Kevin T. Morgan

A critical review of the literature on acrolein toxicity

A detailed literature review of human and animal toxicity studies of acrolein is presented, and information gaps identified that call for further investigation. Specific recommendations are suggested for additional short-/long-term studies, including chemical disposition and cytogenetic investigations. Two bibliographies are provided indicating the scope of the review: (1) literature actually cited and (2) literature examined but not included.

COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS SIMULATIONS OF INSPIRATORY AIRFLOW IN THE HUMAN NOSE AND NASOPHARYNX

Extrapolation of the regional dose of an inhaled xenobiotic from laboratory animals to humans for purposes of assessing human health risk is problematic because of large interspecies differences in nasal respiratory physiology and airway anatomy. There is a need for dosimetry models that can adjust for these differences in the upper respiratory tract. The present work extends previous efforts in this laboratory and elsewhere to simulate nasal airflow profiles numerically in laboratory animals and humans. A three-dimensional, anatomically accurate representation of an adult human nasal cavity and nasopharynx was constructed. The Navier-Stokes and continuity equations for airflow were solved using the finite-element method under steady-state, inspiratory conditions simulating rest and light exercise (steady-state inspiratory flow rates: 15 L/min and 26 L/min, respectively) with the fluid dynamics software package FIDAP. Simulated airflow was streamlined in the main nasal passages and complex in the vestibul...

Respiratory tract lesions induced by sensory irritants at the RD50 concentration

Exposure of mice to airborne sensory irritants causes a concentration-dependent depression of respiratory rate. The RD50 concentration (that concentration which elicits a respiratory rate decrease of 50%) has been predicted to be an unacceptable occupational exposure concentration due to intolerable sensory irritation and possible respiratory tract injury in humans. The purpose of this study was (1) to determine whether lesions occur in the respiratory tract of Swiss-Webster mice after exposure to the RD50 concentrations of ten sensory irritants and (2) to compare these changes with respect to type and severity. The RD50 values (ppm) of the chemicals studied are as follows: 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (0.4), acrolein (1.7), formaldehyde (3.1), chloropicrin (8.0), chlorine (9.3), sulfur dioxide (117), ammonia (303), hydrogen chloride (309), dimethylamine (511), and epichlorohydrin (687). After exposure of mice for 6 hr/day for 5 days, the respiratory tract was examined for histopathologic changes. All irritants produced lesions in the nasal cavity with a distinct anterior-posterior severity gradient. There was considerable variation in the extent, and nature of the lesions. The lesions ranged from slight epithelial hypertrophy or hyperplasia to epithelial erosion, ulceration, and necrosis with variable inflammation of the subepithelial tissues. Only chlorine, chloropicrin, and epichlorohydrin induced lesions in the lower respiratory tract. These findings give additional support to the potential value of the RD50 model for setting occupational exposure guidelines and predicting the risk of injury to the respiratory tract from exposure to airborne sensory irritants.

The morphogenesis of testicular degeneration induced in rats by orally administered 2,5-hexanedione

The neurotoxic hexacarbon 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) produces testicular atrophy in experimental animals. To examine the morphogenesis of the testicular lesion, 1.0% 2,5-HD was provided in the drinking water of adult F-344 rats for up to 6 weeks. After 3 weeks of administration, there were occasional large vacuoles in the basal region of the germinal epithelium. At 4 weeks, these vacuoles were much larger and more numerous; electron microscopy demonstrated that they were derived from the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The vacuoles were preferentially associated with stages 12, 13, 14, and 1 of the spermatogenic cycle. Additionally, at 4 weeks there was a significant decrease in the number of tubules in stages 7 and 13, and a concomitant increase in the percentage of tubules in stages 3, 5, and 6. By Week 5, most Golgi-phase and cap-phase spermatids were visibly affected, showing margination of nuclear chromatin, and were becoming dissociated from Sertoli cells. Frequent multinucleated giant cells were seen and electron microscopy of these cells suggested that they were derived from fused spermatocytes or spermatids. After 6 weeks, fewer giant cells were present, most tubules contained cellular debris, and many showed empty lumina encircled by a thin ring of cytoplasm near the basement membrane. Interstitial tissue appeared unaffected. These studies indicate that the Sertoli cell is probably an initial target for 2,5-HD action in the testis.

Airflow, gas deposition, and lesion distribution in the nasal passages.

