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Diss Factsheets

Administrative data

Endpoint:
sub-chronic toxicity: dermal
Type of information:
other: review publication
Adequacy of study:
supporting study
Reliability:
4 (not assignable)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
secondary literature

Data source

Reference
Reference Type:
review article or handbook
Title:
Final report on the safety assessment of glycolic acid, ammonium, calcium, potassium, and sodium glycolates, methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl glycolates, and lactic acid, ammonium, calcium, potassium, sodium, and TEA-lactates, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, …
Author:
Andersen, F.A.
Year:
1998
Bibliographic source:
International Journal of Toxicology 17 (Suppl. 1)

Materials and methods

Principles of method if other than guideline:
The dermal toxicity of a face cream containing 0.25% of 85% aq. lactic acid was evaluated using two groups of 15 female Sprague-Dawley rats (Avon Products, Inc., 1995b). The test group received daily applications of 886 mg/kg applied 5 days/week for 13 weeks to a shaved dorsal area of the back; the control group was untreated (The dose was determined by applying a factor of 100 x to the average daily human use determined using 1 g/day.) Animals were observed daily, and blood and urine samples were collected during weeks 7 and 13 from randomly selected animals.
GLP compliance:
not specified

Test material

Constituent 1
Chemical structure
Reference substance name:
Lactic acid
EC Number:
200-018-0
EC Name:
Lactic acid
Cas Number:
50-21-5
Molecular formula:
C3H6O3
IUPAC Name:
2-hydroxypropanoic acid
Specific details on test material used for the study:
- Purity: 85%

Test animals

Species:
rat
Strain:
Sprague-Dawley
Sex:
female

Administration / exposure

Vehicle:
other: cosmetic cream
Details on exposure:
The test group received daily applications of 886 mg/kg bw applied 5 days/week for 13 weeks to a shaved dorsal area of the back. The control group was untreated.
Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:
not specified
Duration of treatment / exposure:
13 weeks
Frequency of treatment:
daily, 5 days/week
Doses / concentrationsopen allclose all
Dose / conc.:
886 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Remarks:
dose group
Dose / conc.:
0 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Remarks:
untreated control group
No. of animals per sex per dose:
15 (female only)
Control animals:
yes, concurrent no treatment

Examinations

Observations and examinations performed and frequency:
Animals were observed daily, and blood and urine samples were collected during weeks 7 and 13 from randomly selected animals.

Results and discussion

Results of examinations

Clinical signs:
no effects observed
Dermal irritation:
effects observed, treatment-related
Mortality:
no mortality observed
Body weight and weight changes:
no effects observed
Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):
no effects observed
Food efficiency:
no effects observed
Water consumption and compound intake (if drinking water study):
no effects observed
Ophthalmological findings:
no effects observed
Haematological findings:
effects observed, treatment-related
Clinical biochemistry findings:
no effects observed
Urinalysis findings:
no effects observed
Behaviour (functional findings):
no effects observed
Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:
effects observed, treatment-related
Gross pathological findings:
no effects observed
Histopathological findings: non-neoplastic:
no effects observed
Histopathological findings: neoplastic:
no effects observed
Details on results:
All animals survived to study termination. No significant gross observations, with the exception of minimal skin irritation throughout the study, could be attributed to dosing. During week 7, the blood urea nitrogen value was significantly increased for test animals as compared to controls; no other hematological effects were seen, and urinary parameters were normal. Absolute brain weight and kidney-to-body weight ratios were statistically significantly increased for the test animals. No lesions were observed at necropsy or at microscopic examination. The investigators concluded this formulation is "safe in terms of cumulative toxicity" and that "based upon the exaggerated dose level used in this study for skin care products, dermal application is not likely to produce adverse effects under conditions of consumer use."

Effect levels

Dose descriptor:
LOAEL
Effect level:
886 mg/kg bw/day
Based on:
test mat.
Sex:
female
Basis for effect level:
haematology
organ weights and organ / body weight ratios

Target system / organ toxicity

Critical effects observed:
no

Any other information on results incl. tables

No significant gross observations, with the exception of minimal skin irritation. Absolute brain weight and kidney-to-body weight ratios were increased for test animals.No lesions were observed at necropsy or at microscopic examination.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:
Formulation (face cream containing 0.25% lactic acid) is safe in terms of cumulative toxicity. Based upon the exaggerated dose levels used in this study for skin care products, dermal application is not likely to produce adverse effects under conditions of consumer use.
Executive summary:

A sub-chronic dermal toxicity study with a face cream containing 0.25% lactic acid (equals 886 mg/kg bw/day) was conducted on female rats. All animals survived to study termination. No significant gross observations, with the exception of minimal skin irritation throughout the study, could be attributed to dosing. During week 7, the blood urea nitrogen value was significantly increased for test ammals as compared to controls; no other hematological effects were seen, and urinary parameters were normal. Absolute brain weight and kidney-to-body weight ratios were statistically significantly increased for the test animals. No lesions were observed at necropsy or at microscopic exammation. The investigators concluded this formulation is "safe in terms of cumulative toxicity" and that "based upon the exaggerated dose level used in this study for skin care products, dermal application is not likely to produce adverse effects under conditions of consumer use."