The alterations of rat brain GABA and glutamine induced by the organophosphorus compound cyolane

Levels of the amino acids GABA and glutamine were determined in the whole brain of the white albino rat Rattus norvegicus after daily injection of 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 and 1/100 LD50 of cyolane. With 1/2 LD50 an increase in the level of both GABA and glutamine in the brain was recorded. Dose levels of 1/4 and 1/8 LD50 caused an increase in the level of GABA and a decrease in glutamine concentration followed by an increase from the 7th and 11th days for 1/4 and 1/8 LD50, respectively. The induced increase in GABA level started from the 2nd week for 1/16 and 1/32 LD50 and from the 3rd week for 1/100 LD50. Dose levels of 1/16, 1/32 and 1/100 LD50 caused a fluctuating increase in glutamine concentration starting from the 2nd, 3rd and 6th weeks, respectively, which was followed by a fluctuating decrease at the 9th week for 1/32 and 1/100 LD50. These findings support previous findings that the enhanced transformation of glutamic acid to GABA and glutamine is a result of a disturbance in the metabolism of the glutamic acid-GABA and the glutamic acid-glutamine systems in the rat brain.     

Methyl parathion-induced sperm shape abnormalities in mouse.

Metacid 50, the commercial grade of methyl parathion (O,O-dimethyl-O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothionate), a commonly used organophosphorus insecticide, was tested for its genotoxicity in Swiss albino mice using the sperm abnormality assay. Sperms of albino mice were examined at two time intervals, 1 week and 5 weeks after a single acute oral treatment with the pesticide at four dose levels, viz., 75.0, 37.5, 18.75 and 9.375 mg/kg body weight corresponding to 1/2 LD50, 1/4 LD50, 1/8 LD50 and 1/16 LD50 values respectively. A dose-related statistically significant increase in the percentage of abnormal sperm observed indicates the genotoxic potency of methyl parathion.     

Effect of titanium exposure on embryonic development during pre-implantation period in rats.

Doses of titanium trichloride (1/10th and 1/5th of LD50) were administered once and daily to pregnant rats to assess their effect on embryonic development. 1/5th dose of TiCl3 administered once orally on 1st, 2nd and 3rd day post-coitum. Similarly 1/10th of LD50 was administered daily. Results revealed that 1/10th LD50 dose of TiCl3 was more effective during pre-implantation period as number of 4 and 8-celled embryos decreased as compared to 1/5th. Delayed hatching of the blastocysts on day 5 was registered in TiCl3 treated dam.     

The use of Endopep-MS for the detection of botulinum toxins A, B, E, and F in serum and stool samples

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) causes the disease botulism, which can be lethal if untreated. Previous work in our laboratory focused on developing Endopep-MS, a mass spectrometric-based endopeptidase method for the detection and differentiation of BoNT serotypes. We have expanded this effort to include an antibody capture method to partially purify and concentrate BoNT from serum and stool extract samples for the Endopep-MS assay. Because complex matrices such as serum and stool contain abundant endogenous proteases, this technique was needed to remove most proteases from the sample while concentrating BoNT from a sample size of 100 to 500 microl to 20 microl. When this antibody capture method is combined with the Endopep-MS reaction, limits of detection in 500mul of spiked human serum are 10 mouse LD50 (20 mouse LD50/ml) for BoNT A, 0.5 mouse LD50 (1 mouse LD50/ml) for BoNT B, 0.1 mouse LD50 (0.2 mouse LD50/ml) for BoNT E, and 0.5 mouse LD50 (1 mouse LD50/ml) for BoNT F. The limits of detection in spiked stool extracts are somewhat higher due to the high-protease environment of stool extract that also requires use of protease inhibitors. The entire method can be performed in as short a time as 4 h.     

Hexachlorocyclohexane pesticides reduce survival and alter plasma membrane structure of Chinese hamster V79 cells.

