Function of the auditory system, the visual system, and peripheral nerve and long-term combined exposure to toluene and ethanol in rats.
Male pigmented rats (n = 36) were exposed to toluene and/or ethanol (1000 p.p.m. toluene in the inhaled air 21 hr/day, and 5.7-8.0% ethanol in the drinking water continuously) during 8 weeks. Electrophysiological recordings were made 1 week after the exposure. Auditory sensitivity (auditory brainstem response) was reduced only after exposures including toluene. At 20 kHz, ethanol antagonized toluene-induced loss of auditory sensitivity (P < 0.05). Flash evoked potentials were not affected in any group. In peripheral nerve, exposures containing ethanol were followed by increased amplitudes of nerve and muscle action potentials. Exposures including toluene were followed by an increase in liquid consumption.
Nylén
P
P
Department of Neuromedicine, National Institute of Occupational Health, Solna, Sweden.
Hagman
M
M
Johnson
A C
AC
D000818:Animals; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D051381:Rats; D014050:Toluene / Q000633:toxicity*; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D004338:Drug Combinations; D014050:Toluene; D000431:Ethanol