Assessment of photomirex toxicity in the mouse.

Toxicity in the mouse was produced after oral administration of photomirex at 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg.d in corn oil. Mortality began to occur 4, 7, and 16 d after daily administration of photomirex at 50, 25, and 20 mg/kg, respectively. In all cases, the cumulative LD50 for photomirex was estimated as 225-250 mg/kg. The effect of photomirex on food and water consumption varied depending on dose. Daily oral administration of photomirex caused a dose-dependent loss of body weight. No overt behavioral changes were observed during the experiments. Body temperature was unaffected. Biochemical studies also showed that photomirex did not affect plasma glucose and free fatty acid content and brain biogenic amine levels. It appears that photomirex is similar to mirex in terms of peripheral toxicity.