title: n-hexane induces parkinsonism in rodents.
abstract: A case of human parkinsonism, due to n-hexane exposure, was recently described. On the basis of this observation, we treated mice and rats with n-hexane and its principle toxic metabolite 2,5-hexanedione. The mice underwent a chronic treatment intraperitoneum, the rats were treated stereotaxically into the substantia nigra. At biochemical analysis of the striata, dopamine and homovanillic acid levels were significantly lower compared with control animals; norepinephrine, serotonin, 5-hydroxindolacetic acid levels were unchanged. The rats treated with 2,5-hexanedione showed an apomorphine-induced rotational behavior significantly higher compared to controls. Since n-hexane and its metabolites are environmental contaminants and by-products of endogenous metabolic pathways, we propose that they may play a role in inducing parkinsonism in humans.
authors.affiliation: Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pezzoli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ricciardi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Masotto
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Mariani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carenzi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006586:Hexanes / Q000633:toxicity*; D006588:Hexanones / Q000494:pharmacology; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012016:Reference Values; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006586:Hexanes; D006588:Hexanones; C026385:n-hexane; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; C011269:2,5-hexanedione; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid