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Toxicological information

Repeated dose toxicity: oral

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Administrative data

Endpoint:
short-term repeated dose toxicity: oral
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
29 October 1993 - 30 August 1994
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: GLP study compliant with standardised tests, and is sufficiently detailed.

Data source

Reference
Reference Type:
study report
Title:
Unnamed
Year:
1994
Report date:
1994

Materials and methods

Test guideline
Qualifier:
equivalent or similar to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 407 (Repeated Dose 28-Day Oral Toxicity Study in Rodents)
Deviations:
yes
Remarks:
A functional observational battery for neurotoxicity was not performed ; this test not part of the OECD 407 guideline at time of study. Hematology and clinical chemistry parameters were not evaluated. Limited microscopic pathology performed.
GLP compliance:
yes
Limit test:
no

Test material

Constituent 1
Chemical structure
Reference substance name:
Zinc bis[O,O-bis(2-ethylhexyl)] bis(dithiophosphate)
EC Number:
224-235-5
EC Name:
Zinc bis[O,O-bis(2-ethylhexyl)] bis(dithiophosphate)
Cas Number:
4259-15-8
Molecular formula:
Too complex
IUPAC Name:
1-Hexanol, 2-ethyl-, O,O-diester with phosphorodithioic acid, zinc salt
Details on test material:
-Name of test material (as cited in study report): Zinc O,O-diethylhexyldithiophosphate (ZDDP)
- Physical state: clear colorless viscous liquid
- Storage condition of test material: the bulk test article was stored in a sealed container at room temperature and was considered to be stable under these conditions.

Test animals

Species:
rat
Strain:
Sprague-Dawley
Sex:
male/female
Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:
TEST ANIMALS
-Source: Charles River Breeding laboratories, Inc, Portage, Michigan.
-Age at study initiation: 10 weeks old (male) and 11 weeks old (female)
-Weight at study initiation: At the start of treatment the males weighed ranged from 327 to 415 g, and the females weighed ranged from 237 to 272 g.
-Fasting period before study: none.
-Housing: Upon arrival, all animals were housed three per cage by sex for a minimum of three days. Thereafter, all animals were housed individually in clean, wire-mesh cages suspended above cage-board.
-Diet (e.g. ad libitum): The animals were allowed free access to food. The basal ration used in this study was Purina" Certified Rodent Chow® #5002. The diet utilized at WIL Research Laboratories, Inc., is a certified feed with appropriate analyses performed by the manufacturer and provided to WIL Research Laboratories, Inc.
-Water (e.g. ad libitum): free access to tap-water. Municipal water supplying the facility is sampled and analyzed for contaminants according to Standard Operating Procedures.

-Acclimation period: 15 days.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
-Temperature (°C): 18 to 22 oC
-Humidity (%): 22% to 78%
-Air changes: no data available.
-Photoperiod: twelve hours continuous light and twelve hours darkness.

IN-LIFE DATES: From: October 28, 1993 To: December 10, 1993

Administration / exposure

Route of administration:
oral: gavage
Vehicle:
corn oil
Details on oral exposure:
PREPARATION OF DOSING SOLUTIONS: A sufficient amount of Mazoia® Corn Oil to dose the control group animals was placed in a properly labeled storage container. The vehicle control article was stirred continuously throughout the sampling and dosing procedures using a magnetic stir bar and plate.

The appropriate amount of test article, ZDDP, for each group was weighed into tared, precalibrated, storage containers. Mazoia® Corn Oil was added to the calibration mark. The test article preparations were stirred continuously throughout the sampling and dosing procedures using magnetic stir bars and plates. The dose formulations were visually inspected for homogeneity prior to dosing.
All dosing preparations were made weekly and were stored at room temperature between periods of use.

