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Administrative data

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Genetic toxicity in vitro

Description of key information

No increase in revertant colonies was obtained with Sucralose when tested using various strains of Salmonella and E. coili in the absence and presence of metabolic activation.  The test substance was determined to be non-mutagenic.

The positive results observed in a L5178Y TK mouse lymphoma mutagenesis assay at 10,000 ug/ml (with and without S9) and at 7500 ug/ml (with S9), are likely a consequence of test conditions that far exceed guideline concentrations, resulting in toxicity through biologically irrelevant concentrations. Tests conducted in accordance with modern test guidelines are usually limited to a maximum concentration of 2000 ug/ml, which would provide a negative result in the current study.

Link to relevant study records

Referenceopen allclose all

Endpoint:
in vitro gene mutation study in bacteria
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
1981
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment
Qualifier:
equivalent or similar to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 471 (Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay)
Version / remarks:
The current study predates the adoption of the OECD testing guidelines.
GLP compliance:
not specified
Remarks:
Predates GLP
Type of assay:
bacterial reverse mutation assay
Specific details on test material used for the study:
SOURCE OF TEST MATERIAL (Sucralose)
- Source and lot/batch No.of test material: C/327/9470/02
- Supplied by Tate and Lyle


STABILITY AND STORAGE CONDITIONS OF TEST MATERIAL
- Storage condition of test material: 0-4 degrees C, protected from light

FORM AS APPLIED IN THE TEST (if different from that of starting material)
Solutions of each test material were prepared in sterile distilled water.
Species / strain / cell type:
S. typhimurium TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 98 and TA 100
Additional strain / cell type characteristics:
not specified
Species / strain / cell type:
S. typhimurium TA 1538
Additional strain / cell type characteristics:
not specified
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Metabolic activation system:
Rat liver S9
Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
16, 80, 400, 2000, 10000 ug/plate
Vehicle / solvent:
sterile distilled water
Untreated negative controls:
no
Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
yes
True negative controls:
no
Positive controls:
yes
Positive control substance:
9-aminoacridine
2-nitrofluorene
N-ethyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine
benzo(a)pyrene
other: 2-Aminoanthracene
Details on test system and experimental conditions:
METHOD OF APPLICATION: in agar (plate incorporation)
- Cell density at seeding (if applicable): 10^-6

DURATION
- Exposure duration: 48 hours

NUMBER OF REPLICATIONS: two

DETERMINATION OF CYTOTOXICITY
- Method: relative total growth
Key result
Species / strain:
S. typhimurium TA 1535
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Genotoxicity:
negative
Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
not specified
Vehicle controls validity:
valid
Untreated negative controls validity:
not specified
Positive controls validity:
valid
Key result
Species / strain:
S. typhimurium TA 1537
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Genotoxicity:
negative
Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
not specified
Vehicle controls validity:
valid
Untreated negative controls validity:
not specified
Positive controls validity:
valid
Key result
Species / strain:
S. typhimurium TA 98
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Genotoxicity:
negative
Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
not specified
Vehicle controls validity:
valid
Untreated negative controls validity:
not specified
Positive controls validity:
valid
Key result
Species / strain:
S. typhimurium TA 100
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Genotoxicity:
negative
Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
not specified
Vehicle controls validity:
valid
Untreated negative controls validity:
not specified
Positive controls validity:
valid
Key result
Species / strain:
S. typhimurium TA 1538
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Genotoxicity:
negative
Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
not specified
Vehicle controls validity:
valid
Untreated negative controls validity:
not specified
Positive controls validity:
valid
Conclusions:
Sucralose was tested for mutagenic activity to bacteria according to OECD guideline No. 471. No increase in revertant colonies was obtained with Sucralose when tested using various strains of Salmonella in the absence and presence of metabolic activation. Based on the results of this study it is concluded that the test substance is not mutagenic in the Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay.
Endpoint:
in vitro gene mutation study in bacteria
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
1979
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment
Qualifier:
equivalent or similar to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 471 (Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay)
Version / remarks:
The current test predates the adoption of OECD test guidelines but follows the same scientific principles
Deviations:
yes
Remarks:
Only two strains of Salmonella were used.
GLP compliance:
not specified
Remarks:
Predates GLP
Type of assay:
bacterial reverse mutation assay
Specific details on test material used for the study:
Batch Number: P3/49-557
Species / strain / cell type:
S. typhimurium TA 98
Additional strain / cell type characteristics:
not specified
Species / strain / cell type:
S. typhimurium TA 100
Additional strain / cell type characteristics:
not specified
Species / strain / cell type:
E. coli, other: E coli W3110 (pol A+) and p3478 (pol A-)
Additional strain / cell type characteristics:
not specified
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Metabolic activation system:
Rat liver S9
Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
0.5ug,1ug,10ug,100ug, 500ug,1000ug/plate.
The four lowest doses exhibited little or no toxicity, the higher doses exhibited some toxicity.
Vehicle / solvent:
DMSO
Untreated negative controls:
no
Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
yes
True negative controls:
no
Positive controls:
yes
Positive control substance:
2-nitrofluorene
sodium azide
N-dimethylnitrosamine
methylmethanesulfonate
other: 2-Anthramine
Details on test system and experimental conditions:
METHOD OF APPLICATION: in agar (plate incorporation)
- Cell density at seeding (if applicable):1*10^8 cells / plate

