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Byline: Owen R. Moss We find that nanoparticle numbers do matter when estimating risk. Previous reports by others establish that particle surface area is related to changes in biological function of exposed cells. Many of these reports describe the impact of particle surface area on the alveolar macrophage (the primary cell involved in the clearance of particles deposited in the gas exchange region of the lung). For these cells, the change in function is indicated by a decrease in the macrophage's ability to clear particles. However, when macrophages are exposed to nanoparticles, this change in function may not be strictly due to surface chemistry: Instead, the cumulative projected area of the particles may reflect the degree to which the inner or outer surface of the macrophage is shielded from other objects or molecules. We apply this alternative interpretation to in vitro measurements of macrophage uptake of 26 nm diameter fluorescent beads and to in vivo data presented for TiO2 nanoparticles. We show that the observed decrease in macrophage-mediated alveolar clearance of polystyrene test particles can be directly related to the potential for TiO2 particles to mask the surface of the macrophage. We further confirm this observation by a series of confocal laser scanning microscopy in vitro studies. Both nanoparticle number and surface area are relevant; they help predict the potential for obstruction of molecular mechanisms.

The present study was designed to determine whether pleural fiber burdens or subchronic pleural fibroproliferative and inflammatory changes can help explain the marked interspecies differences in pleural fibrosis and mesothelioma that are observed following long-term inhalation of RCF-1 ceramic fibers by rats and hamsters. Fischer 344 rats and Syrian golden hamsters were exposed to RCF-1 for 4 h per day, 5 days per week, for 12 consecutive weeks. Lung and pleural fiber burdens were characterized during and after exposure. For all time points, approximately 67% of fibers associated with lung tissues from both rats and hamsters were longer than 5 μm in length. In comparison, fibers longer than 5 μm recovered from the pleural compartment, following a 12 week exposure and 12 weeks of recovery, accounted for 13% (hamsters) and 4% (rats) of the distribution. In the 12 weeks after the cessation of exposure, the number of fibers longer than 5 μm in length remained constant in the hamster at approximately 150 fibers per cm2 pleura. This was 2 to 3 times the corresponding fiber surface density in the rat. Significant pulmonary and pleural inflammation was detected at all time points and for both species. DNA synthesis by pleural mesothelial cells was quantified by bromodeoxyuridine uptake following 3 days of labeling. Labeling indices were higher in hamsters than in rats, both for RCF-1-exposed and filtered air-control animals and was highest for the parietal surface of the pleura. Significantly greater collagen deposition was measured in the visceral pleura of hamsters 12 weeks post-exposure but was not significantly elevated in rats. These findings demonstrate that subchronic inhalation exposure to RCF-1 induces pleural inflammation, mesothelial-cell turnover, pleural fibrosis, and an accumulation of fibers with a length greater than 5 μm in the hamster. The accumulation of long fibers in the pleural space may contribute to the pathology observed in the hamster following chronic inhalation of RCF-1, whereas the presence of short, thin fibers may play a role in the acute-phase biological response seen in both species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Few studies objectively evaluate olfactory function in animals following exposure to chemicals that induce nasal toxicity. An olfactometer capable of generating a reproducible olfactory stimulus and measuring an odorant-cued behavioral response was developed for rats from a commercially available two-way shuttle box. The box was modified to deliver the test odorant, acetaldehyde, to either of two chambers separated by a physical barrier consisting of a downward-directed airwall sandwiched between two exhaust panels. Male Fisher 344 rats were trained with either a coupled odorant- or tone-cued active avoidance paradigm in order to compare auditory-cued versus olfactory-cued learning and memory. Odorant-cued animals had faster acquisition and longer retention of the avoidance behavior than tone-cued animals. Animals given the model olfactory toxicant 3-methylindole (3-MI, 400 mg/kg, ip) had reduced odorant-cued avoidance, while no effect on tone-cued behavior was observed. In a follow-up study, additional odoranttrained rats were dosed with 0, 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg of 3-MI ip and olfactory function reassessed 6 days later. Histopathologic evidence of moderate to severe olfactory epithelial damage was observed in all rats 7 days after 3-MI administration. Only the highest 3-MI dose (300 mg/kg) was associated with a significant reduction in odor-cued avoidance behavior as compared to that seen in control. These results indicate that use of this olfactometer can provide a functional assessment of chemically induced olfactory toxicity and complements more routine nasal pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PS-6 unleaded gasoline (UG) and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), an UG additive, with long-term exposure at high concentrations increased liver tumors selectively in female mice. PS-6 UG is a liver tumor promoter in N-nitrosodiethylamine-initiated female mice and produces short-term effects potentially relevant to its tumor promoting ability. The new formulation of UG (91-01) and MTBE were evaluated for similar short-term effects in mouse liver. Mice were exposed to 7814 ppm MTBE, 2014 ppm 91-01 UG, or 2028 ppm PS-6 UG vapor for 3 or 21 days, 6 hr/day, 5 days/week. Relative liver weights increased and uterine weights decreased in MTBE-, 91-01 UG-, and PS-6 UG-exposed mice. Because the decrease in relative uterine weight is suggestive of hormonal modulation, we evaluated the effects of MTBE, 91- 01 UG, and PS-6 UG in vivo on hepatic 17-β estradiol metabolism in vitro. Gavage treatment with either blend of UG and with MTBE increased estrogen metabolism in isolated mouse hepatocytes. Hepatic microsomal P450 activity was assessed by 7-pentoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (PROD) and 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activities. Similar increases in P450 content and PROD and EROD activities were observed in all exposed mice as compared to