VEHICLE
- Justification for use and choice of vehicle (if other than water): the test substance formed a homogenous solution in corn oil, and this preparation was stable for at least 7 days.
- Concentration in vehicle: 0, 2, 10, 25, 50, 100 mg/ml.
- Amount of vehicle (if gavage): 5 ml/kg bw
- Lot/batch no. (if required): NDA
- Purity: 100%
Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:
yes
Details on analytical verification of doses or concentrations:
All analyses were performed by Chevron Research and Technology Company, Richmond, California. Prior to study initiation, two sets of samples from the middle of the control group and four sets of samples each from the top, middle and bottom of a 2 mg/ml and a 100 mg/ml formulation prepared prior to dose level selection were collected. One-half of the samples were analyzed for homogeneity. The remaining samples were stored under normal laboratory conditions for eight days then analyzed to verify stability of the test article in the vehicle. From each weekly formulation, two sets of samples from the middle of the control group and four sets of samples from the middle of the 10, 50, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day groups were collected. One-half of the samples were analyzed for concentration. The results of these analyses are the responsibility of the sponsor and will be reported separately by the sponsor. The remaining samples were stored at WIL Research Laboratories, Inc., until conformation of receipt of intact samples by the sponsor.
Duration of treatment / exposure:
The test material was administered daily, for twenty-eight consecutive days.
Frequency of treatment:
Once daily, 7 days per week.
Doses / concentrationsopen allclose all
Remarks:
Doses / Concentrations:
10 mg/kg/day active ingredient
Basis:
other: nominal via gavage
Remarks:
Doses / Concentrations:
50 mg/kg/day/active ingredient
Basis:
other: nominal via gavage
Remarks:
Doses / Concentrations:
125 mg/kg/day active ingredient
Basis:
other: nominal via gavage
Remarks:
Doses / Concentrations:
250 mg/kg/day active ingredient
Basis:
other: nominal via gavage
Remarks:
Doses / Concentrations:
500 mg/kg/day active ingredient
Basis:
other: nominal via gavage
No. of animals per sex per dose:
5/sex/dose
Control animals:
yes, concurrent vehicle
Details on study design:
- Dose selection rationale: Dose levels based upon a preliminary range finding study. The 5-day range finding study was performed with 3 rats/sex/group at oral dose levels of 1000 mg/kg/day to provide a basis for selection of dose levels for the 28-day study.
The test material was prepared as a solution in corn oil, and was administered orally as a single daily dose for five consecutive days. All animals died or were euthanized in extremis prior to study day 5. Based on the results of this study, dose levels of 10, 50, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day were selected for the dose range-finding toxicity study of ZDDP in rats.

- Rationale for animal assignment (if not random): all available rats were weighed and examined in detail for physical abnormalities. Animals judged suitable for testing, as decided by the study director, were selected for use for the computerized randomization procedure. The individual body weights and corresponding animal numbers were entered into the WE Toxicology Data Management System (WTDMSTD). A printout containing the animal numbers, corresponding body weights and individual group assignments was generated based on body weight stratif~cation in a block design. The animals then were arranged according to the printout. The control and five test groups each consisted of five males and five females.

- Rationale for selecting satellite groups: no data available.
- Post-exposure recovery period in satellite groups: no data available.
- Section schedule rationale (if not random): Random
Positive control:
not used

Examinations

Observations and examinations performed and frequency:
CAGE SIDE OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: The animals were observed twice daily, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, for mortality and moribundity.
- Cage side observations checked in table [No.?] were included. No.

DETAILED CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: Clinical observations were performed on all animals prior to dosing, at the time of dosing and approximately 1 hour following dosing with the following exceptions. AU animals were observed for clinical signs one and two hours following dosing on November 13 and 14, 1993 (study days 1 and 2), and all animals were observed approximately two hours following dosing, rather than approximately one hour following dosing, on November 23, 1993 (study day 11). All observations were recorded.
BODY WEIGHT: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: Individual body weights were recorded on study days -7, 0 and every other day after until study termination (day 28). Mean body weight changes were calculated for each interval and also for study days 0-8, 8-14, 14-22, 22-28 and 0-28. A final body weight was recorded for each animal on the day of scheduled necropsy.
FOOD CONSUMPTION AND COMPOUND INTAKE (if feeding study):
- Food consumption for each animal determined and mean daily diet consumption calculated as g food/kg body weight/day: Yes, individual food consumption was measured weekly beginning one week prior to test article administration (week -1). Food intake was calculated as g/animal/day.
- Compound intake calculated as time-weighted averages from the consumption and body weight gain data: No.

FOOD EFFICIENCY:
- Body weight gain in kg/food consumption in kg per unit time X 100 calculated as time-weighted averages from the consumption and body weight gain data: No data.

WATER CONSUMPTION AND COMPOUND INTAKE (if drinking water study): No data.
- Time schedule for examinations:

OPHTHALMOSCOPIC EXAMINATION: No
- Time schedule for examinations: no data available.
- Dose groups that were examined: no data available.

HAEMATOLOGY: No
- Time schedule for collection of blood: no data available.
- Anaesthetic used for blood collection: no data available.
- Animals fasted: no data available.
- How many animals: no data available.
- Parameters were examined: no data available.

