Germanium tetrachloride

Endpoint summary

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

basic toxicokinetics in vivo

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment

Objective of study:

toxicokinetics

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Absorption, transport, distribution, storage and excretion of inorganic germanium in albino rats

GLP compliance:

not specified

Radiolabelling:

no

Species:

rat

Strain:

other: albino

Sex:

male/female

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

TEST ANIMALS
- Source: no information
- Age at study initiation: no information
- Weight at study initiation: no information
- Fasting period before study: no information
- Housing: well ventilated cages
- Individual metabolism cages: no information
- Diet (e.g. ad libitum): no information
- Water (e.g. ad libitum): no information
- Acclimation period: 1 week

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS : no information
- Temperature (°C):
- Humidity (%):
- Air changes (per hr):
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light):

Route of administration:

oral: gavage

Vehicle:

water

Remarks:

Doses / Concentrations:
10mg

Control animals:

not specified

Type:

absorption

Results:

rapid absorption after gavage (73.6% after 4h and 96.4% after 8h)

Type:

distribution

Results:

uniformly distributed between erythrocytes and plasma (2:3) and not bound to plasma proteins. Not deposited selectively but widely distributed among all the organs.

Type:

excretion

Results:

rapidly excreted via the urine and feces, kidney being the main excretory organ

Conclusions:

Interpretation of results (migrated information): low bioaccumulation potential based on study results
Germanium is relatively inert metabolically and are consonant with its remarkably low toxicity

Executive summary:

Metabolic studies have been conducted of the absorption, transport, distribution, storage and excretion of inorganic germanium (GeO2) in albino rats.

The analytical data demonstrate that germanium is rapidly absorbed after oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular or intraperitoneal administration.

When injected directly into the systemic circulation or absorbed following oral or parenteral administration, it is transported unbound by plasma proteins and is rapidly eliminated from the blood stream.

Germanium is not deposited selectively but is widely distributed among all the organs. It is not retained or stored by any tissue even after many weekly doses, but is rapidly excreted via the urine and feces, the kidney bein the main excretory organ.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Bioaccumulation potential:

low bioaccumulation potential

Absorption rate - oral (%):

73.6

Additional information

GeCl4 spontaneously hydrolysis in contact with water to HCl and GeO2. The key study on GeO2 demonstrates that germanium is rapidly absorbed after oral administration.

When absorbed following oral administration, it is transported unbound by plasma proteins and is rapidly eliminated from the blood stream.

Germanium is not deposited selectively but is widely distributed among all the organs. It is not retained or stored by any tissue even after many weekly doses, but is rapidly excreted via the urine and feces, the kidney being the main excretory organ.