DURATION
Cell cultures in molten agar with appropriate concentrations of test substance were poured on minimal agar plates incubated for 48 hours at 37 degrees C and scored for the number of colonies growing per plate.

NUMBER OF REPLICATIONS: One

DETERMINATION OF CYTOTOXICITY
- Method: mitotic index; cloning efficiency; relative total growth; other: Not specified
- Any supplementary information relevant to cytotoxicity: The four lowest doses showed very little or no toxicity. The other doses may have either exhibited complete or slight toxicity.
Key result
Species / strain:
E. coli, other: W3110 (pol+) W3478 (Pol-)
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Genotoxicity:
negative
Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
cytotoxicity
Vehicle controls validity:
valid
Untreated negative controls validity:
not specified
Positive controls validity:
valid
Key result
Species / strain:
S. typhimurium TA 98
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Genotoxicity:
negative
Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
cytotoxicity
Vehicle controls validity:
valid
Untreated negative controls validity:
not specified
Positive controls validity:
valid
Key result
Species / strain:
S. typhimurium TA 100
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Genotoxicity:
negative
Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
cytotoxicity
Vehicle controls validity:
valid
Untreated negative controls validity:
not specified
Positive controls validity:
valid
Remarks on result:
other:
Remarks:
Report indicates very little toxicity or no toxicity was observed with the four lowest doses. The other doses may have either exhibited complete or slight toxicity.
Conclusions:
Sucralose was tested for mutagenic activity to bacteria according to OECD guideline No. 471. Based on the results of this study it is concluded that the test substance is not mutagenic in the Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay and in the Escherichia coli reverse mutation assay.
Endpoint:
in vitro gene mutation study in mammalian cells
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
supporting study
Study period:
1981
Reliability:
3 (not reliable)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
significant methodological deficiencies
Qualifier:
equivalent or similar to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 490 (In Vitro Mammalian Cell Gene Mutation Tests Using the Thymidine Kinase Gene)
Version / remarks:
Principles of the test are equivalent to TG490, however the study predates modern guidelines
Deviations:
yes
Remarks:
maximum dose levels and cytotoxicity quantification methods deviate significantly from recent guidelines,extremely high concenterations may influence results through non-compound related effects such as precipitation and osmolarity.
GLP compliance:
yes
Type of assay:
other: L5178Y TK mouse lymphoma mutagenesis assay
Specific details on test material used for the study:
SOURCE OF TEST MATERIAL
- Source and lot/batch No.of test material: C327/9470/02
- Purity 100% +/- 2


STABILITY AND STORAGE CONDITIONS OF TEST MATERIAL
- Storage condition of test material: 4 Degreec C with dessication, Protected from light


TREATMENT OF TEST MATERIAL PRIOR TO TESTING
- Treatment of test material prior to testing: dissolved in sterile deionised water



Target gene:
Thymidine Kinase
Species / strain / cell type:
mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells
Additional strain / cell type characteristics:
not specified
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Metabolic activation system:
Rat S9 Liver microsomes
Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
Without S9 - 10,000ug/ml, 7500ug/ml, 5625ug/ml, 4219ul/ml, 3164ug/ml, 2373ug/ml, 1780ug/ml, 1335ug/ml.
With S9 - 10,000ug/ml, 7500ug/ml, 5625ug/ml, 4219ul/ml, 3164ug/ml, 2373ug/ml, 1780ug/ml, 1335ug/ml, 1001ug/ml, 751ug/ml.

