Toxicity of intraperitoneally administrated silicon tetraalkoxides in male ICR mice

The toxicities of silicon tetraalkoxides, including tetramethoxysilane [Si(OCH3)4, TMOS], tetraethoxysilane [Si(OC2H5)4, TEOS], tetrapropoxysilane [Si(OC3H7)4, TPOS] and tetrabuthoxysilane [Si(OC4H9)4, TBOS], were investigated with intraperitoneal injection of 1,000 mg/kg of each compound. TMOS, as well as TEOS, caused acute tubular necrosis. Blood biochemical examination revealed elevation of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in mice treated with TEOS, TPOS and TBOS, though TMOS treated mice died and therefore could not be examined. The severity of nephrotoxicity differs among these silicon tetraalkoxides. The spleens of mice treated with TMOS exhibited cytolysis in the white and red pulp, suggesting direct injury to the spleen. The kidney seems to be a common target organ of silicon tetraalkoxides.