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Oxymetholone is a synthetic anabolic steroid used to treat a variety of conditions, including hypogonadism and delayed puberty. It is also used to correct hereditary angioneurotic edema, manage carcinoma of the breast, promote a positive nitrogen balance following injury or surgery, and stimulate erythropoiesis. Considerable amounts of androgens are consumed by athletes in attempts to improve athletic performance. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Cancer Institute nominated oxymetholone for study based on its extensive illicit pharmaceutical use and the limited evidence that it is a potential human carcinogen. Male and female F344/N rats received oxymetholone (greater than 99% pure) in 0.5% methylcellulose by gavage for 16 days, 14 weeks, or 2 years, and male and female B6C3F1 mice received oxymetholone in 0.5% methylcellulose by gavage for 16 days or 14 weeks. Genetic toxicology studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium, cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells, and mouse peripheral blood erythrocytes. 16-DAY STUDY IN RATS: Groups of five male and five female F344/N rats were administered 0, 160, 315, 625, 1,250, or 2,500 mg oxymetholone/kg body weight in 0.5% methylcellulose by gavage for 16 days. All male rats survived to the end of the study; one 2,500 mg/kg female died on day 14. The mean body weights of all dosed groups of males were significantly less than those of the vehicle controls, while those of 160 and 315 mg/kg females were significantly greater. 16-DAY STUDY IN MICE: Groups of five male and five female B6C3F1 mice were administered 0, 320, 630, 1,250, 2,500, or 5,000 mg/kg in 0.5% methylcellulose by gavage for 16 days. All mice survived to the end of the study. The final mean body weights of all dosed groups of females were greater than those of the vehicle controls. 14-WEEK STUDY IN RATS: Groups of 10 male and 10 female F344/N rats were administered 0, 80, 160, 315, 625, or 1,250 mg/kg in 0.5% methylcellulose by gavage for 14 weeks. One male rat each in the 625 and 1,250 mg/kg groups died before the end of the study. The mean body weights of males administered 160 mg/kg or greater were significantly less than those of the vehicle controls; in contrast, the mean body weights of all dosed groups of females were significantly greater. A dose-related erythrocytosis, evidenced by increases in erythrocyte counts, total hemoglobin concentrations, and hematocrit values, occurred in dosed groups of rats at week 14. A dose-related hypocholesterolemia occurred at all time points in all dosed groups of rats. Dose- and time-related decreases in 5 -nucleotidase activity occurred in treated rats. There was a transient, treatment-related increase in the activity of alanine aminotransferase in males and females. For male rats administered oxymetholone, cauda epididymis, epididymis, and testis weights and spermatid counts and total spermatid heads per testis were significantly less than those of the vehicle controls, and total spermatid heads per gram testis were significantly greater. Female rats in the 80 mg/kg group spent more time in diestrus and less time in estrus than did the vehicle controls. Kidney weights of males and females and liver and uterus weights of females were increased compared to vehicle controls in rats that received 315 mg/kg or greater; thymus weights of males and females and sartorius muscle and testis weights of males were less. Compared to the vehicle controls, rats that received 160 mg/kg or greater had increased incidences of nonneoplastic lesions of the kidney and mammary gland, and the incidences of hydrometra of the uterus and dysgenesis of the ovary were increased in dosed groups of females. Female rats administered 315 mg/kg or greater had increased incidences of cytoplasmic vacuolization of the adrenal gland and myocardial degeneration of the heart. The severities of these lesions generally increased with increasing dose. 14-WEEK STUDY IN MICE: Groups of 10 male and 10 female B6C3F1 mice were administered 0, 160, 320, 630, 1,250, or 2,500 mg/kged 0, 160, 320, 630, 1,250, or 2,500 mg/kg in 0.5% methylcellulose by gavage for 14 weeks. All mice administered oxymetholone survived until the end of the study. The mean body weights of all dosed groups were similar to those of the vehicle controls. The percentages of motile sperm in 1,250 and 2,500 mg/kg males were significantly less than those of the vehicle controls. The estrous cycle lengths of 630, 1,250, and 2,500 mg/kg females were significantly longer, and females in the 1,250 and 2,500 mg/kg groups spent more time in diestrus and less time in estrus. Kidney and liver weights of males and females were greater and thymus weights of