Effects of xylene isomers on operant responding and motor performance in mice

Effects of inhaled combined Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes (BTEX): Toward an environmental exposure model

Combined environmental exposures to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene (BTEX) pose clear risks to public health. Research into these risks is under-studied even as BTEX levels in the atmosphere are predicted to rise. This review focuses on the available literature using single- and combined-BTEX component inhaled solvent exposures in animal models, necessarily also drawing on findings from models of inhalant abuse and occupational exposures. Health effects of these exposures are discussed for multiple organ systems, but with particular attention on neurobehavioral outcomes such as locomotor activity, impulsivity, learning, and psychopharmacological responses. It is clear that animal models have significant differences in the concentrations, durations and patterns of exposure. Experimental evidence of the deleterious health and neurobehavioral consequences of exposures to the individual components of BTEX were found, but these effects were typically assessed using concentrations and exposure patterns not characteristic of environmental exposure. Future studies with animal models designed appropriately to explore combined BTEX will be necessary and advantageous to discovering health outcomes and more subtle neurobehavioral impacts of long-term environmental exposures.

A review of environmental and occupational exposure to xylene and its health concerns

Xylene is a cyclic hydrocarbon, and an environmental pollutant. It is also used in dyes, paints, polishes, medical technology and different industries as a solvent. Xylene easily vaporizes and divides by sunlight into other harmless chemicals. The aim of the present review is to collect the evidence of the xylene toxicity, related to non-cancerous health hazards, as well as to provide possible effective measurement to minimize its risk ratio. For current study a bibliographic search of more than 250 peer-reviewed papers in scientific data including PubMed, and Google Scholar about xylene was done. But approximately 130 peer-reviewed papers relevant to xylene were included (Figure 1(Fig. 1)). All scientific data was reviewed with key words of "xylene toxicity", "xylene toxic health effects", "environmental volatile organic compounds", "human exposure to xylene", "xylene poisoning in laboratory workers", "effects of xylene along with other hydrocarbons", "neurotoxicity of selected hydrocarbons", and "toxic effects of particular xylene isomers in animals". According to these studies, xylene is released into the atmosphere as fugitive emissions from petrochemical industries, fire, cigarette, from different vehicles. Short term exposure to mixed xylene or their individual isomers result in irritation of the nose, eyes and throat subsequently leading toward neurological, gastrointestinal and reproductive harmful effects. In addition long term exposure to xylene may cause hazardous effects on respiratory system, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and renal system. The health concerns of xylene are well documented in animals and human. It is important to improve health policies, launch xylene related health and toxicity awareness campaigns, to get rid of its dangerous outcomes. Chronic diseases have become a threat to human globally, with special prominence in regions, where xylene is used with other chemicals (benzene, toluene etc.) especially in petroleum and rubber industry. The mechanism of toxicity and interactions with endocrine system should be followed up which is the main threat to human health.

A review of environmental and occupational exposure to xylene and its health concerns

Xylene is a cyclic hydrocarbon, and an environmental pollutant. It is also used in dyes, paints, polishes, medical technology and different industries as a solvent. Xylene easily vaporizes and divides by sunlight into other harmless chemicals. The aim of the present review is to collect the evidence of the xylene toxicity, related to non-cancerous health hazards, as well as to provide possible effective measurement to minimize its risk ratio. For current study a bibliographic search of more than 250 peer-reviewed papers in scientific data including PubMed, and Google Scholar about xylene was done. But approximately 130 peer-reviewed papers relevant to xylene were included (Figure 1(Fig. 1)). All scientific data was reviewed with key words of "xylene toxicity", "xylene toxic health effects", "environmental volatile organic compounds", "human exposure to xylene", "xylene poisoning in laboratory workers", "effects of xylene along with other hydrocarbons", "neurotoxicity of selected hydrocarbons", and "toxic effects of particular xylene isomers in animals". According to these studies, xylene is released into the atmosphere as fugitive emissions from petrochemical industries, fire, cigarette, from different vehicles. Short term exposure to mixed xylene or their individual isomers result in irritation of the nose, eyes and throat subsequently leading toward neurological, gastrointestinal and reproductive harmful effects. In addition long term exposure to xylene may cause hazardous effects on respiratory system, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and renal system. The health concerns of xylene are well documented in animals and human. It is important to improve health policies, launch xylene related health and toxicity awareness campaigns, to get rid of its dangerous outcomes. Chronic diseases have become a threat to human globally, with special prominence in regions, where xylene is used with other chemicals (benzene, toluene etc.) especially in petroleum and rubber industry. The mechanism of toxicity and interactions with endocrine system should be followed up which is the main threat to human health.

