Abstract
The toxicity profiles of the widely used guanidine-based chemicals have not been fully elucidated. Herein, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo toxicity of eight guanidine-based chemicals, focusing on inhalation toxicity. Among the eight chemicals, dodecylguanidine hydrochloride (DGH) was found to be the most cytotoxic (IC50: 0.39 μg/mL), as determined by the water soluble tetrazolium salts (WST) assay. An acute inhalation study for DGH was conducted using Sprague-Dawley rats at 8.6 ± 0.41, 21.3 ± 0.83, 68.0 ± 3.46 mg/m3 for low, middle, and high exposure groups, respectively. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and cytokines (MIP-2, TGF-β1, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Histopathological examination revealed acute inflammation with necrosis in the nasal cavity and inflammation around terminal bronchioles and alveolar ducts in the lungs after DGH inhalation. The LC50 of DGH in rats after exposure for 4 h was estimated to be >68 mg/m3. Results from the inhalation studies showed that DGH was more toxic in male rats than in female rats. Overall, DGH was found to be the most cytotoxic chemical among guanidine-based chemicals. Exposure to aerosols of DGH could induce harmful pulmonary effects on human health.
Highlights
Various chemicals are widely used as active ingredients in consumer products, functioning as a preservative, disinfectant or antimicrobial agents [1,2]
The reason for the public health crisis due to these consumer products could be that some chemicals that are considered nontoxic through oral intake and dermal exposure might be seriously toxic if they are Toxics 2020, 8, 76; doi:10.3390/toxics8030076
The cells were treated with guanidine-based chemicals (1–5000 μg/mL) and water soluble tetrazolium salts (WST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays were performed
Summary
Various chemicals are widely used as active ingredients in consumer products, functioning as a preservative, disinfectant or antimicrobial agents [1,2]. With the number of such chemicals increasing rapidly, it has become difficult to evaluate their toxic effects on human health. The use of consumer products is highly prevalent and a large number of people are routinely exposed to these products over a short period of time, increasing the concern about their harmful effects on human health [3]. It was reported that over 8 million people were exposed to humidifier disinfectants [4] resulting in over one thousand deaths until 2017 [5]. The reason for the public health crisis due to these consumer products could be that some chemicals that are considered nontoxic through oral intake and dermal exposure might be seriously toxic if they are Toxics 2020, 8, 76; doi:10.3390/toxics8030076 www.mdpi.com/journal/toxics
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