females were less than those of the vehicle controls. All dosed females had hyperplasia of the clitoral gland, metaplasia of the parietal layer epithelium of the Bowman's capsule in the kidney, and cytoplasmic alteration of the submandibular gland; these lesions were not observed in the vehicle control group. The incidences of hypoplasia of the ovary in 320 mg/kg or greater females and of parotid gland atrophy in 1,250 and 2,500 mg/kg females were increased. The results of the 14-week oral gavage studies were generally similar in rats and mice, but rats were much more sensitive to oxymetholone. Because it was not likely that a long-term mouse study would provide significant additional toxicity information, the NTP decided to conduct a 2-year study in rats only. 2-YEAR STUDY IN RATS: Groups of 90 male F344/N rats were administered 0, 3, 30, or 150 mg/kg in 0.5% methylcellulose by gavage, and 90 female F344/N rats were administered 0, 3, 30, or 100 mg/kg in 0.5% methylcellulose by gavage for up to 104 weeks, with 9 or 10 rats per group evaluated at 3, 6, 12, or 18 months. Survival and Body Weights: Survival of all dosed groups was similar to that of the vehicle controls. The mean body weights of the 30 mg/kg male group were generally within 10% of those of the vehicle controls, but those of the 150 mg/kg group were markedly decreased. Mean body weights of 3 and 30 mg/kg females were generally greater than those of the vehicle controls throughout the study. Determinations of Oxymetholone in Plasma: The concentrations of oxymetholone in plasma of male and female rats receiving 3 mg/kg for 6, 12, or 18 months were generally below the limits of quantification; therefore, all plasma concentrations in the 3 mg/kg group are considered to be estimates (Table 8). The plasma concentrations at 30 mg/kg were approximately one order of magnitude greater than those of the estimates for males and females receiving 3 mg/kg. There were no dose-related differences in plasma concentrations in female rats receiving 30 or 100 mg/kg, but plasma concentrations in males were significantly elevated in the 150 mg/kg group. It was concluded that oxymetholone kinetics was saturated at 30 mg/kg in female but not male rats. Pathology Findings: A wide spectrum of neoplasms and nonneoplastic lesions was seen in rats administered oxymetholone for 2 years. The incidences of hepatocellular adenoma and hepatocellular adenoma or carcinoma (combined) were significantly increased in 100 mg/kg females as were the incidences of basophilic and clear cell foci in 150 mg/kg males and 100 mg/kg females compared to vehicle controls. The incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar adenoma and adenoma or carcinoma (combined) were significantly increased in 30 mg/kg females. The incidences of mineralization in the lung of 150 mg/kg males and 30 and 100 mg/kg females were significantly increased. The incidence of keratoacanthoma was increased in 30 mg/kg females, and the combined incidence of squamous cell papilloma, keratoacanthoma, basal cell adenoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or carcinoma of the sweat gland was significantly increased in 100 mg/kg females. The incidences of subcutaneous tissue fibroma and fibroma or fibrosarcoma (combined) were significantly increased in 3 mg/kg males. At 2 years, the incidences of benign pheochromocytoma and benign or malignant pheochromocytoma (combined) of the adrenal gland in 150 mg/kg males and medullary hyperplasia in 100 mg/kg females were significantly increased. The incidences of cytoplasmic vacuolization of adrenal cortical cells were significantly increased in 30 and 150 mg/kg males at 18 months and 2 years and in 100 mg/kg females beginning at 12 months and in 30 mg/kg females at 2 years. The incidences of renal tubule adenoma in 3 and 150 mg/kg males were slightly increased. An extended evaluation of the kidney was conducted, and additional incidences of renal tubule adenoma were observed in step sections in vehicle control and dosed male rats. The combined single- and step-section incidence of renal tubule adenoma was significantly increased in 3 mg/kg males. The incidences of nephropathy were significantly increased in 30 and 150 mg/kg males at 2 years and in 100 mg/kg females beginning at 3 months. The severities of nephropathy were significantly increased in dosed groups of males at 2 years and in 100 mg/kg females at 18 months and 2 years. The incidences of mineralization of the kidney were significantly increased in 150 mg/kg males at all time points. The incidences of ovarian dysgenesis were significantly increased in 100 mg/kg females beginning at 3 months and in 30 mg/kg females beginning at 6 months, and severities increased with increasing dose. The incidences of chronic