Molecular and histological responses in rat skin exposed to m-xylene.
Solvents, surfactants, cutting fluids, hydrocarbons, and oils cause skin irritation by incompletely understood mechanisms. This study examined histological and molecular changes in rodent skin caused by brief topical exposures to m-xylene. At 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after 1-h exposure, skin samples were removed and analyzed for histopathological changes and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein levels. Histopathological changes (epidermal-dermal separation and granulocyte infiltration) and increases in IL-1 alpha and iNOS protein expression occurred during our observation period. IL-1 alpha levels increased by 80% immediately after exposure and iNOS levels increased about 60% 4 hours after exposure. Our study demonstrates that dermal exposure to m-xylene promotes IL-1 alpha and iNOS production in skin and these proteins may serve as early indicators of skin irritation.
Gunasekar
Palur G
PG
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA.
Rogers
James V
JV
Kabbur
Mahendra B
MB
Garrett
Carol M
CM
Brinkley
William W
WW
McDougal
James N
JN
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007509:Irritants / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D014992:Xylenes / Q000633:toxicity*
D007375:Interleukin-1; D007509:Irritants; D014992:Xylenes; D004247:DNA; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496318:Nos2 protein, rat; C031285:3-xylene