title: Ocular thrombosis and retinal degeneration induced in female F344 rats by 2-butoxyethanol.
abstract: 2-butoxyethanol, used extensively for domestic and industrial purposes, was tested in our experiments for its potential to cause damage to female rat ocular tissues. Female rats were previously found to be particularly sensitive to 2-butoxyethanol. A group of eight female F344 rats (2 - 3 months old) were exposed by gavage to 250 mg of 2-butoxyethanol/kg b.w. per day for 3 consecutive days and sacrificed 24 h after the last dose. Eight female rats received the dosing vehicle (water) and served as controls. At necropsy, petechial hemorrhages were noted on the sclera. Microscopic examination revealed treatment-related effects in the eyes, in addition to other known effects of BE exposure such as disseminated thrombosis and necrosis and infarction in various organs. The spectrum of histopathological changes noted in the eyes included hemorrhages localized in the posterior layers of the retina, leading to photoreceptor degeneration. Thrombi were identified in ciliary processes and limbal blood vessels. Histological changes suggestive of the retinal ischemic-infarctive process were also noted. Possible pathogenic mechanisms of 2-butoxyethanol-induced retinopathy are discussed.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), PO Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, NC 27709, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nyska
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Maronpot
authors.forename: B I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Ghanayem
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000633:toxicity*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005026:Ethylene Glycols; C017096:n-butoxyethanol