myocardial degeneration (cardiomyopathy) were significantly increased in 100 mg/kg females at 6 months and 2 years and the severity was increased at 2 years. The incidences of lobular hyperplasia were increased in 150 mg/kg males at 18 months and 2 years and in 30 and 100 mg/kg females at all time points. The incidences of seminiferous tubule degeneration were significantly increased in 30 and 150 mg/kg males at 2 years, and the incidences of mineralization of the testis were increased in 150 mg/kg males at 12 months and in 30 mg/kg males at 18 months and at 2 years. Decreased incidences of neoplasms occurred in male and female rats. The incidence of uterine stromal polyp or stromal sarcoma (combined) was significantly decreased in 100 mg/kg females at 2 years. The incidences of mammary gland fibroadenoma and fibroadenoma or carcinoma (combined) were significantly decreased in all dosed groups of females. The incidences of pituitary gland pars distalis adenoma were significantly decreased in 30 and 100 mg/kg females at 2 years. The incidences of testicular interstitial cell adenoma were significantly decreased in 30 and 150 mg/kg males at 18 months and in all dosed groups at 12 months and 2 years. The incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia were significantly decreased in 30 and 150 mg/kg males and 100 mg/kg females at 2 years. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY: Oxymetholone was not mutagenic in S. typhimurium strain TA97, TA98, TA100, or TA1535, with or without S9 metabolic activation. It did not induce chromosomal aberrations in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells, with or without S9, and no increase in the frequency of micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes was noted in peripheral blood samples from male or female mice treated for 14 weeks with oxymetholone. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this 2-year gavage study, there was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of oxymetholone in male F344/N rats based on increased incidences of subcutaneous tissue fibromas and fibromas or fibrosarcomas (combined) of the skin, variably increased incidences of benign and benign or malignant pheochromocytomas (combined) of the adrenal gland, and increased incidences of renal tubule adenomas. There was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity of oxymetholone in female F344/N rats based on increased incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms. Increased incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar neoplasms and skin neoplasms in female rats were also related to oxymetholone administration. Decreased incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar neoplasms and testicular interstitial cell adenomas in males; uterine stromal polyps or stromal sarcomas (combined), mammary gland neoplasms, and pituitary gland pars distalis adenomas in females; and mononuclear cell leukemia in males and females were related to oxymetholone administration. In addition, gavage administration of oxymetholone to male and female F344/N rats resulted in a spectrum of nonneoplastic effects frequently reported with administration of synthetic anabolic androgens. Synonyms: Adroidin; anadroyd; anasteron; anasteronal; anasterone; androstan-3-one, androstano[2,3-c]1,2,5-oxadiazol-17-ol, 17-methyl-, (5-a,17-b)-; becorel; 4,5-dihydro-2-hydroxymethylene-17-a-methyltestosterone; dynasten; HMD; 17b-hydroxy-2- (hydroxymethyl)-17-methyl-5-a-androstan-3-one; 17-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethylene)-17-methyl-(5-a,17-b)-; 17-hydroxy- 2-(hydroxymethylene)-17-methyl-5-a-17-b-androst-3-one; 17b-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethylene)-17-a-methyl-5-a-androstan-3-one; 17b-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethylene)-17-methyl-5a-androstan-3-one; 17-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethylene)-17-methyl-5-a-17- b-androstan-3-one; 17b-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-3-androstanone; 2-hydroxymethylene-17-a-methyl-5- a-androstan-17-b-ol-3-one; 2-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl dihydrotestosterone; 2-hydroxymethylene-17-a-methyl-17-b- hydroxy-3-androstanone; methabol; 17a-methyl-2-hydroxymethylene-17-hydroxy-5-a-androstan-3-one; oximetholonum; oximetolona; oxitosona-50; oxymethenolone; roboral; zenalosyn Trade names: Adroyd; Anadrol; Anapolon; Anapolon 50; Nastenon; Pardroyd; Pavisoid; Plenastril; Protanabol; Synasteron
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PMID:NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Oxymetholone (CAS NO. 434-07-1) in F344/N Rats and Toxicology Studies of Oxymetholone in B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies). 1257 78

