Potassium phenylacetate

Additional toxicological data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

additional toxicological information

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

4 (not assignable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Review

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Toxicity of Phenylacetic Acid

Author:

Sherwin CP & Kennard KS

Year:

1919

Bibliographic source:

j.biol.chem.40:259

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline available

GLP compliance:

not specified

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Phenylacetic acid

EC Number:

203-148-6

EC Name:

Phenylacetic acid

Cas Number:

103-82-2

IUPAC Name:

phenylacetic acid

Details on test material:

No data

Results and discussion

Any other information on results incl. tables

A hen weighing 2.23 kilos, after receiving 1 gm of the aid, refused to eat. A second dose of 1 gm 3 days later caused the hen to lose wight and develop marked signs of intoxication.

A dog weighing 32.6 kilos was able to take 3gm of the acid with no apparent signs of discomfort; however, after receiving a dose of 7 gm of the acid it became very thirsty, refused to eat, seemed to be greatly nauseated, and vomited several times.

A monkey of 4.2 kilos body weight, which recieved a dose of 1gm and refused to eat for several days, also developed a marked diarrhea.

Twelve adult humans (male) after ingesting 5 gm each of the acid showed in every case practically the same symptoms. The sodium salt of the acid was dissolved in 200 to 300 cc of water and rapidly drunk. In 15 to 30 minutes after the ingestion of the acid, the subject became thirsty and this symptom was rapidly followed by a feeling of hunger. If food was ingested, symptoms of nausea developed; in case no food was taken, a feeling of dizziness resulted, followed either by drowsiness or increased nervousness.

One subject weighing 59.1 kilos ingested as much as 16 gm of the acid within a period of 2 hours. Within a few minutes, the usual sensation of dizziness and hunger developed, so the subject partook of an unusually heavy meal and went to bed. One hour after ingesting the last of the acid, he was unable even to stand unsupported. After sleeping soundly for 6 hours, he awoke and drank one liter of water, immediately fell asleep, and again slept soundly for 8 hours. On waking he demanded water and drank more than one and a half liters. He complained of nausea, headache, pain in the eye, and of loud rining in the ears. He was able to sit alone but seemed unable to stand unsupported or to correlate his movement. After another 4 hours of sleep, he appeared quite refreshed and normal in every way. In this case there was no sign of diarrhea but on the contrary he presented an obstinate case of constipation, which lasted for about 3 weeks. In many respect the symptoms of poisoning by this acid resemble those of alcoholic poisoning.