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Acetochlor reduces fertility in rats
78
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multinational group of investigators has analysed the data from 12 such experiments involving a total of 404 adults with mildly to moderately raised blood cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolaemia). Psyllium consumption ranged from 3 to 12 g/day, taken for 2-8 weeks. The conclusion was that ~consuming a psyllium-enriched cereal as part of a low fat diet improves the blood lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic adults over that which can be achieved wkh a low fat diet alone" (Olson B.H. et aL, Journal of Nutrition 1997, 127, 1973).
Mllk and bone mineral acquisition in young girls When compared with 38 girls (aged about 12 years at the start of the study) whose normal daily drinking habits included just 150 ml milk, 44 girls of similar age, who consumed an additional 300 ml milk/day (providing around 360 mg calcium) for 18 months had a greater increase in bone mineral density [9.6% (95% CI 9.0-10.2) v. 8.5% (95% CI 7.6-9.4)] and bone mineral content [27% increase (95% C125.2-28.8) against 24.1% (95% CI 22.0-26.1)]. The UK investigators felt that this ~small difference in bone mass .... if maintained, could have a substantial impact on future incidence of fractures" (Cadogan J. et aL, British Medical Journal 1997, 315, 1255).
Vitamin C supplements and cataracts US investigators claim to have provided further support for the suggestion that dietary antioxidants can protect against age-related lens opackies. The study involved 301 US nurses (only 29% of those invited) who, since 1976, had regularly completed mailed questionnaires on their health, diet and intake of vitamin supplements. The 14 who had taken vitamin C supplements for 10 years or more showed a significantly lower prevalence of cataract formation [grade 1 opacity, 10 cases, odds ratio (OR) 0.23, 95% CI 0.09-0.60; grade 2 opacity, two cases, OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.03-0.87], compared with the 28 who had never taken vitamin C supplements. There was no evidence of such an effect in 15 women who used vitamin C supplements for less than 10 years (Jacques P.F. et aL, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1997, 66, 911).
Selective anti-cancer activity of lycopene in mice Lycopene, the predominant red pigment in tomatoes, has been found to offer some protection against chemically-induced lung cancer in mice. Male and female mice, which were initially treated with three different standard carcinogens, were then given 25 or 50 ppm lycopene in their drinking water for 21 weeks. After treatment with 50 ppm lycopene (about 10 mg/kg body weight/day), the
proportion of male mice that developed lung tumours (adenomas and carcinomas combined) was significantly reduced from 75% (in the controls) to 18.8%. The number of tumours per male was also markedly reduced. No similar protective effects were seen in the females or in either sex given 25 ppm lycopene. The incidences of tumours of the colon, kidney or liver were unaffected by lycopene exposure (Kim D.J. etal., Cancer Letters 1997, 120, 15).
Alkyl and allyl sulfides influence liver enzyme actlvlty in rats When given by stomach tube to rats (1 mmol/kg body weight/day for 4 consecutive days), dipropyl sulfide, dipropyl disulfide and diallyl sulfide each modulated the activity of major drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver. Dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide and methylpropyl disulfide exhibited little or no activity. The tested materials were all natural constituents of the Allium family of vegetables such as onion and garlic. The investigators noted that these results suggest a possible protective effect against carcinogenesis but emphasized that further research was needed (Siess M.-H. et al., Cancer Letters 1997, 120, 195).
Anti-genotoxic compounds in green tea While it is established that polyphenolic substances from the water-soluble fraction of green tea have anti-genotoxic activity, the non-polyphenolic substances in the water-insoluble fraction have not been well studied. Japanese researchers therefore prepared an acetone extract of green tea, which was found to inhibit chemically-induced DNA damage when tested in bacteria. Analysis and further testing showed the anti-genotoxic activity to be attributable to two chlorophylbrelated compounds-pheophytins a and b. As these substances are not water soluble, the investigators suggest eating the tea as a food additive to protect against DNA damage (Okai Y. and Higashi-Okai K., Cancer Letters 1997, 120, 117).
Acetochlor reduces fertility in rats Male rats given a single oral dose of this herbicide at 2 g/kg body weight had reduced fertility when mated with females 3 weeks later, although there was no associated testicular pathology. Subsequent sperm analysis revealed an increase in abnormal sperm heads, but this was not considered responsible, and the mechanism for the toxicity remained unexplained. The effects were noted during a dominant lethal assay to evaluate the mutagenicity of acetochlor to male rat germ ceUs. No mutagenicity was reported following a single oral dose of 1 g/kg body weight, a dose level that
Information Section
had no effect on fertility (Ashby J. et aL, Mutation Research 1997, 393,263).