Scopolamine hydrobromide trihydrate is used in ophthalmic preparations and as a preanesthetic sedative. Its major use is in transdermal patches for the treatment of motion sickness. Scopolamine hydrobromide trihydrate was selected for study because of considerable human exposure resulting from its use in prescription and over-the-counter preparations. Scopolamine was a suspect carcinogen because it contains an aliphatic epoxide moiety which may act as a biological alkylating agent. Male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice received scopolamine hydrobromide trihydrate (89% pure) in distilled water by gavage for 16 days, 14 weeks, or 2 years. Genetic toxicology studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium, cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells, and mouse peripheral blood erythrocytes. 16-DAY STUDY IN RATS: Groups of five male and five female rats were administered 0, 75, 150, 300, 600, or 1,200 mg scopolamine hydrobromide trihydrate/kg body weight in distilled water by gavage for 16 days. All rats survived to the end of the study. The final mean body weights and body weight gains of males receiving 600 and 1,200 mg/kg and the mean body weight gain of males receiving 300 mg/kg were significantly lower than those of the control group. Clinical findings included bilateral pupillary dilation in all dosed animals and red eyelids in males and females receiving 1,200 mg/kg. There were no significant treatment-related gross or microscopic lesions. 16-DAY STUDY IN MICE: Groups of five male and five female mice were administered 0, 150, 250, 450, 900, or 1,800 mg scopolamine hydrobromide trihydrate/kg body weight in distilled water by gavage for 16 days. One male and two females receiving 1,800 mg/kg and one female receiving 150 mg/kg died during the study. The final mean body weights and body weight gains of dosed mice were similar to those of the control groups. Clinical findings related to scopolamine hydrobromide trihydrate administration included bilateral pupillary dilation and squinting in all dosed males and females. The relative liver weights of males receiving 1,800 mg/kg and of females in all dosed groups were significantly greater than those of the control groups. There were no significant treatment-related gross or microscopic lesions. 14-WEEK STUDY IN RATS: Groups of 10 male and 10 female rats were administered 0, 15, 45, 135, 400, or 1,200 mg scopolamine hydrobromide trihydrate/kg body weight in distilled water by gavage for 14 weeks. One female receiving 45 mg/kg, one male and one female receiving 135 mg/kg, six males and one female receiving 400 mg/kg, and eight males and seven females receiving 1,200 mg/kg died during the study. The final mean body weights and mean body weight gains of all dosed males and females were significantly lower than those of the control groups. Clinical findings included bilateral pupillary dilation in all dosed males and females and reddening of the eyes in 15 mg/kg males and 135, 400, and 1,200 mg/kg males and females. Hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, and/or erythrocyte count in male and female rats receiving 45 mg/kg or greater were slightly higher than those of the control groups. In general, these changes were most prominent in rats in the 400 and 1,200 mg/kg groups. Higher hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, and erythrocyte count were likely due to hemoconcentration from dehydration (relative erythrocytosis). A minimal to mild mature neutrophilia, evidenced by higher segmented neutrophil numbers than in the control group, occurred in all dosed male rats. Sperm morphology and vaginal cytology parameters in dosed rats were similar to those in the control groups. Nine male and five female dosed rats died from esophageal obstructions consisting of feed and bedding material in the posterior pharynx. Tracheal obstruction occurred concurrently with esophageal obstruction as a result of food build-up in the oropharyngeal region. This condition is considered to be secondary to the inhibitory effects of scopolamine hydrobromide trihydrate on salivary gland secretions and on esopon esophageal smooth muscle involved in swallowing. There were no other significant treatment-related gross or microscopic findings. 14-WEEK STUDY IN MICE: Groups of 10 male and 10 female mice were administered 0, 15, 45, 135, 400, or 1,200 mg scopolamine hydrobromide trihydrate/kg body weight in distilled water by gavage for 14 weeks. One male receiving 135 mg/kg and two males and one female receiving 1,200 mg/kg died during the study. The final mean body weights and mean body weight gains of all dosed male groups and females receiving 45 mg/kg and above were significantly lower than those of the control groups. Clinical observations included bilateral pupillary dilation, hyperactivity, and hypoactivity. A minimal to mild mature neutrophilia, similar to that which occurred in the 14-week rat study, occurred in male mice receiving 45 mg/kg or greater. As in the rat study, there was no microscopic evidence of inflammation that could account for the neutrophilia. The estrous cycle length of 1,200 mg/kg females was significantly greater than that in the control group. There were no significant treatment-related gross or microscopic lesions. 