Study Predates modern guidelines, the only concentrations applicable to current guidelines are 1780ug/ml, 1335ug/ml, 1001ug/ml, 751ug/ml.
Vehicle / solvent:
sterile deionised water
Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
yes
Positive controls:
yes
Positive control substance:
7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene
ethylmethanesulphonate
Details on test system and experimental conditions:
METHOD OF APPLICATION: in suspension;
- Cell density at seeding (if applicable): 1x10^6 cells/ml

DURATION
- Preincubation period: 72hrs
- Exposure duration:4hrs
- Expression time (cells in growth medium):48hrs

SELECTION AGENT (mutation assays): selective media containing BUdR or Trifluorothymidine


DETERMINATION OF CYTOTOXICITY
- Method: relative suspension growth


Evaluation criteria:
Mutation frequency is determined by dividing the average number of colonies present in the restrictive media plates by the average numer of colonies x10^4 in the corresponding vehicle controls and multiplying the resulting quotient by a factor of two.
Species / strain:
mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells
Remarks:
10,000ug/ml without s9, 10,000ug/ml & 7500ug/ml with S9
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Genotoxicity:
positive
Remarks:
Limited biological relevance due to exessivley high test concentration.
Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
cytotoxicity
Vehicle controls validity:
valid
Untreated negative controls validity:
not applicable
Positive controls validity:
valid
Key result
Species / strain:
mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells
Remarks:
Doses: Without S9 - 5,625ug/ml, 4219ul/ml, 3164ug/ml, 2373ug/ml, 1780ug/ml, 1335ug/ml. With S9 - 7500ug/ml ,5,625ug/ml, 4219ul/ml, 3164ug/ml, 2373ug/ml, 1780ug/ml, 1335ug/ml, 1001ug/ml, 751ug/ml.
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Genotoxicity:
negative
Remarks:
Lower, more biologically relevant concentrations show no evidence of mutagenicity.
Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
no cytotoxicity
Vehicle controls validity:
valid
Untreated negative controls validity:
not applicable
Positive controls validity:
valid
Additional information on results:
TEST-SPECIFIC CONFOUNDING FACTORS
- Dose concentrations far exceed those reccomended in recent test guidelines and as such may result in observations of toxicology caused by secondary mechanisms with little biological relevance, such as changes on pH or osmolarity.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CYTOTOXICITY:
- Measurement of cytotoxicity used: Relative suspension growth.
Remarks on result:
not determinable because of methodological limitations
Remarks:
Positive results observed at concentrations five times higher than current guidline maximums, the biological relevance of this result is in question.
Conclusions:
The genetic toxicity of the test item on mammalian cells was determined in a GLP study similar to the OECD guideline 490. In concentrations up to 2000 µg/ml no adverse effects were observed, which would provide a negative result in the current study.
Executive summary:

The positive results observed in a L5178Y TK mouse lymphoma mutagenesis assay at 10,000 ug/ml (with and without S9) and at 7500 ug/ml (with S9), are likely a consequence of test conditions that far exceed guideline concentrations, resulting in toxicity through biologically irrelevant concentrations. Tests conducted in accordance with modern test guidelines are usually limited to a maximum concentration of 2000 ug/ml, which would provide a negative result in the current study.

Endpoint:
in vitro cytogenicity / chromosome aberration study in mammalian cells
Data waiving:
study scientifically not necessary / other information available
Justification for data waiving:
an in vitro cytogenicity study in mammalian cells or in vitro micronucleus study does not need to be conducted because adequate data from an in vivo cytogenicity test are available
Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
no adverse effect observed (negative)

Genetic toxicity in vivo

Description of key information

The genetic toxicity of the test item on mammalian cells was determined in a study according to the OECD guideline 474. It is concluded that, under the conditions of the test, there was no biologically significant evidence of treatment induced damage to chromosomes or other damage leading to micronucleus formation in polychromatic erythrocytes of treated mice after 24, 48, or 72 hours of exposure to sucralose.