Neurochemical changes after acute binge toluene inhalation in adolescent and adult rats: a high-resolution magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

Inhalant abuse in young people is a growing public health concern. We reported previously that acute toluene intoxication in young rats, using a pattern of exposures that approximate abuse patterns of inhalant use in humans, significantly altered neurochemical measures in select brain regions. In this study, adolescent and young adult rats were exposed similarly to an acute (2 x 15 min), high dose (8000-12,000 ppm) of toluene and high-resolution magic angle spinning proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HR-MAS 1H-MRS) was used to assess neurochemical profiles of tissue samples from a number of brain regions collected immediately following solvent exposure. The current investigation focused on N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds, creatine, glutamate, GABA, and glutamine. Contrary to our predictions, no significant alterations were found in the levels of NAA, choline, creatine, glutamate, or glutamine in adolescent animals. In contrast to these minimal effects in adolescents, binge toluene exposure altered several neurochemical parameters in young adult rats, including decreased levels of choline and GABA in the frontal cortex and striatum and lowered glutamine and NAA levels in the frontal cortex. One of the more robust findings was a wide-ranging increase in lactate after toluene exposure in adult animals, an effect not observed in adolescents. These age-dependent effects of toluene are distinct from those reported previously in juvenile rats and suggest a developmental difference in vulnerability to the effects of inhalants. Specifically, the results suggest that the neurochemical response to toluene in adolescents is attenuated compared to adults, and imply an association between these neurochemical differences and age-influenced differences in solvent abuse in humans.

The challenges of controlling organic solvents in a paint factory due to solvent impurity

In this study, several exhaust ventilation systems were designed and implemented in a paint manufacturing factory, using ACGIH recommendations. The personal exposure of workers to solvents used in the factory was evaluated to examine the role of implemented standard ventilation system. For this purpose, Toluene and Xylene concentration were monitored before and after the application of ventilation systems. Personal samples and subsequent analysis were conducted according to OSHA's method No: 12. Samples were analyzed, using Gas Chromatography. The results showed that the ventilation standards recommended by ACGIH were able to control Toluene and Xylene vapors successfully below the recommended TLVs (e.g. 44.49 ppm and 97.73 ppm respectively). It was also discovered that although Benzene was not reported as a component of the paint, its concentration in breathing zone of workers were much higher than the respective TLV (e.g. 4.5 ppm). This could be from the impurity of solvents used in paint factories which raises new questions. According to IRIS epidemiologic information, it was found that implementation of industrial ventilation systems decrease the relative risk (RR) of leukemia due to exposure to benzene, from 66.4 to 3.2 cases per work life, in this factory. Finally it was deduced that solvents impurities such as Benzene should be seriously considered as a major problem that may not be controlled using ventilation standards recommended by ACGIH for paint mixing and storing process.

Comparing cognitive and screening tests for neurotoxicity. Effects of acute chlorpyrifos on visual signal detection and a neurobehavioral test battery in rats

It is often assumed that cognitive function is more sensitive to neurotoxic chemicals than are the unconditioned behaviors employed in neurobehavioral screens; however, direct comparisons of the sensitivity of these test methods are lacking. The present studies were conducted to compare the effects of the widely used cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticide, chlorpyrifos (O,O'-diethyl O-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl phosphorothionate, CPF), on a visual signal detection task (SDT) with its effects on a neurobehavioral test battery. Adult male Long-Evans rats were trained to perform the SDT, dosed with CPF, and then assessed with both test instruments. Oral CPF (50 mg/kg) impaired signal detection for 8 days, and subcutaneous CPF (250 mg/kg) did so for 4 weeks. CPF (30 and 50 mg/kg po and 250 mg/kg sc) also lowered activity in the test battery for up to 18 days. Thus, CPF impaired attention and altered behavior in the test battery in the same dose ranges under two very different dosing scenarios.

ATSDR evaluation of health effects of chemicals. V. Xylenes: health effects, toxicokinetics, human exposure, and environmental fate

Xylenes, or dimethylbenzenes, are among the highest-volume chemicals in production. Common uses are for gasoline blending, as a solvent or component in a wide variety of products from paints to printing ink, and in the production of phthalates and polyester. They are often encountered as a mixture of the three dimethyl isomers, together with ethylbenzene. As part of its mandate, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) prepares toxicological profiles on hazardous chemicals found at Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) National Priorities List (NPL) sites that are of greatest concern for public health purposes. These profiles comprehensively summarize toxicological and environmental information. This article constitutes the release of the bulk of this profile (ATSDR, 1995) into the mainstream scientific literature. An extensive listing of known human and animal health effects, organized by route, duration, and end point, is presented. Toxicological information on toxicokinetics, biomarkers, interactions, sensitive subpopulations, reducing toxicity after exposure, and relevance to public health is also included. Environmental information encompasses physical properties, production and use, environmental fate, levels seen in the environment, analytical methods, and a listing of regulations. ATSDR, as mandated by CERCLA (or Superfund), prepares these profiles to inform and assist the public.

A method for adjusting exposure levels of volatile solvents based on effects on schedule-controlled behavior

A novel adjusting procedure was employed to assess the acute behavioral effects of inhaled 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCE) and m-xylene. Mice were trained to lever press under a fixed ratio 20 schedule of milk reinforcement. During 30-min test sessions, TCE concentrations were altered every 5 min dependent upon rates of responding in the preceding 5-min segment of the session. When response rates during a 5-min interval were not decreased by greater than 30% from control rates, the TCE concentration for the next interval was increased. Reduction in response rates of more than 30% from the previous interval resulted in a lowering of the TCE concentration in the subsequent 5-min interval. TCE produced concentration-dependent decreases in response rates similar to what has been shown previously and many mice adjusted their exposure levels such that there were alternating intervals of increasing and decreasing concentration exposures. This provided a means of determining, in a single test session, no effect (subthreshold) and minimal effect concentrations of TCE for effects on schedule controlled behavior. Alteration of the starting TCE concentration from 1000 to 6000 ppm increased the TCE threshold for effects. When the response rate contingency was removed and TCE concentrations were "played back" from an earlier adjustment session, concentration-effect curves were similar to what were obtained under adjusting conditions. Using the adjusting procedure, we were also able to rapidly obtain a concentration-effect curve and threshold concentrations for m-xylene that are consistent with published results. This procedure for response rate adjusting exposure concentrations should be useful for rapid assessment of inhalant effects on schedule-controlled behavior and for focusing attention on near threshold levels of exposure.

The effects of abused inhalants on mouse behavior in an elevated plus-maze

Previous research has shown that abused inhalants (i.e., the volatile solvents) share some of the pharmacological properties of drugs used in the treatment of anxiety. In an attempt to further examine commonalities in the effects of inhalants and central nervous system depressant drugs, the behavioral effects of inhaled 1,1,1-trichloroethane, toluene, methoxyflurane and the convulsant vapor flurothyl were examined and compared to those of diazepam in the elevated plus-maze, a test used to predict antianxiety effects. After inhalant exposure or diazepam injection, mice were placed in the center of an elevated plus-maze and the number of entries and time spent in each type of arm (open versus closed) were measured during 5-min tests. Exposure to increasing concentrations of toluene produced concentration-related increases in the total number of open arm entries and the total time spent on the open arms, a pattern of behavioral effects similar to that produced by diazepam. A similar pattern was observed for increasing concentrations of 1,1,1-trichloroethane and methoxyflurane but changes in open arm activity were only observed at concentrations that increased locomotor activity. Conversely, only decreases in open arm time and number of entries were observed for flurothyl. The increasing evidence for commonalities in the behavioral effects of volatile solvents and depressant drugs may provide a foundation for understanding the neurobehavioral basis of inhalant abuse.

The pharmacokinetics of inhaled 1,1,1-trichloroethane following high milk intake in mice

In the evaluation of lipophilic halocarbons for neurobehavioral toxicity in operant testing, animals often receive large amounts of milk as a behavioral reinforcer over time. If this increase of fat in the diet sufficiently impacted the lipid depots of the animal, the pharmacokinetics of lipophilic test compounds might be significantly affected and thus obscure the accompanying neurobehavioral effects. The effects of milk intake, comparable to what was consumed as behavioral reinforcer during operant behavioral sessions, on the pharmacokinetics of inhaled 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TRI) were therefore examined in the blood and nine organ tissues of mice. Male CD-1 mice were food restricted so that their body weights would be reduced to and maintained at 80% of their original, and received a single gavage dose of 1.0 ml evaporated milk daily for three weeks. A control group with similar food restrictions was dosed with the same volume of water. Inhalation exposures to 3500 ppm TRI for 100 minutes were conducted at the end of the treatment period. Blood and nine organ tissues were sampled at a series of time points, and their TRI contents were analyzed by headspace gas chromatography. The uptake of TRI was rapid, with near steady state approached in blood and most tissues after 40-60 minutes of exposure. All of the tissues except fat had similar TRI time-concentration profiles, while TRI concentrations in fat tissue were about 20-30 times higher than in other tissues. There was no statistically significant difference in the tissue concentrations between the milk-dosed group and water-dosed group at all of the time points for all tissues measured. Therefore, it appears unlikely that this level of milk intake as a reinforcer in behavioral studies will affect the results of operant testing evaluations by altering the pharmacokinetics of lipophilic halocarbons such as TRI.

The use of experimental studies to reveal suspected neurotoxic chemicals as occupational hazards: acute and chronic exposures to organic solvents

The nervous system differs from many other body organs by its central control of vital functions and its low regeneration capacity. Organic solvents have, as a group, been suspected to have neurotoxic effects. Because of their similar physical properties and the fact that in industrial uses, they are often present in various mixtures, organic solvents have also been regarded, unfortunately, to induce common neurotoxic effects. However, it is evident from experimental studies using specified exposure conditions that different organic solvents have very diverse neurotoxic effects and also that the toxic mechanism may differ between acute and chronic exposure. No specific method used to describe a neurotoxic effect or single toxic response can be used for the overall occupational risk assessment of all organic solvents. Each solvent has to be considered as having its own unique toxic effects.

CNS depressant effects of volatile organic solvents

Volatile chemicals used widely as solvents can produce acute effects on the nervous system and behavior after inhalation exposure, and many are subject to abuse. This review considers the nature of the acute effects of volatile organic solvents by comparing their actions to those of classical CNS depressant drugs such as the barbiturates, benzodiazepines and ethanol. Like CNS depressant drugs, selected inhalants have been shown to have biphasic effects on motor activity, disrupt psychomotor performance, have anticonvulsant effects, produce biphasic drug-like effects on rates of schedule-controlled operant behavior, increase rates of punished responding, enhance the effects of depressant drugs, serve as reinforcers in self-administration studies and share discriminative stimulus effects with barbiturates and ethanol. Toluene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane, as well as subanesthetic concentrations of halothane, have been the most extensively studied; however, it is unclear whether important differences may exist among solvents in their ability to produce a depressant profile of acute effects. The possibility that selected solvents can have acute effects similar to those of depressant drugs may shed light on the nature of their acute behavioral toxicology and on their abuse.

Behavioral effects of acute p-xylene inhalation in rats: autoshaping, motor activity, and reversal learning

