Toxicity of Acetates for Rats

Abstract

In investigations of the intermediary metabolism of acetate using the heavy carbon isotope as a tracer element it became necessary to know what acetate doses could be tolerated by rats for a two-week period. While a number of investigators, including Deuel and Milhorat, 1 Taistra, 2 Daken, 3 Lusk, 4 McKay, Barnes, Carne and Wick, 5 Lamb and Evvard, 6 have given what may be considered massive doses of acetates without lethal effects, there are few reports of lethal effects produced by acetates. Recently Woodward, Lange, Nelson and Calvery 7 determined the acute toxicity of sodium acetate for rats and found a minimum lethal dose of 55 millimols per kg. Sollman 8 added acetic acid to the drinking water of rats and found that with an intake of less than 3.5 millimols per kg per day from drinking water of 0.25% acetic acid there were no significant disturbances of weight or appetite. Higher dosages reduced both. There is no information in the literature on toxic doses administered over time periods of 7 to 14 days. Nor is there information on relative toxicities of acid, sodium and ammonium salts. For metabolic investigation this information is necessary.

Experimental. Female rats usually in the weight range of 170-200 g were use. They were raised on a stock diet of casein 15. whole milk powder 10 NaCl 0.8, CaCO₃ 1.5, butter 5.2, whole ground wheat 67.5, cod liver oil 1.0. The rats were allowed free access to this diet and water throughout the experiments. During the experimental period they were given by stomach tube a 1.0 N solution of the acetates twice a day with does 8 hr apart. Daily weighings were made and the physical condition of the animals noted.

Resutls. The summarized results are given in Table I. Data for each rat are given in column 2 where the daily dosage in millimols per kg in given in parentheses followed by the number of days survival for each rat.