controls. No hepatoxicity was observed in any treatment group. The hepatic labeling index, as measured by the incorporation of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine, was increased in all exposed mice at 3 days but not 21 days, indicating that MTBE and 91-01 UG are also hepatic mitogens. These data demonstrate that a newer blend of UG and the UG additive MTBE elicit short-term effects similar to those of PS-6 UG. Given that these effects are potentially related to tumor promotion and the general lack of genotoxic activity, MTBE and 91-01 UG may exhibit tumor promoting activity similar to that seen with PS-6 UG. Since the liver is under multihormonal control, the increase in hepatic estrogen metabolism and uterine effects support a potential role for endocrine modulations in both MTBE- and UG-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pleura is a target site for toxic effects induced by a variety of fibrous particulates, including both natural mineral and man made vitreous fibers. We examined selected cytological and bio chemical indicators of inflammation in both the pleural compart ment and pulmonary parenchyma in F344 rats following inhala tion of RCF-1, a kaolin-based ceramic fiber. Male F344 rats were exposed by Inhalation to 89 mg/m3 (2645 WHO fibers/cc) RCF-1 6 hr/day for 5 consecutive days. In lung parenchyma, cytological and biochemical inflammatory responses occurred rapidly following exposure. In contrast, pleural responses were delayed in onset and of a much smaller magnitude than those observed in lung. At both Day 1 and Day 28 postexposure, increased quantities of lactate dehydrogenase, N-acetyl glucosaminidase, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, and neutrophils were present in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These responses were attenuated at the latter time point. No significant responses were detected in pleural lavage fluid until 28 days following exposure, at which time elevated numbers of macrophages and eosinophils, but not neutrophils, were observed. Increased albumin and fibronectin were also ob served in PLF at this latter time point. These findings demonstrate that the onset of pleural and pulmonary responses following inhalation of RCF-1 are temporally separated and that pleural injury may increase in severity with time following exposure. The increase in severity of pleural inflammation found in the postexposure period cannot be readily explained by fiber translocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic exposures to high concentrations (>6 ppm) of formaldehyde (HCHO) induce cell proliferation, squamous metaplasia, and squamous cell carcinomas in F344 rats. To assess the cancer risk associated with HCHO exposure, DNA-protein cross-links (DPX) formed in a single exposure of naive (previously unexposed) rats and monkeys have been used as a surrogate for the internal dose. Since the quantity of DPX may differ in subchronically exposed animals, the effects of preexposure to HCHO on the acute DPX yield (concentration of DPX following a single exposure) and the cumulative DPX yield (concentration of DPX following repeated exposures) were determined. Male F344 rats were preexposed (PE) to 0.7, 2, 6, or 15 ppm of HCHO (6 hr/day, 5 days/week, 11 weeks + 4 days). Naive (N) rats were exposed to room air. On the 5th day of the 12th week, PE and N rats were simultaneously exposed (3 hr) to HCHO at the same concentrations used for preexposure. Acute DPX yields and cell replication (incorporation of C into DNA) were determined in the mucosal lining of the nasal lateral meatus (LM) (high tumor site in HCHO bioassay) and the medial and posterior meatuses (M:PM) (low tumor site in bioassay). DPX yields in the LM were approximately sixfold higher than in the M:PM. At 0.7 and 2 ppm, no differences between PE and N rats were detected in either tissue. At 6 and 15 ppm, acute DPX yields in the LM of PE rats were approximately half those of N rats, but no differences were detected in the M:PM. Cell proliferation was induced in PE rats at 6 ppm (LM only) and especially at 15 ppm (LM and M:PM). Cumulative DPX yields were measured indirectly by determining the decrease in extractability of DNA from proteins. PE rats were preexposed to 6 or 10 ppm as above, while N rats were exposed to room air. Both groups (PE and N) were then exposed (3 hr) to the same concentration of unlabeled HCHO. DPX yields increased in a concentration-dependent manner in both groups, but the yields were smaller in PE than N rats, suggesting that no accumulation of DPX occurred in PE rats. The results demonstrate that at concentrations <2 ppm, N and PE rats are equivalent with respect to the formation of DPX. At concentrations >6 ppm, N and PE rats are not equivalent, but the impact of this high-dose effect on low-dose cancer risk estimates derived with the linearized multistage model is small. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The potential carcinogenicity and toxicity of inhaled nitrobenzene were evaluated following chronic (2-year) exposure in mice and rats. Male and female B6C3F1 mice were exposed to 0, 5, 25, or 50 ppm nitrobenzene, while male and female F344 rats and male CD rats were exposed to 0, 1, 5, or 25 ppm nitrobenzene. All exposures were for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week excluding holidays, for a total of 505 days over 2 years. Survival was not adversely affected by nitrobenzene exposure, and only mild exposure-related decreases in body weights (<10% of control) were occasionally noted. Nitrobenaene exposure resulted in increased incidence of neoplasia in male B6C3F1 mice (pulmonary alveolar/bronchiolar and thyroid follicular cell neoplasms), female B6C3FI mice (mammary gland neoplasms), male F344 rats (hepatocellular and renal neoplasms), female F344 rats (endometrial stromal neoplasms), and male CD rats (hepatocellu lar neoplasms). In addition, there were marginal increases in the incidence of hepatocellular neoplasia in female B6C3F1 mice and thyroid follicular neoplasia in male F344 rats. Groups of nitrobenzene-exposed mice and rats with increased incidence of renal and thyroid neoplasia also had increased incidences of hyperplasia in these tissues. Toxicity resulting from chronic inhalation of nitrobenzene was manifested by methemoglobinemia, anemia, and adaptive or degenerative changes in the nose, liver, and testis. The results indicate that inhaled nitrobenzene is carcinogenic and toxic in mice and rats, and that the spectrum of these responses in animals is dependent on species, sex, and genetic background. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]