Toxicological evaluation of rapeseed products in a subacute feeding study in rats

Groups of 15 male rats were fed ad libitum for 4 weeks standard diet containing 0, 2.5, 5 or 10% rapeseed protein isolate (RPI), 2.5, 5 or 10% rapeseed extraction residue (RER) or 10% casein. Body weight gain and food intake were recorded weekly. Clinical chemistry analyses, haematology, urinalysis, organ weights and histology were performed terminally. Serum alanine aminotransferase was decreased by RPI, RER and casein, while serum albumin only increased in rats fed RER. Microscopic examinations revealed abnormalities in liver and kidneys of animals at the 10% RPI, RER and casein levels. The absolute liver weights showed increases in the 5 and 10% RER groups and in the 10% RPI group. The relative kidney weights were reduced at all RER levels and in the 2.5% RPI group. Antithyroid activity of the rapeseed products were not noted.