US EPA

2901910 

Journal Article 

Brain concentrations of white spirit components and neurotransmitters following a three week inhalation exposure of rats 

Lam, HR; Lof, A; Ladefoged, O 

1992 

1 

Pharmacology & Toxicology
ISSN: 0901-9928
EISSN: 1600-0773 

70 

5 

394-396 

English 

1351674 

10.1111/j.1600-0773.1992.tb00495.x 

WOS:A1992HY28100016 

The concentrations of brain white-spirit (8052413) components following subchronic exposure to white-spirit vapor were determined in rats. The effects on brain neurotransmitters were also examined. Male Mol:WIST-rats were exposed to 400 or 800 parts per million (ppm) white-spirit vapor 6 hours daily for 5 days a week for 3 weeks. They were then killed and the brains were removed, weighed, and homogenized. The homogenates were analyzed for white-spirit components by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Other brains were assayed for total protein, noradrenaline, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). The concentrations of total white-spirit in the brains of rats exposed to 400 and 800ppm vapor were 3.4 and 10.2 milligrams per kilogram. The concentrations of the aliphatic and aromatic components increased in a dose related manner. The 800ppm exposure significantly increased brain dopamine, noradrenaline, and 5HT concentrations. The 400ppm exposure significantly increased the concentration of noradrenaline. White-spirit did not significantly affect brain weight, total protein concentration, or AChE or BuChE activity. The authors conclude that white-spirit causes significant accumulations of its aromatic and aliphatic components in the brain. The white-spirit induced increases in noradrenaline, dopamine, and 5HT concentration could reflect changes in activity of the corresponding neurons.