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Twenty-eight week toxicity study of perlite powder in mice
Abstract:
Groups of 21 male and 21 female mice were given diets containing 20%, 10%, 1% or 0% (control) perlite for 28 weeks. Appearance, behavior, mortality, and food consumption of mice of treated groups were not affected during the experimental period. Males of the 20% and 10% groups did experience slightly reduced growth rate. No significant drug-related changes were found in urinalysis, hematology, serum chemistry, and organ weight. No differences were found between control and treated groups in autopsy and histopathological findings. Therefore, the maximum no-effect level is considered to be 1% in the diet which developed no toxic changes in any items examined in mice treated orally with perlite for 28 weeks.
Insights
Perlite is safe for oral consumption in mice at low dietary levels. The maximum no-effect level for perlite in the diet was determined to be 1% after a 28-week study.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Animal Studies
- Dietary Exposure
Background:
- Perlite is a naturally occurring volcanic glass.
- Its safety for oral consumption requires thorough toxicological evaluation.
- Understanding perlite's effects in animal models is crucial for human safety assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the toxicological effects of perlite when administered orally to mice.
- To establish the maximum no-effect level (NOEL) of perlite in the diet.
- To assess the safety of perlite for long-term dietary intake.
Main Methods:
- Groups of male and female mice (n=21 per sex per group) were fed diets containing 0% (control), 1%, 10%, or 20% perlite for 28 weeks.
- Comprehensive monitoring included appearance, behavior, mortality, food consumption, urinalysis, hematology, serum chemistry, and organ weights.
- Post-study evaluations included gross autopsy and histopathological examination of tissues.
Main Results:
- No significant adverse effects on appearance, behavior, mortality, or food consumption were observed across all perlite-treated groups.
- A slight reduction in growth rate was noted in male mice fed 20% and 10% perlite diets.
- No treatment-related changes were found in hematology, serum chemistry, urinalysis, organ weights, or histopathological findings.
Conclusions:
- The maximum no-effect level (NOEL) for perlite in the diet of mice was established at 1%.
- Oral administration of perlite at up to 1% in the diet for 28 weeks did not induce toxicological changes in mice.
- Perlite demonstrates a favorable safety profile for dietary intake at lower concentrations.