We studied the cytotoxic effects of alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCCH) on the survival of Chinese hamster V79 cells using clonogenic assays. Lethal dose yielding 50% cell survival (LD50) suggests the following order of cytotoxicity: delta-(+)gamma-HCCH (LD50 4 micrograms/ml) (1:1, w/w, mixture) > delta-HCCH (LD50 6 micrograms/ml) > gamma-HCCH (LD50 13 micrograms/ml) > alpha-HCCH (LD50 approx. 35 micrograms/ml) > beta-HCCH. Structural changes in plasma membranes prepared from HCCH-treated V79 cells at dose yielding 10% cell survival (LD10) were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectra of plasma membranes show bands at 2850, 2880-2890, and 2935 cm-1 in the C-H stretching region. The plot of the ratio (I2880-2890/I2850) vs temperature for control plasma membranes shows two transitions between -5 and 5 degrees C and between 12 and 20 degrees C. Plasma membranes prepared from gamma- and delta-HCCH-treated Chinese hamster V79 cells show single transitions between -4 and 11 degrees C and between -2 and 11 degrees C, respectively. These changes in the thermal transition properties suggest that both gamma- and delta-HCCH alter lipid and lipid-protein phases of the plasma membrane of V79 cells. Raman analysis of the amide I and amide III region spectra further suggest that delta-HCCH also alters the secondary structure and the environment of highly amidated segments of plasma membrane proteins. We suggest that the primary action of biologically active HCCH isomers is to disrupt the organization of the plasma membrane and that may affect cell viability.     

Effect of diazinon, an organophosphate insecticide, on plasma lipid constituents in experimental animals

There has been increasing interest in studying the various effects of organophosphate insecticides in humans and experimental animals. Only a few data are available on the effect of the organophosphate insecticide, diazinon, on lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of diazinon on plasma lipid constituents in mammalian animals. The plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and phospholipids (PL) were measured in albino rats that were orally treated with a single dose of diazinon at a level of LD(50) or with repeated daily doses at the levels of 1/2, 1/8, and 1/32 LD(50) for 2, 8, and 32 days, respectively. After a 24 h post-treatment with a single LD(50) dose of diazinon, TC was not significantly changed, the HDL-C and PL levels were significantly decreased, but the LDL-C and TG levels were significantly increased. Separate daily oral administrations of diazinon at 1/2 LD(50), 1/8 LD(50), and 1/32 LD(50) doses resulted in a significant decrease in HDL-C and PL, with no significant change in TG. The LDL-C levels were significantly increased and TC showed no significant change with 1/2 LD(50) and 1/32 LD(50) doses of diazinon, whereas a significant decrease in the levels of TC, HDL-C, as well as LDL-C, was observed with the 1/8 LD(50) dose. These data suggest that diazinon may interfere with lipid metabolism in mammals.     

The enzymes of the metabolism of exogenous compounds in the comparative assessment of the toxicity of trichothecene mycotoxins

Moderate clinical, biochemical and hematologic signs of intoxication were observed in mice after single administration of HT-2 toxin (deacetylated derivative of T-2 toxin) in LD50 of 12.75 mg/kg or in 1/5 of LD50 for 7 days. The toxin produced no toxic effect when 1/10 and 1/50 of LD50 were administered for 14 days. With the dose exceeding 1/50 of LD50 a reduction in cytochrome P-450 content, carboxylesterase activity and increased activity of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase and glutathione transferase were recorded. T-2 toxin produced a more pronounced toxic effect, inhibited UDP-glucuronosyltransferase and insignificantly stimulated glutathione transferase activity. Lower HT-2 toxin toxicity is believed to depend on its ability to activate conjugation reactions to a greater extent than T-2 toxin.     

Lethal synergism of phencyclidine with a precursor and contaminant, 1-piperidinocyclohexanecarbonitrile

The acute median lethal dose (LD50) was determined in rats (p.o.) and mice (i.p.) for phencyclidine (PCP) or 1-piperidinocyclohexanecarbonitrile (PCC) individually and in combination. The LD50 (mg/kg) of PCP was 2.3 or 2.5 times higher than the LD50 of PCC in mice or rats, respectively. For mice, combinations (8:1 or 4:1) of PCP + PCC showed additive synergism, while in rats a 2:1 combination caused sub-additive synergism. Dogs receiving an intravenous infusion of PCP + PCC (4:1) died at a one-third lower dosage of PCP than when PCP was given alone. Prior treatment with NaNO₂ significantly elevated the i.p. LD50's in mice for PCC alone or PCP + PCC (3:1) as it did for KCN. These data support the inference that toxicity from PCC arises primarily from the cyanide ion which it releases. The possibility of a toxic synergism in the course of human exposure to PCC-contaminated “street PCP” is raised.     

