CALCIUM CYCLAMATE, SODIUM CYCLAMATE AND CYCLOHEXYLAMINE Explanation Calcium cyclamate, sodium cyclamate and cyclohexylamine (CHA) were previously evaluated at the Joint Meeting of the FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives in 1967, 1970, 1976, 1977 and 1980 (see Annex I, Refs. 14, 22, 40, 43 and 54) and the temporary ADI for cyclamate of 4 mg/kg bw was extended pending completion of a reproduction study and a conversion study. Since the previous evaluation, additional data have become available and are summarized in this report. Cyclohexylamine (CHA) is the principal metabolite of cyclamate. CALCIUM CYCLAMATE AND SODIUM CYCLAMATE BIOLOGICAL DATA TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES Special studies on mutagenicity Groups of 2 men and 2 women consisting of subjects receiving no cyclamate, subjects who did not convert cyclamate to cyclohexylamine, and those who did convert cyclamate to cyclohexylamine were studied. In the groups receiving cyclamate, the subjects were given sodium cyclamate 3 times a day for 4 days at total daily doses of 5 g for men and 4 g for women. Blood was collected on the first and fifth days of the study for chromosome analysis. All chromosome values were within normal limits prior to and after treatment (Dick et al., 1974). A rat study was conducted. The group distribution, dosages and administration routes are presented in the table that follows. The cyclohexylamine treated animals were dosed daily for 5 days and positive control dosed daily for 2 days. On the day following the last dose, animals were killed, femurs removed, and bone marrow cells collected for chromosome analysis. There was no apparent increase in chromosomal abnormalities in treated, when compared to controls (Dick et al., 1974). Four groups of mice each containing 150-160 animals were used. One group was untreated while the other 3 received by gavage 300 mg/kg of methylurea and 15 mg/kg of sodium nitrite. One of the test groups received 1.9 g/kg cyclamate in their diet. Treatment continued for 1 week and then males placed on a normal basal diet for 3 weeks. Each male was mated for 4 days with 3 females 1 and 3 weeks after treatment. About 13 days after mating, the females were killed and scored for dead and living implants. The males of the test groups received 0.18% or 3.6% methylurea in their diet for 3 months after mating. One of the test groups also received 1.4% sodium cyclamate in the diet. At termination, animals were killed and the bladders, livers, and lungs were removed for histopathological examination. A significant increase of dominant lethals was observed in groups treated with sodium nitrite and methylurea but were only slightly increased with sodium cyclamate. No histopathological changes in the bladder, liver or lungs relating to sodium cyclamate were observed. Observed lesions were related to the intake of sodium nitrite and methylurea (Aeschbacher et al., 1979). Cyclamate and cyclohexylamine were assayed for their mutagenic activity using the Ames test with and without microsomal activation. Salmonella tester strains TA 1535, TA 100, TA 1537, and TA 98 were used. Neither chemical was mutagenic under the conditions of this assay (Herbold & Lorke, 1980). Special studies on combined reproduction and carcinogenicity Groups of 5-7 females were treated orally by gavage with cyclamate at doses of 0, 0.2, 1 or 5 g/kg bw on days 14, 17 and 20 of pregnancy and observed for life. Complete necropsies were performed. All urinary bladders and organs with macroscopic abnormalities were examined histologically. There were no treatment-related adverse effects. Tumour incidence in treated animals was comparable with controls. In particular, no carcinoma of the urinary bladder was observed (Schmähl & Habs, 1980). Special studies on combined reproduction, embryotoxicity, teratogenicity and carcinogenicity A six-generation experiment with SPF Swiss mice was carried out to examine the short-term (reproductive, perinatal, teratogenic) and long-term (carcinogenic and toxicological) effects of sodium cyclamate, saccharin (as free acid) and cyclohexylamine. The following dietary treatments were used: (1) Control (2) 2% sodium cyclamate (3) 5% sodium cyclamate (4) 0.2% saccharin (5) 0.5% saccharin INCIDENCE OF BONE MARROW CHROMOSOME ABNORMALITIES IN RATS Average % Expt. Group Number Compound Dose Administration Number of Gaps and Reunion Total of rats Route metaphases breaks figures and examined fragmented metaphases I. 1 12 CHA.HCl 50 mg/kg i.p. 1 200 2.1 2.1 2 12 CHA.HCl 50 mg/kg p.o. 1 200 2.4 2.4 3 12 Control i.p. 1 200 