1-Propanaminium, 3-amino-N-(carboxymethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-, N-(C8-18(even numbered) and C18 unsaturated acyl) derivs., hydroxides, inner salts

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

For DNEL calculation, as default values 10% absorption is assumed after oral and dermal administration of the test substance. Particularly for the dermal route, which is due to the use profile of the substance the most important exposure route to humans, this is a very conservative worst case assumption, since a reliable in vitro study on human skin showed a dermal absorption rate of zero. 
Inhalatory absorption data are not available. Based on physico-chemical properties of the respective AAPBs, a low bioavailability would be anticipated. As a worst case assumption for DNEL calculation, twice the measured values for oral and dermal absorption are assumed for absorption after inhalative exposure in absence of any experimental data on inhalative exposure.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Bioaccumulation potential:

no bioaccumulation potential

Absorption rate - oral (%):

10

Absorption rate - dermal (%):

10

Absorption rate - inhalation (%):

20

Additional information

An in vitro dermal penetration study is available for C8-18 and C18 unsatd. AAPB (Coco AAPB; study according to OECD Guideline 428). Additional experimental toxicokinetic data are available for the closely related substance C12 AAPB (study equivalent to OECD Guideline 417, oral and dermal application). A justification for read-across is given below.

 

In vivo studies

In vivo data on the toxicokinetics, metabolism and distribution of AAPBs are available for the oral and dermal route. The fate of C12 AAPB in the rat was studied in an ADME study (ADME - absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) equivalent to OECD Guideline 417. Two differentially labelled samples were used: (N(lauroylaminopropyl) N,N dimethyl-N carboxymethyl ammonium (inner) carboxylate) isotopically labelled with 14C in the carboxymethyl ammonium moiety ([14C]TB); the sample had a specific activity of 3.0 µCi/mg and N(lauroylaminopropyl) N,N dimethyl-N carboxymethyl ammonium (inner) carboxylate, isotopically labelled with 14C in the 1 carbon of the lauroyl moiety ([1-14C]TB); the sample had a specific radioactivity of 7.83 µCi/mg.

Aqueous solutions of the test materials were administered to rats of both sexes by gavage or topically and the fate of the 14C label was followed for up to 48 hours after dosing. Whole body autoradiography (WBA) was used to study the tissue distribution of the 14C. The levels of 14C excreted were used to estimate intestinal and skin absorption.

The following dose levels were used:

- [14C]TB gavage approximately 30 mg/kg (87.3 µCi/kg)

- [14C]TB topical approximately 20 mg/kg (60 µCi/kg; approximately 0.3 mg/cm²)

- [1-14C]TB gavage approximately 10 mg/kg (81.5 µCi/kg)

- [1-14C]TB topical approximately 10 mg/kg (81.5 µCi/kg; approximately 0.15 mg/cm²)

 

After gavage administration, C12 AAPB is poorly absorbed from the intestinal tract following administration in water at 30 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg bw, respectively. Within 48 hours, approximately 5% of the 14C dose was excreted in urine and < 2 % in expired air and < 2% remained in the carcass. The remainder was excreted in the faeces as unchanged parent material (as was confirmed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis in the case of labelling at the carboxymethylammonium moiety). Whole body autoradiography confirmed that absorption from the gut was low and that the tissues showing detectable levels of 14C were those predominantly associated with urinary excretion (liver, kidney cortex, urinary bladder). The urine contained traces of parent and an unidentified polar metabolite. Although metabolism of absorbed material is extensive, the lauryl moiety is not extensively removed from the rest of the molecule judging by the relatively low amounts of 14CO2 produced. There was no sex difference in the overall fate following administration by oral gavage.

Dermal application (approximately 20 mg/kg (approximately 0.3 mg/cm²) of C12 AAPB 14C-labelled at the carboxymethyl ammonium or approximately 10 mg/kg (approximately 0.15 mg/cm²) of C12 AAPB 14C-labelled in the lauryl moiety in water) followed by 48 h occlusion gave similar results. After 48 hours, approximately 3.5-6% (females) and 2-3.5% (males) was absorbed. Urine was the major route of excretion for absorbed material with expired air and faeces being relatively minor routes. A further experiment with 10 minutes exposure of [14C]TB followed by rinsing and then a 48 hour occlusion resulted in less than 0.2% absorption. TLC separations were not carried out for on urine from topically treated rats.