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY: No
- Time schedule for collection of blood: no data available.
- Animals fasted: no data available.
- How many animals: no data available.
- Parameters were examined: no data available.

URINALYSIS: No
- Time schedule for collection of urine: no data available.
- Metabolism cages used for collection of urine: no data available.
- Animals fasted: no data available.
- Parameters were examined: no data available.

NEUROBEHAVIOURAL EXAMINATION: No.
- Time schedule for examinations: no data available.
- Dose groups that were examined: no data available.
- Battery of functions tested: no data available.

OTHER: overt signs of toxicity, ill health or behavioural change were examined immediately before dosing and one hour after dosing..



Sacrifice and pathology:
GROSS PATHOLOGY: Yes
A complete necropsy was conducted on all animals that died or were anesthetized at study termination. All animals were anesthetized by carbon dioxide asphyxiation and exsanguinated. The necropsy included, but was not limited to, examination of the extend surface, all orifices and the cranial, thoracic, abdominal and pelvic cavities including viscera.

HISTOPATHOLOGY: Yes
Samples of the following tissues were removed from all animals and fixed:
Adrenals, Aorta (thoracic), Bone with marrow (stenebrae), Bone marrow smear (from femur), Brain (forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain), Eyes with optic nerve (2) Gastrointestinal tract, Esophagus, Stomach, Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum, Cecum, Colon, Rectum, HeaIt, Kidneys (2), Liver (sections of two lobes), Lungs [including bronchi, futed by inflation with fixative (2)], Lymph node (mesenteric), Mammary gland (females only) , Ovaries with oviducts (2), Pancreas, Peripheral nerve (sciatic), Pituitary, Prostate, Salivary glands [submaxillary (2)], Seminal vesicles (2), Skeletal muscle (vastus medialis), Skin, Spinal cord (cervical, midthoracic, lumbar), Spleen, Testes with epididymides (2), Thymus, Thyroid [with parathyroids if present (2)], Trachea, Urinary, bladder, Uterus with vagina, and all gross lesions.
Other examinations:
ORGAN WEIGHTS
The following organs from animals euthanized at study termination were weighed:
Adrenals,Brain, Epididymides, Heart, Kidneys, Liver, Ovaries, Testes.
Paired organs were weighed collectively. Organ to final body weight ratios and organ to brain weight ratios were calculated.

MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION
After fixation, specified tissues were trimmed as described by Thompson2. Trimmed specimens were placed in appropriately labeled and numbered cassettes. The tissue samples were processed and then embedded in paraffin blocks. The labeled paraffin blocks were sectioned at five to eight microns. The tissue sections were placed on clean glass microscopic slides labeled with the appropriate study, animal, group and cassette number. Upon completion of the staining with hematoxylin and eosin (AFIP Manual of Histological Staining Methods3), cover slips were placed on the slides.
The esophagus, stomach, intestine (small and large), gonads, accessory sex tissues and gross Lesions were examined microscopically from all animals that died and from the animals in the control and 500 mg/kg/day groups euthanized at the scheduled necropsy. Due to the mortality observed in the 500 mg/kg/day group, the previously mentioned tissues were also examined microscopically from the 250 mg/kg/day group animals at the scheduled necropsy.

The adrenal glands were examined microscopically from animals in the control, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day groups due to an increase in absolute adrenal gland weights at these dose levels.
Statistics:
All analyses were conducted using two tailed tests for minimum significance levels of 1% and 5 % comparing the treatment groups to the vehicle control group by sex. AU means were presented with standard deviations (S.D.) and the numbers of sampling units (N) used to calculate the means. All statistical tests were performed by a Digital® MicroVAX® 3400 computer with appropriate programming. Analysis of body weight, body weight change, food consumption, and absolute and relative organ weight data were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance, followed by Dunnett's test.

