RepDose and FeDTex. Two databases focusing on systemic toxicity

Currently, two databases for in vivo toxicology are under construction at Fraunhofer ITEM. RepDose (I) contains data from repeated dose toxicity studies; FeDTex (II) addresses reproductive toxicity including one-, two- and three-generational studies. In the following, a short introduction into the databases will be given: I. The database structure as well as information about possible queries of RepDose is already published: (Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 2006;46(3):202-210). II. FeDTex is designed comparably and data for about 80 chemicals are included at present. RepDose and FeDTex can be used as stand alone databases or in combination to identify chemical structures responsible for specific effects or target organs. Within RepDose a broad spectrum of targets and effects can be addressed. In FeDTex, queries on selected effects in parent and offspring generations are possible. Combined use of both databases will provide an improved tool for substance toxicity profiling, e.g. for early indication of reprotoxic properties. About 50 chemicals are identical in both databases. An evaluation of toxicity profiles will be presented for these compounds. For chemicals with known or suspected reprotoxicity such as phthalates an evaluation of targets has been performed in both databases. In RepDose C2-C6 substituted phthalates induce toxic effects on testes. FeDTex data confirm this result with effects on sperm parameters and testes. Toxicity seems to be dependent on the chain length of the ester moiety. Altogether this fits well with the hypotheses published for phthalates and thus, confirms the value of combined queries within both databases