狼毒活性部位复合乳油功效

为增强瑞香狼毒制剂的杀虫药效、充分开发利用以瑞香狼毒为主的植物源农药,进行了瑞香狼毒杀虫活性部位与其它药物的复配实验。采用瑞香狼毒杀虫活性部位(LD)分别与烟碱乳油(YJR)、CT-901A(Bz)的不同质量比,在室内对家蝇、酢酱草茹叶螨(Petrbia hartiEwing)进行毒力测定,利用软件进行毒力回归分析。实验结果显示,LD和YJR、LD和Bz的两两复配及三者(LD YJR Bz)的复配能够起显著增效作用,特别是20:1:1(LD:YJR:Bz)、30:1:1(LD:YJR:Bz)对家蝇的毒力效果更加明显,LC50达到了0.005 mg/L,20:1(LD:Bz)、30:1(LD:Bz)、30:1:1(LD:YJR:Bz)对酢酱草茹叶螨(Petrbia hartiEwing)的毒力效果也同样显著,LC50也达到了0.005 mg/L。并对瑞香狼毒活性部位进行初步分离检测,其有效成分为黄酮类物质。     

Immune responses of different mouse strains after challenge with equivalent lethal doses of Toxoplasma gondii

Most immunological studies that utilize different strains of inbred mice following T. gondii infection fail to compensate for differences in host susceptibility to the size of the parasite innoculum. To address this concern, susceptible C57BL/6 and resistant CBA/J mice were orally infected with either an equivalent 50% lethal dose (LD50) of brain cysts of the 76K strain of T. gondii (15 cysts in C57BL/6, 400 cysts in CBA/J) or the same dose of parasites in each mouse strain. C57BL/6 mice receiving 400 cysts (LD50 of CBA/J mice) died post infection, whereas CBA/J mice that received 15 cysts (LD50 of C57BL/6 mice) survived. Parasite loads in the brains and serum Toxoplasma-specific IgG1 titers of LD50-infected C57BL/6 mice were significantly higher than those in LD50- or 15 cysts-infected CBA/J mice, whereas splenocyte proliferation to Toxoplasma antigen and the percentage of CD8 alpha+ T cells were reduced in LD50-infected C57BL/6 mice. In contrast, serum IgG2a and IgM titers, the percentage of gamma delta T cells and IFN-gamma expression of spleen of LD50-infected CBA/J mice were higher than those of either 15 cysts-infected CBA/J mice or LD50-infected C57BL/6 mice. These observations demonstrate that the immune response between LD50-infected C57BL/6 and CBA/J mice was more prominent when compared to C57BL/6 or CBA/J mice receiving the same parasite inoculum. These observations would suggest that caution must be excersized in the planning and interpretation of data when the size of the parasite inoculum has not been adjusted for mouse strain.     

Advanced monitoring of high-rate anaerobic reactors through quantitative image analysis of granular sludge and multivariate statistical analysis

Four organic loading disturbances were performed in lab-scale EGSB reactors fed with ethanol. In load disturbance 1 (LD1) and 2 (LD2), the organic loading rate (OLR) was increased between 5 and 18.5 kg COD m(-3) day(-1), through the influent ethanol concentration increase, and the hydraulic retention time decrease from 7.8 to 2.5 h, respectively. Load disturbances 3 (LD3) and 4 (LD4) were applied by increasing the OLR to 50 kg COD m(-3) day(-1) during 3 days and 16 days, respectively. The granular sludge morphology was quantified by image analysis and was related to the reactor performance, including effluent volatile suspended solids, indicator of washout events. In general, it was observed the selective washout of filamentous forms associated to granules erosion/fragmentation and to a decrease in the specific acetoclastic activity. These phenomena induced the transitory deterioration of reactor performance in LD2, LD3, and LD4, but not in LD1. Extending the exposure time in LD4 promoted acetogenesis inhibition after 144 h. The application of Principal Components Analysis determined a latent variable that encompasses a weighted sum of performance, physiological and morphological information. This new variable was highly sensitive to reactor efficiency deterioration, enclosing variations between 27% and 268% in the first hours of disturbances. The high loadings raised by image analysis parameters, especially filaments length per aggregates area (LfA), revealed that morphological changes of granular sludge, should be considered to monitor and control load disturbances in high rate anaerobic (granular) sludge bed digesters.     

