Genotoxicity and subchronic toxicity studies with heated olestra.

Olestra is a class of sucrose-fatty acid polyesters intended for use as a non-caloric replacement of edible oil. Genotoxicity and subchronic toxicity studies were conducted to determine whether olestra could form genotoxic or toxic breakdown products during simulated commercial use. Heated olestra was prepared for these studies by batch-frying potato slices in olestra at 177-185 degrees C for 25-32 hr over 5-7 days. Genotoxicity of this previously heated olestra was assessed in four standard in vitro assays: (1) Salmonella mutagenesis (Ames test); (2) forward mutagenesis of mouse lymphoma cells at the thymidine kinase locus; (3) unscheduled DNA synthesis in rat hepatocytes; and (4) clastogenicity in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells. These tests were conducted with previously heated olestra at concentrations up to at least 5 mg/ml both in the absence of exogenous bioactivation and, for assays (1), (2) and (4) with added liver microsomal (S-9) activation. The Ames and mouse lymphoma assays were performed with olestra (10 mg/ml and 23 mg/litre, respectively) either alone or emulsified with the non-toxic, non-ionic surfactant Pluronics F68, both in the presence and absence of metabolic activation. To test for clastogenicity in vivo, rats were administered previously heated olestra by gavage at 5 g/kg per day for up to 5 days and bone marrow cells were examined for chromosomal aberrations. Heated olestra lacked genotoxic activity detectable by the aforementioned assays. Heated olestra was fed to Fischer 344 rats at up to 10% of the diet (w/w) for 91 days. Evaluation of survival, food consumption, feed efficiency, physical condition, body weight, organ weight, haematological and clinical chemistry parameters, and histomorphology revealed no adverse effects attributable to ingestion of heated olestra at exposure levels in excess of those anticipated for human consumption. It is concluded that olestra used as a deep-frying medium conveys no genotoxic or toxic hazard at anticipated levels of human consumption.

The effect of olestra on breath gas production and faecal microbial counts.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of olestra consumption on breath hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) production and faecal microbial counts in humans consuming moderate or high fibre diets. A secondary objective was to assess the effect of olestra consumption on health status. DESIGN: Thirty-six-day parallel, placebo-controlled, double-blind study with baseline low fibre period (3 g/meal, 8 days) and treatment period (28 days). Four treatment groups: moderate (7 g/meal) or high fibre (24 g/meal), with olestra (24 g) or placebo. SETTING: Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh, Scotland. SUBJECTS: Ninety-seven adult subjects (30 males and 67 females) from the hospital staff and student population participated in the study. Ninety-four subjects successfully completed the study. INTERVENTION: Breath H2 and CH4 production were measured and faecal specimens were obtained for faecal microbial viable counts and direct microscopic cell counts at the end of the baseline period and the end of the treatment period. Standard clinical blood and urine assays were performed. Subjects were questioned regarding adverse events. RESULTS: Olestra demonstrated no significant effect on breath H2 or CH4 production following either moderate or high fibre intake. A trend for lower breath H2 production in the high fibre olestra group was seen. No effect of olestra consumption on faecal microbial counts or health status was observed. CONCLUSION: In normal subjects 24 g/d of olestra for 36 days does not interfere with normal intestinal fermentation of dietary fibre and does not significantly alter gut microflora populations.

The effect of piroctone olamine on reproduction of male and female rats.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of piroctone olamine, an antidandruff active, on reproductive performance, fertility, parturition, and neonatal viability and growth. Piroctone olamine was administered orally by gavage to three groups of 35 male Sprague-Dawley rats each beginning 64 days prior to mating and continuing until euthanized and to three groups of 35 female Sprague-Dawley rats each beginning 14 days prior to mating and continuing until euthanized. Animals in the treated groups received piroctone olamine in a combination of 1.0% methylcellulose and polyethylene glycol 400 as a single daily dose at levels of 0, 10, 100, and 250 mg/kg/day, at a volume of 2.5 ml/kg. The control group received the vehicle only. Ten randomly selected females/group were mated and underwent a uterine examination on Gestation Day 13; the remaining females were allowed to deliver. Because earlier studies reported hematological effects, blood samples were collected from all parental animals during acclimation and prior to euthanasia for hematological and blood chemistry (Gestation Day 13 females) characterization. The parental animals were necropsied and tissues were grossly examined. Systemic effects induced by the test article were seen at the mid- and high-dose levels but only among the male rats. These effects were reduced body weight and decreased liver weights. Hematological findings representative of anemia occurred at the high-dose level, as did rales in several animals. Offspring growth was inhibited for the high-dose group as evidenced by significantly reduced mean weight values throughout lactation. The remaining parameters assessed, including mating ability and reproductive performance, were not affected by treatment at any dosage level tested. In summary, the no observable effect level of piroctone olamine with respect to systemic toxicity was considered to be 10 mg/kg/day. Neonatal growth was not affected at 100 mg/kg/day or less, and the no observable effect level with respect to reproductive parameters, including fertility, was 250 mg/kg/day.