The comparative short-term mammalian toxicology of phenarsazine oxide and phenoxarsine oxide.
Phenoxarsine oxide (PXO) and phenarsazine oxide (PZO) are organic arsenicals used as industrial biocides. The acute LD50 (in mg kg-1) for PZO was 83 (rat) and 77 (guinea pig) and for PXO 40 (rat) and 24 (guinea pig). PXO was more irritant to the gastrointestinal tract. Liver pathology did not occur in PZO-guinea pigs, but PZO was more hepatotoxic than PXO in rats. The acute inhalation L (ct)50 values were 12830 mg min m-3 for PXO and 13650 mg min m-3 for PZO in guinea pigs; death was due to asphyxia. The guinea pig acute L(ct)50 given as a divided dose over 30 days to guinea pigs and rats did not produce toxic signs, but mononuclear cell infiltration of the portal tracts occurred. PXO and PZO were found to be primary skin and eye irritants; PXO produced more severe effects. The no-effect concentration for keratitis with solutions was 0.25% PZO and 0.1% PXO; both compounds caused concentration dependant transient increases in intraocular pressure, the proportionate increases being significantly greater with PXO. Thus, although PXO and PZO are equitoxic by acute inhalation, PXO is more toxic orally and more irritant to the skin, eye and gastrointestinal tract but PZO is more hepatotoxic.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D020261:Arsenic Poisoning; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000378:metabolism; D005123:Eye / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects; D012869:Skin Absorption
D001152:Arsenicals; C017615:phenarsazine oxide; C017617:phenoxarsine oxide