2-YEAR STUDY IN RATS: Groups of 60 male and 60 female rats were administered 0, 1, 5, or 25 mg scopolamine hydrobromide trihydrate/kg body weight in distilled water by gavage for 104 weeks. Ten males and ten females from each dose group, excluding the 1 mg/kg female group, were evaluated at 15 months. Survival, Body Weights, Clinical Findings, and Ophthalmic Examination Findings: The survival rates of female rats receiving 1 and 25 mg/kg were significantly lower than that of the control group. Mean body weights of 1 and 5 mg/kg males and females were similar to those of the controls throughout the study. However, mean body weights of 25 mg/kg males and females were generally lower than those of the control groups after about week 25. Clinical findings included bilateral pupillary dilation in all dosed males and females. Ophthalmic examination revealed no significant findings. Hematology: Compared to controls, hematocrit was slightly higher in the 25 mg/kg male rats, similar to the effects observed in the 14-week study; this is consistent with dehydration resulting in hemoconcentration. Reticulocyte numbers in the 25 mg/kg female rats were slightly lower than those in the controls. This result is consistent with the lower body weights, and thus a decreased nutritional status, exhibited by these animals. Plasma Scopolamine Determinations: The serum scopolamine concentrations were 6 ng scopolamine/mL serum for the 5 mg/kg female sample and 12 and 28 ng/mL for the 25 mg/kg male and female samples, respectively. The amounts of scopolamine in the other serum samples were below the minimum detection limit (4 ng/mL) of the analysis method. Neurobehavioral Findings: Horizontal motor activity of 25 mg/kg females was significantly greater than that of the control group on days 90, 180, and 360. Startle response of 5 and 25 mg/kg females was significantly lower than that of the control group on day 90. On day 180, passive avoidance of 25 mg/kg males was significantly lower than that of the control group. Pathology Findings: The incidences of adenoma of the pituitary gland pars distalis decreased with increasing dose in both male and female rats; however, this trend was only significant in males (males: vehicle control, 19/49; 1 mg/kg, 17/49; 5 mg/kg, 13/50; 25 mg/kg, 10/50; females: 20/50, 13/60, 14/50, 10/50). The incidences of adenoma of the pituitary gland pars distalis in 25 mg/kg males and all groups of dosed females were below the NTP historical control range. The incidences of hyperplasia were not significantly different from those in the control groups. The incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia in 25 mg/kg males and females were significantly lower than those of the control groups (males: 33/50, 21/50, 26/50, 24/50; females: 20/50, 6/60, 13/50, 4/50). The incidence of mononuclear cell leukemia in females receiving 25 mg/kg was well below the NTP historical range. 2-YEAR STUDY IN MICE: Groups of 70 male and 70 female mice were administered 0, 1, 5, or 25 mg scopolamine hydrobromide trihydrate/kg body weight in distilled water by gavage for 104 to 105 weeks. Ten control animals and ten animals from each dose level were evaluated at 15 months. Survival, Body Weights, Clinical Findings, and Ophthalmic Examination Findings Survival of dosed males and females was similar to that of the controls. The mean body weights of males and females receiving 1 mg/kg were similar to those of the control groups throughout the majority of the study. The mean body weights of 5 mg/kg males and females were slightly lower than those of the controls. The mean body weights of males and females receiving 25 mg/kg were lower than those of the control groups after week 13. Clinical findings included bilateral pupillary dilation in all dosed male and female groups. Ophthalmic examination revealed no significant findings. Hematology: Hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, and erythrocyte count in 25 mg/kg female mice were slightly lower than those in the control group. These results are consistent with development of a minimal normocytic, normochromic nonresponsive anemia. The anemia may be related to the lower body weights exhibited by these animals and are presumed to be due to a decreased nutritional status. Pathology