Effect of corrosion tin from canned juice on the mechanical strength of rat bone

The toxic effects of corrosion tin from canned juice on the bone and blood of rats were examined. Wistar male rats were divided into three groups and treated with 0, 230 or 454ppm of corrosion tin in the drinking water for four weeks. After the treatment all the rats were killed by bleeding and the femurs, humeri and tibiae were dissected out. The bones were cleaned of soft tissues and subjected to compression and bending tests. The following results were obtained. 1) In the 454ppm group, the compressive strength of the distal end of the femur and the proximal end of the humerus were significantly decreased. There were no significant changes in the bending strength of the diaphysis of the femur, humerus and tibia. 2) No significant difference was observed in the mechanical strength of bones of the 230ppm group compared with the control group. 3) Anemia was observed in the 454ppm group, but not in the 230ppm group.