3.2 3.2 (water) II. 1 17 CHA.HCl 68.1 mg/kga i.p. 850 1.8 1.8 2 14 CHA base 50 mg/kg i.p. 700 1.3 1.3 3 12 Control i.p. 600 2.8 2.8 (water) 4 10 TEMb 0.5 mg/kg i.p. 470 3.0 8.9 11.9 5 8 METEPAb 20 mg/kg i.p. 400 12.0 22.0 34.0 a CHA.HCl was given at 68.1 mg/kg to be equimolar with 50 mg/kg CHA base. b Positive controls were dosed for 2 days; all other groups were dosed for 5 days. CHA: cyclohexylamine; CHA.HCl: cyclohexylamine hydrochloride; TEM: triethylenemelamine; METEPA: tris-(2-methyl-1-aziridinyl)phosphine oxide (6) 2% sodium cyclamate + 0.2% saccharin (7) 5% sodium cyclamate + 0.5% saccharin (8) 0.5% cyclohexylamine The P generation consisted of 50 males and 50 females per group. Five weeks after the start of the study, 20 females and 10 males per group were selected to produce the F1 litter. The litter size was inadequate and the remaining 30 females were mated with 15 males to produce the F1a' generation. Subsequently, 20 females and 10 males were chosen to produce litters for each succeeding generation. The P, F3b and F6a generation consisted of 50 males and 50 females and were used to study carcinogenicity. The remaining generations consisted of 10 males and 20 females. Reproduction was studied in generations F1a, F2b, F3a, F4a, F5a. Perinatal studies were conducted with the F1a', F2b, F4a, and F5b generations. A teratogenic study was undertaken with the F6b generation. In 5 short-term experiments of the subsequent generations, sodium cyclamate and saccharin, or its combinations, did not have any toxic, carcinogenic, embryotoxic or teratogenic effect in the dosages used. Cyclohexylamine administration led to growth retardation and embryonal death, when given in 0.5% concentration in the diet. In 3 long-term studies performed with the P generation, the F3b and F6a generations only 7 bladder tumours were seen in a total number of 2400 animals. The tumours were divided among the different groups, including the control groups (Kroes et al., 1977). Short-term studies Monkey Out of 12 monkeys fed 100 mg/kg and 11 monkeys fed 500 mg/kg cyclamate 5 days a week for an average of 94 and 95 months, 10 and 9 respectively survived and did not exhibit any evidence of toxicity. Two monkeys at each dose level died. The 2 monkeys at 100 mg/kg died within 4 months and necropsy findings showed fatty degeneration of the kidney. One of the deaths at 500 mg/kg was accidental, the other died after 84 months with necropsy showing vacuolar degeneration of the kidney. During the 16-year existence of this colony only 4 monkeys have developed spontaneous neoplasms out of a total of 211 control monkeys. Three tumours were lymphomas, the fourth a carcinoma of the gall bladder (Sieber & Adamson, 1978). Long-term studies Mouse Groups of 30 males and 30 females were fed diets containing 0, 0,7, 1.75, 3.5 or 7.0% sodium cyclamate for 80 weeks. A slight reduction in body weight gain was observed in female rats at the 1.75 and 3.5% cyclamate levels in the diet during the last 6 months of the study. Haemoglobin concentrations of both sexes fed 7% cyclamate were significantly lower than in the controls at week 80. No apparent differences between controls and treated mice with respect to mortality, organ weights, incidence of histological changes or tumours were noted. The no-effect level in the diet of mice under the conditions of this study was 3.5% (approximately 5 g/kg bw per day) (Brantom & Gaunt, 1973). Rat Groups of 50 female rats whose bladders had been instilled with a freshly prepared solution containing 2 mg of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) were fed 0 or 2% sodium cyclamate which was increased to 4% after 10 weeks for a period of 21 years. A normal basal diet was given to 100 untreated controls. There was no significant effect on body weight gain, food or water consumption between groups. Animals that survived more than 10 weeks after the administration of MNU exhibited a wide range of pathological changes in the urinary tract such as necroses, haemorrhages and calcium deposits in the collecting ducts of the renal papillae, dysplasia, and focal hyperplasia of the papillary and pelvic urothelium. Neoplasms of the urinary tract were observed with equal frequency between the MNU treated control and cyclamate treated group. No difference in the latency periods of the tumours was found between the MNU treated groups (Green et al., 1980). Groups of rats untreated and treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (a single intravesicular dose of 2 mg) were fed diets containing 0 or 2 g/kg bw per day of sodium cyclamate for a lifetime or