Long‐term effects of repeated exposure to 3‐methylfuran in hamsters and mice

Abstract

Male and female Syrian golden hamsters were exposed for 2 h once a week for 10 consecutive weeks to 344 mumol/l of 3-methylfuran (3MF), an agent known to produce acute Clara-cell necrosis. Ten months later their respiratory function was evaluated. No functional differences were found between control and treated animals, and histopathologic evaluation of the lungs did not reveal any major treatment-related alterations. Male and female BALB/c mice were exposed for 1 h to 26.8 mumol/l of 3MF once weekly for 10 wk. After 2 yr the tumor incidence in exposed animals was not increased when compared to controls. It is concluded that the acute Clara-cell necrosis produced by 3MF at the doses used is of little long-term consequence.

Reactive Metabolites in the Biotransformation of Molecules Containing a Furan Ring

“…94,95 Exposure to 3-methylfuran by inhalation (344 μmol/L for 2 h once a week for 10 weeks) did not led to any adverse effects 10 months or 2 years later. 96 …”

“…94,95 Exposure to 3-methylfuran by inhalation (344 μmol/L for 2 h once a week for 10 weeks) did not lead to any adverse effects 10 months or 2 years later. 96 The toxicity of 3-methylfuran requires metabolism by P450 enzymes. The general P450 inhibitor, piperonyl butoxide, blocked both pulmonary macromolecular binding and necrosis induced by the inhalation of 3-methylfuran.…”

A 28-day Gavage Toxicity Study in Fischer 344 Rats with 3-methylfuran

“…In inhalation studies, furan and 3-methylfuran were found to induce pulmonary and nasal toxicity Haschek et al 1984;Morse, Boyd, and Witschi 1984;Witschi et al 1985). Other inhalation effects of 3-methylfuran include pallor and reduced weight of liver and kidney, as well as necrosis in the kidney and cloudy swelling of centrilobular hepatocytes , and amyloidosis in liver, kidney, and other organs (Witschi et al 1985).…”

“…In inhalation studies, furan and 3-methylfuran were found to induce pulmonary and nasal toxicity Haschek et al 1984;Morse, Boyd, and Witschi 1984;Witschi et al 1985). Other inhalation effects of 3-methylfuran include pallor and reduced weight of liver and kidney, as well as necrosis in the kidney and cloudy swelling of centrilobular hepatocytes , and amyloidosis in liver, kidney, and other organs (Witschi et al 1985). In contrast to their findings for furan, which induced extensive centrilobular necrosis in the liver and slight proximal tubular necrosis of the kidney after intraperitoneal administration, Wiley et al (1984) found no effects on liver or kidney from intraperitoneally administered 3-methylfuran.…”

“…Little toxicological information is available for 3-methylfuran, and in almost all of the studies, the route of administration was by inhalation Morse, Boyd, and Witschi 1984;Gammal et al 1984;Witschi et al 1985;Wålinder, Norbäck, and Johanson 1998); in one study, intraperitoneal injection was used . In inhalation studies, furan and 3-methylfuran were found to induce pulmonary and nasal toxicity Haschek et al 1984;Morse, Boyd, and Witschi 1984;Witschi et al 1985).…”