An 85-day study of butylated hydroxyanisole in the cynomolgus monkey

Groups of 8 cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were given 500, 125 and 0 mg/kg body wt butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) by gavage in corn oil 5 times/week for 20 days, after which the high dose was halved. No significant adverse clinical signs nor abnormal fibroscopic observations were noted before the experiment was terminated at 85 days. Blood levels of glucose, albumin, chloride, red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were altered in a dose related manner but the altered values were well within normal ranges reported for this species. While histopathology showed no treatment related effects, the mitotic index was elevated 1.9-fold in the distal esophagus of monkeys in the high but not in the low dose group. Liver weights were increased in a dose related manner but liver monooxygenases, with the exception of decreased ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity, were all within normal limits. BHA given orally to monkeys at about the maximum tolerated dose failed to induce the massive changes noted with rats given 2% dietary BHA.