Toxic interactions of the munitions compounds TNT and RDX in F344 rats

The potential toxic interactions in F344 rats of the munitions compounds trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) were examined following their coadministration in the diet. Groups of 10 rats per sex received TNT at doses of 5 or 125 mg/kg/day, RDX at doses of 30, 100, or 300 mg/kg/day, and combinations thereof for 13 weeks. Thirty rats per sex served as controls. Toxicologic endpoints included clinical observations, body weight, food consumption, hematology, clinical chemistry, organ weights, and tissue morphology. The major toxic effects following dietary administration of TNT to rats included anemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and testicular atrophy with their accompanying histologic lesions. RDX intoxication in rats included hypotriglyceridemia, behavioral changes, and mortality. Most of the toxic effects of these chemicals were partially antagonized following their coadministration.