Link to relevant study records
Reference
Endpoint:
in vivo mammalian somatic cell study: cytogenicity / erythrocyte micronucleus
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
1986
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
comparable to guideline study with acceptable restrictions
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 474 (Mammalian Erythrocyte Micronucleus Test)
Version / remarks:
1984 version of OECD 474
GLP compliance:
not specified
Remarks:
Predates GLP
Type of assay:
mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test
Specific details on test material used for the study:
SOURCE OF TEST MATERIAL
- Source and lot/batch No.of test material: From Sponsor / Batch Number 163003
- Purity: 99.4% (HPLC)

STABILITY AND STORAGE CONDITIONS OF TEST MATERIAL
- Storage condition of test material: 0-4 degrees C in the dark
- Solubility and stability of the test substance in the solvent/vehicle: Soluble in distilled water up to maximum concentration of 330 mg/ml
- Reactivity of the test substance with the solvent/vehicle of the cell culture medium: not reactive

TREATMENT OF TEST MATERIAL PRIOR TO TESTING
- Final preparation of a solid: Dissolved in water

FORM AS APPLIED IN THE TEST (if different from that of starting material)
Preparations of test compound were mixed with dosing vehicle (distilled water) to achieve appropriate concentrations

Species:
mouse
Strain:
CD-1
Sex:
male/female
Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:
TEST ANIMALS
- Source: Charles River UK
- Age at study initiation: 4-5 weeks
- Weight at study initiation: 17-24g
- Housing: Polypropylene cages, single sex, groups of 5
- Diet: ad libitum
- Water:ad libitum
- Acclimation period: minimum of 4 days

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature (°C): 21 (+/-2)
- Humidity (%): 55% (+/-20%)
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light): 12/12
Route of administration:
oral: gavage
Vehicle:
Distilled, sterile water.
Details on exposure:
PREPARATION OF DOSING SOLUTIONS:

Test compound dissolved in sterile distilled water on the day of use.
Duration of treatment / exposure:
Single dose, termination and sampling after 24, 48 and 72 hours.
Frequency of treatment:
single dose
Post exposure period:
24, 48 and 72 hours.
Dose / conc.:
0 mg/kg bw/day
Dose / conc.:
1 000 mg/kg bw/day
Dose / conc.:
5 000 mg/kg bw/day
No. of animals per sex per dose:
5 animals per sex per dose per time point (24, 48 & 72 Hrs)
Control animals:
yes
yes, concurrent vehicle
Positive control(s):
Chlorambucil
- Route of administration: oral
- Doses / concentrations: 30 mg/kg in 10% ethanol
Tissues and cell types examined:
Both femurs of each mouse were dissected out following termination by carbon dioxide gassing and cervical dislocation.
Marrow cells were flushed into clean centrifuge tubes with 2.5 ml foetal calf serum, the suspension was centrifuged (1000 RPM, 5 minutes) and the bulk of supernatant removed.

Three smear slides were prepared from the cells of each animal and stained manually using the Schmid staining technique.

Slides were evalulated blind to eliminate bias, approximately, 2000 mature and polychromatic erythrocytes were scored for each animal, at least 1000 of each cell type will be scored for the presence of micronuclei.

Details of tissue and slide preparation:
Both femurs of each mouse were dissected out following termination by carbon dioxide gassing and cervical dislocation.
Marrow cells were flushed into clean centrifuge tubes with 2.5 ml foetal calf serum, the suspension was centrifuged (1000 RPM, 5 minutes) and the bulk of supernatant removed.

Three smear slides were prepared from the cells of each animal and stained using the Schmid staining technique.

Slides were evalulated blind to eliminate bias, approximately, 2000 mature and polychromatic erythrocytes were scored for each animal, at least 1000 of each cell type will be scored for the presence of micronuclei.
Evaluation criteria:
A total of ~2000 mature and polychromatic erythrocytes per animal were scored for the presence or abcence of micronuclei, the study aimed to score 1000 each of polychromatic and mature erythrocytes where possible, only deviating where there was a significant shift in the ratio of polychromatic to mature cells.

