Question

7. Yusho Oil Disease is associated with exposure to the following agent a. valium b. PCB c. quinine d. ethanol e DDT 8. Drugs that require metabolic activation often are more teratogenic in women as compared to rodents. Explain why? 9. Explain why the threshold for teratogens is generally larger compared to most carcinogens. . Janz (75 marks) 10. Many toxic effects occurring as a result of drug overdoses, pesticide poisonings and exposure to natural toxins are mediated by alterations in electrically excitable cells (i.e. propagation of nerve cell impulses). Briefly describe six distinct mechanisms by which xenobiotics can cause toxicity via altered neurotransmission, and give a specific xenobiotic example for each. (3 marks each 18 marks total)

Answer 1

1) Yusho disease is associated with exposurd to PCS (Polychlorinated biphenyls), which occured in northern kyushu, Japan in 1968. Kanemi rice oil was contaminated with PCB, which was used for heating and circulating through a coil. Somehow cracks in the coil appeared and the PCBs leaked out, contaminating the cooking oil. There were over 14000 victims. PCB is thought to have effects as an endocrine disruptor, in addition to causing direct health effects such as skin rashes many others.