Acute toxicity of sodium arsenite in a complex food matrix

Acute toxicity of a single oral dose of sodium arsenite (As), administered in half and half cream (HH), was assessed in male and non-pregnant female rats (0.41, 4.1, 41.0 and 410.0 mg/kg body weight) and pregnant rats (0.41, 4.1 and 41.0 mg/kg body weight). Control rats received deionized water alone, HH alone or 41.0 mg/kg As in deionized water (41 mg/kg As–water). Male and non-pregnant rats were monitored for 14 consecutive days post-dosing. Pregnant rats, dosed on gestation day 10 (GD-10), were monitored until fetuses were collected on GD 20. High mortality (100%) was observed in male and non-pregnant female rats exposed to 410.0 mg/kg As-HH. Low mortality (25%) was observed in non-pregnant female rats exposed to 41 mg/kg As–water. No mortality was observed in other control or treated groups. Reduced female fetal numbers were observed in the 41 mg/kg As–water group but not in the other control groups. Developmental effects were not observed in the controls or the As-HH treatment groups. In conclusion, As toxicity was not reduced when a high dose (410 mg/kg) was administered in HH however, at lower doses (41 mg/kg), HH reduced acute As oral toxicity in the female and developing fetus.