Results and discussion

Results of examinations

Clinical signs:
effects observed, treatment-related
Mortality:
mortality observed, treatment-related
Body weight and weight changes:
effects observed, treatment-related
Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):
effects observed, treatment-related
Food efficiency:
not examined
Water consumption and compound intake (if drinking water study):
not examined
Ophthalmological findings:
not examined
Haematological findings:
not examined
Clinical biochemistry findings:
not examined
Urinalysis findings:
not examined
Behaviour (functional findings):
not examined
Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:
effects observed, treatment-related
Gross pathological findings:
effects observed, treatment-related
Histopathological findings: non-neoplastic:
effects observed, treatment-related
Histopathological findings: neoplastic:
not examined
Details on results:
CLINICAL SIGNS AND MORTALITY
Three males in the 500 mg/kg/day group died, one 500 mg/kg/day group female died. The most remarkable clinical signs observed prior to death in these animals consisted of hypoactivity, body cool to touch, hunched appearance, unkempt appearance, extremities pale in color and/or respiratory distress (rales, labored respiration, shallow respiration). One female in the 125 mg/kg/day group died. This female was noted to have the oral cavity obstructed by a thick brown material on the day of death. Other remarkable clinical signs for this female prior to death included hypoactivity, body cool to the touch, hunched appearance, unkempt appearance, extremities pale in color, excessive chewing and respiratory distress (rales, labored respiration, shallow respiration).
All other animals survived to the scheduled necropsy. The predominant clinical signs, observed at a similar incidence and severity throughout the study, consisted of the following. Changes in fecal consistency (soft stool, diarrhea, mucoid diarrhea, mucoid feces), discoloration of the feces and tan, yellow or brown staining on various body surfaces were observed in the 125,250 and 500 mg/kg/day group males and females, primarily at the daily examinations prior to dosing. Rales occurred in the 50 mg/kg/day group males and the 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day group males and females, primarily at the daily examinations and one hour following dosing. Salivation was observed in these same dose groups at the time of dosing. Aggression was noted in the 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day group males and females at the time of dosing.

Other clinical findings in the treated groups were those commonly observed in laboratory rats andlor were limited in occurrence. These findings generally occurred in a non dose related manner or at a similar incidence in the control group.

Mortality:
Three males in the 500 mg/kg/day group died, one each on study days 6, 8 and 14 (weeks 0, 1 and 2, respectively). One 500 mg/kg/day group female died on study day 16 (week 2).
One female in the 125 mglkglday group died on study day 7 (week 1).

BODY WEIGHT AND WEIGHT GAIN
Mean body weight losses occurred in the 500 mg/kg/day group males and females during the initial two days of dosing (days 0-2). The differences from the control group were statistically significant (p <0.01). Mean body weight losses and reduced mean body weight gains were observed in the 500 mg/kg/day group males during study days 2-4 through 10-12. The mean body weight loss during study days 10-12 was statistically significant (p<0.05) when compared to the control group. Mean body weight gains in the 500 mg/kg/day group females were similar to the control group values during these intervals. Throughout the remainder of the study (days 12- 14 through 26-28), mean body weight changes in the 500 mg/kg/day group males and females were unaffected by test article administration; no trends were apparent. For the overall study period (days 0-28), the 500 mg/kg/day group males had a reduced mean body weight gain (not statistically significant), while the females in this group showed an increased mean body weight gain (p<0.05) when compared to the control group. Mean body weights in this group were lower than the control group values for days 2 through 12 in the males and for days 2 and 4 in the females. The differences between the control and 500 mg/kg/day group females on days 2 and 4 were statistically significant (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively).

At a dose level of 250 mg/kg/day, a slightly reduced mean body weight gain occurred in the males during days 0-2. No other adverse effects on mean body weight changes and no differences in mean body weights were apparent in the 250 mg/kg/day group when compared to the control group.
Mean body weights and body weight changes in the 10, 50 and 125 mg/kg/day group males and females were unaffected by test article administration.

FOOD CONSUMPTION AND COMPOUND INTAKE (if feeding study):
Food consumption, evaluated as g/animal/day, was slightly reduced in the 500 mg/kg/day group males and females during week 0-1. The differences from the control group were not statistically significant. Throughout the remainder of the study (weeks 1-2 through 3-4), food consumption in the 500 mg/kg/day group males and females was slightly higher than that in the control group. The differences between the control and 500 mg/kg/day group females during weeks 1-2 and 3-4 were statistically significant (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively).
Food consumption in the 10, 50, 125 and 250 mg/kg/day group males and females was similar to the control group throughout the study.

FOOD EFFICIENCY
No data.

WATER CONSUMPTION
No data.

OPHTHALMOSCOPIC EXAMINATION:
No data.

HAEMATOLOGY
No data.

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
No data.

URINALYSIS
No data.

NEUROBEHAVIOUR
No data.

