Results of Long‐Term Carcinogenicity Bioassays on Tert‐Amyl‐Methyl‐Ether (TAME) and Di‐Isopropyl‐Ether (DIPE) in Rats

Abstract

Tert-amyl-methyl ether (TAME) was administered by gavage in extra virgin olive oil solution at concentrations of 750, 250, or 0 mg/kg bw to groups of 100 male and 100 female Sprague-Dawley rats 8 weeks old at the start of the experiment. Di-isopropyl ether (DIPE) was administered in the same manner at the doses of 1000, 250, or 0 mg/kg body weight to groups of 100 male and 100 female Sprague-Dawley rats. TAME and DIPE were each delivered in 1-mL solution 4 days a week for 78 weeks. Control animals received 1 mL of extra virgin olive oil without TAME or DIPE. At the end of the treatment period, all animals were kept under observation until spontaneous death. Under these test conditions, TAME and DIPE were found to be potential carcinogenic agents for various organs and tissues.

Life-Span Exposure to Low Doses of Aspartame Beginning during Prenatal Life Increases Cancer Effects in Rats

“…Finally, it should be noted that out of 49 agents reported to be carcinogenic in rats by the CMCRC/ERF, only 8 of these agents induced hemolymphoreticular malignancies. Of these, 3 were demonstrated in both males and females—formaldehyde (Soffritti et al 2002b), mancozeb (Belpoggi et al 2002a), and di-isopropyl-ether (Belpoggi et al 2002b)—and 5 only in females—toluene (Soffritti et al 2004), methyl alcohol (Soffritti et al 2002a), methyl tert -butyl ether (Belpoggi et al 1995), tert -amyl-methyl-ether (Belpoggi et al 2002b), and APM (Belpoggi et al 2006; Soffritti et al 2005, 2006). …”

A review of emission products from bioethanol and its blends with gasoline. Background for new guidelines for emission control

“…Two other ether-based additives, TAME (Fig. 2) and DIPE (Di-isopropyl ether) have been recently assessed for toxicity, and both were found to have a carcinogenic potential in rats, increasing tumor-forming rates in both female and male rats [110]. This study concluded a similar carcinogenic potential for both additives, however the exact concentrations for discerning between mutagenic and carcinogenic responses were not identified, and require further studies.…”

Ethers, Aliphatic

“…In a carcinogenicity study with rats diisopropyl ether was reported to be potential carcinogenic for various organs and tissues [48]. However, the study shows deficiencies in design and reporting, which made interpretation difficult.…”