Investigation of selected toxicological parameters of gamma-pentachlorocyclohexene (gamma-PCCH).

The toxic effects of the gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane metabolite gamma-pentachlorocyclohexene (gamma-PCCH) were studied by acute and subacute (6 weeks) experiments. The investigations included cerebral convulsibility with chemoshock (Tetrazolium), reactivity with hot plate method, the learning ability with learning tests, and peripheral nervous activity (EMG). Nociceptive reaction time was not influenced, the learning process (6 weeks) was inhibited by gamma-PCCH. The conduction velocity of the peripheral nerve was decreased. At the end of the 6th week liver enlargement was found.

Cytogenetic, genetic, and embryotoxicity studies with dimethyl 2,2,2-trichloro-1-(2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethoxy)-ethylphosphonat e, a hypothetical impurity in technical grade trichlorfon.

The hemiacetal (CH3O)2P(O)CHOCHOHCCl3)CCl3, a hypothetical contaminant in technical preparations of the organophosphorus pesticide trichlorfon, was tested for cytogenetic, mutagenic, and embryotoxic activity after ip administration to mice of different strains. A single dose of 81 mg/kg (0.2 mmol/kg) caused a significant enhancement in the percentage of chromosome aberrations in bone marrow cells of CFLP mice; a similar effect was induced by an equimolar single dose of chemically pure trichlorfon (51.5 mg/kg). At the same dosage level, the hemiacetal proved to be ineffective in the micronucleus test on fetal blood of DBA and AB Jena/Halle mice. In the dominant lethal mutation assay, a single dose of 81 mg/kg hemiacetal to males resulted in a slight increase in the fetal mortality of DBA mice, whereas AB Jena/Halle mice did not respond under these conditions. Four consecutive doses of 81 mg/kg hemiacetal to pregnant AB Jena/Halle mice at Days 2, 3, 4, and 5 of gestation caused only a very weak embryotoxic effect comparable to that of trichlorfon at equimolar dosage. On the basis of these results the hemiacetal tested may not be considered to represent a potential risk factor in technical grade trichlorfon.

Cytogenetic and embryotoxic effects of bromophos and demethylbromophos.

The organophosphorus pesticide bromophos and the tetramethylammonium and sodium salts of demethylbromophos were tested for cytogenetic and embryotoxic activity on mice of different strains. Single intraperitoneal (ip) doses of 183.0 mg/kg (0.5 mmol/kg) and 73.2 mg/kg (0.2 mmol/kg) bromophos caused a significant enhancement in the percentage of chromosome aberrations in bone marrow cells of CFLP mice; similar effects were produced by a single dose of 0.2 mmol/kg demethylbromophos tetramethylammonium salt and demethylbromophos sodium salt trihydrate, respectively, indicating that the cytogenetic activity of bromophos is not connected with its alkylating properties. After repeated ip or oral administration to pregnant mice of strains AB Jena/Halle and DBA, none of the tested compounds showed a marked influence on the total implantation losses, although in some cases the postimplantation losses were significantly increased.

Biological monitoring and health surveillance of a group of greenhouse pesticide sprayers.

Repeated extensive medical examinations were carried out in 11 workers spraying organophosphate (OP), carbamate and pyrethroid pesticides in greenhouses during the whole year and in 10 control persons. On a questionnaire their social, health and family status and their working conditions were recorded. Before and after a regular spraying period with pyrethroids for 3 months the following tests were carried out: urinalysis, haematology, immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA and IgM levels, whole blood cholinesterase (ChE) activity, serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity, chromosome analysis and electrocardiography (ECG). Atmospheric concentrations of pyrethroids as well as their concentration in the blood and urine of pesticide workers were determined by means of gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). No abnormalities related to the work were found in the tests.

The teratogenic, embryotoxic, and prenatal mutagenic effect of 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol in the mouse.

The teratogenic, embryotoxic, and prenatal mutagenic effects of 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol were investigated in CFLP strain pregnant mice treated with the compound at the dose of 3 X 25 mg/kg. After treatment on the 7th, 9th, and 11th days of pregnancy, the embryos were examined on the 18th day of pregnancy for obvious malformations and bone preparations were made with alizarin red S staining. The examination of chromosome aberrations in samples from liver cells of embryos was performed by the method of P.K. Datta, H. Rigger, and E. Schleiermacher (in Chemical Mutagenesis in Mammals and Man, F. Vogel and G. Röhrborn, eds., pp. 198-206, Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York, 1970). 3-Methyl-4-nitrophenol at the applied dosage did not result in teratogenic or prenatal chromosome damage in contrast to the damaging effect of 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol which was previously reported.

A study of the mutagenic effect of 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol on the somatic cells of the mouse.

3-Methyl-4-nitrophenol is a resultant metabolite inside the organism when fenitrothion (O,O-dimethyl O-(3-methyl-4-nitrophenyl) thiophosphate)-containing pesticides undergo a chemical change due to the action of liver cell enzymes. It is also used as a basic compound for synthesis in the chemical industry. Groups of CFLP strain mice were treated ip with single doses (25 mg/kg) of this chemical in aqueous or alcoholic solution. Another group was treated ip with the same dose on ten weekly occasions. Chromosomes were prepared from the bone marrow cells 24 and 48 hr after the treatment. The results do not exclude the possibility of a mutagenic effect.

Mutagenic effect of 3-methyl-4-nitro-phenol on the germ-cells of the mouse--a study in vivo.

The mutagenic effect of 3-methyl-4-nitro-phenol on the germ-cells of CFLP male mice was studied by examining the chromosomes of spermatocytes according to the methods of Evans et al. and Schleiermacher in the diakinetic phase of meiosis. The results do not exclude the possibility of mutagenic effect.

Laser-nephelometric detection of soluble immune complexes.

A new method for the detection of soluble immune complexes has been worked out by combining the polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation method with laser nephelometry. Experiences achieved by measurements on in vitro immune complexes are presented. The method was found suitable for the detection of immune complexes development in vivo. The optimum concentration of PEG was found to be 3.51%. Results were compared to those achieved by the traditional PEG precipitation technique in 88 cases. The laser nephelometric method was found to be more sensitive and is recommended for use in clinical laboratories.