Pectin-induced occupational asthma Evidence that pectin may be a cause of occupational asthma is accumulating. Three cases are now reported of Finnish workers in the food industry developing symptoms following several years' exposure to this geUing agent 0aakkola M.S. et al., Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 1997,
100, 575).
Occupational sensitization to phytase and other enzymes Four out of 79 employees in a Finnish enzyme production plant were found to have been sensitized to fungal-derived phytase, a new enzyme component in animal feed. The investigators believe this to be the first time that phytase has been incriminated as a sensitizing gent. The four affected women (a laboratory assistant, a researcher and two cleallers) were said to be "often exposed" to various enzymes at the plant, but airborne concentrations were not determined. Other enzymes handled in this and another similar Finnish plant included fungally-derived cellulase, xylanase, protease and a-amylase, and bacteriallyderived protease and a-amylase. In the two plants combined, 21 out of 179 employees (12%) were sensitized to one or more enzymes, the most common symptoms being a runny nose and a cough (Vanhanen M. et al., Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health 1997, 23, 385).
Fluoride genotoxicity in workers Chromosomal damage (aberrations and micronuclei) was increased in the white blood cells of 40 workers at a Chinese phosphate fertilizer factory. Hydrogen fluoride and silicon fluoride were "the main air polhtants", together with "small amounts of dust containing fluoride, ammonia and sulphur dioxide". The total fluorine concentration in the workplace atmosphere was said to vary "irregularly", but at the time of the investigation ranged from 0.5 to 0.8 mg/m 3 (Meng Z. and Zhang B., Mutation Research 1997, 393, 283).
Wingstay® lO0---repeated toxicity in rats This rubber antioxidant, a diaryl-p-phenylenediamine reaction product of hydroquinone, aniline and o-toluidine, has been evaluated in repeated toxicity studies in rats. Groups of 32 males and 32 females given diets containing 1900 ppm (about 95 mg/kg body weight/day) for up to 52 weeks exhibited effects in various organs and tissues, particularly in the bladder (cell proliferation) and blood. Increases in bladder cell numbers were still
79
present at the lowest dietary concentration of 53 ppm (about 3 mg/kg body weight/day). A 38-week study in which groups of 24 male rats were given 1900 ppm Wingstay 100 for 24 weeks, subsequent to treatment with a known liver or bladder tumour promoter, failed to provide any indication of carcinogenic activity under the (albeit limited) test conditions (Iatropoulos M.J. et al., Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology 1997, 49,
153). Inorganic arsenic and stroke "Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic from well water was associated with an increased prevalence of cerebrovascular disease, especially cerebral infarction". This was the conclusion of a study of about 8000 Taiwanese men and women. A clear dose-response was identified, including a significandy raised risk (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.57-7.27) for those habitually consuming water containing up to 0.05 mg As/litre (compared with those drinking water with less than 0.0001 mg/litre). The investigators note that the US EPA drinking water limit for arsenic is 0.05 mg/litre (Chiou H.-Y. et aL, Stroke 1997, 28, 1717).
Comparative oestrogenic activity of phthalates in vitro A U K study which examined the oestrogenic potency of a wide spectrum of phthalates identified extremely weak activity in nine of the 35 esters tested in a recombinant yeast. Butyl benzyl phthalate, which exhibited the highest activity, was 1 million-fold less potent than estradiol. The majority of the phthalates oestrogenic in the yeast screen also demonstrated activity in human breast cancer cells in culture (Harris C.A. et aL, EnvironmentalHealth Perspectives 1997, 105, 802).
Anaphylactic reaction to carboxymethylcellulose sodium A Japanese patient given a barium sulfate suspension orally as part of a gastrointestinal examination suffered a severe adverse reaction. Generalized itching, wheals on the abdomen, arms and face and swelling of the mouth were followed by convulsions and a loss of consciousness. Skin-scratch tests with components of the barium suspension found reactions to carboxymethylcellulose sodium. In an in vitro study, the patient's white blood cells were shown to release histamine when in contact with low concentrations of carboxymethylcellulose sodium (Muroi N. et al., New England Journal of Medicine 1997, 337, 1275).
