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The Toxicologist - Society of Toxicology

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2353 METABOLITE PATTERNS TO DIFFERENTIATE DIRECT<br />

FROM INDIRECT HYPOTHYROID EFFECTS.<br />

V. Strauss 1 , E. Fabian 1 , M. Herold 2 , H. Kamp 1 , M. Kapp 1 , G. Krennrich 1 , R.<br />

Looser 2 , W. Mellert 1 , A. Prokoudine 2 , T. Walk 2 , J. Wiemer 2 and B. van<br />

Ravenzwaay 1 . 1 BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany and 2 Metanomics, Berlin,<br />

Germany. Sponsor: R. Parod.<br />

BASF and metanomics launched a project to predict toxicological risks by measuring<br />

metabolite pr<strong>of</strong>iles in rat serum during a single repeated dose screening study.<br />

For that purpose, a comprehensive database (MetaMapÒ Tox) has been established.<br />

About 250 metabolites were measured in serum samples <strong>of</strong> Wistar rats after administration<br />

<strong>of</strong> about 450 pharmaceutical, chemical and agrochemical compounds for<br />

7, 14 and 28 days. Sets <strong>of</strong> common metabolite level changes (metabolite patterns)<br />

were arranged to characterize several toxicological modes <strong>of</strong> action (MOAs).<br />

Following administration <strong>of</strong> several compounds known to induce hypothyroidism,<br />

metabolite patterns were established to differentiate between a direct effect (thyroperoxidase<br />

inhibition) and an indirect effect (increased thyroid hormone conjugation<br />

via induction <strong>of</strong> liver microsomal enzymes) on thyroid hormone homeostasis.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se patterns were confirmed by contrast with those seen when L-thyroxine<br />

was administered to rats to induce hyperthroidism. When the thyroid is indirectly<br />

affected, hormone levels are not consistently changed which can make diagnosis <strong>of</strong><br />

endocrine disruption more difficult. Consideration <strong>of</strong> additional metabolite patterns<br />

can be used to substantiate the suspicion <strong>of</strong> an indirect hypothyroid effect.<br />

2354 TCDD, PCB126, AND PCB153 AFFECT<br />

HYPOTHALAMIC GNRH AND KISS-1 SIGNALING IN<br />

VITRO, BUT NOT IN VIVO.<br />

K. Solak, F. Wijnolts, M. van den Berg and M. van Duursen. <strong>Toxicology</strong>, IRAS,<br />

Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.<br />

Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are responsible for causing a variety<br />

<strong>of</strong> adverse effects on development and physiology <strong>of</strong> the reproductive system.<br />

However the molecular mechanisms <strong>of</strong> the action <strong>of</strong> dioxin and PCBs on hypothalamic<br />

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and Kisspeptin (Kiss-1), two key<br />

regulators <strong>of</strong> reproduction, still remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects<br />

<strong>of</strong> TCDD, PCB126 and PCB153 on the hypothalamus using in vivo exposed<br />

adult female rats and a new in vitro immortalized adult hypothalamic rat cell line<br />

GnV-3. Unlike the commonly used murine GT1-7 cell line, GnV-3 cells express<br />

the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) similar to the vivo situation. A single oral dose<br />

<strong>of</strong> TCDD (100 μg/kg bw), PCB126 (1000 μg/kg bw) but not PCB 153 (500000<br />

μg/kg bw), resulted in a significant increase in hypothalamic CYP1A1 mRNA level<br />

<strong>of</strong> 400 fold and 212 fold, respectively, in adult female rats after 72 hours.<br />

Hypothalamic GnRH and Kisspeptin mRNA expression was not significantly<br />

changed. In the GnV-3 cells, a 72-hour exposure to TCDD (10 nM), PCB126<br />

(100 nM) but not PCB 153 (10 μM) caused a significant induction in CYP1A1<br />

mRNA expression. In this model, TCDD, PCB126 and PCB153 exposure resulted<br />

in the induction <strong>of</strong> GnRH mRNA expression and secretion, while Kiss-1 mRNA<br />

expression remained unchanged. <strong>The</strong>se in vitro data suggest that dioxins and PCBs<br />

may act on the GnRH expression in neuronal cells, but the role <strong>of</strong> the AhR in<br />

