Subchronic toxicity of benzyl selenocyanate and 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate in F344 rats

Fundam Appl Toxicol. 1992 Nov;19(4):563-74. doi: 10.1016/0272-0590(92)90095-y.

Abstract

Chemopreventive agents benzyl selenocyanate (BSC) and 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate (p-XSC) were fed in NIH-07 diet to male and female F344 rats (4, 2, and 0.5 mg/kg/day for BSC and 20, 10, and 5 mg/kg/day for p-XSC) for 13 weeks. Weight gains were depressed for male and female rats fed 4 and 2 mg/kg/day BSC, females fed 0.5 mg/kg/day BSC, and male rats fed 20 and 10 mg/kg/day p-XSC. At necropsy, no clear treatment-related lesions were noted, but dose-dependent hepatomegaly was observed in both sexes of BSC and p-XSC groups. Plasma transaminases AST and ALT were elevated in the higher dose groups, while hemoglobin, HCT, and RBC were reduced in most BSC and some p-XSC treatment groups. Plasma glucose was reduced in BSC-treated males. Significant histologic findings included moderate to severe hepatic centrilobular hypertrophy with fatty change in all males and females in the 4 mg/kg/day BSC groups and in 9/15 males and 3/15 females in the 2 mg/kg/day BSC groups. Dose-dependent, mild centrilobular hypertrophy with minimal fatty change was observed in the mid- and low-dose BSC groups and in all p-XSC groups. Mild to moderate renal tubular and interstitial nephritis occurred in the 4 mg/kg/day male BSC group. Dietary maximum tolerated dose levels for chemoprevention studies are 0.5 mg/kg/day (3.0 ppm Se) for BSC and 5 mg/kg/day (32.5 ppm Se) for p-XSC, compared to literature values of 2-3 ppm Se for Na2SeO3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / toxicity*
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Cyanates / toxicity*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Organoselenium Compounds / toxicity*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cyanates
  • Organoselenium Compounds
  • benzyl selenocyanate
  • 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate