Comparative Effects of a Purified and Stock Diet on DBH (2,5-Di-Tert-Butylhydroquinone) Toxicity in the Rat

Summary

Immature rats were fed graded levels of DBH in conjunction with either a highly purified or natural food stock ration. A significant difference in response to DBH administration was observed between rats fed the 2 diets. On the stock ration DBH when fed at levels of 0.1%, 0.15% or 0.2% of the diet had little, if any, adverse effect on weight increment and none on gross appearance. When fed at comparable levels in the purified ration, however, DBH caused a significant retardation in growth, an unhealthy appearance, varying degrees of alopecia, and at the 0.2% level, death. The protective factor or factors in the stock ration was distinct from any of the known nutrients.