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Key value for chemical safety assessment

Genetic toxicity in vitro

Description of key information

One reliable AMES study with magnesium nitrate is available. The study was performed according to OECD 471 and the results showed that magnesium nitrate was not mutagenic.

Two reliable studies with substance analogues are available: a chromosome aberration study performed according to OECD 473 with sodium nitrate and a mouse lymphomia assay performed according to OECD 476 with potassium nitrate. Both these studies showed negative responses of the substances. These results can be read across to magnesium nitrate. The read-across rationale can be found in the document attached to the appropriate target records and is fully incorporated in the CSR.

Link to relevant study records

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Endpoint:
in vitro gene mutation study in mammalian cells
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
02 April 2010 to 02 June 2010
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study with acceptable restrictions
Remarks:
Because the study was performed with a substance analogue and the data are read across, the Klimisch score is 2.
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 476 (In Vitro Mammalian Cell Gene Mutation Test)
Deviations:
no
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
EU Method B.17 (Mutagenicity - In Vitro Mammalian Cell Gene Mutation Test)
Deviations:
no
Principles of method if other than guideline:
The recommendations of the “International Workshop on Genotoxicity Tests Workgroup” (the IWGT), published in the literature (Clive et al., 1995, Moore et al., 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2007).
GLP compliance:
yes (incl. QA statement)
Type of assay:
mammalian cell gene mutation assay
Target gene:
Thymidine kinase (TK) locus in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells
Species / strain / cell type:
mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells
Details on mammalian cell type (if applicable):
Species strain
- Type and identity of media:
-RPMI 1640 Hepes buffered medium (Dutch modification) containing penicillin/streptomycin (50 U/ml and 50 μg/ml, respectively), 1 mM sodium pyruvate and 2 mM L-glutamin supplemented with 10% (v/v) heat-inactivated horse serum (=R10 medium).
- Properly maintained: yes
- Periodically checked for Mycoplasma contamination: yes
- Periodically checked for karyotype stability: no
- Periodically "cleansed" against high spontaneous background: yes
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Metabolic activation system:
Rat liver S9-mix induced by a combination of phenobarbital and ß-naphthoflavone
Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
Dose range finding test:
Without and with S9-mix, 3 hours treatment: 33, 100, 333, 666 and 1011 µg/mL
Without S9-mix, 24 hours treatment: 33, 100, 333, 666 and 1011 µg/mL
Experiment 1:
Without and with S9-mix, 3 hours treatment: 1, 3, 10, 33, 100, 333, 666 and 1011 µg/mL
Experiment 2
Without and with S9-mix, 24 hours treatment: 1, 3, 10, 33, 100, 333, 666 and 1011 µg/mL
Vehicle / solvent:
- Vehicle(s)/solvent(s) used: RPMI 1640 medium
- Justification for choice of solvent/vehicle:Test compound was soluble in RPMI 1640 medium and RPMI 1640 medium has been accepted and approved by authorities and international guidelines
Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
yes
Positive controls:
yes
Positive control substance:
methylmethanesulfonate
Remarks:
without S9; 15 µg/mL for the 3 hours treatment period and 5 µg/mL for the 24 hours treatment period
Positive control substance:
cyclophosphamide
Remarks:
with S9; 7.5 µg/mL
Details on test system and experimental conditions:
METHOD OF APPLICATION: in medium

DURATION
- Exposure duration:
Short-term treatment
With and without S9-mix: 3 hours
Prolonged treatment period
Without S9-mix: 24 hours
- Expression time (cells in growth medium): 2 days
- Selection time (if incubation with a selection agent): 11 to 12 days

SELECTION AGENT (mutation assays): 5 µg/mL trifluorothymidine (TFT)

NUMBER OF REPLICATIONS:
- Solvent controls: Duplo cultures
- Treatment groups and positive control: Single cultures

NUMBER OF CELLS EVALUATED: 9.6 x 10E5 cells/concentration

DETERMINATION OF CYTOTOXICITY
- Method: relative suspension growth (dose range finding test) and relative total growth (mutation experiments)
Evaluation criteria:
The global evaluation factor (GEF) has been defined by the IWTG as the mean of the negative/solvent MF distribution plus one standard deviation. For the micro well version of the assay the GEF is 126.

