Studies were conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats, New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits, and rhesus monkeys to characterize the toxicity of 1,1'-methylenebis[4-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]-pyridinium] dimethanesulfonate (MMB4 DMS) following intramuscular administration. Rats received MMB4 DMS once daily for 7 days at 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/d; rabbits received a range of dose levels in 3 separate 7-day studies from 3 to 800 mg/kg/d and in a single-dose study from 50 to 200 mg/kg; and monkeys received MMB4 DMS at 150 to 600 mg/kg/d. Mortality was noted in rats and rabbits administered ≥ 200 mg/kg. All monkeys survived until scheduled termination. Adverse clinical observations were noted in the rats at ≥ 400 mg/kg/d and in rabbits administered ≥ 200 mg/kg; no adverse findings were noted in the monkeys. Clinical pathology changes were noted in the rabbit related to cardiac and renal function. In the rabbit and monkey, elevations in myoglobin, alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase, platelets, creatine kinase, and coagulation factors were related to local inflammation at the intramuscular administration site. Light microscopic examination at the injection sites revealed acute skeletal muscle necrosis in vehicle control and treated groups. Target tissues in the rabbit studies were identified as kidney, heart, and lungs at ≥ 100 mg/kg/d. All changes noted in all the species demonstrated partial to complete recovery comparable to control values or to a clinically irrelevant level of effect. The NZW rabbit was the most sensitive species, and the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was determined as 50 mg/kg/d; the NOAEL in the rat was 100 mg/kg/d; and the NOAEL in rhesus monkeys was >600 mg/kg/d.
Keywords: MMB4; intramuscular; monkeys; rabbits; rats; toxicity.