The nasal passages of laboratory animals and man are complex, and lesions induced in the delicate nasal lining by inhaled air pollutants vary considerably in location and nature. The distribution of nasal lesions is generally a consequence of regional deposition of the inhaled material, local tissue susceptibility, or a combination of these factors. Nasal uptake and regional deposition are are influenced by numerous factors including the physical and chemical properties of the inhaled material, such as water solubility and reactivity; airborne concentration and length of exposure; the presence of other air contaminants such as particulate matter; nasal metabolism, and blood and mucus flow. For certain highly water-soluble or reactive gases, nasal airflow patterns play a major role in determining lesion distribution. Studies of nasal airflow in rats and monkeys, using casting and molding techniques combined with a water-dye model, indicate that nasal airflow patterns are responsible for characteristic differences in the distribution of nasal lesions induced by formaldehyde in these species. Local tissue susceptibility is also a complex issue that may be a consequence of many factors, including physiologic and metabolic characteristics of the diverse cell populations that comprise each of the major epithelial types lining the airways. Identification of the principal factors that influence the distribution and nature of nasal lesions is important when attempting the difficult process of determining potential human risks using data derived from laboratory animals. Toxicologic pathologists can contribute to this process by carefully identifying the site and nature of nasal lesions induced by inhaled materials. ImagesFIGURE 4.FIGURE 6.FIGURE 7.

Toxic Interactions in the Rat Nose: Pollutants from Soiled Bedding and Methyl Bromide

Interactions between test chemicals and pollutants can confound toxicology studies. To test the sensitivity of the regenerating olfactory epithelium to additional challenge with the olfactory epithelial toxicant methyl bromide (MeBr), Fischer 344 (F344) rats received 2 6-hr inhalation exposures (separated by a 28-day recovery period) to either 0 or 175 ppm MeBr. The regenerating epithelium was resistant to the second MeBr exposure. In addition, histopathologic examination revealed squamous epithelial hyperplasia in the vestibule; inflammation, epithelial necrosis, mucosal erosions, and squamous metaplasia of the respiratory epithelium in the anterior nose; and olfactory sensory cell loss in the dorsal medial meatus. These changes could not be attributed to MeBr, but they were correlated with housing in filter-capped cages between MeBr exposures and were presumably caused by volatile pollutants from soiled bedding. Moreover, olfactory sensory cell loss in the dorsal medial meatus was associated with local resistance to MeBr-induced damage in rats with pollutant-induced changes. Analysis of cage air revealed a progressive increase in ammonia levels between bedding changes (up to 50 ppm), but exposure to 300 ppm ammonia in an additional experiment reproduced only the anterior nasal lesions and not olfactory sensory cell loss. This study demonstrates that 1) regenerating olfactory epithelium is refractory to further MeBr toxicity; 2) pollutants from soiled bedding (in addition to ammonia) produce nasal lesions; and 3) pollutant-induced changes modify the nasal response to inhaled MeBr.

Normalization and analysis of DNA microarray data by self-consistency and local regression

BackgroundWith the advent of DNA hybridization microarrays comes the remarkable ability, in principle, to simultaneously monitor the expression levels of thousands of genes. The quantiative comparison of two or more microarrays can reveal, for example, the distinct patterns of gene expression that define different cellular phenotypes or the genes induced in the cellular response to insult or changing environmental conditions. Normalization of the measured intensities is a prerequisite of such comparisons, and indeed, of any statistical analysis, yet insufficient attention has been paid to its systematic study. The most straightforward normalization techniques in use rest on the implicit assumption of linear response between true expression level and output intensity. We find that these assumptions are not generally met, and that these simple methods can be improved.ResultsWe have developed a robust semi-parametric normalization technique based on the assumption that the large majority of genes will not have their relative expression levels changed from one treatment group to the next, and on the assumption that departures of the response from linearity are small and slowly varying. We use local regression to estimate the normalized expression levels as well as the expression level-dependent error variance.ConclusionsWe illustrate the use of this technique in a comparison of the expression profiles of cultured rat mesothelioma cells under control and under treatment with potassium bromate, validated using quantitative PCR on a selected set of genes. We tested the method using data simulated under various error models and find that it performs well.