The counts for mature erythrocytes provide a check on the results of the younger cells, the ratio of mature cells to polychromatic cells was calculated for each animal as an indicator of gross toxicity.
Statistics:
Comparisons of the number of micronuclei scored in polychromatic cells between the control amd treatment groups were made using the Mann-Whitney U test.
Key result
Sex:
male/female
Genotoxicity:
negative
Toxicity:
no effects
Remarks:
No Treated animals showed any adverse reactions to treatment, all animals survived to termination.
Vehicle controls validity:
valid
Negative controls validity:
not applicable
Positive controls validity:
valid
Additional information on results:
Frequencies of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in treated animals at 24,48 and 72 hours post exposure were similar to those in concurrent controls, there were no significant differences observed between sexes in any group.

Statistical analysis indicated that there was a significant increase in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes at a dosage of 1000mg/kg and 72hrs post exposure. This was caused by an unusually low occurance of micronuclei in the concurrent control animals (9/10 mice showed no micronuclei), no sucralose treated animals gave values in excess of 3.2 micronuclei per 1000 cells scored, therefore this apparent increase is not considered to to be of biological significance.

Statistically and biologically significant increases in the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes over control values were seen in positive control group animals given chlorambucil at 30mg/kg, demonstrating the sensitivity of the system.

Exposure period  24 hrs 48 hrs 72 hrs
Group 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3
Mean Micronucleated cells / 1000 polychromatic cells (S.D) 0.7 0.7 0.4 23.7 0.7 1 0.5 0.1 1.2 0.6
Range  0.0-2.0 0.0-2.8 0.0-1.7 10.3-32.0 0.0-2.0 0.0-2.0 0.0-1.8 0.0-0.9 0.0-3.3 0.0-2.7
Ratio Polychromatic cells:mature cells 1 1 1 1 1 0.9 1 1 0.9 1

Group 1 distilled water
Group 2 1000mg/kg Sucralose
Group 3 5000mg/kg Sucralose
Group 4 Chlorambucil
Conclusions:
The genetic toxicity of the test item on mammalian cells was determined in a study according to the OECD guideline 474. It is concluded that, under the conditions of the test, there was no biologically significant evidence of treatment induced damage to chromosomes or other damage leading to micronucleus formation in polychromatic erythrocytes of treated mice after 24, 48, or 72 hours of exposure to sucralose.
Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
no adverse effect observed (negative)

Mode of Action Analysis / Human Relevance Framework

Based on a review paper by Brusick, D. et al. (2010), sucralose is not bio-reactive, is not metabolized to reactive intermediates and does not bioaccumulate in experimental animals or humans. These properties support the absence of adverse effects seen in the in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity studies, as well as the negative results in long term carcinogenicity studies conducted in rats.

Sucralose is currently approved for use in over 80 countries as a food ingredient. Comprehensive safety tests show no significant acute, subchronic or chronic toxicity at levels above expected human intakes. No adverse reactions were observed with sucralose intakes up to 16,000 mg/kg/day in mice or 10,000 mg/kg/day in rats-a dosage equivalent in sweetness to more than 1000 pounds of sucrose administered in a single day to a 165 pound adult (Brusick et al, 2010).

Additional information

Brusick et al (2010) found in a review of mugenicity studies with sucralose that all mutagenicity studies reported negative results except for the mouse lymphome assay which identified the results as equivocal. The 10 mg/ml is an extremely high concentration that may give rise to alterations producted through treatment conditions unrelated to direct DNA reactivity. In fact, under the current evaluation criteria that no longer relies on using fold increase rules but instead applies mutation frequency. When this new criterion was applied to the mouse lympohma study, Brusick (2010) found that the results would not be identified as positive with or without metabolic activation.

Justification for classification or non-classification

According to the Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (including all amendments), the test substance should not be classified for genotoxicity since both in vitro and in vivo mutagenicity assays using sucralose were considered to be negative under current criteria. In addition, a negative carcinogenicity study in rats further supports the non-genotoxic potential of the sucralose compound.