Abstract  BIOSIS COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. A multinational interlaboratory study to investigate the bovine corneal opacity and permeability (BCOP) assay is presented. The aim of this work was to determine the capability and possible limitations of this method to predict ocular irritancy of a large set of chemicals. The assays were carried out in 12 European laboratories with different types of activity. In each of these laboratories 52 substances, with a wide range of structure, physical form and irritant properties, were tested and in vitro scores were compared with those obtained from concurrent rabbit eye (Draize) tests. The technique was easily learned by workers in the participating laboratories, as shown by the fact that there were consistent responses between treated corneas within an individual laboratory. Interlaboratory variability was also very good. It was found that a given laboratory had a 96% chance of classifying irritants or non-irritants similarly to the other laboratories. In addition, it was

Abstract  Effects of several Cl(-) channel blockers on ionic currents in mouse embryos were studied using whole-cell patch-clamp and microelectrode methods. Microelectrode measurements showed that the resting membrane potential of early embryonic cells (1-cell stage) was -23 mV and that reduction of extracellular Cl(-) concentration depolarized the membrane, suggesting that Cl(-) conductance is a major contributor for establishing the resting membrane potential. Membrane currents recorded by whole-cell voltage clamp showed outward rectification and confirmed that a major component of these embryonic currents are carried by Cl(-) ions. A Cl(-) channel blocker, 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), suppressed the outward rectifier current in a voltage- and concentration-dependent manner. Other Cl(-) channel blockers (5-nitro-2-[3-phenylpropyl-amino] benzoic acid and 2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)-anilino] nicotinic acid [niflumic acid]) similarly inhibited this current. Simultaneous application of niflumic acid with DIDS further suppressed the outward rectifier current. Under high osmotic condition, niflumic acid, but not DIDS, inhibited the Cl(-)current, suggesting the presence of two types of Cl(-) channels: a DIDS-sensitive (swelling-activated) channel, and a DIDS-insensitive (niflumic acid-sensitive) Cl(-) channel. Anion permeability of the DIDS-insensitive Cl(-) current differed from that of the compound Cl(-) current: Rank order of anion permeability of the DIDS-sensitive Cl(-) channels was I(-) = Br(-) > Cl(-) > gluconate(-), whereas that of the DIDS-insensitive Cl(-) channel was I(-) = Br(-) > Cl(-) > gluconate(-). These results indicate that early mouse embryos have a Cl(-) channel that is highly permeable to amino acids, which may regulate intracellular amino acid concentration.

Abstract  Mutagenic test results are reported in microbial and mammalian cell systems.

Abstract  We evaluated the impact of three calcium salts on the calcium-parathyroid axis in healthy elderly volunteers. Fasting subjects were administered a standardized 1-g calcium load on three occasions, using calcium carbonate, lactate, and gluconate in random sequence with 8 oz milk or orange juice as carrier. Blood and urine were collected at baseline and for 6 h following the calcium load. Each salt rapidly increased the serum-calcium concentration and urinary-calcium excretion. Response duration was shorter with gluconate than with the other salts, but peak responses were similar for all preparations. Urinary-calcium excretion was slightly lower when orange juice replaced milk, but calcemic responses were not different. Changes in immunoreactive-parathyroid hormone and renal-phosphorus handling did not differ among calcium salts. Except for a shorter duration of effect with gluconate, all three calcium salts provided similar short-term suppression of the parathyroid axis.

Abstract  The effects of serum and brain calcium concentration on rat behavior were tested by maintaining animals on either distilled water (N = 60) or water containing 1% calcium gluconate (N = 60) for 3 days. Animals that were maintained on high calcium drinking water presented increased serum calcium levels (control = 10.12 +/- 0.46 vs calcium treated = 11.62 +/- 0.51 mug/dl). Increase of brain calcium levels was not statistically significant. In the behavioral experiments each rat was used for only one test. Rats that were maintained on high calcium drinking water showed increased open-field behavior of ambulation (20.68%) and rearing (64.57%). On the hole-board, calcium-supplemented animals showed increased head-dip (67%) and head-dipping (126%), suggesting increased ambulatory and exploratory behavior. The time of social interaction was normal in animals maintained on drinking water containing added calcium. Rats supplemented with calcium and submitted to elevated plus-maze tests showed a normal status of anxiety and elevated locomotor activity. We conclude that elevated levels of calcium enhance motor and exploratory behavior of rats without inducing other behavioral alterations. These data suggest the need for a more detailed analysis of several current proposals for the use of calcium therapy in humans, for example in altered blood pressure states, bone mineral metabolism disorders in the elderly, hypocalcemic states, and athletic activities.

Abstract  The authors of this study reported that compound-related effects were observed in the stomach of rats and consisted of thickening of the stratified squamous epithelieum at the anterior stomach, which is perceived to pertain to the rat forestomach. The area particularly affected was the transitional area continuous with the pyloric stomach, which is consistent with a description of the limiting ridge. The effect was observed in all dose groups and was reported with dose dependency in frequency and severity, and therefore, a NOAEL for glucono delta lactone could not be determined based on the results of this study. However, given that the forestomach and limiting ridge are structures unique to the rodent, the effects observed in the stomach of rats in this study are not relevant to humans. It should be noted that the results reported herein were taken from a partial English translation of a study report written in Japanese.

Abstract  Mutagenic test results are reported in microbial and mammalian cell systems.

Abstract  Estimate of acceptable daily intake for man. ADI "not specified". The fact that high doses of GDL exert a laxative effect in man should be taken into account when considering its level of use.

Abstract  Environmental Effect of Photoprocessing Chemicals Vol I and II (557).