Final Report on the Developmental Toxicity of Methylene Blue Trihydrate (CAS. No.7220-79-3) Sprague-Dawley (CD) (Trade Name) Rats

摘要

Methylene blue (MBLU) is a dye which is prescribed in human and veterinarymedicine to treat chemically-induced methemoglobinemia. MBLU is also used in obstetrics to determine the presence of twin amnionic sacs or premature rupture of the membranes. Clinical reports suggest MBLU may be fetotoxic and studies in pregnant rats indicate MBLU may have an adverse impact on fetal development. In the current study, the authors determined the effect of MBLU on maternal health and fetal growth, viability, and morphological development. Since MBLU readily distributes to all tissues of the body, it was administered (0, 50, 125, or 200 mg/kg/day) by gavage to pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats during the major period of organogenesis (gd 6-15). Maternal clinical signs, body weight, and food and water consumption were monitored from gd 0 to 20. On gd 20, fetuses were removed from the dams and examined for evidence of developmental toxicity.