until killed because of a palpable tumour. The incidence of bladder tumours was as follows: Treatment No. of No. of animals % animals with tumours Incidence Nil 98 0 0 MNU 124 0 0 Cyclamate 228 3 1.3 Cyclamate & MNU 54 31 57.5 Under the conditions of this study, sodium cyclamate was found to promote MNU-induced bladder tumours at the applied high dose level. OBSERVATIONS IN MAN Four groups of 8 men each were administered sodium cyclamate in hard gelatin capsules at 0 (sucrose placebo), 5, 10 or 16 g/day for 213 days. Capsules were taken with regular meals. Blood, urine and semen were collected twice prior to commencing study. Samples of blood and urine were then collected on days 2 and 8 and weekly thereafter while semen was obtained every 2 weeks. Blood was examined for glucose, BUN, cholesterol, Na+, K+, protein bound iodine (PBI), SGPT, haemoglobin, haematocrit and complete blood count. The concentration and motility of sperm in the semen were estimated. Stool was collected on days 2, 4, 9 and 11 and on 2 non-consecutive days and graded as to consistency. Body weight and blood pressure were monitored weekly. The only untoward effect observed was softening of the stool which occurred in 7/8 men receiving 16 g/day and 2/8 receiving 10 g/day. All subjects receiving cyclamate excreted cyclohexylamine in varying amounts on one or more occasions. The percentage of cyclohexylamine that appeared in the urine as free cyclohexylamine varied between 0.25 and 75.4% with a mean value of 17.2%. A significant increase in the concentration of PBI in the serum was also observed. This was shown to be an artifact arising from iodine in the colour used in colouring the gelatin capsules (Wills et al., 1981). CYCLOHEXYLAMINE BIOLOGICAL DATA TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES Special studies on mutagenicity Two groups of 20 male mice (30-35 g) received either 150 mg/kg/day of CHS orally as a 0.6% solution in demineralized water or 25 ml water/kg/day on 5 successive days. Males were then mated with 3 untreated females. Each week 3 other untreated females were placed for mating with each male for a total of 8 mating periods. On the 14th day of gestation the uterus was examined for pro- and post- implantation losses. No apparent effect on the mating capacity or fertility of the treated males was observed. Pre- and post- implantation losses of the treated group were comparable to the control. Thus under the conditions of this study there would appear to be no dominant lethal effects (Lorke & Machemer, 1974). A group of Chinese hamsters, 13 males and 7 females, weighing between 30-40 g were given a dose of 200 mg/kg/day of CHA by gavage for 3 successive days. Blood samples for lymphocyte culture were taken from the orbital plexus prior to and 4 days after treatment. A significant increase in structural aberrations of the chromosomes (ring chromosome, exchange figures, fragments and breaks) were observed. There was no significant increase in aneuploid or polyploid cells (Van Went-de Vries et al., 1975). Special studies on reproduction Two separate studies were conducted. In the first study rats were administered orally cyclohexylamine sulfate (CHS) as follows: groups of 5 males and 15 females received 22.26 and 44.52 mg/kg/day and 8 males and 25 females received 89.04 mg/kg/day. A control group of 7 males and 17 females received distilled water. Survival of progeny at birth and 24 hours post-partum was noted. Viable members of each litter at 2 days of age were weighed and killed for skeletal visceral and chromosomal studies. During the second cycle females were allowed to deliver normally and at 2 days post-partum each litter was randomly reduced to 8 pups and their body weight gains were measured until weaning (21 days). Pups and mothers were then sacrificed. In the second study 2 groups of 10 males and 10 females each were administered 44.52 or 89.04 mg/kg/day of CHS. A group of 12 males and 12 females received 178.08 mg/kg/day and a group of 13 males and 13 females were used as controls. Females showing pregnancy were sacrificed after 11-15 days of separation from males. The number of viable embryos and resorption sites in the uteri were counted. The rats which were discontinued from the breeding studies were bled from the abdominal aorta 24, 57, 77, 101 and 119 days after initiation of study and within 6 hours of last administered dose. There was no detectable effect on body weight gain. Blood analysis for CHS gave evidence of its absorption. Male fertility appeared to be impaired. However, there was no evidence of adverse effects on female fertility. No