US EPA

677619 

Journal Article 

Studies in vanadium toxicology; Reduction in the cystine content of rat hair 

Mountain, JT; Delker, LL; Stokinger, HE 

1953 

Yes 

AMA Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Medicine
ISSN: 0096-6703 

8 

5 

406-411 

English 

13091443 

The reduction of cystine by vanadium-pentoxide (1314621) (vanadium) was investigated in the hairs of Wistar-rats. Hair samples were taken from rats. Concentrations of vanadium from 25 parts per million (ppm) to 1000ppm were fed to rats in food. Some rats receiving 500ppm vanadium also received 1.6 percent methionine (63683). Hair samples were taken at 36 and 75 days and cystine content was determined colorimetrically. Food consumption, weight gain, and relative liver weights were determined. Cystine content of the hair increased with time in untreated controls, while cystine content in rats fed 100ppm vanadium remained nearly constant. Average hair cystine values declined at 150ppm. At the same food intake, vanadium fed rats gained more weight than untreated rats. At 150ppm, erythrocyte count was significantly lower and hemoglobin was decreased. At higher concentrations of vanadium, cystine content was further decreased and this reduction occurred sooner than at lower doses. Decreased weight gain occurred in rats given higher doses of vanadium. Methionine did not affect growth or liver weight, but a tendency toward improvement was observed. The authors conclude that the cystine content of hair is a reliable measure of the response to exposure to vanadium. 

*Cystine; *Hair; Vanadium/*toxicity