Findings: The combined incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms (adenoma or carcinoma) occurred with a significant negative trend in males and females (males: vehicle control, 30/50; 1 mg/kg, 33/50; 5 mg/kg, 14/50; 25 mg/kg, 15/50; females: 22/51, 21/50, 16/50, 9/51). The combined incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms in 5 and 25 mg/kg males were within the NTP historical control range. The incidences of clear cell foci and eosinophilic foci in dosed male groups, and eosinophilic foci in 25 mg/kg females, were significantly lower than those of the control groups. The incidences of many spontaneously occurring nonneoplastic lesions were significantly lower in dosed mice than in the control groups and usually decreased with increasing dose. These included kidney nephropathy, alveolar epithelial hyperplasia, hyperplasia of the pancreatic islets, bone marrow myelofibrosis, hyperplasia of the pituitary gland pars distalis, cystic hyperplasia of the uterus, and hematopoietic cell proliferation of the spleen. The decreased incidences of these spontaneous lesions were most likely a result of lower body weights in dosed animals. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY: Scopolamine hydrobromide trihydrate did not induce mutations in any of five strains of Salmonella typhi murium, with or without S9 metabolic activation enzymes, nor did it induce sister chromatid exchanges in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells, with or without S9. A weakly positive response was obtained, however, in a chromosomal aberrations test conducted in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells with very high doses of scopolamine hydrobromide trihydrate in the presence of S9; without S9, no increase in aberrations was noted. Despite the evidence for chromosomal damage observed in vitro, no increase in the frequencies of micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes was observed in peripheral blood samples of male or female mice exposed to scopolamine hydrobromide trihydrate for 14 weeks by gavage. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of these 2-year gavage studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of scopolamine hydrobromide trihydrate in male or female F344/N rats or B6C3F1 mice administered 1, 5, or 25 mg/kg. Synonyms: Scopolamine hydrobromide, 6,7-epoxytropan-3-yl, euscopol, hydroscine hydrobromide, hyoscine bromide, (-)-hyoscine hydrobromide, hysco, isoscopil, scopolammonium bromide, (s)-tropate hydrobromide trihydrate, lα-tropyl-a-scopine
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PMID:NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Scopolamine Hydrobromide Trihydrate (CAS No. 6533-68-2) in F344 Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies). 1259 30

[Structure-see text] 2-Methylimidazole and 4-methylimidazole are intermediate/starting materials or components in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, photographic and photothermographic chemicals, dyes and pigments, agricultural chemicals, and rubber; these chemicals have been identified as undesirable by-products in several foods and have been detected in mainstream and sidestream tobacco smoke. The National Cancer Institute nominated 2- and 4-methylimidazole as candidates for toxicity and carcinogenicity studies. Toxicity studies were carried out in male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice. Animals were exposed to 2- or 4-methylimidazole in feed for 15 days or 14 weeks; clinical pathology studies were conducted in the 14-week studies on days 8, 29, and 86 and at week 14. Genetic toxicity studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium, rat and mouse bone marrow, and mouse peripheral blood. Groups of five male and five female rats and mice were fed diets containing 0, 1,200, 3,300, or 10,000 ppm 2-methylimidazole (equivalent to average daily doses of approximately 115, 290, or 770 mg 2-methylimidazole/ kg body weight to rats; 220, 640, or 2,100 mg/kg to male mice; 300, 800, or 2,400 to female mice) for 15 days. Groups of five male and five female rats and mice were fed diets containing 0, 300, 800, or 2,500 ppm 4-methylimidazole (equivalent to average daily doses of approximately 30, 80, or 220 mg/kg for rats and 65, 170, or 500 mg/kg for mice) for 15 days. In the 15-day 2-methylimidazole studies, all animals survived to the end of the studies. The mean body weights of 10,000 ppm male rats and female mice were significantly less than those of the controls. Feed consumption by 10,000 ppm male and female rats was reduced. Enlarged thyroid glands were observed in 3,300 and 10,000 ppm male and female rats. The incidences of diffuse hyperplasia of follicular cells of the thyroid gland in 3,300 and 10,000 ppm male and female rats and pars distalis hypertrophy of the pituitary gland in 3,300 and 10,000 ppm males and 10,000 ppm females were increased compared to the controls. In all exposed groups of male and female mice, the incidences and severities of follicular cell hypertrophy of the thyroid gland and the severities of hematopoietic cell proliferation of the spleen generally increased with increasing exposure concentration. In the 4-methylimidazole studies, all animals survived to the end of the studies, and there were no significant differences in mean body weights, clinical findings, organ weights, or gross or microscopic lesions between exposed and control groups. Groups of 10 male and 10 female rats and mice were fed diets containing 0, 625, 1,250, 2,500, 5,000, or 10,000 ppm 2- or 4-methylimidazole (equivalent to average daily doses of approximately 40, 80, 160, 300, or 560 mg/kg 2- or 4-methylimidazole to rats; and 100, 165, 360, 780, or 1,740 mg/kg 2-methylimidazole or 100, 240, 440, 915, or 1,840 mg/kg 4-methylimidazole to male mice; and 90, 190, 400, 800, or 1,860 mg/kg 2-methylimidazole or 110, 240, 540, 1,130, or 3,180 mg/kg 4-methylimidazole to females) for 14 weeks. All animals survived to the end of the 14-week 2-methylimidazole studies. Compared to the controls, the mean body weights were significantly decreased in groups of male rats and mice exposed to 2,500 ppm or greater and in 5,000 and 10,000 ppm female rats and mice. In rats, 2-methylimidazole induced a transient erythrocytosis in females and a minimal, exposure concentration-related, microcytic, normochromic, nonresponsive anemia. 2-Methylimidazole increased thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations and decreased thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations of male and female rats in an exposure concentration-related manner. 2-Methylimidazole induced a mild to moderate, exposure concentration-related, macrocytic, hyperchromic, responsive anemia in mice. Triiodothyronine concentrations were increased in exposed male and female mice, and thyroxine concentrations were decreased in exposed females. Relative to the control groups, clinical chemistry evaluations on day 29 and at week 14 identified decreases in alanine aminotransferase concentrations and total protein and albumin concentrations of rats. In the 2-methylimidazole studies, absolute spleen weights were significantly increased in all exposed groups of male rats. The heart and liver weights were increased in all exposed groups of male mice, as were the spleen weights of female mice exposed to 2,500 ppm or greater. Spermatid heads per testis and mean spermatid count were significantly decreased in 10,000 ppm male rats. The estrous cycle of 10,000 ppm female rats was significantly increased. Gross pathology observations included enlarged thyroid glands, small uteri, and mottled spleen in 5,000 and 10,000 ppm mice. The incidences of diffuse follicular cell hyperplasia of the thyroid gland were significantly increased in male rats exposed to 1,250 ppm or greater and female rats exposed to 2,500 ppm or greater. The incidence of testicular degeneration was significantly increased in 10,000 ppm male rats, and two males in the 10,000 ppm group had follicular cell adenoma of the thyroid gland. In mice, there were generally significant increases in the incidences of follicular cell hypertrophy of the thyroid gland, hematopoietic cell proliferation of the spleen, and hemosiderin pigmentation of the renal tubule in males exposed to 1,250 ppm or greater and females exposed to 2,500 ppm or greater. In the 14-week 4-methylimidazole studies, one 10,000 ppm male mouse was found dead during week 4, and seven 10,000 ppm female mice were found dead during weeks 1 and 2. Mean body weights were significantly less than those of the controls for male rats exposed to 2,500 ppm or greater, 5,000 and 10,000 ppm female rats, male mice exposed to 1,250 ppm or greater, and all exposed groups of female mice. Reduced feed consumption was observed in 5,000 and 10,000 ppm male and female rats. Clinical findings included nasal/eye discharge, ruffled fur, thinness, ataxia, and abnormal breathing in rats, and ruffled fur and dull coats in female mice. On days 29 and 82, functional observations in 5,000 and 10,000 ppm rats included labored or increased respiration, mild tremors, walking on tiptoes, hunched posture, piloerection, crouching over, impaired coordination of movement, ataxia, and pupillary constriction. 