Assessment of the respiratory sensitization potential of proteins using an enhanced mouse intranasal test (MINT).

There remains a need for a simple and predictive animal model to identify potential respiratory sensitizers. The mouse intranasal test (MINT) was developed to assess the relative allergic potential of detergent enzymes, however, the experimental endpoints were limited to evaluation of antibody levels. The present study was designed to evaluate additional endpoints (serum and allergic antibody levels, pulmonary inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR)) to determine their value in improving the predictive accuracy of the MINT. BDF1 mice were intranasally instilled on days 1, 3, 10, 17 and 24 with subtilisin, ovalbumin, betalactoglobulin, mouse serum albumin or keyhole limpet hemocyanin; challenged with aerosolized methacholine or the sensitizing protein on day 29 to assess AHR, and sacrificed on day 29 or 30. Under the conditions of this study, evaluation of AHR did not improve the predictive power of this experimental model. Allergic antibody responses and IgG isotype characterization proved to be the most sensitive and reliable indicators of the protein allergenic potential with BAL responses providing additional insight. These data highlight that the evaluation of the respiratory sensitization potential of proteins can be best informed when multiple parameters are evaluated and that further improvements and refinements of the assay are necessary.

Acute toxicologic and neurotoxic effects of inhaled 1,2-dichloroethane in adult Fischer 344 rats.

Acute toxicologic and neurotoxic effects were evaluated in Fischer 344 rats exposed to 0, 50, 200, 600, or 2000 ppm 1,2-dichloroethane (ethylene dichloride; EDC) for 4 h or 0, 50, 100 or 150 ppm for 8 h. Neurobehavioral and neuropathologic effects were assessed using a functional observational battery (FOB; baseline, days 1, 8, and 15), and by light microscopy, respectively. Acute toxicologic effects were assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and histopathology of the respiratory tract and selected target organs. Neurobehavioral effects consistent with central nervous system (CNS) depression were present at concentrations >200 ppm and were restricted to day 1. There were no neuropathologic changes in the CNS, however, olfactory epithelial regeneration 15 days after exposure to > or = 200 ppm was observed. The no-observed-effect concentration (NOEC) for behavioral neurotoxicity was 200 ppm EDC for 4 h. There were no effects on BAL parameters in any exposure group. Exposure to 2000 ppm EDC altered adrenal gland, kidney, and liver weights, and resulted in morphologic alterations in the kidney and liver. Degeneration/necrosis of the olfactory epithelium was observed at > or = 200 ppm for 4 h and > or = 100 ppm for 8 h. Based on olfactory epithelial degeneration/necrosis, the most sensitive indicator of toxicity in this study, the overall NOEC was 50 ppm EDC for up to 8 h in rats.