The Toxicity of Caffein: An experimental study on different species of animals — John Shaqi
The Toxicity of Caffein: An experimental study on different species of animalsSalant, William
Science
The Toxicity of Caffein: An experimental study on different species of animals
Salant, William
Caffeine -- Physiological effect
Although symptoms appeared in rabbits of Group I (see table, page 25)
about the same time after the administration of caffein as in the
rabbits of the preceding series all of them terminated fatally 2¼
hours to 24 hours after its administration. Two of these rabbits (Nos.
195 and 208) were fed carrots for several days before the injection of
caffein, the others were fed oats. Since symptoms and death appeared
in these two rabbits about the same time as in the rest of this group
it may be concluded that caffein is not less toxic when carrots are
fed than when oats form the exclusive diet. But since rabbit No. 208
was poorly nourished and ulceration of the rectum was observed in No.
195 it is quite possible that caffein might be less toxic in normal
rabbits on this diet. This was tested in rabbits Nos. 336 and 337, both
of which seemed to be free from abnormality and were well nourished.
Since these rabbits survived and manifested mild symptoms only of
intoxication it would seem that a carrot diet decreases the toxicity of
caffein.
It was suggested, however, that another factor might be the cause of
the greater resistance to caffein in these two rabbits, namely, race.
This was tested in rabbits 247 and 248, both Belgian hares. Since the
toxicity of caffein in these two rabbits was the same as in Nos.
336 and 337, diet as a factor in acute caffein intoxication may be
disregarded. The greater resistance to caffein of these four rabbits
is in all probability due, therefore, to a difference of race. This
suggestion gained additional support from the experiments of the next
series.
SERIES C.
The object of these experiments was to determine the minimum fatal
dose for the gray rabbit and to obtain additional evidence as to
the toxicity of caffein in the several varieties of rabbits. Eight
experiments were performed, in which from 236 to 252 mg per kilo were
given. The white rabbits, three in number, received 250, 242, and 238
mg per kilo. All the others (which were Belgian hares) received from
236 to 252 mg per kilo. Two of the white rabbits were fed carrots for
one week preceding the injection of caffein. The other was fed oats.
Three of the Belgian hares were on a diet of oats, two were fed carrots
the week before the experiment with caffein.
_Rabbit 122. White, female. Weight, 2,060 grams. Diet, oats._
April 14: 25 cc of 2 per cent caffein (250 mg per kilo) in aqueous
solution injected subcutaneously in the back at 1.35 p. m.; 4.30 p. m.,
tremors, reflexes increased, condition otherwise good.
April 16: 9 a. m., found dead in cage. _Autopsy_: Liver deeply
congested; kidneys congested in cortex and medulla; stomach showed
small hemorrhagic areas, perforating ulcers in pyloric portion; small
intestine petechiated on mucosa; lungs and spleen normal.
_Rabbit 234. White, female. Weight, 1,650 grams. Diet, November 2-9,
carrots._
November 9: 10.45 a. m., 20 cc 2 per cent caffein (242 mg per kilo)
administered subcutaneously.
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