Developmental toxicity of N-methylaniline following prenatal oral administration in rats.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess prenatal toxicity of N-methylaniline (NMA) administered by gavage to pregnant female rats.

Material And Methods: Pregnant female rats were administered N-methylaniline in corn oil by gavage at daily doses of 0.8 mg/kg of body weight (b.

Anti-tumor potential of nitroxyl derivative Pirolin in the DMBA-induced rat mammary carcinoma model: A comparison with quercetin.

Background: Considering the role of oxidative stress in carcinogenesis, we investigated the effect of synthetic antioxidant Pirolin (3-carbamoyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrroline-1-oxyl) on breast cancer progression. Since the anticancer drugs may cause cardiotoxicity due to oxidative stress in the heart muscle, we also evaluated Pirolin performance in heart tissue and compared its effect with that of the natural dietary flavonoid quercetin.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) and then treated ip with an antioxidant (each at a dose of 10mg/kg b.

Scintigraphic assessment of renal function in steel plant workers occupationally exposed to lead.

Objectives: Occupational exposure to lead may produce kidney damage, but existing data on the dose range associated with nephrotoxicity are inconclusive. We here assessed renal function under conditions of low to moderate lead exposure using renal scintigraphy.

Methods: Fifty-three male foundrymen (exposed group) and fourty male office workers (control group) from a steel plant were included in the study.

Toxic effect in the lungs of rats after inhalation exposure to benzalkonium chloride.

Background: Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) toxic to microorganisms. Inhalation is one of the major possible routes of human exposure to BAC.

Materials And Methods: Experiments were performed on female Wistar rats.

Comparison of neurobehavioral and biochemical effects in rats exposed to dusts from copper smelter plant at different locations.

Mixed exposure to metals (including arsenic and lead) associated with the neurological and respiratory effects constitute one of the major health problems of copper smelting. Chemical composition of the dust, and the expected health effect of inhalation can be very diverse at different parts of the smelter plant. The aims of this study were to compare lung responses and behavioral effects in female Wistar rats after instillation of dust collected from different production processes at the same smelter department.

Fertility and developmental toxicity studies of diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGBE) in rats.

Objectives: The solvent, dimethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGBE), is a component of latex paints, inks; it is used as a degreasing agent, industrial detergent. The aim of the study was evaluating the effects of DGBE administered by gavage on the estrous cycle and given with drinking water on fertility in rats and early development of their progeny.

Materials And Methods: Female rats were exposed to DGBE by gavage during 8 weeks at 250, 500 or 1000 mg/kg/day.

Tissue reaction to the nickel implants in the guinea pigs.

Objectives: The aim of the study was the assessment of local tolerance to nickel implants during 9 months observation in guinea pigs sensitized to nickel before implantation and non-sensitized ones.

Materials And Methods: Three groups of guinea pigs were included in the study: 10 sensitized to nickel by the guinea pig maximization test; 10 previously non-sensitized and 10 in control group. In 20 animals (except control group) the nickel implants were inserted in the muscle of the back.

Evaluation of reproductive disorders in female rats exposed to N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.

Background: N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) is a solvent used in the petrochemical, and electronic industries, in pesticides production, veterinary drugs, and paint removers. The aim of study was to evaluate the relationship between the dose of NMP given orally and its effect on fertility in female rats and early development of their progeny.

Methods: Females were exposed by gavage 5 days/week to NMP at 150, 450, or 1000 mg/kg/day 2 weeks before mating, during mating, gestation, and lactation.

4-Week inhalation toxicity of 2-methylnaphthalene in experimental animals.

Objectives: This paper presents toxic effects of 2-MN in laboratory animals under conditions of 4-week inhalation exposure to 2-methylnaphthalene (2-MN) vapors.

Materials And Methods: Male Wistar rats were exposed to 2-MN vapors at a nominal concentration of 0, 2, 10 or 50 mg/m(3) in dynamic inhalation chambers for 4 weeks (6 h/day, 5 days/week). After 4 weeks of inhalation exposure the animals were necropsied.

The inflammatory response in lungs of rats exposed on the airborne particles collected during different seasons in four European cities.

Epidemiological studies have reported associations of ambient particulate air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM) less than 10 μm with exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In an in vivo model, we have tested the toxicity of urban airborne particles collected during spring, summer, and winter seasons in four cities (Amsterdam, Lodz, Oslo, and Rome) spread across Europe. The seasonal differences in inflammatory responses were striking, and almost all the study parameters were affected by PM.

Assessment of neurobehavioral and biochemical effects in rats exposed to copper smelter dusts.

Female Wistar rats were instilled per os by gavage with different copper dust samples: P-25 obtained by passing the test material through a 25 μmsieve, and P-0.1 containing soluble matter and ultra-fine, non-soluble<100 nm particulate matter (PM) fraction. The control group received sterile saline.

Carcinogenic effect of arsenate in C57BL/6J/Han mice and its modulation by different dietary selenium status.

