Single- and repeated-dose oral toxicity studies of citicoline free-base (choline cytidine 5'-pyrophosphate) in Sprague-Dawley rats.

The dietary supplement Citicoline free-base (choline cytidine 5'-pyrophosphate) was toxicologically evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats using oral gavage. In an acute 14-day study, 2000 mg/kg was well tolerated. In a 90-day study, 100, 350, and 1000 mg/kg/day doses resulted in no mortality. In males, slight significant increases in serum creatinine (350 and 1000 mg/kg/day), and decreases in urine volume (all treated groups) were observed. In females, slight significant increases in total white blood cell and absolute lymphocyte counts (1000 mg/kg/day), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (100 and 350, but not 1000 mg/kg/day) were noted. A dose-related increase in renal tubular mineralization, without degenerative or inflammatory reaction, was found in females (all treated groups) and two males (1000 mg/kg/day). Renal mineralization in rats (especially females) is influenced by calcium:phosphorus ratios in the diet. A high level of citicoline consumption resulted in increased phosphorus intake in the rats, and likely explains this result.

One-year chronic oral toxicity with combined reproduction toxicity study of a novel probiotic, Bacillus coagulans, as a food ingredient.

Some strains of Bacillus coagulans can survive extremes of heat, stomach acid and bile acids, to which commonly consumed probiotics are susceptible. A toxicological safety assessment was published in 2009 on a proprietary preparation of B. coagulans - GanedenBC(30)™ - a novel probiotic. It was concluded that GanedenBC(30)™ is safe for chronic human consumption based upon scientific procedures, supported by a safe history of use (Endres et al., 2009). A one-year chronic oral toxicity study combined with a one-generation reproduction study was conducted to further investigate safety of long-term consumption. The one-year study of GanedenBC(30)™ administered to male and female HsdBrlHan: Wistar rats in their diet showed no signs of toxicity at the highest dose tested. The conclusion from the reproduction toxicity study is that administration of GanedenBC(30)™ in the diet caused no signs of toxicity in the parental generation (male or female) nor the F1 offspring. Using the lowest NOEL of 1948 mg/kg concluded at the end of the 1-year feeding study, a 100-fold safety factor, a test article concentration of 6.88×10(10) CFU (colony forming units) per gram, and an average 70 kg human, it is determined that GanedenBC(30)™ is safe for chronic consumption at up to 9.38×10(10) CFUs per day.

Safety assessment of a novel ingredient for removable chewing gum.

Rev7 is an indigestible gum polymer used for the manufacturing of chewing gum. It allows for the formulation of chewing gum with low adhesion; thus can be readily removed from surfaces such as sidewalks, clothing, carpets and furniture. In a toxicological safety assessment, Rev7 was found to be non-mutagenic in the AMES assay. The highest concentration tested in a mouse lymphoma thymidine kinase locus gene mutation assay induced a slight but biologically relevant increase in mutations under non-metabolic activation conditions after 24h. Because of this finding, a mouse micronucleus assay was performed, and the test article was found to be negative for inducing chromosomal damage. A 28-day repeated oral toxicity study resulted in a NOAEL of 80,000 ppm; the highest concentration tested. Rev7 was found to be free from contaminants such as heavy metals, monomers, and solvents. Lastly, Rev7 did not demonstrate skin-sensitizing properties in the murine local lymph node assay.

Safety assessment of a proprietary preparation of a novel Probiotic, Bacillus coagulans, as a food ingredient.

It has been demonstrated that some strains of Bacillus coagulans can survive extremes of heat, acidity of the stomach, and bile acids, to which commonly consumed probiotics are susceptible. A toxicological safety assessment was performed on a proprietary preparation of B. coagulans - GanedenBC(30) - a novel probiotic. Seven toxicologic studies were conducted and included: in vitro bacterial reverse mutation assay; in vitro chromosomal aberration assay; micronucleus assay in mice; acute and 90 day subchronic repeated oral toxicity studies were conducted in Wistar Crl:(WI) BR rats; acute eye and skin irritation studies were conducted in rabbits. The results of this toxicological safety assessment indicate that GanedenBC(30)B. coagulans does not demonstrate mutagenic, clastogenic, or genotoxic effects. Furthermore, the results of the acute and 90-day subchronic oral toxicity studies in rats resulted in the conclusion of a NOAEL greater than 1000 mg/kg per day. Since the concentration of the cell mass used in the 90-day study was 1.36 x 10(11) CFUs/g, this corresponds to 95.2 x 10(11) CFUs for a 70 kg human and since the suggested human dose is in the range of 100 x 10(6) to 3 x 10(9) CFUs, this gives a safety factor ranging from 3173 to 95,200 times. Based upon scientific procedures and supported by history of use, GanedenBC(30) is considered safe for chronic human consumption.