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Published on: April 14, 2012
Subchronic toxicity evaluation of lewisite in rats
L B Sasser1, J A Cushing, P W Mellick
1Battelle, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352-0999, USA.
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Lewisite, a toxic chemical weapon, caused forestomach lesions and respiratory inflammation in rats. The no-observed-effect level (NOEL) for oral lewisite exposure was estimated to be between 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Chemical Warfare Agents
- Arsenical Compounds
Background:
- Lewisite (dichloro(2-chlorovinyl)arsine) is a potent vesicant lacking established health and exposure criteria.
- Its arsenic component reacts with protein sulfhydryl groups, indicating significant toxic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the toxic effects of oral lewisite exposure in Sprague-Dawley rats.
- To determine the no-observed-effect level (NOEL) for lewisite following sub-chronic oral administration.
Main Methods:
- Sixty rats (male and female) were administered varying doses of lewisite (0-2.0 mg/kg) orally, five days a week for 13 weeks.
- Body weight, clinical chemistry, hematology, and histopathology of the forestomach and glandular stomach were assessed.
Main Results:
- No significant dose-related body weight changes were observed.
- High-dose lewisite (2.0 mg/kg) induced necrosis, inflammation, and edema in the forestomach of both sexes.
- Mild inflammation of the glandular stomach occurred at 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg, with early deaths linked to respiratory tract inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Oral lewisite exposure causes significant gastrointestinal and respiratory tract lesions in rats.
- The estimated NOEL for oral lewisite administration is greater than 0.5 mg/kg and less than 1.0 mg/kg.
