The efficacy and toxicity of a compound containing organically bound
iodine, 4-hydroxymethyl-2-indomethyl-2,3-dioxolane (
domiodol), were evaluated. After oral and
intravenous administration domiodol increased respiratory tract excretion indirectly measured on the basis of bronchial secretion in rats. Based on Kasé's method for quantitatively collecting respiratory tract fluid from rabbits, oral
domiodol at the dose of 50-200 mg/kg induced a dose-related increase in respiratory tract fluid. In addition, oral
domiodol (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the viscosity of sputum collected quantitatively from rabbits with subacute
bronchitis induced by long-term exposure to SO2 gas; the percentage decrease in viscosity was statistically correlated with the content of dry matter,
protein and
polysaccharides in the sputum.
Domiodol had a marked cilio-excitatory effect, but did not affect experimental
asthma in guinea-pigs or the respiratory resistance of anesthetized dogs. Subacute toxicity of the substance was investigated in rats. In serum biochemistry tests mean
triglycerides were reduced in both sexes at dose levels higher than 32 mg/kg. Changes of T3 levels and a slight increase in thyroid weight accompanied by minimal histological alterations were observed in rats given high doses of
domiodol. The majority of the changes observed were reversible after withdrawal of
domiodol.