title: [Influence of 1, 2-dichloroethane on open field behavior and levels of neurotransmitters in brain of mice].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the effects of 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) on the behavior and the brain neurotransmitter levels in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty mice were randomly divided into four groups, which were control group and groups of low, middle and high exposure (225, 450 and 900 mg/m3) to 1,2-DCE for 10 days (3.5 h a day) by inhalation. After the last exposure, the open field test was performed immediately. After exposure all mice were killed and the brain tissues were taken up rapidly. The levels of aspartate (Asp), glutamate (Glu) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain were detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of Asp and Glu in all exposure groups increased with doses. As compared to the control group, levels of Glu in all exposure groups increased significantly (P < 0.05). Levels of GABA in the low exposure group were significantly lower than those in control group, but those in the high exposure group were significantly higher than those in control group. The results of the open field test showed that effect of low exposure to 1,2-DCE on the behavior was stimulant, but the high exposure to 1,2-DCE inhibited behavior of exploration, excitement and sport.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subacute exposure to 1,2-DCE could result in the change of amino acid neurotransmitter content and ratio in the brain, thereby change the behavior of mice appeared, which might be the mechanism of neurotoxicity caused by 1,2-DCE in part.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Lan-Yue
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Gao-Yang
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ge-Xin
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiu-Qiang
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.forename: Ya-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D005025:Ethylene Dichlorides / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D005025:Ethylene Dichlorides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D018698:Glutamic Acid; C024565:ethylene dichloride; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid