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Diacetyl-induced respiratory and olfactory toxicity in mice: influence of ubiquitination, gender, and dicarbonyl/L-xylulose reductase gene knockout.

Authors
Hubbs AF; Fluharty KL; Goravanahally MP; Edwards RJ; Kashon ML; Sargent L; Mercer RR; Jackson MC; Cumpston AM; Goldsmith WT; Fedan JS; Dey RD; Battelli LA; Munro T; Moyers WB; Willard PA; McKinstry K; Friend S; Sriram K
Source
Toxicologist 2013 Mar; 132(1):50
NIOSHTIC No.
20042379
Abstract
The alpha-dicarbonyl butter flavoring, diacetyl (2,3-butanedione), is associated with flavorings-related constrictive bronchiolitis in workers who make or use flavorings. Diacetyl causes protein damage in a process believed to be dependent upon the alpha-dicarbonyl structure. A protective response to damaged protein is ubiquitination with subsequent proteasomal processing. Diacetyl is also metabolized to the less reactive alpha-hydroxyketone, acetoin, by dicarbonyl/L-xylulose reductase (Dcxr). We examined the role of Dcxr and gender on acute toxicity of inhaled diacetyl by exposing Dcxr knockout and wildtype mice of both sexes to diacetyl at target concentrations of 0, 100, 200 or 300 ppm for 6 hr. At 1 day post-exposure, endpoints were semi-quantitative histopathology and morphometric measurement of ubiquitin immunofluorescence in nose and lung sections. Ubiquitin was principally localized to nasal and intrapulmonary airways, increased in large bronchioles at concentrations > / = 100 ppm, and in the nose at 300 ppm. Diacetyl-induced ubiquitin in the nose and lung was modified by both gender and Dcxr. In lung histopathology, diacetyl caused vacuolation of airway epithelium of large bronchioles at concentrations > / = 100 ppm. In olfactory bulb (OB) of male mice inhaling 300 ppm diacetyl, mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators and olfactory marker protein (Omp), a marker of olfactory neuron axons, were assayed by real-time PCR. Diacetyl elevated Il6, Cxcl2, and TNFalpha and decreased Omp in OB. The data suggest that ubiquitin expression is a sensitive biomarker of diacetyl-induced protein damage in airway epithelium. Further, diacetyl causes neuroinflammation and potential loss of axons of olfactory neurons in OB, suggestive of neurotoxicity.
Keywords
Toxicology; Laboratory-animals; Laboratory-techniques; Exposure-assessment; Exposure-levels; Inhalation-studies; Pulmonary-function; Pulmonary-system-disorders; Lung-function; Dose-response; Lung-disorders; Lung-irritants; Food-additives; Carbonyls; Respiratory-system-disorders; Chemical-structure; Protein-chemistry; Proteins; Hydroxy-compounds; Ketones; Chemical-reactions; Olfactory-disorders; Genes; Sex-factors; Acute-toxicity; Histopathology; Nasal-cavity; Ribonucleic-acids; Biomarkers; Bioassays; Neurotoxins; Neurotoxic-effects; Neurotoxicity
CAS No.
431-03-8; 513-86-0
Publication Date
20130301
Document Type
Abstract
Fiscal Year
2013
Identifying No.
B20130416
Issue of Publication
1
ISSN
1096-6080
NIOSH Division
HELD
Priority Area
Manufacturing
Source Name
The Toxicologist. Society of Toxicology 52nd Annual Meeting and ToxExpo, March 10-14, 2013, San Antonio, Texas
State
WV; TX
Page last reviewed: May 11, 2023
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division