 

For more detailed results see the following table, taken from the HERA report.

 

Results of the ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion) study:

 

Test Substance Dosage	Protocol	Excretion	Absorption
[14C]TB 30 mg/kg bw Gavage	5 m, 5 f for excretion TLC* examination of the faecal 14C Sacrifice of animals: after 2, 4, 8, 24, 48 (2 rats at each time point for whole body autoradiography)	After 24 hours: Faeces: 75 % (f), 96 % (m) Urine: 4.1% (f), 6.5 % (m) Expired air: 0.75 – 0.77 % (m and f) After 48 hours: Faeces: 118 % (f) no data (m) Urine: 5.5 % (m and f) Expired air: 0.8 % (m and f) Metabolites in faeces: only unchanged [14C]TB	< 10 % from intestinal tract
[14C]TB 30 mg/kg bw Gavage	3 m,3 f for excretion, TLC* examination of the urinary 14C Sacrifice of animals: after 48 h	After 48 h: Faeces: 86 – 92 % Urine: 2 – 4 % Expired air: 1 – 1.4 % Carcass: 0.8 – 1.4 % No sex differences Metabolites in urine: one more polar metabolite than [14C]TB	< 10 % from intestinal tract
[14C]TB 20 mg/kg bw topical, occluded	6 m, 6 f Sacrifice of animals after 48 h	After 48 h Faeces: 0.2 – 0.8 % (f > m) Urine: 1.3 – 2.7 % (f > m) Expired air: 0.2 – 0.3 % Carcass: 0.3 – 2.3 % (f > m)	Appr. 6 % (f), 2 % (m)
[14C]TB 20 mg/kg bw topical, unoccluded	3 m, 3 f Rinsed after 10 Minutes	After 48 h Faeces: 0.005 – 0.02 % Urine: 0.02 – 0.06 % Expired air: 0.0 – 0.02 % Carcass: 0.04 – 0.07 %	< 0.2 % (f and m)
[1-14C]TB 10 mg/kg bw Gavage	3 m, 3 f Sacrifice of animals after 48 h TLC* examination of the urinary and faecal 14C	After 24 h: Faeces: 80 % Urine: < 5 % After 48 h: Faeces: 79 – 90 % Urine: 3.7 – 4.9 % Expired air: 1 – 1.9 % Carcass: 1 – 1.8 % No sex differences Metabolites in faeces: unchanged [1-14C]TB Metabolites in urine: mainly one polar metabolite, traces of unchanged [1-14C]TB	< 10 % from intestinal tract
[1-14C]TB 10 mg/kg bw topical, occluded	3 m, 3 f Sacrifice of animals after 48 h	After 48 h: Faeces: 0.4 – 0.5 % Urine: 1 – 1.5 % Expired air: 0.3 – 0.6 % Carcass: 0.4 – 1.7 %	3.5 %

* TLC - thin layer chromatography

 

In vitro Studies

In a reliable in vitro study according to OECD guideline 428, dermal permeation and penetration of Coco AAPB was investigated using human skin. Test item was applied for 24 h to human skin biopsy samples from three female donors using Franz diffusion cells and test item amount reaching the receptor medium was measured. At the end of this permeation experiment, the remaining test item on the skin surface was collected with cotton swabs (= skin wash). After removing residual formulation, the concentration of the test item in the skin, in the Stratum corneum and deeper skin layers, was quantified. The upper corneous layer of the skin was stripped off. In total 20 tape strips were performed per each skin biopsy. The first two strips were separately analysed due to potential contaminations by residual test item on the surface of the skin. To measure penetration in deeper skin layers, cryo-sections of epidermis and dermis were prepared.

The test item did not penetrate the skin. Amounts in epidermis, dermis and receptor medium were below the detection limit of the validated analytical method. This low absorption was confirmed through the mass recovery calculation, where 98.55 % (mean value for 6 Franz cells) of test item were determined in the test solution which remained at the skin surface after 24 hours. The mean recovery in the two first tape strips was 0.17 % during all performed experiments. In the further 18 tape strips a mean recovery of 0.07 % was documented. Mean total recovery rates were 95.00 to 100.39%.

