The short-term oral toxicity of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (alpha-TNT) was determined in dogs, rats, and mice. Single-dose oral LD50s for alpha-TNT in corn oil were 1320 and 794 mg/kg in male and female rats, respectively, and 660 mg/kg in both male and female mice. For multiple-dose studies, dogs were dosed daily for up to 13 wk with alpha-TNT at 0, 0.2, 2.0, or 20 mg/kg by capsule; rats received 0, 0.002, 0.01, 0.05, or 0.25% and mice received 0, 0.001, 0.005, 0.025, or 0.125% alpha-TNT in their diets over the same period. All species receiving the highest doses exhibited anemia, with reduced erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Alterations were observed in organ weights, including enlarged spleens (accompanied by hemosiderosis) and livers, and depressed body weight and/or body weight gain (temporary in dogs and mice). Alterations in clinical chemistry values included elevated cholesterol and depressed serum glutamicpyruvic transaminase activity in dogs and rats; no effect on serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity was observed. Some effects, such as SGPT depression in rats, appeared after 13 wk, suggesting a cumulative toxicity. Reduced testes size was observed in rats at the highest dose regardless of length of exposure. Most of the toxic effects were reversible, but testicular atrophy was not in rats allowed a 4-wk recovery period after treatment. Signs of anemia were present at intermediate dose levels. "No observable effects" levels for alpha-TNT were: dogs, 0.20; rats, 1.42; and mice, 7.76 mg/kg . d.
The oral toxicity of a mixture of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (1:0.62, w/w) compounds typically found in munitions plant effluents, was evaluated in mammalian species. Single-dose oral LD50s of the mixture were 574 and 594 mg/kg in male and female rats and 947 and 1130 mg/kg in male and female mice, respectively. Long dispersion periods during preparation or ultraviolet irradiation of the mixture lowered the LD50s. In repeated-exposure studies, dogs were given 0.50, 5.0 or 50 mg/kg X d by capsule for up to 90 d. Rats and mice were fed the mixture in the diet at 0.005, 0.05, or 0.5% for 90 d; mice were also fed at 0.25%. Mortality resulted at the highest dose level in each species. All three species showed depression of body weight or body weight gain, depressed food intake, moderate to severe anemia, and alterations in the spleen (hemosiderosis), liver (hepatomegaly), and testes (atrophy) at the highest dose levels. Cholesterol was elevated in rats and dogs after 90 d. Several species differences were also noted. Uric acid values were elevated in rats but not in dogs, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) activity was low in dogs but unchanged in rats, and rats developed hypoplasia of the uterus but dogs did not. Signs of anemia were present at the intermediate dose levels. The lowest dose level in all three species was designated at a "no observable effects" level, based on the absence of clearly treatment-related effects. In a 4-wk study, the irradiated mixture fed to rats at 0.003, 0.03, or 0.3% in the diet was less toxic than the unirradiated mixture.
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