ORGAN WEIGHTS
Mean absolute adrenal gland weights were increased by 27 % and 5 1% for males and 20% and 18% for females in the 250 and 500 mg/kg/day groups, respectively. The differences between the control group and the 250 and 500 mg/kg/day group males were statistically significant (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Mean adrenal gland weights relative to final body weight ratios and mean adrenal gland weights relative to brain weight ratios in these groups were also increased when compared to the control group values. All of the male differences and the relative to brain weight ratio differences in the females were statistically significant (p<0.05 or p <0.01). Mean absolute and relative adrenal gland weights in the 10, 50 and 125 mg/kg/day groups were similar to the control group values.
No other test article related effects on organ weight data were observed at any dose level. Increases were observed in mean absolute and relative (to final body weight) testes (p<0.05) and epididymides weights in the two surviving 500 mg/kg/day group males when compared to the control group. Similar increases were not observed in the relative to brain weight ratios, no microscopic lesions that could account for the weight differences were observed and no relationship to treatment was apparent. The mean relative (to final body weight) brain weight in the 500 mg/kg/day group females was significantly lower (p<0.05) than the control group value. This decrease was attributed to the higher final body weight mean in the high dose group and was not considered to be of toxicological significance. The mean relative (to brain weight) heart weight in the 500 mg/kg/day group males was significantly reduced (p<0.05) and the mean relative (to brain weight) liver weight in the 500 mg/kg/day group females was significantly increased (p<0.05) when compared to the control group values. However, there were no microscopic lesions that could account for the weight difference, and the changes were not attributed to treatment. No other remarkable differences in organ weight data were apparent.

GROSS PATHOLOGY:
The 500 mg/kg/day group female that died during study week 2 had gastric ulceration of the non-glandular mucosa and suppurative inflammation in the stomach adjacent to the ulcer. These findings were considered to be a response to a gastric irritant. No other histopathological lesions suggestive of a treatment related effect were observed in the animals that died.

HISTOPATHOLOGY: NON-NEOPLASTIC
At the scheduled necropsy, 1/5 males in the 250 mg/kg/day group and 4/4 females in the 500 mg/kg/day group had gastric submucosal edema. Three of the 500 mg/kg/day group females also had gastric suppurative inflammation. These findings were consistent with a response to a gastric irritant. No other test article related histopathological lesions were observed at any dose level. Hyperkeratosis of the nonglandular gastric mucosa was noted in 212 males in the 500 mg/kg/day group and 1/5 and 1/4 females in the 250 and 500 mg/kg/day groups, respectively. This was considered to be a reflection of the status of food consumption and not necessarily a reflection of a toxic response. Other findings noted in the 250 and 500 mg/kg/day pups were observed at a similar incidence in the control group (such as hypertrophy of the adrenal glands) or were limited to single animals (such as suppurative inflammation in the prostate).

HISTOPATHOLOGY: NEOPLASTIC (if applicable): not applicable.
HISTORICAL CONTROL DATA (if applicable): not applicable.

OTHER FINDINGS
- Organ weights: See above
- Histopathology: See above
- Potential target organs: no data available


Effect levels

Dose descriptor:
NOAEL
Effect level:
125 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Sex:
male/female
Basis for effect level:
other: see 'Remark'

Target system / organ toxicity

Critical effects observed:
not specified

Any other information on results incl. tables

Statistically significant mean body weight losses occurred in the 500 mg/kg/day group males and females during the initial two days of dosing (days 0-2). Body weight gain continued to be inhibited in the high dose group males, but not the females, during study days 2-4 through 10-12 and for the overall study period (days 0-28). No other trends were apparent in body weight change data at a dose level of 500 mg/kg/day. Mean body weights in this group were lower than the control group values for days 2 through 12 in the males and for days 2 and 4 in the females. In the 250 mg/kg/day group, a slightly reduced mean body weight gain was observed in the males during days 0-2. No other adverse effects on body weight data were apparent at dose levels of 250 mg/kg/day and below.

Food consumption (g/animal/day) was slightly reduced, but not statistically significant, in the 500 mg/kg/day group males and females during week 0-1. Food consumption in this group was slightly higher than that in the control group throughout the remainder of the study. No adverse effects on food consumption were apparent in the 10, 50, 125 and 250 mg/kg/day group males and females.

At the scheduled necropsy, thickened mucosa in the nonglandular poltion of the stomach was observed in 1/2 males in the 500 mg/kg/day group and 1/5 and 2/4 females in the 250 and 500 mg/kg/day groups, respectively. At the microscopic examination, 115 males in the 250 mg/kg/day group and 4/4 females in the 500 mg/kg/day group had glandular and/or non-glandular gastric submucosal edema. Three of the high dose group females also had suppurative inflammation, primarily in the non-glandular portion of the stomach. These findings are consistent with a response to a gastric irritant. Mean absolute and relative (to final body weight and to brain weight) adrenal gland weights in the 250 and 500 mg/kg/day group males and females were increased when compared to the control group values. AU of the differences in the males were statistically significant and the differences in the females for relative to brain weight ratios were statistically significant. No test article related histopathological lesions were observed in the adrenal glands to account for the increases.

