Evaluation of the Subacute Toxic Effects of an Isotonic D-ribose Solution Administered intravenously to Fischer Rats

To evaluate the potential toxic effects associated with the intravenous administration of an isotonic solution (4.2%) of d-ribose once per day for 14 days in Fischer rats (F-244), thirty rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (5 males and 5 females each). Rats in group 1 received 10 ml/kg of a 4.2% d-ribose solution intravenously once per day for 14 days. Rats in group 2 (control) received the same volume of 0.9% saline intravenously once per day for 14 days. Rats in group 3 (satellite) received 10 ml/kg of a 4.2% d-ribose solution intravenously once per day for 14 days and were observed for a further 14 days after the last d-ribose injection. Rats were monitored for any clinical or behavioral alterations. Body weight, feed and water intake were measured. A complete post-mortems and histopathological examinations were performed on all animals and blood samples were obtained for hematological and plasma biochemical analyses. There were no statistically significant clinical, behavioral, hematological, biochemical, gross or histological toxic effects induced by the daily intravenous administration of the drug for 14 days in the male and female rats. Results of this study show that the repeated intravenous administration of an isotonic solution of d-ribose is well tolerated in rats