The glycol ether solvents 2-methoxyethanol (2-ME) and 2-ethoxyethanol (2-EE) produce testicular toxicity characterized by spermatocyte degeneration, while a similar glycol ether, 2-butoxyethanol ...(2-BE), has no testicular effects. The goal of the current study was to better understand the mechanism of glycol ether testicular toxicity through gene expression profiling and functional classification of differentially expressed genes. Male rats were administered 2-ME (150 and 50
mg/kg/day), 2-EE (500
mg/kg/day), 2-BE (125
mg/kg/day), or vehicle for 3 days, and testes were collected for histopathological and gene expression analysis. Histopathological changes in the testes were observed only in animals given 150
mg/kg/day 2-ME, consisting of degeneration and necrosis of spermatocytes and reductions in spermatocyte numbers. Microarray analysis of testicular samples from these animals revealed a large number of differentially expressed genes from animals exposed to 2-EE or to 50
mg/kg or 150
mg/kg 2-ME (>900 each at >1.5-fold changed), compared to 28 genes from 2-BE treated animals. Expression Analysis Systematic Explorer (EASE) analysis of these genes demonstrated statistical enrichment in genes in categories including protein transport, endocytosis, protein kinase activity, cell cycle, and meiosis. Quantitative PCR confirmation of select genes confirmed increased expression of the actin binding protein cortactin and the transcription factor Wilm's tumor 1 (Wt1) following 2-ME exposure. Increased localization of cortactin in abnormal spermatocytes was also observed by immunohistochemistry, consistent with a possible role for this protein in the mechanism of toxicity.
Substantial dysfunction and loss of cholinergic neurons occur in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a potent neurotrophic factor for cholinergic basal forebrain neurons, and the ...use of NGF to stimulate residual dysfunctional cells in AD is being considered. To define the effects of NGF on other cell populations in the brain, NGF was continuously infused into the lateral ventricle of rats for 7 weeks. At the end of treatment, Schwann cell hyperplasia and abundant sensory and sympathetic neurite sprouting were observed in the subpial region of the medulla oblongata and the spinal cord. Following withdrawal of NGF, the Schwann cell hyperplasia and sprouting of sensory and sympathetic neurites disappeared completely. These findings suggest that better temporal and spatial delivery systems for NGF must be explored to limit potential undesirable side effects while maintaining the survival and function of diseased basal forebrain cholinergic neurons.
A number of drugs and drug candidates, including fenfluramine and ergot derivatives, are associated with valvulopathy in humans; however, these responses are poorly predicted from animal studies.
In ...vitro and
in vivo evidence suggests that these compounds exert their pathological effect through activation of serotonin 2B receptor (5HT2BR) signaling. However, the variable effect of fenfluramine and other 5HT2BR agonists in rodents has cast doubt on the relevance of animal findings to predicting human risk. Herein, a candidate compound, RO3013, induced subendocardial cell proliferation in the mitral and tricuspid valves in rats after only 3 days of daily dosing. Additionally, there was a treatment-related increase in immunostaining of the proliferation marker Ki67, and phosphorylated Smad3 in the heart indicative of TGFβ signaling co-localized with 5HT2BR expression. To substantiate the hypothesis that RO3013-induced valvular proliferation is secondary to 5HT2BR activation, the compound was evaluated
in vitro and found to bind to the human 5HT2BR with a
K
i of 3.8
μM; however, it was virtually devoid of agonist activity in a functional assay in human cells. By contrast, RO3013 bound to the rat 5HT2BR with a
K
i of 1.2
μM and activated the receptor with an EC50 of 0.5
μM. This agonist potency estimate is in good agreement with the free plasma concentrations of RO3013 at which valvular proliferation was observed. These results suggest that the rat may be susceptible to 5HT2BR-mediated valvular proliferation similar to humans; yet, the significant differences between binding and functional activities can be a possible explanation for the observed species-selective receptor responses.
Recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) was delivered for up to 6 months by continuous intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion to CD (Sprague– Dawley derived) rats and cynomolgus monkeys. Rats ...(n=15/sex/group) received doses of 0 (vehicle), 6, 60, or 300 ng/day; monkeys (n=5/sex/group) received 0, 0.6, 6, or 60 μg/day of rhNGF. Animals tolerated icv infusion with no behavioral signs attributable to rhNGF. Body weight was transiently decreased in female rats at the highest dose. At the completion of dosing, histological examination in both species revealed an increase in the thickness of the leptomeninges along the ventral and lateral surfaces of the hindbrain and extending over the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord. The change was present to varying degrees at all doses of rhNGF and tended to be more severe at higher doses. At the light microscopic level, the leptomeninges contained layers of well-differentiated, spindle-shaped cells and a plexus of axonal fibers. Cells were immunoreactive for S-100 protein and were associated with an accumulation of Type IV collagen, suggesting Schwann cell origin. Electron microscopy revealed numerous fine caliber axons ensheathed by the presumptive Schwann cells, with myelination of individual axonal segments. These findings suggest that chronic icv delivery of rhNGF has stimulated axonal sprouting and secondary hyperplasia of Schwann or Schwann-like support cells within the pia-arachnoid.
