Er. Kinkead et al., N-METHYL-N'-NITROGUANIDINE - IRRITATION, SENSITIZATION, AND ACUTE ORAL TOXICITY, GENOTOXICITY, AND METHODS FOR ANALYSIS IN BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES, Toxicology and industrial health, 9(3), 1993, pp. 457-477
Currently, N-methyl-N-nitroguanidine (MNG) is being considered by the
U.S. Air Force Armament Laboratory for use in explosive formulations.
A mammalian toxicity profile has been performed which includes the ana
lysis of chemical impurities and an assessment of the potential for th
e metabolism of MNG to 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Pot
ential in situ gastric conversion of MNG to MNNG is a toxicological co
ncern because MNNG is both mutagenic and carcinogenic. The compound wa
s also evaluated in several bioassays to assess its potential genotoxi
c activity. The acute oral toxicity was determined in male and female
Fischer 344 rats administered a single dose of MNG in corn oil. The ma
ximum suspension of MNG that could be delivered, 1 mg MNG/kg body weig
ht, produced no signs of toxic stress during the 14-day observation pe
riod. The primary eye and skin irritation potential of MNG was determi
ned in female New Zealand white rabbits using the Draize technique. MN
G produced no irritation to intact skin but did produce mild conjuncti
val irritation. The response of a single guinea pig to the dermal sens
itization evaluation indicated that MNG is a weak sensitizer. The resu
lts of three genetic tests indicated that MNG does not interact with g
enetic material. Gastric contents and feces from treated animals showe
d no evidence of conversion of MNG to MNNG.