemiological studies of the role of these fatty acids in health and disease could fruitfully employ these markers of dietary intake.