Sensory irritation structure-activity study of inhaled aldehydes in B6C3F1 and Swiss-Webster mice

Journal Article · Thu Mar 15 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0041-008X(84)90126-1· OSTI ID:7003205

Steinhagen, W H; Barrow, C S

The sensory irritation potential of a series of saturated and unsaturated aliphatic and cyclic aldehydes was investigated in B6C3F1 and Swiss-Webster mice. With the reflex decrease in respiratory rate as the endpoint response, alpha, beta-unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes yielded RD/sub 50/ values (concentration which elicits a 50% decrease in respiratory rate) ranging from 1 to 5 ppm while saturated aliphatic aldehydes with two or more carbons produced RD/sub 50/ values from 750 to 4200 ppm. Cyclic aldehydes produced intermediate RD/sub 50/ values which ranged from 60 to 400 ppm. No statistically significant differences were found between concentration-response curves of B6C3F1 and Swiss-Webster mice. Saturated aliphatic aldehydes with two or more carbons were nearly 1000 times less potent than formaldehyde. Although the mechanisms responsible for stimulation of trigeminal nerve endings by airborne chemicals are poorly understood, several hypotheses may help to explain the differences seen in this study. For example, the sensory irritation potency of the saturated aliphatic aldehydes diminished with their reported dehydration constants which may determine the degree to which these aldehydes crosslink with receptor proteins. The sensory irritation potency of acrolein and crotonaldehyde was probably due to 1,2 or 1,4 addition reactions. Additionally, molecular conformation and a recently published physical mechanism may contribute to sensory irritation responses, particularly for the less reactive aldehydes. Tentative threshold limit values (TLVs), based upon prevention of sensory irritation, were extrapolated from the RD/sub 50/ values of Swiss-Webster mice. With the exception of crotonaldehyde, good agreement was found with currently published TLVs.

• Research Organization: Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
• OSTI ID: 7003205
• Journal Information: Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.; (United States), Vol. 72:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALDEHYDES
STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS
TOXICITY
ACROLEIN
FORMALDEHYDE
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INHALATION
LUNGS
MICE
NERVES
AIR POLLUTION
ANIMALS
BODY
INTAKE
MAMMALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
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RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
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560305* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)