Subchronic Toxicity of Oral 2,4-Dinitroanisole Ingestion in Rats

Objectives  To investigate the subchronic toxicity of 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) in rats to provide basic data for protecting the health of people who were exposed to DNAN in professional activity.

Methods  Ninety six adult SD rats (half male and half female) were randomly divided into four groups by body weight; DNAN was administrated by gavage once in each day for consecutive 90 d at the dosage of 0, 5.0, 15.0 and 45.0 mg/kg, respectively. The growth of rats were observed; urine and blood samples were collected and tested by the end of the test. Organ coefficient and histopathological change were checked by conventional paraffin section HE dyeing technology.

Results  No difference on body weight between groups was observed (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the food utilization rate in high DNAN group was lower (P <0.05). The organ coefficient of epididymis and testes was lower in part of male rats in DNAN groups. Mild inflammatory cellular infiltration, edema and hyperemia were observed in the brain, heart, lung, liver, spleen, kidney, stomach, adrenal gland, uterus and ovary of rats in all DNAN groups. Compared with the control group, the epididymis coefficient was decreased; liver, kidney, spleen coefficient was increased in the high-dose group; kidney coefficient was increased in the low-dose group; heart, liver, kidney coefficient was increased in the middle-dose group in male rats (P <0.05). Compared with the control group, the liver, kidney coefficient was increased in the high-dose group, adrenal gland coefficient was decreased in female rats of all DNAN groups (P <0.05). In routine urine test, leukocyte counts in the urine of high-dose group was significantly higher than the control group (P <0.05). Na, ICa, TCa, Cl, pH levels were different from the control group, but no significant dose-response relationship was existed. Compared with the control group, the PT-T, PT-INR was decreased in the middle and high DNAN group of male rats, APTT was decreased in the low DNAN group of female rats (P <0.05). Compared with the control group, there were significant changes of related biochemical parameters in DNAN groups.

Conclusions  Under the experiment condition in this test, there were certain toxic effects of DNAN on liver, kidney and epididymis.