A test substance is considered positive (mutagenic) in the mutation assay if it induces a MF of more then MF(controls) + 126 in a dose-dependent manner. An observed increase should be biologically relevant and will be compared with the historical control data range.

A test substance is considered equivocal (questionable) in the mutation assay if no clear conclusion for positive or negative result can be made after an additional confirmation study.

A test substance is considered negative (not mutagenic) in the mutation assay if:
a) None of the tested concentrations reaches a mutation frequency of MF(controls) + 126.
b) The results are confirmed in an independently repeated test.
Key result
Species / strain:
mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells
Metabolic activation:
without
Genotoxicity:
negative
Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
no cytotoxicity nor precipitates, but tested up to recommended limit concentrations
Untreated negative controls validity:
valid
Positive controls validity:
valid
Key result
Species / strain:
mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells
Metabolic activation:
with
Genotoxicity:
negative
Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
no cytotoxicity nor precipitates, but tested up to recommended limit concentrations
Untreated negative controls validity:
valid
Positive controls validity:
valid
Additional information on results:
TEST-SPECIFIC CONFOUNDING FACTORS
- Effects of pH: No
- Effects of osmolality: No
- Precipitation: No precipitation was observed up to and including the top dose of 1011 µg/mL (= 0.01 M)

RANGE-FINDING/SCREENING STUDIES:
- No toxicity was observed up to and including the highest test substance concentration of 1011 μg/ml

COMPARISON WITH HISTORICAL CONTROL DATA:
The spontaneous mutation frequencies in the solvent-treated control cultures were between the minimum and maximum value of the historical control data range and within the acceptability criteria of this assay.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CYTOTOXICITY:
No toxicity was observed up to and including the highest tested dose level in both experiments.

Conclusions:
The spontaneous mutation frequencies in the solvent-treated control cultures were between the minimum and maximum value of the historical control data range and within the acceptability criteria of this assay.

Mutation frequencies in cultures treated with positive control chemicals were increased by 16- and 8.6-fold for MMS in the absence of S9-mix, and by 13- and 16-fold for CP in the presence of S9-mix. It was therefore concluded that the test conditions, both in the absence and presence of S9-mix, were appropriate and that the metabolic activation system (S9-mix) functioned properly.

In the absence of S9-mix, Potassium nitrate did not induce a significant increase in the mutation frequency in the first experiment. This result was confirmed in an independent repeat experiment with modifications in the duration of treatment time.

In the presence of S9-mix, Potassium nitrate did not induce a significant increase in the mutation frequency in the first experiment. This result was confirmed in an independent repeat experiment with modifications in the concentration of the S9 for metabolic activation.

It is concluded that Potassium nitrate is not mutagenic in the mouse lymphoma L5178Y test system under the experimental conditions described in this report.
Endpoint:
in vitro cytogenicity / chromosome aberration study in mammalian cells
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
12-mar-2010 to 25-apr-2010
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study with acceptable restrictions
Remarks:
Because the study was performed with a substance analogue and the data are read across, the Klimisch score is 2.
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 473 (In Vitro Mammalian Chromosome Aberration Test)
Deviations:
no
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
EU Method B.10 (Mutagenicity - In Vitro Mammalian Chromosome Aberration Test)
Deviations:
no
GLP compliance:
yes (incl. QA statement)
Type of assay:
in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test
Species / strain / cell type:
lymphocytes: human peripheral blood
Details on mammalian cell type (if applicable):
- Type and identity of media:
Blood samples
Blood samples were collected by venapuncture using the Venoject multiple sample blood collecting system with a suitable size sterile vessel containing sodium heparin. Immediately after blood collection lymphocyte cultures were started.