The mean absorbed dose of the test item, sum of the amounts found in the viable epidermis, dermis and receptor medium was 0 %.

 

Conclusion

After gavage administration, C12 AAPB is poorly absorbed from the intestinal tract. Within 48 hours, approximately 5% of the14C dose was excreted in urine and < 2 % in expired air and < 2% remained in the carcass. The remainder was excreted in the faeces as unchanged parent material. Whole body autoradiography confirmed that absorption from the gut was low and that the tissues showing detectable levels of 14C were those predominantly associated with urinary excretion (liver, kidney cortex, urinary bladder). The urine contained traces of parent and an unidentified polar metabolite. Although metabolism of absorbed material is extensive, the lauryl moiety is not extensively removed from the rest of the molecule judging by the relatively low amounts of 14CO2 produced. There was no sex difference in the overall fate following administration by oral gavage.

Dermal application followed by 48 h occlusion gave similar results. After 48 hours, approximately 3.5-6% (females) and 2-3.5% (males) was absorbed. Urine was the major route of excretion for absorbed material with expired air and faeces being relatively minor routes. A further experiment with 10 minutes exposure followed by rinsing and then a 48 hour occlusion resulted in less than 0.2% absorption.

 

In an in vitro experiment performed on human skin biopsy samples, a dermal absorption of the closely related substance Coco AAPB was not measurable.

 

For DNEL calculation, as default values 10% absorption is assumed after oral and dermal administration of the test substance. Particularly for the dermal route, which is due to the use profile of the substance the most important exposure route to humans, this is a very conservative worst case assumption, since a reliable in vitro study on human skin showed a dermal resorption rate of zero.

Inhalatory absorption data are missing. Absorption after oral or dermal exposure in the described reliable experimental study on rats reached a maximum of 10%. In a reliable in vitro study on dermal resorption on human skin, the resorption rate for Coco AAPB was even zero.

The amounts of inhalative absorption deduced from the physico-chemical properties and from the results of oral and dermal absorption studies are expected to be low. Further on, AAPBs are amphoterics and the inhalative absorption of ionic substances is generally low. Taken together, based on physico-chemical properties of the respective AAPBs, a low bioavailability could be anticipated. As a worst case assumption for DNEL calculation, twice the measured values for oral and dermal absorption are assumed for absorption after inhalative exposure in absence of any experimental data on inhalative exposure.

 

Justification for read-across

For details on substance identity and detailed toxicological profiles, please refer also to the general justification for read-across attached as pdf document to IUCLID section 13.

This read-across approach is justified based on structural similarities. All AAPBs contain the same functional groups. Thus a common mode of action can be assumed.

The only deviation within this group of substances is a minor variety in their fatty acid moiety, which is not expected to have a relevant impact on toxicokinetics.

 

a. Structural similarity and functional groups

Alkylamidopropyl betaines (AAPBs) are – with the exception of C12 AAPB - UVCB substances (Substances of Unknown or Variable composition, Complex reaction products or Biological materials), which are defined as reaction products of natural fatty acids or oils with dimethylaminopropylamine and further reaction with sodium monochloroacetate. AAPBs are amphoteric surfactants, which are characterized by both acidic and alkaline properties.

 

Their general structure is:

 

R-C(O)-NH-(CH₂)₃-(N(CH₃)₂)⁺-CH₂-C(O)O^-

R = fatty acid moiety

 

The fatty acids have a mixed, slightly varying composition with an even numbered chain length from C8 to C18. Unsaturated C18 may be included. Consequently, the AAPBs differ by their carbon chain length distribution and the degree of unsaturation in the fatty acid moiety. However, Lauramidopropyl betaine (C12 fatty acid derivate) is the major ingredient of all AAPBs covered by this justification as listed in table 1 “Substance identities” of the general justification for read-across.

 

The substances under evaluation share structural similarities with common functional groups (quaternary amines, amide bonds and carboxymethyl groups), and fatty acid chains with differences in chain length and degree of saturation.

