A review of potential neurotoxic mechanisms among three chlorinated organic solvents

Journal Article · Mon Aug 15 00:00:00 EDT 2011 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2011.05.008· OSTI ID:21587818

Barone, Stan; Scott, Cheryl Siegel; Cooper, Glinda S

The potential for central nervous system depressant effects from three widely used chlorinated solvents, trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PERC), and dichloromethane (DCM), has been shown in human and animal studies. Commonalities of neurobehavioral and neurophysiological changes for the chlorinated solvents in in vivo studies suggest that there is a common mechanism(s) of action in producing resultant neurotoxicological consequences. The purpose of this review is to examine the mechanistic studies conducted with these chlorinated solvents and to propose potential mechanisms of action for the different neurological effects observed. Mechanistic studies indicate that this solvent class has several molecular targets in the brain. Additionally, there are several pieces of evidence from animal studies indicating this solvent class alters neurochemical functions in the brain. Although earlier evidence indicated that these three chlorinated solvents perturb the lipid bilayer, more recent data suggest an interaction between several specific neuronal receptors produces the resultant neurobehavioral effects. Collectively, TCE, PERC, and DCM have been reported to interact directly with several different classes of neuronal receptors by generally inhibiting excitatory receptors/channels and potentiating the function of inhibitory receptors/channels. Given this mechanistic information and available studies for TCE, DCM, and PERC, we provide hypotheses on primary targets (e.g. ion channel targets) that appear to be most influential in producing the resultant neurological effects. - Research Highlights: > Comparison of neurological effects among TCE, PERC, and DCM. > Correlation of mechanistic findings to neurological effects. > Data support that TCE, PERC, and DCM interact with several ion channels to produce neurological changes.

• OSTI ID: 21587818
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Vol. 255, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2011.05.008; PII: S0041-008X(11)00179-7; Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0041-008X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
IN VIVO
METHYLENE CHLORIDE
ORGANIC SOLVENTS
RECEPTORS
BODY
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS
DRUGS
EVALUATION
MEMBRANE PROTEINS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NONAQUEOUS SOLVENTS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PROTEINS
SOLVENTS