An experimental study on the combined effects of n-hexane and toluene on the peripheral nerve of the rat.
An electrophysiological study was undertaken to determine whether toluene affected the neurotoxicity of n-hexane. Separate groups of eight rats were exposed to 1000 ppm n-hexane, 1000 ppm toulene, 1000 ppm n-hexane plus 1000 ppm toluene, of fresh air in an exposure chamber for 12 hours a day for 16 weeks. The body weight, MCV, DL, MNCVs were measured before exposure, after four, eight 12, and 16 weeks exposure; and four weeks after exposure was discontinued. Exposure to 1000 ppm n-hexane considerably impaired the function of the peripheral nerve, but exposure to a mixture of 1000 ppm n-hexane plus 1000 ppm toluene resulted in only slight impairment; 1000 ppm toluene had little effect. These results strongly suggest that toluene decreases the toxic effects of n-hexane on the peripheral nerve.
D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006586:Hexanes / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D014050:Toluene / Q000633:toxicity*
D006586:Hexanes; D014050:Toluene