title: Safety evaluation of benzophenone.
abstract: Benzophenone (FEMA No. 2134; CAS No. 119-61-9) was administered in the diet to rats at target dose levels of 20 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 days and 100 or 500 mg/kg/day for 28 days. Body weights and food consumption were measured weekly; haematology, clinical chemistry and urinalysis values were obtained at 4 wk and at the end of the study. Gross and microscopic pathological examinations were conducted and organ weights were recorded. Treatment-related changes occurred in erythrocyte count, haemoglobin, haematocrit, bilirubin, total protein and albumin at the mid- and high-dose levels, although all changes did not occur in both groups in both sexes. There were indications of increased absolute and relative liver and kidney weights in the mid- and high-dose groups, but this was not statistically consistent for absolute kidney weights. Histopathology of the liver in the mid- and high-dose groups showed hepatocellular enlargement with an associated clumping of cytoplasmic basophilic material around the central vein. A no-effect level was demonstrated at 20 mg/kg/day for 90 days of administration. This would be equivalent to an intake of 1200 mg/day for a 60-kg human. On the basis of the calculated Possible Average Daily Intake of 0.33 mg/day, a safety factor of greater than 3600 is demonstrated. The safety factor based on the more realistic per capita consumption of 0.32 microgram/day would be approximately 3.7 million.
authors.affiliation: Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association, Washington, DC 20006.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Burdock
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Pence
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ford
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001577:Benzophenones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012449:Safety
chemical_list: D001577:Benzophenones; C047723:benzophenone