Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

Inhibition Of Synaptosomal Biogenic Amine Transport By A Diverse Group Of Neurotoxic Chemicals, William M. Bracken

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Synaptosomal membrane functions were monitored, after in vitro exposure to select environmental pollutants, in synaptosomal preparations originating from rat cerebral cortices. The uptake of NE and 5HT into the synaptosomes was monitored as was the K⁺-dependent phosphate activity of the membrane. CH₃HgCl, Hg(NO₃)₂, CdCl₂, diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP), paraoxon, acrylamide and Kepone were the test chemicals whose effects were studied.

CH₃HgCl, Hg(NO₃)₂ and Kepone had the greatest inhibitory effects on NE and 5HT uptake. The concentrations producing 50 percent inhibition (IC₅₀) were 1.4 x 10 …

Pesticide Exposure Studies: Direct And Indirect Detection Of Absorption Of 2,4-D And Pronamide Herbicides In The Guinea Pig And Occupationally Exposed Workers, Ibrahim A.R. Al-Jabery

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A simple high pressure liquid chromatography procedure was used to determine 2,4-D and pronamide exposure in spraymen and their dermal absorption and excretion in guinea pigs.

Results of dermal application of these herbicides to guinea pigs demonstrated a strong correlation between the applied dermal dose and the urinary residue excretion over the dosage range tested. As the dosage was increased, the urinary excretion of residues was also increased. However, the excretion of 2,4-D amine mixture following dermal treatment of guinea pigs was prolonged as compared to that of pronamide.

Residue levels of these compounds were also determined to estimate skin …

The Effects Of Tri-O-Tolyl Phosphate (Totp) On The Immune System Of Mice, Craig R. Brinkerhoff

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

TOTP is a prevalent industrial and environmental contaminant which has been shown to be a neurotoxic agent. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of this compound on the immune system. Several techniques were employed to test the humoral as well as cellular effects. Male Swiss Webster mice were administered by gastric gavage with three doses of TOTP (5, 50, and 500 mg/kg) and one dose TMTP (50 mg/kg) in corn oil once a week for 13 weeks. Control animals were given corn oil alone.

Lymphocyte transformation was determined on cultures of splenic cells obtained from animals sacrificed at …

A Computer Simulation Study Of Blood Cholinesterase Inhibition In Parathion Treated Rats, Scott Christopher Hennes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A computer simulation model of blood cholinesterase inhibition in rats resulting from a single oral or dermal dose of parathion was developed and tested. The model consists of a set of non-linear differential equations describing the absorption, distribution and metabolism of parathion and the kinetics of inhibition and reactivation of erythrocyte and plasma cholinesterase. The equations are numerically integrated to produce the time-course of each of the cholinesterase activities of the blood. The model was tested for validity by a comparison of the activities predicted by the model to values determined experimentally in male rats. The model successfully simulated plasma …

Accumulation Of Formaldehyde And Its Relation To Postmortem Aging Of Non-Gadoid Fish Species, Mohamad A. Al-Kanhal

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Three non-gadoid fish species, trout (Cynoscion regalis), English sole (Paraophyrys vetulus) and Pacific red snapper (Scomber japonicus) have been tested for the recovery of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), trimethylamine (TMA), dimethylamine (DMA), and formaldehyde (FA) during postmortem storage at 4°C and -5°C. TMAO, TMA, and DMA content was determined by measuring them as the salt derivative of picric acid. FA was determined by using the 3-Methyl-2-Benzothiazolinone hydrazone test.

