Developmental toxicity of two trimethylbenzene isomers, mesitylene and pseudocumene, in rats following inhalation exposure.

Abstract

The developmental toxicity of two trimethylbenzene isomers, mesitylene (1,3,5-trimethylbenzene) and pseudocumene (1,2,4-trimethylbenzene) was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats following inhalation exposure. Pregnant rats were exposed whole body to vapours of mesitylene (0, 100, 300, 600, and 1200 ppm) or pseudocumene (0, 100, 300, 600, and 900 ppm), 6h/day, on gestational days (GD) 6 through 20. Significant decrease in maternal body weight gain and food consumption was observed at concentrations of 300 ppm mesitylene, 600 ppm pseudocumene, or greater. Fetal toxicity, expressed as significant reduction in fetal body weight, occurred at 600 and 1200 ppm mesitylene, and at 600 and 900 ppm pseudocumene. There was no evidence of embryolethal or teratogenic effects following inhalation exposure to either of these chemicals. In summary, the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) for maternal toxicity was 100 ppm for mesitylene and 300 ppm for pseudocumene, and the NOAEL for developmental toxicity was 300 ppm for mesitylene and pseudocumene.

• Authors: A M Saillenfait, F Gallissot, J P Sabate, G Morel
• Journal: Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association (Food Chem Toxicol) Vol. 43 Issue 7 Pg. 1055-63 (Jul 2005) ISSN: 0278-6915 [Print] England
• PMID: 15833381 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Benzene Derivatives
• Teratogens
• pseudocumene
• mesitylene

Topics

• Abnormalities, Drug-Induced (epidemiology, pathology)
• Administration, Inhalation
• Animals
• Benzene Derivatives (administration & dosage, toxicity)
• Body Weight (drug effects)
• Bone and Bones (abnormalities)
• Eating (drug effects)
• Female
• Fetal Death (chemically induced)
• Fetal Development (drug effects)
• Fetal Resorption (chemically induced)
• Pregnancy
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Teratogens (toxicity)