Information Section
multinational group of investigators has analysed the data from 12 such experiments involving a total of 404 adults with mildly to moderately raised blood cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolaemia). Psyllium consumption ranged from 3 to 12 g/day, taken for 2-8 weeks. The conclusion was that ~consuming a psyllium-enriched cereal as part of a low fat diet improves the blood lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic adults over that which can be achieved wkh a low fat diet alone" (Olson B.H. et aL, Journal of Nutrition 1997, 127, 1973).
Mllk and bone mineral acquisition in young girls When compared with 38 girls (aged about 12 years at the start of the study) whose normal daily drinking habits included just 150 ml milk, 44 girls of similar age, who consumed an additional 300 ml milk/day (providing around 360 mg calcium) for 18 months had a greater increase in bone mineral density [9.6% (95% CI 9.0-10.2) v. 8.5% (95% CI 7.6-9.4)] and bone mineral content [27% increase (95% C125.2-28.8) against 24.1% (95% CI 22.0-26.1)]. The UK investigators felt that this ~small difference in bone mass .... if maintained, could have a substantial impact on future incidence of fractures" (Cadogan J. et aL, British Medical Journal 1997, 315, 1255).
Vitamin C supplements and cataracts US investigators claim to have provided further support for the suggestion that dietary antioxidants can protect against age-related lens opackies. The study involved 301 US nurses (only 29% of those invited) who, since 1976, had regularly completed mailed questionnaires on their health, diet and intake of vitamin supplements. The 14 who had taken vitamin C supplements for 10 years or more showed a significantly lower prevalence of cataract formation [grade 1 opacity, 10 cases, odds ratio (OR) 0.23, 95% CI 0.09-0.60; grade 2 opacity, two cases, OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.03-0.87], compared with the 28 who had never taken vitamin C supplements. There was no evidence of such an effect in 15 women who used vitamin C supplements for less than 10 years (Jacques P.F. et aL, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1997, 66, 911).
Selective anti-cancer activity of lycopene in mice Lycopene, the predominant red pigment in tomatoes, has been found to offer some protection against chemically-induced lung cancer in mice. Male and female mice, which were initially treated with three different standard carcinogens, were then given 25 or 50 ppm lycopene in their drinking water for 21 weeks. After treatment with 50 ppm lycopene (about 10 mg/kg body weight/day), the
proportion of male mice that developed lung tumours (adenomas and carcinomas combined) was significantly reduced from 75% (in the controls) to 18.8%. The number of tumours per male was also markedly reduced. No similar protective effects were seen in the females or in either sex given 25 ppm lycopene. The incidences of tumours of the colon, kidney or liver were unaffected by lycopene exposure (Kim D.J. etal., Cancer Letters 1997, 120, 15).
Alkyl and allyl sulfides influence liver enzyme actlvlty in rats When given by stomach tube to rats (1 mmol/kg body weight/day for 4 consecutive days), dipropyl sulfide, dipropyl disulfide and diallyl sulfide each modulated the activity of major drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver. Dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide and methylpropyl disulfide exhibited little or no activity. The tested materials were all natural constituents of the Allium family of vegetables such as onion and garlic. The investigators noted that these results suggest a possible protective effect against carcinogenesis but emphasized that further research was needed (Siess M.-H. et al., Cancer Letters 1997, 120, 195).
Anti-genotoxic compounds in green tea While it is established that polyphenolic substances from the water-soluble fraction of green tea have anti-genotoxic activity, the non-polyphenolic substances in the water-insoluble fraction have not been well studied. Japanese researchers therefore prepared an acetone extract of green tea, which was found to inhibit chemically-induced DNA damage when tested in bacteria. Analysis and further testing showed the anti-genotoxic activity to be attributable to two chlorophylbrelated compounds-pheophytins a and b. As these substances are not water soluble, the investigators suggest eating the tea as a food additive to protect against DNA damage (Okai Y. and Higashi-Okai K., Cancer Letters 1997, 120, 117).
Acetochlor reduces fertility in rats Male rats given a single oral dose of this herbicide at 2 g/kg body weight had reduced fertility when mated with females 3 weeks later, although there was no associated testicular pathology. Subsequent sperm analysis revealed an increase in abnormal sperm heads, but this was not considered responsible, and the mechanism for the toxicity remained unexplained. The effects were noted during a dominant lethal assay to evaluate the mutagenicity of acetochlor to male rat germ ceUs. No mutagenicity was reported following a single oral dose of 1 g/kg body weight, a dose level that
Information Section
had no effect on fertility (Ashby J. et aL, Mutation Research 1997, 393,263).
