title: Effect of protein malnutrition on the neurobehavioural toxicity of styrene in young rats.
abstract: Neurotoxic effects of styrene on certain biochemical and behavioural indices were studied in young rats kept deficient in protein during the weaning period. Young rats fed a low-protein diet showed a significant decrease in the level of dopamine and an increase in frontocortical [3H]serotonin binding in comparison to the group of rats fed a normal protein diet. These rats also showed a significant increase in foot shock-induced aggressive behaviour, while no changes in amphetamine-induced locomotor activity, levels of norepinephrine and serotonin and binding of [3H]spiperone to striatal membrane were observed. On exposure to styrene, rats fed a normal protein diet showed a decrease in dopamine level and an increase in foot shock-induced aggressive behaviour only, with no significant change in other parameters, in comparison to the respective controls. It was, however, interesting to note that when rats fed a low-protein diet were exposed to styrene they showed a significant decrease in the levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin and an increase in the binding of [3H]spiperone and [3H]5-HT to striatal and frontocortical membranes, respectively. A significant increase in foot shock-induced aggressive behaviour and amphetamine-induced locomotor activity was also observed in this group of animals in comparison to those fed a low-protein diet. The biochemical and behavioural data indicate that protein deficiency makes young animals more vulnerable and it is an important predisposing factor in the neurobehavioural toxicity of styrene.
authors: Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow, India.
authors: V K
authors: VK
authors: Khanna
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Husain
authors: P K
authors: PK
authors: Seth
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D004298:Dopamine / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000032:analysis; D011488:Protein Deficiency / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis; D020058:Styrene; D013343:Styrenes / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D013343:Styrenes; D012701:Serotonin; D020058:Styrene; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine