title: Inhalation of 1-bromopropane causes excitation in the central nervous system of male F344 rats.
abstract: The present study investigates the effects of 1-bromopropane (1BP) on animal behavior to determine the extent of toxicity to the central nervous system (CNS). We measured the spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA) of rats before and after 3 weeks of exposure to 1BP for 8 h per day. In control and 10 ppm groups, the SLA values were similar to pre-exposure levels on post-exposure Day 1 and thereafter. However, the SLA values in the 50 and 200 ppm groups were higher than pre-exposure levels. Open-field behavior was evaluated after exposure and freezing time decreased with exposure to increasing concentrations of 1BP. Ambulation and rearing scores in the exposed groups were higher than control values, particularly in the 50 and 200 ppm groups. The frequency of defecation and urination decreased almost dose-dependently. Exposure to 50-1000 ppm of 1BP did not affect passive avoidance behavior examined using a step-through type apparatus. The amount of time swimming in the water maze test was not affected in the controls, or groups exposed to 50 and 200 ppm 1BP, but that in the 1000 ppm group was increased compared with control. Exposure at 50-1000 ppm dose-dependently decreased the traction performance of rats, indicating decreased muscle strength. We found that 10-200 ppm of 1BP exposure did not affect motor coordination determined by rota-rod performance. The increased SLA values and open-field activity support the notion that 1BP has excitatory effects on the CNS of F344 male rats. In addition, 1BP reduced the grip or muscle strength of the rats. Memory function was not disordered and the motor coordination of all four limbs remained normal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Effects Research, National Institute of Industrial Health, Nagao 6-21-1, Tama-ku, Kawasaki 214-8585, Japan. honma@niih.go.jp
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Honma
authors.forename: Megumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suda
authors.forename: Muneyuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miyagawa
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; C118559:1-bromopropane