Chester L. Leach

Reducing the Number of Rabbits in the Draize Eye Irritacy Test: A Statistical Analysis of 155 Studies Conducted over 6 Years

The Draize eye irritancy test in rabbits has been the focus of recent efforts to reduce the use of live animals in toxicity testing. A suitable alternative is not yet available; therefore, we studied the adequacy of reducing the number of rabbits used per test. Data generated from 6-rabbit eye irritation tests of 155 various materials were used to determine the ability of irritation scores from all possible combinations of 5-, 4-, 3-, or 2-rabbit subsets to predict the Draize score derived from six rabbits. There are 930, 2325, 3100, and 2325 possible combinations of 155 studies for the 5-, 4-, 3-, and 2-rabbit subsets, respectively. We classify materials using a four-level adjectival rating system based on (among other factors) the Draize score. Comparisons indicated that 5-, 4-, 3-, and 2-rabbit scores were in 98, 96, 94, and 91% agreement, respectively, with the classification assigned on the basis of the 6-rabbit score. The correlation coefficients for randomly selected subsets of 5-, 4-, 3-, and 2-rabbit scores versus the Draize score for six rabbits were 0.998, 0.996, 0.992, and 0.984, respectively. This study confirms the findings of an earlier report by De Sousa et al. (1984), and indicates that a high level of accuracy can be obtained with reduced numbers of rabbits per test.

The pathologic and immunologic response to inhaled trimellitic anhydride in rats

Trimellitic anhydride (TMA) is a chemical intermediate used in the paint and plastics industry. Inhalation of TMA can induce four types of syndromes in TMA workers; three are immunologically based whereas the fourth, an irritant syndrome, is nonimmunologic. To evaluate the potential inhalation hazard of TMA under controlled conditions, Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed 6 hr/day via inhalation to target concentrations of 0, 10, 30, 100, and 300 micrograms/m3 for varying durations. Two sets of rats received either 5 or 10 exposures and were terminated. A third set received 10 exposures, and was held 12 days and terminated. A fourth set received 10 exposures, and was held 12 days, challenged with a single 6-hr exposure, and terminated. A fifth set received 10 exposures, and was held 12 weeks and terminated. There were no effects after 5 exposures; however, after 10 exposures the following parameters were increased in a concentration-related manner: absolute and relative lung weights, external hemorrhagic lung foci, alveolar macrophage accumulation, alveolar hemorrhage, pneumonitis, and lung and mediastinal lymph node nonspecific IgG and complement (C3). The rats exposed and rested 12 days were nearly recovered from these effects; however, rats rested 12 days and subsequently challenged exhibited lesions similar to those seen immediately following exposure. Exposed rats rested 12 weeks were completely normal in all of the above parameters. The timing and nature of the lung lesions, along with the presence of lung IgG and complement, are consistent with some of the known aspects of TMA-induced lesions in humans, and are reflective of results obtained from other hypersensitivity pneumonitis models.

The pathologic and immunologic effects of inhaled acrolein in rats

Four groups of 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats each were exposed by inhalation to target concentrations of 0, 0.1, 1.0, and 3.0 ppm of acrolein 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 3 weeks. Subsequent changes in local pulmonary immunity were determined by examining the number of antibody plaque-forming cells in the lung-associated lymph nodes following intratracheal immunization with sheep red blood cells. Separate groups of rats were evaluated for blastogenic responsiveness to phytohemagglutinin-P and Salmonella typhimurium antigen using spleen- and lung-associated lymph node cells. In vivo resistance was evaluated utilizing acrolein-exposed rats subsequently challenged with intravenous Listeria monocytogenes. Local pulmonary antibody responsiveness was not affected by acrolein exposure. Lymphocyte blastogenesis and resistance to Listeria challenge were not altered. Body weights and spleen weights were decreased in the 3 ppm-exposed group only. Microscopic examination of the nasal turbinates revealed acrolein-induced exfoliation, erosion, and necrosis of the respiratory epithelium as well as squamous metaplasia, however, lung histology was not affected. Thus at environmental concentrations, acrolein toxicity appeared to be confined to local nasal pathologic changes with no alterations in lung histology or immune function.

Effects of acrolein on macrophage functions in rats

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 0.1, 1.0 or 3.0 ppm acrolein or filtered air 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 3 weeks. Rats were tested one day following the last exposure and exhibited no change in pulmonary clearance of inhaled 35S-labeled Klebsiella pneumoniae at any acrolein concentration. Decreased numbers of peritoneal cells were obtained from exposed rats while the number of cells lavaged from the lungs was unchanged. Macrophages of acrolein-exposed rats had altered phagocytic and enzymatic patterns as compared to macrophages from animals breathing filtered air. However, these changes had no apparent effect on macrophage killing of inhaled bacteria and were therefore probably not indicative of extreme chemical toxicity.

Levels and specificity of antibody in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and serum in an animal model of trimellitic anhydride-induced lung injury

A study was undertaken to characterize the antibody response in rats exposed to trimellitic anhydride (TMA) by inhalation. Total antibody levels directed to trimellitic rat serum albumin (TM-RSA) from TMA-exposed rats were assayed by an ammonium sulfate technique. Total antibody levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and the matched serum were compared by correction for the albumin content of each. An ELISA was developed to detect IgG, IgA, and IgM directed toward TM-RSA in BAL and serum and to compare class-specific antibody levels in BAL and serum by normalizing for albumin content. The specificity of the rat IgG response was determined by ELISA inhibition with TM-RSA and TM-human serum albumin (TM-HSA) and compared with reciprocal inhibition studies with serum from TMA-exposed workers. The levels of total antibody in BAL were three to 15 times greater than the levels found in the matched serum pair. IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies were detected in the BAL and the serum of TMA-exposed rats but not in control rats. In each of the four rats tested, all antibody classes were present in equal or greater amounts in the BAL than in the serum. Complete inhibition of the rat IgG binding in ELISA was observed when TM-RSA or TM-HSA were added as inhibitors. Human IgG was inhibited in ELISA only by TM-HSA. In an animal model of human lung disease, the levels of total antibody as well as class-specific antibodies directed against TM-RSA were greater in BAL than in serum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Lung injury induced by short-term intermittent trimellitic anhydride (TMA) inhalation

We have developed a rat model of lung injury with interstitial pneumonitis, lung hemorrhage, and a systemic and pulmonary immune response to trimellitic anhydride (TMA)-haptenized proteins induced by TMA inhalation for 10 days. The present studies explored the induction of lung injury induced by short-term intermittent TMA inhalation, a model more likely to simulate short-term industrial exposures during inadvertent spills of TMA. Sprague-Dawley rats inhaled TMA powder (500 micrograms/m3) on days 1, 5, and 10, and were necropsied on day 30, 18 hours after a 6-hour TMA-inhalation challenge on day 29. Rats were bled every second day and at necropsy. Serum IgG, IgA, and IgM antibody to trimellityl rat serum albumin was measured by ELISA. There was a rise in IgM and IgA antibody to trimellityl rat serum albumin starting at day 5 that peaked at day 20 with a decline in IgM by day 30. IgG antibody rose at day 7, peaked at day 20, and plateaued. The IgG antibody level was 10 times higher than the IgA or IgM level. In a second experiment, 18 rats were administered TMA-inhalation exposure on days 1, 5, and 10, and a TMA challenge on day 22. The number of hemorrhagic foci, lung weights, and lung-displacement volumes at necropsy on day 23 were highly correlated with IgG, IgA, and IgM serum-antibody levels. In a final experiment, rats developed a mean of 112 hemorrhagic foci per lung on day 30 after receiving only two TMA-inhalation exposures on days 1 and 5 with a rechallenge on day 29. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The Generation and Detection of Particulate Aerosols of Trimellitic Anhydride and Trimellitic Acid for Inhalation Exposures

Trimellitic anhydride (TMA) and its precursor trimellitic acid (TMAc) are chemical intermediates widely used in the coatings and plastics industries. The production of an exposure atmosphere necessary for the development of an inhalation animal model to study the effects of TM A and TM Ac has been severely hampered because of the highly charged, hygroscopic, and poor packing characteristics of these two chemicals. Several attempts to conduct inhalation exposures using commercially available generators have been unsuccessful, particularly at the extremely low concentrations required (the TLV® of TMA is 40 µg/m3). The Model 3400 TSI fluidized bed aerosol generator contained a continuous feed bead-chain system that, with minor modifications, was capable of delivering consistent quantities of powder to the fluidized bed chamber until a buildup of the powder at the nozzles caused the generator to clog, thus failing to produce consistent and reproducible aerosols. The TSI fluidized bed aerosol generator was mod...

