skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Urinary excretion of 2,5-hexanedione and peripheral polyneuropathies in workers exposed to hexane

Abstract

Forty shoe factory workers who were exposed to hexane were investigated to see if there was a correlation between electroneuromyographic changes indicative of neuropathy and urinary excretion of 2,5-hexanedione. Urinary samples were analyzed for the presence of the metabolic products of n-hexane and its isomers. Electrodiagnostic examination was carried out following the urinary sampling. A rating scale was used to obtain a cumulative numeric index of electrodiagnostic findings. 2,5-Hexanedione and ..gamma..-valerolactone were discovered in all cases, while 2-hexanol was found in 11 cases. 2,5-Hexanedione was the main metabolite in most cases (39 of 40). Only in 1 case was a low level of 2-methyl-2-pentanol detected; 3-methyl-2-pentanol was never detected. Metabolic products of cyclohexane were present in about one-fifth of the cases, while trichloroethanol, a metabolic product of trichloroethylene, was nearly always present, all at very low concentrations. Electromyographic abnormalities significant for early detection of toxic polyneuropathy were found in 14 cases. A statistically significant correlation of the electroneuromyographic scoring on the urinary concentrations of measured metabolites was observed only with 2,5-hexanedione and ..gamma..-valerolactone, both derived from n-hexane. Since ..gamma..-valerolactone is probably not a true metabolite of n-hexane, the authors results support the hypothesis that polyneuropathies in shoemakers are due tomore » 2,5-hexanedione. For practical purposes the urinary concentration of 2,5-hexanedione can serve as a predictive measurement for early detection of neurotoxic lesions at preclinical states.« less

Authors:
; ; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Univ. of Ancona, Italy
OSTI Identifier:
6636648
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 20:3
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.; 59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; HEXANE; METABOLISM; TOXICITY; NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES; EPIDEMIOLOGY; EXCRETION; METABOLITES; OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES; OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE; PERSONNEL; URINE; ALKANES; BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS; BIOLOGICAL WASTES; BODY FLUIDS; CLEARANCE; DISEASES; HYDROCARBONS; MATERIALS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; WASTES; 560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology; 550900 - Pathology

Citation Formats

Governa, M, Calisti, R, Coppa, G, Tagliavento, G, Colombi, A, and Troni, W. Urinary excretion of 2,5-hexanedione and peripheral polyneuropathies in workers exposed to hexane. United States: N. p., 1987. Web. doi:10.1080/15287398709530976.
Governa, M, Calisti, R, Coppa, G, Tagliavento, G, Colombi, A, & Troni, W. Urinary excretion of 2,5-hexanedione and peripheral polyneuropathies in workers exposed to hexane. United States. https://doi.org/10.1080/15287398709530976
Governa, M, Calisti, R, Coppa, G, Tagliavento, G, Colombi, A, and Troni, W. 1987. "Urinary excretion of 2,5-hexanedione and peripheral polyneuropathies in workers exposed to hexane". United States. https://doi.org/10.1080/15287398709530976.
@article{osti_6636648,
title = {Urinary excretion of 2,5-hexanedione and peripheral polyneuropathies in workers exposed to hexane},
author = {Governa, M and Calisti, R and Coppa, G and Tagliavento, G and Colombi, A and Troni, W},
abstractNote = {Forty shoe factory workers who were exposed to hexane were investigated to see if there was a correlation between electroneuromyographic changes indicative of neuropathy and urinary excretion of 2,5-hexanedione. Urinary samples were analyzed for the presence of the metabolic products of n-hexane and its isomers. Electrodiagnostic examination was carried out following the urinary sampling. A rating scale was used to obtain a cumulative numeric index of electrodiagnostic findings. 2,5-Hexanedione and ..gamma..-valerolactone were discovered in all cases, while 2-hexanol was found in 11 cases. 2,5-Hexanedione was the main metabolite in most cases (39 of 40). Only in 1 case was a low level of 2-methyl-2-pentanol detected; 3-methyl-2-pentanol was never detected. Metabolic products of cyclohexane were present in about one-fifth of the cases, while trichloroethanol, a metabolic product of trichloroethylene, was nearly always present, all at very low concentrations. Electromyographic abnormalities significant for early detection of toxic polyneuropathy were found in 14 cases. A statistically significant correlation of the electroneuromyographic scoring on the urinary concentrations of measured metabolites was observed only with 2,5-hexanedione and ..gamma..-valerolactone, both derived from n-hexane. Since ..gamma..-valerolactone is probably not a true metabolite of n-hexane, the authors results support the hypothesis that polyneuropathies in shoemakers are due to 2,5-hexanedione. For practical purposes the urinary concentration of 2,5-hexanedione can serve as a predictive measurement for early detection of neurotoxic lesions at preclinical states.},
doi = {10.1080/15287398709530976},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6636648}, journal = {J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 20:3,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987},
month = {Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987}
}