GnRH and Kiss-1 signalling needs to be studied further. Also, the effect <strong>of</strong> dioxins<br />

on GnRH signaling was not observed in vivo. <strong>The</strong> complex interactions <strong>of</strong> neurotransmitters<br />

and steroid hormones within hypothalamus in vivo might influence<br />

the effect <strong>of</strong> dioxin and PCBs on GnRH secretion. <strong>The</strong> in vivo relevance <strong>of</strong> the<br />

GnV-3 in vitro model is currently being studied using primary rat hypothalamic<br />

cultures.<br />

2355 TCDD INDUCES BIOMARKERS FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS<br />

IN HUMAN ENDOMETRIUM CARCINOMA CELL LINE.<br />

K. van Ede, S. Stelloo, M. van den Berg and M. van Duursen. <strong>Toxicology</strong>, IRAS,<br />

Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.<br />

Endometriosis is a gynaecologic disorder that affects up to 10% <strong>of</strong> the women in reproductive<br />

age. A suggested pathway leading to endometriosis involves overexpression<br />

<strong>of</strong> estrogen receptor (ER)-beta, subsequent suppression <strong>of</strong> ER-alpha and the<br />

progesterone receptor (PR) and upregulation <strong>of</strong> cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and<br />

CYP19. Environmental contaminants like 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin<br />

(TCDD) have <strong>of</strong>ten been linked to increased susceptibility to endometriosis. This<br />

study investigated the interaction <strong>of</strong> the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) with the<br />

ER and the PR in the human endometrium carcinoma cell line (ECC-1). ECC-1<br />

cells were exposed to DMSO, TCDD alone or co-exposed to TCDD and estradiol<br />

(E2) or progesterone (P4). Gene expression <strong>of</strong> ER-alpha, ER-beta, PR, COX-2,<br />

CYP19 and cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) were studied. Single exposure <strong>of</strong><br />

TCDD resulted in a significant induction <strong>of</strong> CYP1A1 and COX-2 and downregu-<br />

506 SOT 2011 ANNUAL MEETING<br />

lation <strong>of</strong> PR mRNA levels. Gene expression <strong>of</strong> CYP19 could not be determined in<br />

unexposed ECC-1 cells but was upregulated after exposure to TCDD. <strong>The</strong>se findings<br />

correlate with the suggested pathway leading to endometriosis. Opposite,<br />

TCDD exposure did not affect gene expression <strong>of</strong> ER-alpha and caused downregulation<br />

<strong>of</strong> ER-beta mRNA levels. Interestingly, co-exposure <strong>of</strong> TCDD with P4 or E2<br />

showed similar effects as seen after single exposure, except for ER-alpha and ERbeta.<br />

Co-exposure with E2 did not affect ER-alpha and ER-beta expression whereas<br />

co-exposure with P4 resulted in upregulation <strong>of</strong> ER-beta mRNA levels and significant<br />

downregulation <strong>of</strong> ER-alpha. <strong>The</strong> changes in gene expression in the ECC-1<br />

cell line upon co-exposure <strong>of</strong> TCDD with E2 or P4 were similar to changes observed<br />

in uteri <strong>of</strong> female Sprague-Dawley rats three days after a single oral dose <strong>of</strong><br />

TCDD. Taken together, these data suggest that TCDD is able to cause changes in<br />

gene expression in endometrium cells that have been associated with endometriosis.<br />

However, the role <strong>of</strong> circulating hormones on TCDD induced effects needs to be<br />

studied further.<br />

2356 SODIUM PHENOBARBITAL: ASSESSMENT OF<br />

PUBERTAL DEVELOPMENT AND THYROID<br />

FUNCTION IN A COMBINED MALE AND FEMALE<br />

PUBERTAL ASSAY.<br />

M. Blanck, H. Vincent, E. Debruyne, A. Veillon, E. Balme, C. Pallen and C.<br />

Langrand-Lerche. Experimental <strong>Toxicology</strong>, Bayer SAS, Sophia Antipolis, France.<br />

Sponsor: E. Debruyne.<br />

Sodium Phenobarbital (PB) is a weak thyroid acting agent that enhances thyroid<br />

hormone clearance. We investigated the effects <strong>of</strong> PB on pubertal development and<br />

thyroid function in a combined male and female pubertal assay (Tier I test to detect<br />

potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals, US guidelines 890.1500 & 890.1450).<br />

From 30 time-mated female Sprague-Dawley rats which were received at gestation<br />

day 7 or 8, groups <strong>of</strong> 20 immature littermates per sex were administered 100<br />

mg/kg/day PB or vehicle (corn oil) on PND 22-42 (females) or PND 23-53<br />

(males). Parameters evaluated included body weights, clinical signs, vaginal opening<br />

(VO), preputial separation (PS), estrous cycle, hormones levels, gross pathology,<br />

organ weights and histopathology. In order to assess the potential effects <strong>of</strong> anesthesia<br />

on hormones levels, blood samples were collected from 10 animals/sex/<br />

group at the abdominal aorta under Is<strong>of</strong>lurane anesthesia or by decapitation as recommended<br />

in the guidelines. Body weights were unaffected by PB treatment.<br />

Increased salivation was noted in males and lethargy was observed in both sexes.<br />

<strong>The</strong> age at PS and VO was slightly delayed. A large number <strong>of</strong> control animals<br />

failed to achieve regular cycles during the monitoring period after VO. <strong>The</strong>refore it<br />

was not possible to assess the effect <strong>of</strong> PB on estrous cyclicity. TSH levels were<br />

slightly higher and testosterone concentrations were lower than controls. T4 levels<br />

remained unchanged. Hemolysis was noted in blood samples collected by decapitation.<br />

However there were no major differences in hormones levels between sera collected<br />

either by decapitation or under Is<strong>of</strong>lurane anesthesia. <strong>The</strong> reproductive organ<br />

weights were not affected by treatment. Histopathology examination is on-going.<br />

In conclusion, this study showed evidence <strong>of</strong> weak endocrine effects <strong>of</strong> PB in the<br />

male and female pubertal assay. In addition, under the study design conditions, the<br />

young age <strong>of</strong> animals and duration <strong>of</strong> the study did not allow to assess estrous<br />

cyclicity.<br />

2357 ACTIVITY OF LARGE-MOUTH BASS ESTROGEN<br />

RECEPTORS IN RESPONSE TO MODEL COMPOUNDS.<br />

R. E. Weil 1 , D. S. Barber 2 and N. D. Denslow 2 . 1 Pharmacology, University <strong>of</strong><br />

Florida, Gainsville, FL and 2 Physiological Sciences, University <strong>of</strong> Florida,<br />

Gainesville, FL.<br />

Estrogenic compounds found in the aquatic environment have been shown to disrupt<br />

normal endocrine function in fish by interacting with their hormone receptors.<br />

Estrogen is involved in a wide array <strong>of</strong> physiological processes, including the<br />

synthesis <strong>of</strong> vitellogenin (vtg), the egg yolk precursor protein. In largemouth bass<br />

(LMB) estrogen signaling is mediated via three known estrogen receptors (ERα,<br />

ERβb and ERβa). Studies have shown that the ligand-activated transcriptional activity<br />

<strong>of</strong> ERs is dependent on the estrogen response element (ERE) sequence in the<br />

promoters responsive genes. <strong>The</strong> first aim <strong>of</strong> this study was to use transfection assays<br />

to determine 1) if increasing the number <strong>of</strong> tandem EREs (from two to three)<br />

in the promoter <strong>of</strong> a reporter gene increases transcriptional response <strong>of</strong> each <strong>of</strong> the<br />

ERs to estrogen, and 2) to test the ability <strong>of</strong> the three LMB ERs to respond to<br />

4,4’,4’’-(4-propyl-[1H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl)trisphenol (PPT) a mammalian ERα<br />

specific agonist, 2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionitrile (DPN), a mammalian<br />

ERβ specific agonist, bisphenol A (BPA), pp’-DDE, dieldrin (model environmental<br />

estrogens), and ICI182,780. <strong>The</strong> second aim is to determine the effects <strong>of</strong> these<br />

compounds on vtg synthesis using an in vitro assay. <strong>The</strong> results indicate that three<br />

tandem EREs in the promoter region <strong>of</strong> the reporter gene leads to a higher E2-me-

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