Abstract
A subacute toxicity study of pentavalent antimony (Sb) compounds, sodium stibogluconate (SSG) and meglumine antimoniate (MA) was carried out in rats. Compared with controls, drug-treated rats showed an impairment of feeding habits and retardation of weight gain during the treatment period. In both SSG- and MA-treated rats there was a dose-related reduction in haemoglobin concentration and hematocrit. Red cell count was reduced in SSG-treated rats only. Both drugs, however, significantly raised the white cell count. There changes were more pronounced with SSG then with MA. These was no change in MCV, MCH and MCHC. SSG, 900 mg Sb kg super(-1) d super(-1), significantly raised AST, ALT and alkaline phosphatase activity. SSG-treated rats also had raised BUN and creatinine, but no significant change in bilirubin levels. MA significantly raised AST, ALT, BUN and serum creatinine levels, but had no appreciable effect on bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels.