title: Comparison of the repeated dose toxicity of isomers of dinitrotoluene.
abstract: Dinitrotoluene (DNT) is a nitroaromatic explosive used in propellant mixtures and in the production of plastics. Isomers of DNT were administered daily via oral gavage to male Sprague-Dawley rats for 14 days to determine the subacute toxicity of individual isomers of DNT. The 3,5-DNT isomer was the most toxic isomer, inducing weight loss and mortality within 3 days. Cyanosis and anemia were observed for all isomers. Exposure to 2,4-, 2,6-, and 3,5-DNT resulted in decreased testes mass and degenerative histopathological changes. Increased splenic mass was observed for 2,4-, 2,6-, and 2,5-DNT. Extramedullary hematopoiesis of the spleen was noted for all isomers, while lymphoid hyperplasia of the spleen was noted for all isomers except 2,5-DNT. Increased liver mass was observed for 2,3-DNT and 3,4-DNT. Hepatocellular lesions were observed for 2,6-DNT and 2,4-DNT. Neurotoxic effects were noted for 3,4-DNT, 2,4-DNT, and 3,5-DNT.
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Portfolio, US Army Public Health Command, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21050, USA. emily.m.lent@us.army.mil
authors.forename: Emily May
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Lent
authors.forename: Lee C B
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Crouse
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Shannon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wallace
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000818:Animals; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D003490:Cyanosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D004136:Dinitrobenzenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity*; D007536:Isomerism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D059551:Toxicity Tests, Subacute
chemical_list: D004136:Dinitrobenzenes