A strategy for establishing mode of action of chemical carcinogens as a guide for approaches to risk assessments

The current standard approach for assessing carcinogenic potential is to conduct a near lifetime rodent pathology study with the high dose set to the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the test chemical. The linearized multistage model is then used as the default approach to estimate the potential human cancer risk at environmental elvels of the chemical. There is an increasing appreciation in the scientific and regulatory communities that chemical carcinogens differ dramatically in potency, exhibit a high degree of tissue and species specificity, and act through different modes of action. This paper advocates a decision tree strategy for classifying carcinogens that are acting primarily through genotoxic, cytotoxic, or mitogenic pathways. A primary concern is whether the chemical has direct genotoxic potential resulting from DNA reactivity or clastogenicity of the compound or its metabolite(s). Knowledge of the exposure-response curve for cytotoxicity is important because initiation and promotion events may occur secondary to a variety of associated activities such as regenerative cell proliferation. Mitogens indice direct stimulation of growth and may provide a selective growth advantage to spontaneously initiated precancerous cells. Of particular concern is the situation where pathological changes induced during the course of the treatment at high doses near the MTD are absent at lower, environmentally relevant, doses. If the tumor response is coincident with the preceding toxic response, it may not be justified to use the high-dose data in extrapolating to expected responses at low environmental exposures where no induced tissue abnormalities occur. Suggestions are presented for appropriate risk assessment approaches for different modes of action. Examples discussed are formaldehyde, a weakly genotoxic rodent nasal carcinogen; chloroform, a nongenotoxic-cytotoxic rodent liver and kidney carcinogen; and phenobarbital, a nongenotoxic-mitogenic rodent liver carcinogen.

A Critical Review of the Toxicology of Glutaraldehyde

Glutaraldehyde, a low molecular weight aldehyde, has been investigated for toxicity in humans and animals. Examination of this dialdehyde was indicated from previous studies with other aldehydes in which carcinogenicity of formaldehyde and toxicity of acetaldehyde and malonaldehyde have been disclosed. Information gaps concerning the actions of glutaraldehyde have been identified in this review and recommendations are suggested for additional short- and long-term studies. In particular, information regarding irritation of the respiratory tract, potential neurotoxicity, and developmental effects would assist in a complete hazard evaluation of glutaraldehyde. Further study related to disposition, metabolism, and reactions of glutaraldehyde may elucidate the mechanism of action.

Degeneration and regeneration of the olfactory epithelium following inhalation exposure to methyl bromide: Pathology, cell kinetics, and olfactory function☆

The effects of acute inhalation exposure to methyl bromide (MeBr) on the olfactory epithelium of male F-344 rats was investigated by morphologic examination of animals killed at varying timepoints during and following exposure to 200 ppm MeBr 6 hr/day for 5 days. Cell replication rate and histopathology were used to assess the kinetics of repair. In addition, olfactory function, using the buried food pellet test, was assessed and the result compared with morphological recovery. Extensive destruction of the olfactory epithelium was evident in animals killed directly after a single 6-hr exposure to MeBr. Histologic features of these lesions indicate that the primary, or most severe, effect of MeBr exposure was on the sustentacular cells and mature sensory cells; basal cells were generally unaffected. By Day 3, despite continued exposure, there was replacement of the olfactory epithelium by a squamous cell layer that increased in thickness and basophilic cytoplasmic staining over the next 2 days of exposure. One week postexposure, the epithelial region was covered by a layer of polyhedral, basophilic cells, and from 2 to 10 weeks postexposure, the epithelium exhibited progressive reorganization to reform the original olfactory epithelium pattern. By Week 10, 75-80% of the olfactory epithelium appeared morphologically normal. Cell replication showed a single peak of olfactory epithelial cell proliferation at Day 3 of exposure, with a labeling index of 14.5% compared to 0.7% in controls. Cell replication rates returned gradually to control levels by Week 10 postexposure. Behavioral tests of olfactory function in animals after a single 6-hr exposure to 200 ppm MeBr demonstrated a loss of the sense of smell, with recovery of this function by Day 6. Exposure to 90 ppm caused no observable effect on olfactory function or morphology. These findings demonstrate that the olfactory mucosa is highly sensitive to the toxic effects of MeBr and that olfactory epithelial cell proliferation, and possible regeneration, begins and occurs rapidly even in the face of continued exposure. Cell replication was most prominent in the layer of basal cells adjacent to the basal lamina, supporting proposals by other workers that the progenitors of both sustentacular cells and neurons reside in this location. Of interest is the fact that functional recovery occurs prior to complete morphological reorganization, indicating the shortcoming of utilizing olfactory morphology as an index of functional integrity.