Effect of inhalation exposure to 2-bromopropane on the nervous system in rats.
Exposure to 2-bromopropane (2-BP) is suspected to have adverse effects on the nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the exposure of rats to 2-BP had neurotoxic effects using histological and electrophysiological studies. Wistar strain male rats were exposed daily to either 100 or 1000 ppm 2-BP or to fresh air for 8 h a day for 12 weeks. Body weight was measured before exposure and every 2 weeks. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) and distal latency (DL) were measured before exposure and every 4 weeks during exposure. Histological examination of the nervous system was also performed. Exposure of rats (n = 9) to 1000 ppm resulted in suppression of body weight gain and a significant decrease in brain weight compared to the control (n = 9). Electrophysiological measurements showed a significant decrease in MCV in 1000 ppm exposed rats at 8 weeks and significant prolongation of DL at 8 and 12 weeks. Abnormalities of the myelin sheath were detected in the common peroneal nerves. In 100-ppm exposed rats (n = 9), no significant changes were noted in body weight and the peripheral nerve. In conclusions, long-term exposure to 1000 ppm of 2-BP may result in peripheral neuropathy in rats.
Yu
X
X
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan. yuxz@tsuru.med.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Ichihara
G
G
Kitoh
J
J
Xie
Z
Z
Shibata
E
E
Kamijima
M
M
Asaeda
N
N
Hisanaga
N
N
Takeuchi
Y
Y
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000633:toxicity*; D007668:Kidney / Q000254:growth & development; D008099:Liver / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000187:drug effects; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D009153:Mutagens; C103736:2-bromopropane