In muscle tissue of red snapper and English sole, it was clear that initially TMAO decreased during storage at 4°C, while the amounts of TMA, DMA, and …

The Toxicity, Metabolism And Distribution Of Carbaryl In Three Species Of Labops With And Without Piperonyl Butoxide Treatment (Hemiptera:Miridae), Deifalla H. Osman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Carbaryl toxicity, metabolism, and distribution in adults of three species of grass bugs from the genus Labops were studied in relation to species, sex, and treatment with piperonyl butoxide. LC₅₀ values for 8 hour exposure periods ranged from 0.02-0.14, 0.03-0.3, and 0.2-0.7 μg carbaryl/vial for L. utahensis, L. hirtus, and L. hesperius respectively. The males were more susceptible to carbaryl than females. Males of L. utahensis were more susceptible than L. hirtus and L. hesperius respectively.

The synergist difference values (LC₅₀ of carbaryl alone - LC₅₀ values of carbaryl after piperonyl butoxide treatment) were measured. …

The Covalent Interaction Of Hepatic Metabolites Of The Insecticide Chlordane With Cellular Macromolecules In The Rat And Mouse In Vitro, Alan A. Brimfield

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This investigation addressed several aspects of the covalent interaction of metabolites of the insecticide chlordane with cellular macromolecules in vitro. Microsomal preparations from the liver of mice and rats were used and covalent binding to microsomal protein and RNA or to added calf thymus DNA was studied. Pure ¹⁴C-labelled cis- and trans-chlordane isomers as well as an isomeric mixture (¹⁴C-cis-chlordane plus ¹⁴C-trans-chlordane 3:1, w:w) were used as substrates for the in vitro system. Biochemical parameters investigated included inhibition of microsomal mixed-function oxidase and epoxide hydratase plus the induction of these enzymes by pretreatment with chlordane …

A Rapid And Specific Gas Chromatographic Analysis For Cysteine-S-Sulfonate To Determine The Distribution Of Sulfite In Mammalian Plasma, Joseph Don Debethizy

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

It has been shown in previous studies that when sulfite is absorbed by rabbits via either inhalation of SO₂ or oral exposure to sulfite, the hydrated form, bisulfite, interacts with plasma disulfides where it is suspected to be in the form, cysteine-S-sulfonate. A rapid and specific gas chromatographic analysis procedure for cysteine-S-sulfonate has been developed to better study the distribution of sulfite in biological systems. Sulfonated proteins are enzymatically hydrolyzed to ensure stability of the acid labile S-sulfonate disulfide. The hydrolysate is then applied to a 6 cm cation-exchange column and eluted with 0.1 N HCl which elutes the …

Central Nervous System Toxicity Of Alpha-Chaconine In Rats, Charles Newell Aldous Iii

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Effects of alpha-chaconine were examined in the central nervous system on the basis of electrophysiological tests and by assaying for changes in the levels of several known neurotransmitters of the brain. The possibility that brain acetylcholine levels might increase corresponding to acetylcholinesterase inhibition in treated rats was investigated where an increase would suggest that the anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of alpha-chaconine was physiologically significant.

Various doses of alpha-chaconine were given to rats prepared for physiological tests. Some symptoms were observed at relatively low doses (8 to 10 milligrams per kilogram). These included constriction of abdominal muscles, respiratory impairment, and sedation. At the …

Subtle Teratogenic Effects Of Locoweed In Rats, Benjamin K. Nelson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Locoweed, a well-known teratogenic plant affecting livestock, is prevalent in mountain regions of the Western United States. Two common species (Astragalus lentiginosus and A. wootoni), administered to pregnant rats, induced behavioral deviations in their offspring. Treated mothers consumed less feed and gained less wieght during gestation than controls when gavaged locoweed at the rate of 1 gram whole plant per day on days 7 through 17 of gestation. A. lentiginosus reduced pup weight at birth (13% less than controls) and this weight reduction (as much as 29% less than controls) continued at least four weeks. A. lentiginosus also …

Toxicological And Biochemical Investigations Of Alpha-Chaconine In Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L. ) Tubers: Physiologic Disposition And Tissue Binding, And Inhibition Of Tissue Cholinesterases And Isoenzymes, Sydney Obodoechina Alozie

