Effects of Simulated Smog Atmospheres in Rodent Models of Metabolic and Immunologic Dysfunction.

Air pollution is a diverse and dynamic mixture of gaseous and particulate matter, limiting our understanding of associated adverse health outcomes. The biological effects of two simulated smog atmospheres (SA) with different compositions but similar air quality health indexes were compared in a nonobese diabetic rat model (Goto-Kakizaki, GK) and three mouse immune models (house dust mite (HDM) allergy, antibody response to heat-killed pneumococcus, and resistance to influenza A infection). In GK rats, both SA-PM (high particulate matter) and SA-O (high ozone) decreased cholesterol levels immediately after a 4-h exposure, whereas only SA-O increased airflow limitation.

Toxicological assessments of rats exposed prenatally to inhaled vapors of gasoline and gasoline-ethanol blends.

The primary alternative to petroleum-based fuels is ethanol, which may be blended with gasoline in the United States at concentrations up to 15% for most automobiles. Efforts to increase the amount of ethanol in gasoline have prompted concerns about the potential toxicity of inhaled ethanol vapors from these fuels. The well-known sensitivity of the developing nervous and immune systems to ingested ethanol and the lack of information about the neurodevelopmental toxicity of ethanol-blended fuels prompted the present work.

Toxicological outcomes in rats exposed to inhaled ethanol during gestation.

Recent legislation has encouraged replacing petroleum-based fuels with renewable alternatives including ethanol, which is typically blended with gasoline in the United States at concentrations up to 10%, with allowances for concentrations up to 85% for some vehicles. Efforts to increase the amount of ethanol in gasoline have prompted concerns about the potential toxicity of inhaled ethanol vapors from these fuels. The well-known sensitivity of the developing nervous and immune systems to ingested ethanol, and the lack of information about its toxicity by inhalation prompted the present work on its potential developmental effects in a rat model.

Evaluation of anti-nuclear antibodies and kidney pathology in Lewis rats following exposure to Libby amphibole asbestos.

The prevalence of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and self-reported systemic autoimmune diseases were increased in residents of Libby, MT, as was the incidence of ANA in Lewis rats exposed to Libby amphibole (LA) asbestos. However, rats induced to develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) did not develop autoantibodies associated with RA, nor was RA exacerbated by LA exposure, suggesting that increased ANA expression might be related to some other autoimmune process. Libby residents self-reported increased numbers of physician-diagnosed cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Effects of Libby amphibole asbestos exposure on two models of arthritis in the Lewis rat.

Epidemiological data suggest that occupational exposure to the amphibole-containing vermiculite in Libby, MT, was associated with increased risk for developing autoimmune diseases and had an odds ratio of 3.23 for developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and the peptidoglycan-polysaccharide (PG-PS) models of RA were employed to determine whether exposure to Libby amphibole (LA) induced a more rapid onset, increased expression, or prolonged course of RA.

Suppression of humoral immunity by perfluorooctanoic acid is independent of elevated serum corticosterone concentration in mice.

The T-cell-dependent antibody response is suppressed in mice exposed to 3.75, 7.5, 15, and 30 mg PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid)/kg body weight (bw).

Developmental Exposure to 1.0 or 2.5 mg/kg of Dibutyltin Dichloride Does Not Impair Immune Function in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

Organotins are used commercially as pesticides, antifouling agents, and stabilizers for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe. Mono-and di-substituted butyltins, used in PVC pipe production, are of concern to the United States EPA, they leach from supply pipes into drinking water and are reported multisystem toxicants. We assessed immune function in Sprague-Dawley rats after developmental dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC) exposure.

Immune responses in sprague-dawley rats exposed to dibutyltin dichloride in drinking water as adults.

Organotins are used commercially as agricultural pesticides, antifouling agents, and stabilizers for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe. Mono- and di-substituted methyl and butyltins, used in PVC pipe production, are of concern as they leach from supply pipes into drinking water and have been reported to cause multisystem toxicity, including immunotoxicity. As part of an ongoing study to evaluate immunotoxic effects of organotins, we assessed immune function in adult Sprague-Dawley (CD) rats after exposure to dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC).

Perfluorooctanoic acid-induced immunomodulation in adult C57BL/6J or C57BL/6N female mice.

Background: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), an environmentally persistent compound of regulatory concern, has been reported to reduce antibody responses in mice at a single dose.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate PFOA effects on humoral and cellular immunity using standard assays for assessing immune function, and to derive dose-response data.

Methods: C57BL/6J mice received 0 or 30 mg PFOA/kg/day for 10 days; half of the exposed groups were switched to vehicle and half continued on PFOA for five days.

An organotin mixture found in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe is not immunotoxic to adult Sprague-Dawley rats.

Organotin compounds used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe production are of concern to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) because they leach from supply pipes into drinking water and are reported multisystem toxicants.

Immune function is not impaired in Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to dimethyltin dichloride (DMTC) during development or adulthood.

Organotins are used commercially as pesticides, antifouling agents and stabilizers for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe. Mono- and di-substituted butyltins, used in PVC pipe production, are of concern to the US EPA because they leach from supply pipes into drinking water and are reported multisystem toxicants. We assessed several immune functions in Sprague-Dawley rats after adult or developmental dimethyltin dichloride (DMTC) exposure because various organotins have been reported to be immunotoxic.

Mortality in dioxin-exposed mice infected with influenza: mitochondrial toxicity (reye's-like syndrome) versus enhanced inflammation as the mode of action.

Increased mortality following influenza A infection was reported in B6C3F1 mice exposed to a low (0.01 micro g/kg) dose of dioxin. However, mortality was not associated with increased viral load and antibody titers to the virus were not decreased at doses of TCDD < or = 10 micro g/kg, suggesting that viral overgrowth, secondary to immunosuppression, was not the proximate cause of death.