title: Some cardiovascular effects of the insect repellent N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET).
abstract: Initial toxicological safety evaluations of the insect repellent N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) indicated a potential hypotensive effect. The current study was initiated in order to pursue this aspect of DEET toxicity and to elucidate potential mechanisms for this response. Sublethal intraperitoneal injections of DEET in anesthetized rats were found to decrease mean blood pressure and heart rate in a dose-related fashion. Doses ranged from 56 to 225 mg/kg. Dogs treated with 225 mg/kg of DEET exhibited a similar hypotension and bradycardia. Cardiac output was also significantly reduced but stroke volume and total peripheral resistance were not altered. Lead II ECG changes included small increases in P-R and Q-T intervals. In a series of pharmacological studies in rats, DEET was found to decrease the hypotension and bradycardia associated with acetylcholine injection; epinephrine, norepinephrine, and histamine responses were not altered. Atropine pretreatment reduced but did not eliminate the hypotensive effects of DEET.
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Division, U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21020-5422.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Houpt
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001549:Benzamides / Q000633:toxicity*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D003671:DEET / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001549:Benzamides; D003671:DEET; D001285:Atropine; D000109:Acetylcholine