Immunologic Tolerance in Rats during 13 Weeks of Inhalation Exposure to Trimellitic Anhydride

Trimellitic anhydride (TMA) causes several immunologically based pulmonary syndromes in humans. We developed a rat model representative of some of those syndromes whereby rats exposed for 2 weeks to TMA by inhalation developed hemorrhagic lung foci and pneumonitis accompanied by the appearance of TMA-specific serum antibody. The purpose of the study reported here was to examine the long-term, low-dose effects of TMA inhalation. Rats were exposed to target concentrations of 0, 2, 15, or 50 micrograms/m3 TMA 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 13 weeks. The study included an interim 6.5-week termination and two recovery periods of 3 and 38 weeks, each with and without a final TMA inhalation challenge. Additional rats were bled regularly throughout the study and monitored for the appearance of TMA-specific antibody; other rats were terminated periodically during the 13-week exposure and examined for lung lesions. These serially terminated rats showed that TMA-induced lung lesions reached a maximum after approximately 2 weeks of exposure, but began to diminish thereafter. Rats bled regularly showed increasing TMA-specific antibody titers through the first 6 weeks of exposure, after which antibody titers diminished. Serum antibody levels rose sharply after the 13-week exposure ended and tapered off throughout the recovery period. Rats terminated after 6.5 weeks of exposure showed a dose-dependent increase in lung lesions and serum antibody. However, rats exposed to TMA for 13 weeks showed greatly reduced lung lesions and antibody titers. Rats exposed for 13 weeks and allowed to recover for 3 weeks showed increased antibody titers but few lesions, even after a TMA challenge. Rats exposed for 13 weeks and allowed to recover 38 weeks had reduced but still significant antibody titers; however, no lung lesions were noted even after a TMA inhalation challenge prior to termination. These results indicated that rats became tolerant to TMA and that 13 weeks of exposure to TMA did not produce lesions of any type, even after 38 weeks of recovery.

A Statistical Basis for Using Fewer Rabbits in Dermal Irritation Testing

An acceptable and validated in vitro method to evaluate the potential of a chemical to cause dermal irritation does not exist; therefore, in vivo studies remain the only alternative. Currently most laboratories utilize 6 rabbits per test, but this group size may not be necessary to derive the desired information. Data generated from 6-rabbit skin irritation tests of 105 materials were used to determine the ability of irritation scores from all possible combinations of 5-, 4-, 3-, or 2-rabbit subsets to predict the Draize score derived from 6 rabbits. There are 630, 1575, 2108, and 1575 possible combinations of 105 studies for the 5-, 4-, 3-, and 2-rabbit subseta, respectively. We classify materials using a four-level adjectival rating system based on (among other factors) the Draize score, Comparisons indicated that the 5-, 4-, 3-, and 2-rabbit scores were in 96, 94, 91, and 88% agreement, respectively, with the classification assigned on the basis of the 6-rabbit score. The correlation coefficients for randomly selected subsets of 5-, 4-, 3-, and 2-rabbit scores versus the 6-rabbit Draize score were 0.996, 0.994, 0.986, and 0.977, respectively. This study indicated that 3 rabbits per test group allow for adequate assessment of the dermal irritation potential of a chemical. These results also conformed closely to those obtainetd from a previous statistical study using eye irritancy data from 155 chemicals, where 3-rabbit subsets were 94% predictive of the 6-rabbit tests.

Pulmonary Cellular and Antibody Response to Trlmellltlc Anhydride Inhalation

AbstractTrimellitic anhydride (TMA) is a reactive intermediate used in polymerization curing processes and is known to cause immunologically mediated lung disease in humans and rats. Inhalation studies in rats have shown that exposure to TMA concentrations up to 300 μg/m3 caused dose-related increases in lung weight, external hemorrhagic lung foci, qualitative increases in histopathologic parameters such as alveolar macrophage accumulation, intraalveolar hemorrhage, and pneumonitis, and increases in TMA-specific serum antibody levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the numbers and functional capacity of pulmonary free cells and to further define the nature of TMA-specific antibody in rats exposed to low concentrations of TMA. Groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to concentrations of 0, 2, 20, and 60 μg/m3 of TMA 6 h/d, 5 d/wk for 2 wk and euthanized. The numbers and types of cells, ectoenzyme and lyso-zyme activity, in vitro phagocytosis by pulmonary free cells, and serum lavage fluid an...