Pectin-induced occupational asthma Evidence that pectin may be a cause of occupational asthma is accumulating. Three cases are now reported of Finnish workers in the food industry developing symptoms following several years' exposure to this geUing agent 0aakkola M.S. et al., Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 1997,
100, 575).
Occupational sensitization to phytase and other enzymes Four out of 79 employees in a Finnish enzyme production plant were found to have been sensitized to fungal-derived phytase, a new enzyme component in animal feed. The investigators believe this to be the first time that phytase has been incriminated as a sensitizing gent. The four affected women (a laboratory assistant, a researcher and two cleallers) were said to be "often exposed" to various enzymes at the plant, but airborne concentrations were not determined. Other enzymes handled in this and another similar Finnish plant included fungally-derived cellulase, xylanase, protease and a-amylase, and bacteriallyderived protease and a-amylase. In the two plants combined, 21 out of 179 employees (12%) were sensitized to one or more enzymes, the most common symptoms being a runny nose and a cough (Vanhanen M. et al., Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health 1997, 23, 385).
Fluoride genotoxicity in workers Chromosomal damage (aberrations and micronuclei) was increased in the white blood cells of 40 workers at a Chinese phosphate fertilizer factory. Hydrogen fluoride and silicon fluoride were "the main air polhtants", together with "small amounts of dust containing fluoride, ammonia and sulphur dioxide". The total fluorine concentration in the workplace atmosphere was said to vary "irregularly", but at the time of the investigation ranged from 0.5 to 0.8 mg/m 3 (Meng Z. and Zhang B., Mutation Research 1997, 393, 283).
Wingstay® lO0---repeated toxicity in rats This rubber antioxidant, a diaryl-p-phenylenediamine reaction product of hydroquinone, aniline and o-toluidine, has been evaluated in repeated toxicity studies in rats. Groups of 32 males and 32 females given diets containing 1900 ppm (about 95 mg/kg body weight/day) for up to 52 weeks exhibited effects in various organs and tissues, particularly in the bladder (cell proliferation) and blood. Increases in bladder cell numbers were still
79
present at the lowest dietary concentration of 53 ppm (about 3 mg/kg body weight/day). A 38-week study in which groups of 24 male rats were given 1900 ppm Wingstay 100 for 24 weeks, subsequent to treatment with a known liver or bladder tumour promoter, failed to provide any indication of carcinogenic activity under the (albeit limited) test conditions (Iatropoulos M.J. et al., Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology 1997, 49,
153). Inorganic arsenic and stroke "Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic from well water was associated with an increased prevalence of cerebrovascular disease, especially cerebral infarction". This was the conclusion of a study of about 8000 Taiwanese men and women. A clear dose-response was identified, including a significandy raised risk (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.57-7.27) for those habitually consuming water containing up to 0.05 mg As/litre (compared with those drinking water with less than 0.0001 mg/litre). The investigators note that the US EPA drinking water limit for arsenic is 0.05 mg/litre (Chiou H.-Y. et aL, Stroke 1997, 28, 1717).
Comparative oestrogenic activity of phthalates in vitro A U K study which examined the oestrogenic potency of a wide spectrum of phthalates identified extremely weak activity in nine of the 35 esters tested in a recombinant yeast. Butyl benzyl phthalate, which exhibited the highest activity, was 1 million-fold less potent than estradiol. The majority of the phthalates oestrogenic in the yeast screen also demonstrated activity in human breast cancer cells in culture (Harris C.A. et aL, EnvironmentalHealth Perspectives 1997, 105, 802).
Anaphylactic reaction to carboxymethylcellulose sodium A Japanese patient given a barium sulfate suspension orally as part of a gastrointestinal examination suffered a severe adverse reaction. Generalized itching, wheals on the abdomen, arms and face and swelling of the mouth were followed by convulsions and a loss of consciousness. Skin-scratch tests with components of the barium suspension found reactions to carboxymethylcellulose sodium. In an in vitro study, the patient's white blood cells were shown to release histamine when in contact with low concentrations of carboxymethylcellulose sodium (Muroi N. et al., New England Journal of Medicine 1997, 337, 1275).