Abstract
The present report concerns results of a 90-day repeated dose toxicity study of glucosamine which is used as a food stabilizing agent. F344 rats (10 rats/group both sexes) were given diet containing glucosamine at doses of 0,0.5,1.67 or 5.0%. In the females, increase of liver weights in the 5.0% group. In the males, the decrease of the body weight, increases of the water consumption and urine volume, and decrease of specific gravity were found in the 5.0% group. Increase of the relative kidney weight and the degree of eosinophilic body were observed in the 5.0% group. The eosinophilic body was considered to be α 2u-globulin, from immunohistochemical findings. In conclusion, 90 days dietary treatment with glucosamine at levels 5.0% demonstrated lexicologically significant effects in female and male rats. It was thus decided that the no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was 1.67% in both sexes (females: 1158 mg/kg/day, males : 1075 mg/kg/day).