In conclusion, ZDDP administered orally at a dose level of 500 mg/kg/day produced mortalities (three males and one female), changes in the clinical condition of the animals, inhibition of body weight gain during the first 2-12 days of dosing, inhibition of food consumption during the first week of dosing, increased adrenal gland weights and gross and microscopic gastric tissue changes. In the 250 mg/kg/day group, toxicity was exhibited by changes in the clinical condition of the animals, inhibition of body weight gain in the males during the first two days of dosing, increased adrenal gland weights and gastric tissue changes (gross and microscopic). Several changes in the clinical condition of the animals were observed in the 50 and 125 mg/kg/day group males and females. Based on the data obtained, a dose level of 500 mg/kg/day would exceed a maximum tolerated dose for a subsequent reproduction/developmental toxicity study in rats. Based on these findings, the systemic and local portal-of-entry no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was determined to be 125 mg/kg/day.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:
Repeated oral administration to rats for 28 consecutive days resulted in chemical-related effects at dose levels of 50 to 500 mg/kg/day. A dose level of 125 mg/kg/day was considered to be the NOAEL (no observable adverse effect level) for systemic toxicity
Executive summary:

The toxicity potential of the test article, Zinc O,O-diethylhexyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), was evaluated in this 28-day study in rats. This study was also conducted to aid in dose level selection for an OECD reproduction/developmental toxicity screening study. The test article in Mazola® Corn Oil was administered orally by gavage to five groups, each consisting of five male and five female Sprague- Dawley Crl:CD® BR rats, for a period of 28 consecutive days. Dosage levels were 10, 50, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day. All animals were dosed at a volume of 5 ml/kg. A concurrent control group of identical design received the vehicle, Mazola® Corn Oil, on a comparable regimen at a dose volume of 5 ml/kg. The animals were observed for clinical signs and effects on body weight, food consumption and organ weights. Necropsies were performed on all animals that died or were euthanized at study termination. A microscopic examination was conducted on selected tissues from the control, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day dose groups.

Three males and one female dosed at 500 mg/kg/day died between study days 6 and 16. These deaths were attributed to treatment. One female dosed at 125 mg/kg/day died on study day 7. The cause of death for this female was unknown. No deaths were observed at the higher dose level of 250 mg/kg/day, and the death of this female was not attributed to oral administration of the test article.

All other animals survived to the scheduled necropsy. Test article related clinical signs included changes in fecal consistency, discoloration of the feces, tan, yellow or brown staining on various body surfaces, rales, salivation and aggression in the 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day group males and females. Rales and salivation were also observed in the 50 mg/kg/day group males. Body weight gain was inhibited in the 250 mg/kg/day group males and the 500 mg/kg/day group males and females during the first two days of dosing. Inhibition of body weight gain continued in the high dose group males through study day 12. Food consumption was slightly reduced in the 500 mg/kg/day group males and females during the first week of dosing.

At the scheduled necropsy, thickened mucosa in the nonglandular portion of the stomach was observed in one 500 mg/kg/day group male and in one and two females in the 250 and 500 mg/kg/day groups, respectively. At the microscopic examination, one 250 mg/kg/day group male and all 500 mg/kg/day group females had submucosal edema in the glandular andlor non-glandular portions of the stomach. Three of the high dose group females also had suppurative inflammation, primarily in the non- glandular portion of the stomach. These findings are consistent with a response to a gastric irritant. Mean absolute and relative adrenal gland weights in the 250 and 500 mg/kg/day group males and females were increased when compared to the control group values. No test article related histopathological lesions were observed in the adrenal glands to account for the increases.

Based on the data obtained, a dose level of 500 mg/kg/day would exceed a maximum tolerated dose for a subsequent reproduction/developmental toxicity study in rats.  Treatment-related increases in mean absolute and relative adrenal gland weights occurred at the 250 and 500 mg/kg/day dose levels. However, no test article-related histopathological lesions were observed in the adrenal glands to account for the increases. Based on these findings, Based on these findings, the systemic and local portal-of-entry no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was determined to be 125 mg/kg/day.