The effect of simultaneous oral application of ethanol and styrene. [1. Acute and subacute experiments on rats]

Within the lethal dose range, 8.70 mmol/ml ethanol (EtOH, LD50 = 226 mmol/kg) and 6.86 mmol/ml styrene (ST, LD50 = 77.4 mmol/kg) had an additive effect in rats. A four-week pretreatment with 1/10 of the LD50 of the corresponding combination partner did not modify the lethal dose effect of the subsequently administered substance (EtOH or ST). Subchronical treatment with EtOH and ST had an additive effect, too but produced no cumulative effect in relation to lethality. Unlike EtOH, subchronical treatment with ST caused severe symptoms of illness, decrease in body weight and liver lesions. Histological examination at the combined application of EtOH plus ST showed no evidence of qualitatively or intensified effects. Subchronic administration of 1/10 of the LD50-ies of EtOH and ST produced in rats more pronounced histological liver changes than single application of the corresponding LD16-ies. Except for ATP'ase activity, histochemical reactions following EtOH or ST application showed minimal quantitative differences.     

Therapeutic efficacy of 4-(adamantyl-1)-1-(1-aminobutyl) benzene in experimental fungal pathology

Antifungal activity of an adamantane derivative, i. e. 4-(adamantyl-1)-1-(1-aminobutyl) benzol was studied in experiments in vivo in a model of generalized infection and local skin injury. In doses of 0.1 LD50, 0.001 LD50, 0.001 LD50 (intraperitoneal administration) it had a therapeutic effect on generalized candidiasis and promoted 60-80-percent survival of the laboratory animals. Its application as 1-percent ointment to Candida albicans infected skin prevented the wound formation in rabbits and showed therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of infected wounds in albino rats.     

痘苗病毒毒力测定及其免疫血清的制备

目的测试痘苗病毒毒力,制备痘苗病毒免疫血清,为药物评价和病毒检测奠定基础。方法鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜培养痘苗病毒,测定病毒的TCID50和小鼠毒力。将痘苗病毒悬液稀释成100TCID550,0．2％福尔马林灭活,分别在0、7、14d以腹腔注射的方式免疫BALB／c小鼠,用IFA、IEA、ELISA方法评价血清的敏感性和特异性。结果痘苗病毒TCID50／0．05mL=1．8×10^4,小鼠LD50／0．2mL=10^6.8;制备的免疫血清经IFA法测定效价为1：320,IEA法测血清效价为1：160,ELISA测血清效价1：6400。结论确定的细胞和小鼠毒力将为药物测定提供基础比对数据;制备的痘苗病毒免疫血清具有高度的敏感性和特异性,可作为测试对照血清使用。     

Characteristics of the effect of irradiation at different dose rates on survival, death kinetics and response of critical systems of the C57Bl/6 mice]

A comparison was made of the biological effect on mice of irradiation at different dose rates (70, 5.5 and 1.5 cGy/min) with equally effective, with respect to lethality, doses, or with physically equal doses within the range from 1/4 of LD50/30 to LD99-95/30. Equally effective, with respect to lethality, doses caused similar changes in the intestinal epithelium and in the haemopoietic system. The death rate kinetics was identical with doses of LD80-95/30 within the dose-rate range under study. The equally effective doses caused injuries, different in degrees, to critical systems, including CFUs.     

In the search for new anticancer drugs XII. Synthesis and biological evaluation of spin labeled nitrosoureas

The spin labeled nitrosourea 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(1-oxyl-2,2,6,6- tetramethyl-piperidinyl)-1-nitrosourea (SLCNU, 4) and its analogues 5-7 were synthesized either by a regio-selective method or by a conventional route via the nitrosation of the spin labeled intermediates (11a-e). Nitrosation of the ureas 11a-e with dinitrogen tetraoxide resulted in better yields than those obtained with sodium nitrite. The nitrosoureas 4-8 were tested for their anticancer activity against the lymphocytic leukemia P388 in mice. Thus, either at the equal molar dose or at the dose of equal toxicity level, the SLCNU (4) was found to be more active than the clinically used CCNU (1). Unlike CCNU (1) whose LD50 is 56 mg/kg, the SLCNU (4) possesses a low toxicity (LD50 123 mg/kg). Therefore, SLCNU (4) is a promising new entry into the nitrosourea class of anticancer drugs.     

