Objective: To investigate the acute toxicity of R,S and (R,S) -3-monchloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD).
Methods: 10,7 and 7 groups of sexually mature ICR mice were employed for testing the acute toxicity of R, S and (R, S)-3-MCPD, at the doses of 176.78, 198.43, 222.73, 250, 280.61, 314.98 and 353.55 mg/kg 396.84 mg/kg, 445.44 mg/ kg, 499.99 mg/kg for R-3-MCPD, 89.09, 100, 112.25, 125.99, 141.42, 158.74 and 178.18 mg/kg for S-3-MCPD and 130.25, 150, 172.75, 198.95, 229.13, 263.88 and 303.91 mg/kg for (R,S)-3-MCPD, respectively. The mice were given three forms of 3-MCPD once by gavage and observed for 14 days, the lethal dose 50s ( LD50) were calculated by the modified Karber's method, organ/body weight ratios were measured and morphological changes of liver and kidney were examined.
Results: The LD50 (95% CI) of R, S and (R,S)-3-MCPD were 290.54 mg/kg (280.74 - 300.68), 117.57 mg/ kg (113.82 - 121.45) and 190.73 mg/kg (177.76, 204.59), respectively. The kidney/weight ratios in R-3-MCPD treated groups were higher than controls at the doses of 250 - 353.55 mg/kg (P < 0.05), and the brain weight ratios also had an significant increase in the 353.55 mg/kg, 445.44 mg/kg and above doses (P < 0.05). However, no significant change on organ/body weight ratio of any organs in S-3-MCPD treated groups were observed. The kidney/body weight ratio in (R,S)-3-MCPD treated groups increased significantly at the doses of 198.95 - 303.91 mg/kg (P < 0.05), and the brain weight ratios also had a significant increase at the doses of 229.13 - 303.91 mg/kg. At the doses of 353.55 - 499.99 mg/kg, R-3-MCPD caused obvious swell of liver cells and the swell and congestion of the liver sinus. At the dose 229.13 mg/kg and above, (R,S)-3-MCPD also induced the swell of liver cells and congestion of the liver sinus. No obvious morphological changes of kidney after administration of R, S and (R,S)-3-MCPD were observed.
Conclusion: The results indicated that the acute toxicity of S-3-MCPD may be much higher than those of (R,S)-3-MCPD and R-3-MCPD and that both R and S seem to possess neurotoxicity.