title: The use of ethanol:diethylphthalate as a vehicle for the local lymph node assay.
abstract: The murine local lymph node assay (LLNA) is used for the prospective identification of contact allergens. This method is not only accepted as a stand-alone test for the identification of contact allergenic hazard but also used increasingly for the measurement of the relative potency of skin-sensitizing chemicals as an integral component of the risk assessment process. During the development and validation phases of the method, a list of standard vehicles for use in the LLNA was identified, among them being the vehicle most commonly used acetone/olive oil (4:1, AOO). We have now explored the performance in the LLNA of a non-standard vehicle, ethanol:diethyl phthalate (1:3, EtOH:DEP), that is used frequently to evaluate dermal effects of fragrance materials in both human and experimental studies. Current investigations have demonstrated that EtOH:DEP induces similar levels of background proliferative responses in lymph nodes comparable with the standard vehicle AOO. Moreover, expected levels of activity are observed when EtOH:DEP is used to deliver a known contact allergen in the LLNA. The conclusion drawn is that EtOH:DEP provides a suitable vehicle for use in the LLNA and that the approach described provides a basis for future evaluation of novel vehicles.
authors.affiliation: Syngenta Central Toxicology Laboratory, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK. catherine.betts@syngenta.com
authors.forename: Catherine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Betts
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beresford
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Dearman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lalko
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Api
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kimber
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D023441:Local Lymph Node Assay; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000633:toxicity*; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D010795:Phthalic Acids; D000431:Ethanol; C007379:diethyl phthalate