In this study, carcinogenic effects of arsenate in female C57BL/6J/Han mice exposed in drinking water to 50, 200 or 500microgAs/L for 24 months were investigated. All animals were fed low-selenium diet, however half of them were supplemented with sodium selenite in drinking water (200microgSe/L) to ensure the normal dietary level of selenium. Glutathione peroxidase activity in erythrocytes and plasma as well as selenium concentration in plasma after 3, 6, 12 and 18 months in satellite groups showed considerable decrease in animals from non-selenium supplemented groups in comparison to supplemented groups.

DNA damage induced by nitrous oxide: study in medical personnel of operating rooms.

Occupational exposure to anaesthetics such as nitrous oxide (N(2)O) and halogenated hydrocarbons has been suggested to increase risk of genetic damage. However, the dose-dependency of genotoxic effects has not been unequivocally established and their relation to occupational exposure limit (OEL) remain obscure. In this study, the genotoxicity associated with occupational exposure to anaesthetics has been investigated in a group of 55 female nurses and 29 male anaesthesiologists active for at least 5 years in a working environment containing variable concentrations of N(2)O and halogenated hydrocarbons.

Assessment of reproductive toxicity and gonadotoxic potential of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone in male rats.

Objectives: N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) is a solvent used in petrochemical, electric and electronic industries, and in the production of paint removers, pesticides and veterinary drugs. The substance exhibits slight acute toxicity, and moderate irritant, embryotoxic and teratogenic effects. The aim of the study was to assess NMP reproductive toxicity and gonadotoxicity in male rats.

Evidence for oxidative stress at elevated plasma thiol levels in chronic exposure to carbon disulfide (CS2) and coronary heart disease.

Objectives: Oxidative stress in plasma may be promoted by plasma thiols such as homocysteine. However, other thiols such as glutathione may also exert antioxidant effects in vitro and in vivo. To further investigate whether plasma thiols act as prooxidants or antioxidants, we compared plasma oxidative status in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and in subjects occupationally exposed to carbon disulfide (CS(2)).

Occupational exposure to nitrous oxide - the role of scavenging and ventilation systems in reducing the exposure level in operating rooms.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the level of occupational exposure to nitrous oxide (N(2)O) in operating rooms (ORs), as related to different ventilation and scavenging systems used to remove waste anaesthetic gases from the work environment.

Methods: The monitoring of N(2)O in the air covered 35 ORs in 10 hospitals equipped with different systems for ventilation and anaesthetic scavenging. The examined systems included: natural ventilation with supplementary fresh air provided by a pressure ventilation system (up to 6 air changes/h); pressure and exhaust ventilation systems equipped with ventilation units supplying fresh air to and discharging contaminated air outside the working area (more than 10 air changes/h); complete air-conditioning system with laminar air flow (more than 15 air changes/h).

Pneumotoxicity of dust from aluminum foundry and pure alumina: a comparative study of morphology and biomarkers in rats.

Objectives: The overall objective was to assess the role of aluminum dust and fumes in the aluminum foundry (Al-F) in generating local inflammation in the respiratory tract, which may lead to induction and elicitation of occupational asthma and fibrosis. To understand the underlying mechanisms of involving particles from foundry, a long-term study was performed on rats.

Materials And Methods: Pure alpha-alumina (Al-P) or (Al-F) was intratracheally instillated to rats in doses of 20 mg suspended in 0.

High mobility group box 1 protein as a late-acting mediator of acute lung inflammation.

Acute inflammatory lung injury is often a delayed complication of critical illness and is associated with increased mortality. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, in addition to its role as a transcriptional regulator factor, has been identified as a late mediator of endotoxin lethality and might be also involved in the development and progression of acute lung injury. HMGB1 protein itself can cause an acute inflammatory response manifested by increased production of proinflammatory cytokines and neutrophil accumulation.

[Good laboratory practice in occupational hygiene].

Good laboratory practice (GLP) is the system that ensures quality assessment, defines the organization rules of institutions performing non-clinical studies in the area of human and environmental safety in general, and of chemicals and chemical preparations in particular as well as sets the conditions of planning, performing and monitoring of studies, the outcome of which is recorded, stored and reported. Occupational hygiene is an area of activities that involves anticipation, assessment and surveillance of health hazards in the work environment aimed at protecting health of workers and the population at large (IOHA). Assessment and control of harmful agents, which occur in the work environment, technological processes or methods of work should be carried out by research units (laboratories) with well documented competencies in the environment and/or biological monitoring, and those granted accreditation according to EN/ISO 17025.

Combined exposure to m-xylene and ethanol: oxidative stress in the rat liver.

Objectives: Ethanol may be a significant combined factor in human solvent toxicity. Lipid peroxidation has been suggested to be an important contributing mechanism involved in experimental alcohol-induced liver injury. The aim of the study was to investigate whether a short-term ethanol ingestion in rats chronically exposed to m-xylene vapor may influence the lipid peroxidation rate in the intracellular hepatic membranes, the level of glutathione and the activity of glutathione-related enzymes in the liver.