Physiological effects of deuterium on dogs

Abstract

The physiological consequences of the deuterium isotope effect in large mammals were studied in two dogs, one of which was maintained at 20% concentration of D2O in the body fluids for 50 days, and the other at the toxic range of 33–35% for a brief period. Deuteration of the dogs was effected by replacement of ordinary water with deuterium oxide in both food and drink. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell count dropped but the white blood cell count was essentially unaffected although there was a progressive lymphopenia and granulocytosis. Serum glucose was decreased, especially at higher deuterium levels. Total serum cholesterol values were also diminished although the esters were essentially unchanged. Serum sodium and both NPN and BUN were within normal limits except for a terminal elevation of the latter. Serum potassium was slightly lowered for a brief period after 3 weeks. Electrocardiograms showed ST segment coving and elevation and an increase in the QT ratio that suggested nonspecific myocardial damage; these changes reverted to normal while the dog was still deuterated at a level of 20%. Both dogs exhibited neuromuscular disturbances, in one case definite weakness of the hind legs and in the other, fine muscle tremors.

Evaluating retinal toxicity of a new heavy intraocular dye, using a model of perfused and isolated retinal cultures of bovine and human origin

“…Our data are supported by previous studies with cell cultures, superfused organ cultures, animal experiments, and clinical experience, where no significant toxic effects for lower systemic doses were shown [16][17][18]. They also demonstrated toxicity starting at a 30 % concentration, which exceeds the tested deuterium concentration of 0.13 ml/ml.…”

“…Since most of the toxic effects are centralized in neuronal tissue, toxic effects upon direct contact with the retinal cells are possible. It has been shown that mammals can tolerate a concentration of up to 30 % of D2O in drinking water, and that a short exposure to a blood serum deuterium fraction of up to 0.23 ml/ml seems to be safe [14][15][16][17][18]. The tested concentration in this study is 0.13 ml/ml.…”

The Retinal Biocompatibility of Dyes in the ex vivo Model of the Isolated Superfused Vertebrate Retina

“…Although not statistically evaluated due to the small sample size, human retinal preparations support these data, showing either a slight increase or a minimal decrease in ERG amplitudes at the end of the washout [37]. Our data are supported by previous studies with cell cultures, superfused organ cultures, animal experiments, and clinical experience, where no significant toxic effects for lower systemic doses were shown [40,41,42]. Toxicity has been detected at a 30% concentration, which exceeds the tested deuterium concentration of 0.13 ml/ml.…”

Nuclear Quantum Effects in Water and Aqueous Systems: Experiment, Theory, and Current Challenges

“…At the outset it is interesting to note that water's seeming ambivalence to quantum effects for some properties is reflected in the fact that prokaryotic organisms such as bacteria can tolerate pure D 2 O conditions (43), while deuterating about 30% of plant's and mammal's water can be lethal (44)(45)(46).…”