deleterious effects were noted on embryo viability, litter size, litter weight, postnatal viability, weight gain of pups or somatic cell chromosomes of pups and dams (Khera et al., 1971). Short-term studies Rat Groups of 100 male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 9 treatment groups. Animals were observed for a 1-week baseline feeding period followed by a 15-day diet acclimation period from which time the animals were fed 0, 50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg CHA base admixed to basal diet. Four control groups were assigned for pair-feeding with each test group. The animals in these control groups received an amount of basal diet equal to that consumed by its pair- fed partner in the test group during the previous week. The animals were fed their respective diets for 90 days. Body weight gain and food consumption were recorded weekly. On termination of the study necropsy was performed on each animal. Testicular weights were recorded and each testis was subjected to histological examination. The body weights of the treated groups were found to be significantly less than the body weights of the untreated controls. When compared to their corresponding pair-fed control the body weights of the treated animals were still significantly less except for those receiving 50 mg/kg bw of CHA. The mean percentage decrease, however, was only significant for the 200 and 300 mg/kg bw groups. In treated rats both right and left testicular weights were found to be significantly less than in the untreated controls. Analysis comparing treated to corresponding pair-fed group showed a significant difference only at the highest dose group (300 mg/kg bw). The only compound-related changes noted at autopsy were in relation to the testes of the highest dose group (atrophy, shrinking, soft consistency, livid, glassy). At termination of the study, 3 cross-sections were prepared from both left and right testicle of each rat. Each of these 6 sections were evaluated histopathologically. The extent of tubular alteration was scored as follows: 0 - tubular alterations not discernible; 1+ - up to 5% of tubules within section affected; 2+ - 6-20% of tubules within section affected; 3+ - 21-60% of tubules within section affected; 4+ - 61% or more of tubules within section affected. For each rat, the 3 left scores were averaged and the 3 right scores averaged to reduce each rat's testicular data to a pair of observations. The left and right average scores were analysed separately. The average left and right testicular scores for the 2 highest test groups were significantly higher than the untreated control group. When each of the treated groups was compared to its pair-fed control, once again, the only treatment groups showing a significantly different average testicular score for both left and right testis were the 200 and 300 mg/kg groups (Brune & Mohr, 1978). Two groups of 15 male rats, 35 days of age, were administered CHA as a suspension in corn oil by gavage at dose levels of 0 or 200 mg/kg/day. Five rats from each group were killed after weeks 4 and 9 of treatment, the remaining 5 rats/group were maintained untreated for 13 weeks. Body weight gain, food and water intake were recorded weekly. Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels were determined after 1 day, 4 and 9 weeks of treatment and after the 13 week withdrawal period. Terminal examination included autopsy. Pituitary glands, testes (including epididymides), prostate and seminal vesicles were weighed and preserved for histological examination. A quantitative assessment of spermatogenesis was performed. Body weight and food consumption were reduced. FSH levels increased and testosterone levels decreased in the treated rats. One rat examined after 13 weeks withdrawal of CHA showed bilateral testicular atrophy. There were no statistically significant effects on the weights of the pituitaries, testes or secondary sex organs of the treated animals. Quantitative assessment of testicular spermatogenesis showed a significant reduction in the number of late spermatids in the treated group both during and after withdrawal periods. After 13 weeks withdrawal of CHA, rats were found to have a reduced number of spermatocytes and early spermatids (James et al., 1981). Dog Four sexually mature male Beagle dogs were administered CHA suspended in corn oil by gavage. Initially the CHA suspension was administered at 75 mg/kg on days 1 and 2, 75 mg/kg twice daily on days 3 and 4, 150 mg/kg on days 5 and 6 and then 150 mg/kg twice daily on subsequent days. After day 9 the dose was reduced to 125 mg/kg twice daily to avoid appetite suppression. Two dogs were killed after week 9 of treatment and the two remaining dogs maintained untreated for 13 weeks. Body weight gain was recorded weekly. Food and water consumption were measured daily. Testicular measurements and semen examinations were made prior to and after 2, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment and again during withdrawal period. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone concentrations were determined prior to and after 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment and during weeks 4, 8 and 12 of withdrawal period. At termination full macroscopic examinations were performed. Pituitary glands, testes and prostate were weighed and preserved for histologic examination. A quantitative assessment of spermatogenesis was performed. Body weight gain and food consumption were reduced during treatment; however, both returned to normal during the withdrawal period. Serum LH and testosterone concentrations were not affected. Sperm count was decreased and a significantly increased percentage of abnormal spermatozoa was observed, both parameters returning to normal after a 12-week withdrawal period. Weights of pituitary glands, testes and secondary sex organs of treated rats were not affected. CHA administration caused a reduction in the counts of spermatocytes and early and later spermatids after 9 weeks of treatment. These counts exhibited remarkable improvement at the end of the recovery period (James et al., 1981). Long-term studies Mouse Groups of 48 male and 50 female weanling mice were fed diets containing 0, 300, 1000 or 3000 ppm (0, 0.03, 0.1 or 0.3%) cyclohexylamine hydrochloride for 80 weeks. There were no apparent adverse effects on general health, behaviour, body weight gain, food or water consumption, haematology or in the incidence of tumours. However, there was a slight increase in some minor histological changes of the liver at 3000 ppm (0.3%). The no-effect level of CHA.HCl was found to be 1000 ppm (0.1%) (Hardy et al., 1976). Rat Groups of 48 males and 48 females were fed a diet containing 0, 600, 2000 or 6000 ppm (0, 0.06, 0.2 or 0.6%) cyclohexylamine hydrochloride (CHA.HCl) for 104 weeks. A dose-related decrease in body weight gain, food consumption, and water intake was observed. Haemoglobin concentration of females given 6000 ppm (0.6%) CHA.HCl was reduced during the first 52 weeks of the study. There were, however, no apparent effects later in the study or in the males. Total leucocyte count was reduced in males after 104 weeks. Blood urea (BUN) concentrations were significantly reduced in males at all dose levels while serum albumin concentrations were increased at the 2 higher dose levels. At 6000 ppm (0.6%) CHA.HCl, rats produced a more dilute urine. The relative organ weights of liver, spleen, and kidneys in males fed the diet containing 6000 ppm (0.6%) CHA.HCl were lower than the control values and the relative weight of the thyroids in females was reduced at 2000 and 6000 ppm (0.2% and 0.6%) CHA.HCl. There was no indication of a tumorigenic effect at any treatment level. Testicular changes, such as atrophy of the tubules with few spermatids, were noted in rats given 2000 or 6000 ppm (0.2 or 0.6%) CHA.HCl. The changes, other than histological effects observed in the testes, were considered explicable in terms of the changes resulting from a lowered body weight gain and reduced food consumption. The no-effect level was 600 ppm (0.06%) on the basis of effects on the testes (Gaunt et al., 1976). Comments The evaluation of recent studies permitted the change in the previously established ADI. The temporary status of the ADI maintained at the twenty-fourth meeting of the Joint Committee in 1980 is removed and the ADI increased. EVALUATION Level causing no toxicological effect Rat: 100 mg/kg bw in the diet. Estimate of acceptable daily intake for man* 0-11 mg/kg bw as calcium and sodium salts, expressed as cyclamic acid. * Calculation of ADI (1) approximately 37% cyclamate absorbed. 63% available for conversion to CHA by intestinal flora. Absorbed cyclamate is not metabolized. (2) human conversion rate of cyclamate to cyclohexylamine - 30%. (3) mol wt. cyclamate = 2 mol wt. cyclohexylamine (4) no-effect level for cyclohexylamine = 100 mg/kg bw (5) no-effect level for cyclamate x = 100 × 2 = 200 = 1058 0.63 × 0.3 0.189 (6) ADI for cyclamate = NOEL = 1058 = 10.6 mg/kg Safety factor 100 bw per day REFERENCES Aeschbacher, H. U. et al. 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See Also: Toxicological Abbreviations