Dose-effect of inorganic tin on biochemical indices in rats.

The dose-effect of stannous chloride on biochemical indices was examined in weanling male rats given oral doses of 0.3, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg at 12-h intervals for 90 days. The 3.0 mg/kg dose caused significant decreases of the relative weights of the femur, calcium concentration, lactic dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities in the serum, succinate dehydrogenase activity in the liver, and calcium content and acid phosphatase activity in the femoral diaphysis and epiphysis. Of the above indices, the 1.0 mg/kg dose produced significant reduction of succinate dehydrogenase activity in the liver, and calcium content and acid phosphatase activity in the femoral epiphysis. Those significant decreases were not observed with the 0.3 mg/kg dose, although a slight but not significant decrease of calcium content in the femoral epiphysis was observed. These results suggest that the no-effect level of inorganic tin orally administered would be lower than 0.6 mg/kg/day.