Pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4-dione, 3,6-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,5-dihydro-

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Oral:  LD50 (male/female) > 5000 mg/kg bw, (rat, GLP, OECD Guideline 401, RCC 1986a)
Inhalation:  LC50 (male/female) > 2.25 mg/L air (rat, 4 hours, OECD Guideline 403, Ciba-Geigy 1991)
Dermal:  LD50 (male/female): > 2000 mg/kg bw (rat, occlusive, OECD Guideline 402, RCC 1986b)

Additional information

Oral

In the key study, an acute oral toxicity GLP conform study (Limit Test) according to OECD Guideline 401, a dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight of the test substance was administered as a suspension in polyethylene glycol by gavage to 5 Wistar rats per sex (RCC 1986a).

The animals were observed for a post-dosing period of 15 days for lethality and clinical signs of intoxication. After administration of 5000 mg/kg bw sedation, dyspnea, hunched body position and ruffled fur were observed in animals of both sexes. Additionally rales were observed in males. All rats recovered after 24 h. In addition to the above symptoms the extremities of all animals were reddish discolored after 24 h, which was not observed on the following days. No mortality occurred at the 5000 mg/kg bw. No abnormal body weight changes were observed. No abnormalities were noted at necropsy of animals sacrificed at the end of the study.

 

Inhalation

In the key study, an acute inhalation toxicity GLP conform test, performed according to OECD Guideline 403, a nose inhalation system was used to expose 5 Wistar rats per sex to an aerosol at a concentration of 2.25 mg/L for 4 hours (Ciba-Geigy Ltd, 1991a, b).

The animals were observed for a post-dosing period of 14 days for mortality, body weight changes, clinical signs of intoxication and pathological findings. No mortality and no macroscopic findings at necropsy were observed in males and females. It was not possible to generate higher concentrations of the test compound. The exposure to the maximum attainable concentration was thus considered a limit test as stated in the OECD test guideline 403.Clinical symptoms were piloerection, hunched posture and dyspnea. From this, the animals recovered within 5 to 9 days. Histopathological examinations of the lungs revealed minimal congestion, minimal emphysema and minimal and multifocal bronchiolar dilatation in all animals. These changes are common response in rats treated by inhalation with a nuisance dust.

 

In a mechanistic follow-up study the acute lung response, especially acute inflammatory/cytotoxic responses in the rat lung following a single administration by inhalation of an aerosol for 4 hours was assessed by examination of various biochemical and cellular parameters in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained 24 hours after exposure.

The investigation was based on a publication by Lindenschmidt et al. (“The comparison of a fibrogenic and two nonfibrogenic dusts by bronchoalveolar lavage.” Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 102, 268 – 281 (1990)). As it is a non-standard study, historical control data was not available.

Measured concentrations were 1.1 mg/L for the test item, the negative control titanium dioxide (nuisance dust) and the positive control Sikron F600 ((also known as HSE Standard Quartz, fibrinogenic agent). The MMAD was 2.5, 2.0 and 2.7 µm for titanium dioxide, Sikron F600 and the test item, respectively. At least 90% of the particles were had a diameter of less than 7 µm. Another control group was exposed to air only. There were no signs indicative of a toxic or irritant effect following exposure to the test compound. Red stained feces and staining of the skin/fur were noted in both sexes post exposure to the test item. Exposure exaggerated respiratory movements were evident in a proportion of rats exposed to the test compound from 15 minutes of exposure. This finding was also apparent after inhalation of titanium dioxide (2 h) and Sikron F600 (15 minutes), respectively, but not the air control.

There were no treatment-related macroscopic findings following the 24 hour post exposure observation period. No effects on lungs weights after exposure to 3,6-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,5-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4-dione were seen.

After laboratory investigations of bronchoalveolar lavage samples, differences to air control samples were evident in animals treated with the test compound, titanium dioxide and Sikron F600. Biochemical examinations showed thatβ-glucuronidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase and lactate dehydrogenase levels in animals exposed to aerosols of the three dust samples were higher than in air control values.

Total protein values as well as the total and viable cell counts were also higher than in air controls.

The order of magnitude of effects was similar for both control dusts and the test item, with the responses to the test item being generally higher than those to both dust controls. The experimental design was set up to test equal particle load in regard to number and size, but the density and the surface area of the particles were not taken into account. Therefore, a quantitative interpretation of the results is not possible.

This acute response is typical of the lung response to inert and biologically active particles and it is only several weeks after exposure that the cellular response to inert and biologically active particles differs (Lindenschmidt 1990).

 

 

 

Dermal

In an acute dermal toxicity, GLP conform test, according to OECD Guideline 402, a single dermal administration of the test substance was performed under occlusive conditions by applying doses of 2000 body weight of the test substance homogenized in polyethylene glycol on an area of almost 10 % of the estimated body surface of 5 Sprague-Dawley rats per sex (RCC 1996b).

The duration of the occlusive exposure was 24 hours. At the end of the exposure period the residual test substance was washed. The observation period following administration was 15 days.

No mortality occurred. No abnormal body weight changes were observed. After treatment a reddish skin discoloration was observed in all rats during the observation period. No other signs of local or systemic toxicity and no macroscopic findings at necropsy were observed.

 

Justification for classification or non-classification

Dangerous Substance Directive (67/548/EEC)

The available studies are considered reliable and suitable for classification purposes under 67/548/EEC. As a result the substance is not considered to be classified for acute oral, dermal and inhalation toxicity under Directive 67/548/EEC, as amended for the 28th time in Directive 2001/59/EC.

Classification, Labelling, and Packaging Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008

The available experimental test data are reliable and suitable for classification purposes under Regulation 1272/2008. As a result the substance is not considered to be classified for acute oral, dermal and inhalation toxicity under Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008.