 

b. Differences

Differences in toxicokinetic properties of the AAPBs could potentially arise from the following facts:

-Different amounts of different carbon chain lengths (carbon chain length distribution):

Higher amounts of higher chain lengths and corresponding lower amounts of lower chain length could result in a rising average lipophilicity and thereby lower dermal absorption rates. Increasing alkyl chain length may also lead to lower resorption from the gastrointestinal tract (Ramirez et al., 2001; Bernard & Carlier, 1991).

However, the main component for all AAPBs is C12 AAPB.

- Different amounts of unsaturated fatty ester moieties:

Differences in the degree of unsaturation may lead to slight differences in absorption from the intestinal tract: in general unsaturated fatty acids are slightly more efficiently absorbed than saturated fatty acids of the same chain length (Ramirez et al., 2001).

 

Comparison of toxicokinetic data

Endpoints	Source substance	Target substance
	C12 AAPB	C8-18 and C18 unsatd. AAPB
Basic toxicokinetics	Key_Basic toxicokinetics: 4292-10-8_8.8.1_Unilever Research_1992   Key study   OECD TG 417 in vivo, rat, gavage and topical absorption: C12 AAPB is poorly absorbed from the intestinal tract (<10%) dermal absorption: approximately 3.5-6% (females) and 2-3.5% (males) after 48 h   Urine was the major route of excretion for absorbed material with expired air and faeces being relatively minor routes. Reliability: 1 (reliable without restriction); GLP	No data, read-across
Dermal absorption	See above	Key_Dermal absorption: 61789-40-0_Skin penetration_Cognis_C0701842-0_OECD428   Key study   OECD TG 428 in vitro, human skin samples   Percutaneous absorption rate 0% (sum of substance detected in viable epidermis, dermis and receptor medium) Reliability: 1 (reliable without restriction); GLP

 

After gavage administration C12 AAPB is poorly absorbed from the intestinal tract (<10%). Dermal application followed by 48 h occlusion gave similar results. After 48 hours, approximately 3.5-6% (females) and 2-3.5% (males) was absorbed.

In a dermal penetration study in vitro with C8-18 and C18 unsatd. AAPB performed on human skin biopsy samples, a dermal absorption was not measurable.

 

Quality of the experimental data of the analogues:

The available data are sufficiently reliable to justify the read-across approach.

Toxicokinetics, metabolism and distribution of C12 AAPB after oral and dermal administration have been tested in a reliable (RL1) study comparable to OECD Guideline 417.

Thedermal permeation and penetration of C8-18 and C18 unsatd. AAPB has been tested in a reliable (RL1) study according to OECD Guideline 428.

Both tests have been conducted according to GLP criteria. There are no uncertainties.

 

Conclusion

Based on structural similarities of the target and source substancesas presented above and in more detail in the general justification for read across, it can be concluded that the available data from the source substance C12 AAPB are also valid for the target substance C8-18 and C18 unsatd. AAPB.

Absorption after oral or dermal exposure in the described experimental study on rats reached a maximum of 10%. In an in vitro study on dermal resorption on human skin, the resorption rate for C8-18 and C18 unsatd. AAPB was even zero. For chemical safety assessment, 10% absorption will be assumed after oral as well as dermal administration of the test substance.

The amounts of inhalative absorption deduced from the physico-chemical properties and from the results of oral and dermal absorption studies are expected to be low. Further on, AAPBs are amphoterics and the inhalative absorption of ionic substances is generally low. Taken together, based on physico-chemical properties of the respective AAPBs, a low bioavailability could be anticipated. As a worst case assumption for DNEL calculation, twice the measured values for oral and dermal absorption are assumed for absorption after inhalative exposure in absence of any experimental data on inhalative exposure.

 

References

Bernard, A. and Carlier, H., 1991: Absorption and intestinal catabolism of fatty acids in the rat: effect of chain length and unsaturation; Experimental Physiology 76:445-455)

 

Ramírez M,Amate L,Gil A.Absorption and distribution of dietary fatty acids from different sources.Early Human Development2001 Nov;65 Suppl:S95-S101