4-Methylimidazole induced a transient erythrocytosis and a minimal, exposure concentration-related, microcytic, normochromic, nonresponsive anemia in male and female rats. Clinical chemistry evaluations generally showed a cholestatic effect in exposed male and female rats. At week 14, there was a significant decrease in total protein and albumin concentrations of female rats exposed to 5,000 or 10,000 ppm. In mice, 4-methylimidazole induced a macrocytic, hyperchromic, responsive anemia and, particularly in males, increases in triiododthyronine concentrations and transient decreases in thyroxine concentrations. In the 4-methylimidazole studies, the liver weights of male rats exposed to 2,500 ppm or greater were significantly increased; spleen weights of female rats exposed to 2,500 ppm or greater were decreased. The absolute liver weight was decreased in 10,000 ppm male mice, and relative weights were significantly increased in all exposed groups of mice. In female mice, there was a significant decrease in the absolute weights and increase in the relative weights of the heart, right kidney, and liver in groups exposed to 2,500 ppm or greater. The epididymal spermatozoal concentration was significantly increased in 5,000 ppm male rats. Gross pathology observations included pale livers in male rats exposed to 2,500 ppm or greater and small testes and uteri in 10,000 ppm male and female rats. Microscopic analysis identified significantly increased incidences of cytoplasmic hepatocyte vacuolization of the liver of male rats exposed to 2,500 ppm or greater and 10,000 ppm female rats, hypospermia of the epididymis in 10,000 ppm male rats, atrophy and inflammation of the prostate gland in 10,000 ppm male rats, and degeneration of the testes in 5,000 and 10,000 ppm male rats. 2-Methylimidazole and 4-methylimidazole were negative in the S. typhimurium mutation assay when tested in strains TA97, TA98, TA100, and TA1535, with and without S9 activation enzymes. Testing of 2-methylimidazole in vivo for induction of chromosomal damage, as measured by micronucleated erythrocyte frequency, produced mixed results. When administered by intraperitoneal injection three times at 24-hour intervals, 2-methylimidazole produced negative results in bone marrow micronucleus tests in rats and mice. However, in the 14-week study of 2-methylimidazole, a significant exposure-related increase in the frequency of micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes was noted in peripheral blood of male and female mice. In vivo, 4-methylimidazole produced uniformly negative results in three-injection bone marrow micronucleus tests in rats and mice and in 14-week peripheral blood micronucleus tests in male and female mice.
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PMID:NTP technical report on the toxicity studies of 2- and 4-Methylimidazole (CAS No. 693-98-1 and 822-36-6) administered in feed to F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice. 1514 14

This is the first report of direct evidence that metanephric adenoma cells produce erythropoietin and other types of cytokines, which may be the cause of the high incidence of erythrocytosis in patients with this tumor. The purpose of the study was to establish a metanephric adenoma cell line in vitro from nephrectomized tumor tissue in order to investigate the ability of metanephric adenoma cells to produce erythropoietin and other types of cytokines. The tumor tissue was obtained from a 16-year-old boy who had developed metanephric adenoma with erythrocytosis and was served for cell culture. Significantly high concentrations of erythropoietin, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-8 were detected in the cell culture supernatant. Southern hybridization showed specific positive signals for GM-CSF, G-CSF, IL-6, IL-8 and erythropoietin. The number of chromosomes was 46-XY without any structural abnormalities in cytogenetic analysis of the cultured cells.
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PMID:Production of erythropoietin and multiple cytokines by metanephric adenoma results in erythrocytosis. 1761 Apr 79

A 53-year-old woman with severe erythrocytosis (hemoglobin concentration 19.5 g/dl and hematocrit 0.59) was admitted to our hospital because of fatigue and headache. The serum erythropoietin (Epo) concentration was 68.6 U/l (reference range; 3.7-31.5). Further investigations excluded polycythemia vera or any lung or heart disease. Radiological examination showed a tumor in the left hepatic lobe. Needle biopsies were performed and the histopathological diagnosis was hepatocellular adenoma. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated erythropoietin expression in the adenomatous cells. Liver adenoma is a rare cause of erythrocytosis. For the first time, we report erythropoietin-positive immunoreactivity in liver adenomatous cells in a patient with erythrocytosis.
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PMID:Erythropoietin production by a hepatic adenoma in a patient with severe erythrocytosis. 1933 71