Collaborative work on evaluation of ovarian toxicity. 16) Effects of 2 or 4 weeks repeated dose studies and fertility study of Chlorpromazine hydrochloride in rats.

In order to examine potential ovarian toxicity in 2 weeks or 4 weeks repeated-dose studies and a fertility study, chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ) was administered orally to Crl:CD(SD) female rats at dosage levels of 0, 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg/day. In the repeated-dose studies, ovarian weights were decreased at > or = 10 mg/kg in the 4 weeks study and an increase in large atretic follicles was observed histopathologically at > or = 3 mg/kg and > or = 10 mg/kg in the 2 and 4 weeks studies, respectively. In addition, decreased uterine weights and/or atrophic findings in the uterus and vagina at 30 mg/kg and > or = 10 mg/kg, mucification in the vaginal epithelium and alveolar hyperplasia in the mammary gland at > or = 3 mg/kg and > or = 10 mg/kg were seen in the 2 and 4 weeks studies, respectively.

Detection of cell-free, liver-specific mRNAs in peripheral blood from rats with hepatotoxicity: a potential toxicological biomarker for safety evaluation.

To verify the concept that cell-free organ/tissue-specific mRNAs leaking from drug-damaged organs/tissues into peripheral blood could be toxicological biomarkers for identification of the target organs of drug toxicity, we attempted to detect liver-specific mRNAs in peripheral blood from rats with chemical-induced hepatotoxicity. We selected alpha(1)-microglobulin/bikunin precursor (Ambp) and albumin mRNAs as tentative liver-specific biomarkers and successfully detected them by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR in peripheral blood 24 h after D-galactosamine HCl (D-gal) or acetaminophen administration. Moreover, albumin mRNA was detected 2 h after D-gal administration, although plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were still unchanged.