Peritoneal barrier to the spread of Semliki forest virus in mice

The LD50 for encephalitis caused by Semliki forest virus in 6- to 8-week-old mice is 1 plaque-forming unit (PFU) in C3H/Ten strain of mice when injected intracerebrally, iv, or in the footpad; however, the LD50 by the ip route is 4 x 10(3) PFU. In the ICR strain of mice at the same age, the LD50 for the intracerebral route is 1 PFU, 10(3) PFU for the iv and footpad routes, and 4 x 10(3) PFU for the ip route. A number of in vivo and in vitro experiments were done to explain the relative resistance to Semliki forest virus injection by the ip route. The results suggest that the viruses are adsorbed to and enter adherent cells of the peritoneal cavity but do not replicate and release progeny virus. After inoculation with the virus, viral antigens could only be observed in methanol-treated cells as a halo by immunofluorescence at or just below the plasma membrane of only a small fraction (less than 0.5%) of peritoneal adherent cells. Naturally occurring interferon-alpha/beta (less than 1 unit/ml) was found to probably play a marginal role, if any, in the resistance.     

Alteration of the acute toxicity and various pharmacologic effects of streptomycin sulfate by calcium 4'-phosphopantothenate

The effect of calcium 4'-phosphopantothenate (CPP) on acute toxicity of streptomycin and the decrease by the antibiotic of the muscle working capacity, "holes" reflex, body temperature and oxygen intake was studied on 258 albino mice weighing 22-26 g. Medical calcium pantothenate (CPA) was used for control purposes. CPP is an antagonist of streptomycin sulfate. In a dose of 1/10 or 1/5 of the LD50 injected intraperitoneally CPP lowered acute toxicity of streptomycin and prevented its effect in a dose of 0.11--1.1 g/kg injected subcutaneously on the muscle working capacity, "holes" reflex and body temperature. The spectrum index of the CPP antitoxic effect was equal to 22.5. By its acute toxicity CPP (LD50 1.18 +/- 0.07 g/kg) did not differ from CPA (LD50 1.25 +/- 0.08 g/kg). The efficacy of CPP, by its antitoxic spectrum, was 1.8 times higher than that of CPA. CPA lowered the streptomycin effect on the "holes" reflex and body temperature, while CPP prevented it. Both the drugs did not influence the decrease in the oxygen consumption induced by streptomycin.     

Antifouling activity of simple synthetic isocyanides against larvae of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite

Twelve simple linear isocyanides were synthesized and examined for antifouling activity and toxicity against cyprid larvae of the barnacle, Balanus amphitrite. Larval settlement was inhibited, with EC50 values of 0.046-1.90 microg ml(-1), and they were much less toxic (LD50 values ranging over 21.28 microg ml(-1)) than CuSO4 (EC50 0.30 microg ml(-1) and LD50 2.95 microg ml(-1)). The data indicate that simple linear isocyanides are promising non-toxic antifouling agents.     

Relative biological effectiveness measurements using murine lethality and survival of intestinal and hematopoietic stem cells after fermilab neutrons compared to JANUS reactor neutrons and 60Co gamma rays

The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the 25-MeV (average energy) neutron beam at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory was measured using murine bone marrow (LD50/30) and gut (LD50/6) lethality and killing of hematopoietic colony forming units (CFU-S) or intestinal clonogenic cells (ICC). The reference radiation was 60Co gamma rays. The LD50/30 and LD50/6 for mice exposed to the Fermilab neutron beam were 6.6 and 8.7 Gy, respectively, intermediate between those of JANUS neutrons and 60Co gamma rays. The D0 values for CFU-S and ICC were 47 cGy and 1.05 Gy, respectively, also intermediate between the lowest values found for JANUS neutrons and the highest values found after 60Co gamma rays. The split-dose survival ratios for CFU-S at intervals of 1-6 hr between doses were essentially 1.0 for both neutron sources, while the corresponding split-dose survival ratio for 60Co gamma rays was consistantly above 1, reaching a maximum of 1.7 with a 1-hr interval between doses. The 3-hr split-dose survival ratios for ICC were 1.0 for JANUS neutrons, 1.85 for Fermilab neutrons, and 6.5 for 60Co gamma rays. The RBE estimates for LD50/30 were 1.5 and 2.3 for Fermilab and JANUS neutrons, respectively. Based on LD50/6, the RBEs were 1.9 (Fermilab) and 3.0 (JANUS). The RBEs for CFU-S D0 were 1.4 (Fermilab) and 1.9 (JANUS) and for jejunal microcolony D0 1.4 (Fermilab) and 2.8 (JANUS).