title: Purkinje cell toxicity of beta-aminopropionitrile in the rat.
abstract: Compounds causing neurolathyrism are putative aetiological agents in neurodegenerative disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. beta-Aminopropionitrile (BAPN) is one such compound. We have administered this lathyrogenic agent at a dose of 1 g/kg by the intraperitoneal route in experiments in adult Sprague-Dawley rats during a period of 10 weeks. The rats developed marked kyphoscoliosis, ataxia with paralysis and muscle wasting of the hind limbs. Vacuolation and loss of Purkinje cells developed, but no anterior horn cell degeneration was noted. Immunohistochemical studies of phosphorylated neurofilaments and the 72 kDa heat shock protein were normal and no intraneuronal ubiquitinated inclusions were seen. High-dose intraperitoneal BAPN in the rat causes Purkinje cell changes, but no other central nervous system abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morbid Anatomy, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, U.K.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sosa-Melgarejo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swash
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mather
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Leigh
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Berry
mesh_terms: D000629:Aminopropionitrile / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D000629:Aminopropionitrile