- Culture medium
Culture medium consisted of RPMI 1640 medium, supplemented with 20% (v/v) heat-inactivated (56°C; 30 min) foetal calf serum, L-glutamine (2 mM), penicillin/streptomycin (50 U/mL and 50 µg/mL respectively) and 30 U/mL heparin.

- Lymphocyte cultures
Whole blood (0.4 mL) treated with heparin was added to 5 mL or 4.8 mL culture medium (in the absence and presence of S9-mix, respectively). Per culture 0.1 ml (9 mg/mL) phytohaemagglutinin was added.
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Metabolic activation system:
Rat liver S9-mix induced by a combination of phenobarbital and ß-naphthoflavone
Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
Dose range finding test:
Without and with S9-mix, 3hr exposure; 24 hr fixation: 10, 33, 100, 333 and 850 µg/mL
Without S9-mix, 24/48hr exposure; 24/48 hr fixation: 10, 33, 100, 333 and 850 µg/mL
First cytogenetic test:
Without and with S9-mix, 3 h exposure time, 24 h fixation time: 100, 333 and 850 µg/mL
Second cytogenetic test:
Without S9-mix, 24 hr exposure; 24 hr fixation: 100, 333 and 850 µg/mL
Without S9-mix, 48 hr exposure; 48 hr fixation: 100, 333 and 850 µg/mL
With S9-mix, 3 hr exposure; 48 hr fixation: 100, 333 and 850 µg/mL
Vehicle / solvent:
- Vehicle(s)/solvent(s) used: exposure medium (RPMI 1640 medium )
- Justification for choice of solvent/vehicle: Test compound was soluble in exposure medium and exposure medium has been accepted and approved by authorities and international guidelines
Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
yes
Positive controls:
yes
Positive control substance:
mitomycin C
Remarks:
without S9; in Hank's Balanced Salt Solution: 0.5 µg/ml for a 3 h exposure period, 0.2 µg/ml for a 24 h exposure period and 0.1 µg/ml for a 48 h exposure period
Positive control substance:
cyclophosphamide
Remarks:
with S9; in Hank's Balanced Salt Solution: 10 µg/ml
Details on test system and experimental conditions:
METHOD OF APPLICATION: in medium

DURATION
- Preincubation period: 48 hr
- Exposure duration: 3 hr (with and without S9-mix), 24 and 48 hr (without S9-mix)
- Fixation time (start of exposure up to fixation or harvest of cells): 24 and 48 hr

SPINDLE INHIBITOR (cytogenetic assays): colchicine
STAIN (for cytogenetic assays): Giemsa

NUMBER OF REPLICATIONS: duplicates in two independent experiments

NUMBER OF CELLS EVALUATED: 100 metaphase chromosome spreads per culture

DETERMINATION OF CYTOTOXICITY
- Method: mitotic index of each culture was determined by counting the number of metaphases per 1000 cells

OTHER EXAMINATIONS:
- Determination of polyploidy: yes
- Determination of endoreplication: yes
Evaluation criteria:
A test substance was considered positive (clastogenic) in the chromosome aberration test if:
a) It induced a dose-related statistically significant (Chi-square test, one-sided, p < 0.05) increase in the number of cells with chromosome aberrations.
b) A statistically significant and biologically relevant increase in the frequencies of the number of cells with chromosome aberrations was observed in the absence of a clear dose-response relationship.

A test substance was considered negative (not clastogenic) in the chromosome aberration test if none of the tested concentrations induced a statistically significant (Chi-square test, one-sided, p < 0.05) increase in the number of cells with chromosome aberrations.
Statistics:
The incidence of aberrant cells (cells with one or more chromosome aberrations, gaps included or excluded) for each exposure group outside the laboratory historical control data range was compared to that of the solvent control using Chi-square statistics.
Key result
Species / strain:
lymphocytes: human peripheral blood
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Genotoxicity:
negative
Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
no cytotoxicity nor precipitates, but tested up to recommended limit concentrations
Vehicle controls validity:
valid
Positive controls validity:
valid
Additional information on results:
- Effects of pH: No
- Effects of osmolality: No
- Precipitation: No precipitation was observed up to and including the top dose of 850 µg/mL (= 0.01 M)
RANGE-FINDING/SCREENING STUDIES:
- No toxicity was observed up to and including the top dose of 850 µg/mL

COMPARISON WITH HISTORICAL CONTROL DATA:
- The number of cells with chromosome aberrations found in the solvent and positive control cultures was within the laboratory historical control data range.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CYTOTOXICITY:
- No toxicity was observed up to and including the top dose of 850 µg/mL

No effects of Natriumnitrat HQ unbehandelt (non-food grade) on the number of polyploid cells and cells with endoreduplicated chromosomes were observed both in the absence and presence of S9-mix. Therefore it can be concluded that Natriumnitrat HQ unbehandelt (non-food grade) does not disturb mitotic processes and cell cycle progression and does not induce numerical chromosome aberrations

Conclusions:
The number of cells with chromosome aberrations found in the solvent control cultures was within the laboratory historical control data range. Positive control chemicals, mitomycin C and cyclophosphamide, both produced a statistically significant increase in the incidence of cells with chromosome aberrations, indicating that the test conditions were adequate and that the metabolic activation system (S9-mix) functioned properly.

Natriumnitrat HQ unbehandelt (non-food grade) did not induce a statistically significant or biologically relevant increase in the number of cells with chromosome aberrations in the absence and presence of S9-mix, in either of the two independently repeated experiments.


Finally, it is concluded that this test is valid and that Natriumnitrat HQ unbehandelt (non-food grade) is not clastogenic in human lymphocytes under the experimental conditions described in the report.
Endpoint:
in vitro gene mutation study in bacteria
Remarks:
Type of genotoxicity: gene mutation
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
03-May-2010 to 17-May-2010
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: The study has been performed according to OECD and/or EC guidelines and according to GLP principles.
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 471 (Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay)
GLP compliance:
yes (incl. QA statement)
Type of assay:
bacterial reverse mutation assay
Target gene:
- S. typhimurium: Histidine gene
- E. coli: Tryptophan gene
Species / strain / cell type:
S. typhimurium TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 98 and TA 100
Species / strain / cell type:
E. coli WP2 uvr A
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Metabolic activation system:
Rat liver S9-mix induced by a combination of phenobarbital and ß-naphthoflavone
Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
Experiment 1:
Preliminary test (without and with S9) TA100 and WP2uvrA: 3, 10, 33, 100, 333, 1000, 3330 and 5000 µg/plate

Main study: TA1535, TA1537 and TA98:
Without and with S9-mix: 100, 333, 1000, 3330 and 5000 µg/plate
Experiment 2:
Without and with S9-mix: 100, 333, 1000, 3330 and 5000 µg/plate
Vehicle / solvent:
- Vehicle(s)/solvent(s) used: water
- Justification for choice of solvent/vehicle:Test compound was soluble in water and water has been accepted and approved by authorities and international guidelines
Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
yes
Positive controls:
yes
Positive control substance:
sodium azide
Remarks:
without S9; 5 µg/plate in saline for TA1535
Positive control substance:
9-aminoacridine
Remarks:
without S9; 60 µg/plate in water for TA1537
Positive control substance:
2-nitrofluorene
Remarks:
without S9; 10 µg/plate in DMSO for TA98
Positive control substance:
methylmethanesulfonate
Remarks:
without S9; 650 µg/plate in DMSO for TA100
Positive control substance:
4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide
Remarks:
without S9; 10 µg/plate in DMSO for WP2uvrA
Positive control substance:
other: 2-aminoanthracene in DMSO for all tester strains
Remarks:
with S9
Details on test system and experimental conditions:
METHOD OF APPLICATION: in agar (plate incorporation)

DURATION
- Exposure duration: 48 hour

NUMBER OF REPLICATIONS:
- Doses of the test substance were tested in triplicate in each strain. Two independent experiments were conducted.

NUMBER OF CELLS EVALUATED: 10E8 per plate

DETERMINATION OF CYTOTOXICITY
- Method: The reduction of the bacterial background lawn, the increase in the size of the microcolonies and the reduction of the revertant colonies.

OTHER EXAMINATIONS:
- The presence of precipitation of the test compound on the plates was determined.
Evaluation criteria:
A test substance is considered negative (not mutagenic) in the test if:
a) The total number of revertants in tester strain TA100 is not greater than two (2) times the concurrent control, and the total number of revertants in tester strains TA1535, TA1537, TA98 or WP2uvrA is not greater than three (3) times the concurrent control.
b) The negative response should be reproducible in at least one independently repeated experiment.

A test substance is considered positive if:
a) A two-fold (TA100) or more or a three-fold (TA1535, TA1537, TA98, WP2uvrA) or more increase above solvent control in the mean number of revertant colonies is observed in the test substance group.
b) In case a repeat experiment is performed when a positive response is observed in one of the tester strains, the positive response should be reproducible in at least one independently repeated experiment.
Key result
Species / strain:
S. typhimurium TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 98 and TA 100
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Genotoxicity:
negative
Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
no cytotoxicity nor precipitates, but tested up to recommended limit concentrations
Untreated negative controls validity:
valid
Positive controls validity:
valid
Key result
Species / strain:
E. coli WP2 uvr A
Metabolic activation:
with and without
Genotoxicity:
negative
Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
no cytotoxicity nor precipitates, but tested up to recommended limit concentrations
Untreated negative controls validity:
valid
Positive controls validity:
valid
Additional information on results:
TEST-SPECIFIC CONFOUNDING FACTORS
- Precipitation: No precipitation was observed up to and including the top dose of 5000 µg/plate

RANGE-FINDING/SCREENING STUDIES:
- No toxicity or mutagenicity was observed up to and including the top dose of 5000 µg/plate

COMPARISON WITH HISTORICAL CONTROL DATA:
- The negative and strain-specific positive control values were within our laboratory historical control data ranges indicating that the test conditions were adequate and that the metabolic activation system functioned properly.


Conclusions:
All bacterial strains showed negative responses over the entire dose range, i.e. no significant dose-related increase in the number of revertants in two independently repeated experiments.

The negative and strain-specific positive control values were within the laboratory historical control data ranges indicating that the test conditions were adequate and that the metabolic activation system functioned properly.

It is concluded that this test is valid and that Magnesium nitrate hexahydrate is not mutagenic in the Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay and in the Escherichia coli reverse mutation assay.
Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
no adverse effect observed (negative)

Genetic toxicity in vivo

Description of key information

As the in vitro studies provide sufficient and reliable data showing that the tested substances are negative with regard to genotoxicity, no in vivo study needs to be conducted.

Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
no study available

Additional information

In vitro studies

Magnesium nitrate hexahydrate is not mutagenic in an OECD 471 guideline study with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 98, TA 100 and E.Coli WP2 uvrA with and without metabolic activation. No cytotoxicity was observed but it was tested up to the limit concentration.

No further studies with magnesium nitrate itself are available. Sodium nitrate did not induce chromosomal aberrations in an OECD 473 guideline chromosome aberration study in human lymphocytes with or without metabolic activation. This was tested up to 0.01M, limit concentration. Potassium nitrate showed no effects in an OECD guideline 476 and EC guideline B.17 study on the thymidine kinase locus in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells. This was also tested up to 0.01M , limit concentration.

In vivo studies

No in vivo studies are considered necessary, as all in vitro studies are negative with regard to genotoxicity.

Justification for selection of genetic toxicity endpoint

An Ames test is available with the substance with klimisch code 1, showing no adverse effects.

A CA study with the read-across substance sodium nitrate and a Mouse Lymphoma assay with the read-across substance potassium nitrate are available with a klimisch score 2, both studies relevant for showing no adverse effect.

Justification for classification or non-classification

Based on all information available, magnesium nitrate does not have to be classified for genotoxicity according to the CLP Regulation.