SUBACUTE ORAL TOXICITY OF TETRAETHYLENE GLYCOL AND ETHYLENE-GLYCOL ADMINISTERED TO WISTAR RATS

A subacute toxicity study with administration of tetraethylene glycol in dosages of 0-220-660-2000 mg/kg body weight to male and female Wist ar rats via gavage was conducted in order to characterize a possible t oxic action of this compound. The structurally related compound ethyle ne glycol is known to cause kidney toxicity. Therefore, special attent ion was paid to investigating possible toxic effects of tetraethylene glycol on this organ. In order to compare possible treatment-related e ffects of tetraethylene glycol with those known from ethylene glycol, a group of male and female rats was treated with 2000 mg ethylene glyc ol/kg body weight. Daily oral application of tetraethylene glycol over 4 weeks was tolerated without toxic effects up to and including 2000 mg/kg body weight. Daily oral application of ethylene glycol over 4 we eks resulted in treatment-related effects on the kidneys. A slight dec rease in the urinary excretion of potassium, calcium and phosphate (ma les), a diminished pH-value of the urine, and a slight increase in osm olality (females) were observed. In both sexes excretion of oxalate wa s significantly increased and microscopic examination of urinary sedim ent revealed calcium oxalate crystals. Kidney weights of males and fem ales were slightly elevated. Histopathology revealed crystals in renal tubuli, renal pelvis, and urinary bladder; tubulopathy and epithelial hyperplasia within the renal pelvis were also observed. Therefore, th e study confirmed the kidney as target for ethylene glycol toxicity an d gave no indications of tetraethylene glycol-induced toxic effects.