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The distribution, absorption, metabolism and tissue binding of radioactivity were studied in hamsters after oral and intraperitoneal administration of alpha-chaconine- (³H). The material was well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and nearly 22 percent of the label was excreted via urine and feces in 7 days. The excretion was higher in urine (21 percent) than in feces ( < 1 percent). Tissue concentrations of radioactivity peaked at 12 hours following oral administration, with the highest concentrations found in lungs, liver, spleen, skeletal muscle, kidney and pancreas, with heart and brain containing moderate amounts. Concentrations of radioactivity in tissues following intraperitoneal administration were significantly higher than those observed after oral treatment. Excretion of chloroform-soluble products in the feces was 10 times higher than that of the chloroform-insoluble metabolites after both oral and intraperitoneal administration. In the urine, the activity was predominantly in the chloroform-insoluble form and the chloroform-soluble metabolites were relatively minor in amounts (0.27, 0.85, and 2.45 percent versus 0.005, 0.14 and 0.19 percent of dose for 12, 24 and 72 hours, respectively). After 7 days, the chloroform-soluble metabolites in urine increased to 20 percent of the excreted radioactivity, while the amount of chloroform-insoluble metabolites was less than 1 percent. Subcellular distribution of the labeled compound indicated the highest concentration of radioactivity in the nuclear and microsomal fractions of brain, liver and heart tissues. A small amount of radioactivity, shown by a minor peak, was also observed in the fractions between the mitochondrial and microsomal fractions on a sucrose gradient. Binding of radioactivity was observed in brain, testes, kidney, lung, liver and heart. All of the label in the brain appeared to be in the bound form. The results indicated that alpha-chaconine is slowly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration, and persists in various tissues, much of it in bound (non-extractable) form (in nuclear and microsomal fractions).

Excretion of alpha-chaconine- (3H) and its metabolites was investigated after oral and intraperitoneal administration in hamsters. The separation of the glycoalkaloid and its metabolites in feces and urine was accomplished by thin-layer chromatography. An increase in the concentration of excreted …

Carbon, Nitrogen And Algal Biomass In Cold Desert Soil Crusts, Mary Cleave Vogelsberg

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The algal biomass, total organic carbon, total nitrogen and percent soil moisture of soil crusts for a ten month period are presented for the Curlew Valley region of northern Utah. The estimates establish a significant relationship among these parameters.

A method involving chlorophyll extraction to determine the biomass of soil algae has been developed, and from this method the following conclusions are suggested: the revegetation of soil surfaces by algal crusts after lethal treatment, without physical disruption, appears to be rapid; there is no apparent relationship between the amount of algal biomass and the type of vascular vegetation present.

Nitrogen Fixation In Arid Western Soils, Robert Charles Rychert

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Nitrogen fixation by blue-green algae-lichen crusts from South Curlew Valley, Utah, in the Great Basin Desert, was studied using the acetylene reduction technique. A molar ratio of 3 moles C₂H₄ produced/mole of N₂ fixed was used to estimate nitrogen (N₂) fixation by acetylene reduction. Nostoc was found to be present in many of the lichen thalli examined microscopically. Crust nitrogen fixation decreased rapidly below -1/3 bar pressure (water potential) which indicated that nitrogen fixation occurs only when the crust is wet. This would suggest that most of the crust nitrogen fixation in the Great …

Absorption, Translocation And Metabolism Of 1,3-Dichloropropene In Selected Plants, David L. Berry

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The absorption, translocation and metabolism of 1,3-dichloropropene (a soil fumigant) in bush beans, tomato and carrot was studied under growth chamber and greenhouse conditions using solution culture, vermiculite and sand. Absorption was monitored using gas chromatographic analysis and isotope techniques. Plants were shown to absorb a maximum amount of dichloropropene by 24 to 48 hr from solution culture and vermiculite. The plant absorbed and translocated 1,3-dichlorpropene-¹⁴C-U readily to aerial parts of the plant.

Bush beans, tomatoes and carrots absorbed and translocated 3-chlorallyl alcohol-¹⁴C-U from solution culture and vermiculite. Levels of 3-chloroallyl alcohol reached maximum at 24 …

Mercury, Dieldrin, Ddt, Dde, And Pcb Levels In Tissues From Fish And Wildlife In Utah, Fred A. Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Fish and wildlife were randomly sampled in Utah from pre-selected x areas and analyzed for levels of total mercury, dieldrin, DDT, and DDE. Levels were well within consumptive tolerance or guideline limits except for mercury levels of fish in Willard Bay Reservoir. PCB's were also identified in a large proportion of samples.

None of the chukars, 6 percent of the pheasants, 4 percent of the waterfowl, and none of the fish sampled, excluding Willard Bay Reservoir, were above the 0.5 ppm guideline level for mercury established by the Food and Drug Administration. Seventy-seven percent of the fish sampled from Willard …

The Interaction Of Promazine With Selected Macromolecules And A Membrane Utilizing Absorption And Emission Spectroscopy, Jess D. Keeler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The association of promazine-HCl with bovine serum albumin, ammonium detergent micelles, and hemoglobin-free-rabbit-erythrocyte membranes were measured using the changes in the absorption and the emission of the interactants plus the fluorescent probe 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate. The binding of a promazine to serum protein and membrane did not alter the emission of the drug. However, the binding did produce a measurable quenching of the membrane and protein fluorescence. The quenching reaction was pH sensitive for both the protein and the membrane. Promazine binding to serum protein produced a hyperchromic change in the drugs absorption spectrum which paralleled the quenching reaction. The binding …

Effects Of Controlled Atmosphere Storage On Specific Biochemical Changes In Apricot And Peach Fruits, Bartley Norman Wankier

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effects of controlled atmosphere storage vs conventional refrigerated storage on the metabolism of Moorpark and Large Early Montgamet apricot and Elberta peach fruits were studied. The controlled atmospheres studied were 0.0 percent CO₂-5.0 percent O₂; 2.5 percent CO₂-5.0 percent O₂; 5.0 percent CO₂-2.5 percent O₂; 7.5 percent CO₂-5.0 percent O₂; as compared to conventional refrigerated storage. Nitrogen percent was assumed to be the difference between the total CO₂ and O₂ content minus 100.

Fruits were periodically removed from the storage and …

Brisket Disease: Influence Of Hypoxia And An Induced Calcium-Potassium Imbalance On The Mineral Composition Of Blood, Heart, Liver, Kidney, And Bone, David Eugene Bailey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Brisket disease, an affliction of cattle, is important because of: (1) economic losses, (2) similarities to chronic mountain sickness in humans, and (3) the provision of experimental animals for cardiac research. In afflicted cattle, right cardiac ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation occur and are manifestations of attempted compensation for reduced alveolar oxygen by increasing pulmonary circulation.

Geographic variations in occurrence of brisket disease in Utah indicate that hypoxia is not the sole causative factor. From the findings that afflicted cattle exhibit hypocalcemia and hyperkalemia, and the disease occurs most commonly in wet meadowland environments where potassium is high and calcium low …

Brisket Disease: Elemental And Oxalate Contents Of Cattle Forages On Two Utah Cattle Allotments, Raga Hafez I. Abaza

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

It was hypothesized that the hypocalcemia, hyperphosphoremia, hyperkalemia and the mild hypochromic microcytic anemia which existed in cattle afflicted with brisket disease could be due, at least in part, to nutritional disturbances. A chemical composition study was made of seven monocotyledonous plant species that comprise a major part of the diet and nine dicotyledonous plant species consumed by cattle and known or suspected of being poisonous. The plants analyzed were collected from two cattle grazing allotments, 7-mile and UM, in the Fishlake District, Fishlake National Forest, Utah, where brisket disease incidence is high. In each species the percentages on dry …