p-Xylene is a ubiquitous solvent and chemical precursor used in industry, gasoline, and household products. While the population at risk for exposure is thus quite large, little is known about its neurobehavioral effects. To evaluate the possibility that p-xylene affects cognitive behavior, male Long-Evans hooded rats inhaled p-xylene at concentrations of 0 or 1600 ppm, 4 hr per day for 1 to 5 days, and were evaluated after exposure on two learning tasks and a test of motor activity. Autoshaping was carried out across 5 successive days with p-xylene exposure in the morning followed by testing in the afternoon. For this test, the retraction of a single response lever on a variable-time 35-sec schedule was followed by delivery of a food pellet. When the force required to depress the lever was low (0.10 N), response acquisition was faster in animals having inhaled 1600 ppm p-xylene than in air-exposed controls. When the force was increased to 0.20 N, however, p-xylene-exposed rats acquired the response no faster than controls. In contrast, inhaled p-xylene at 1600 ppm suppressed response rates in an automaintained reversal learning paradigm without affecting reversal rate. Studies of motor activity showed that while vertically-directed activity was unaffected by p-xylene, horizontally-directed activity was increased by about 30% for the first 15 min of each daily 25-min test.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Conditioned flavor aversion induced by inhaled p-xylene in rats

Xylenes have the potential for widespread public exposure, yet their neurotoxic properties are poorly understood. The conditioned flavor aversion (CFA) paradigm provides a sensitive behavioral assay for the aversiveness of many drugs and toxic chemicals. Male Long-Evans rats were placed on a restricted water schedule (30 min/day) 1 week after arrival in the laboratory at 40 days of age. Ten days later, all rats received 0.1% saccharin in place of water, and then were exposed immediately either to filtered air or to 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 or 1,600 ppm p-xylene for 4 hr, or to air or 400 ppm p-xylene for 0.5, 1, 2, 4 or 8 hr. The restricted water schedule remained in effect for the next 72 hr, at which time the rats were given a choice between saccharin and water. Inhalation of all concentrations of p-xylene reduced relative saccharin intake, with maximal aversion at 800 and 1,600 ppm. The aversion produced by 400 ppm p-xylene was maximal at exposures of 2 or more hr, with shorter exposures producing intermediate effects. Total fluid intake was unaffected by p-xylene exposure with the exception of a slight (nonsignificant) decrease in consumption following 1,600 ppm. Exposure to saccharin 24 hr prior to p-xylene produce no aversion, indicating that the reduction in saccharin intake required close temporal pairing of saccharin and p-xylene. Thus inhaled p-xylene at a concentration of 1/2 its TLV (= 100 ppm) caused a significant, learned change in rats' normal consumption of saccharin-flavored water, without disrupting total fluid consumption.

Effect of xylene inhalation on fixed-ratio responding in rats

The effect of xylene inhalation was studied on operant behavior under a fixed-ratio (FR24) schedule in rats. Experiments were performed while rats were being exposed to xylene vapor in an inhalational (flow-through) behavioral chamber. Rats were exposed successively to three graded concentrations (113, 216 and 430 ppm) of xylene vapor each for 2 hr in range-finding studies during 6 1/4-hr sessions. The reinforcement rate which is correlated with FR responding was shown to be decreased at hr 1, hr 3 and hr 5. However at hr 2, hr 4 and hr 6 the reinforcement rate in rats increased approaching the control levels, thereby indicating development of tolerance. When rats were exposed to one of the three graded concentrations of xylene for 2 hr on separate days, they also showed a decrease in the reinforcement rate at hr 1; development of acute tolerance was also noted in this schedule. Exposure to the lowest (98.5 ppm) level of xylene used during 5-hr sessions caused no significant decrease in the reinforcement rate. This study thus attempts to identify a minimum effective concentration of xylene and indicates the development of acute tolerance to behavioral effect of xylene.

Postnatal evaluation of prenatal exposure to p-xylene in the rat

Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to either 3500 or 7000 mg/m3 p-xylene from days 7-16 of gestation. Dams were allowed to give birth, and litters were counted, weighed, and observed for external malformations on postnatal days (PD) 1 and 3. Litters were normalized to 8 pups (4 males and 4 females +/- 1) on PD4. On PD21 animals were weaned and littermates housed by sex. Body weights were recorded weekly until weaning and once every 2 weeks thereafter. Central nervous system (CNS) development was evaluated by acoustic startle response on PD13, 17, 21, and 63 as well as figure-8 maze activity on PD22 and 65. Maternal weight gain during the treatment period was significantly less in the high-dose group. No effects were seen on litter size or weight at birth or on PD3. There were no effects of xylene exposure on growth rate. There were no treatment-related effects on acoustic startle response or figure-8 maze activity. Thus, p-xylene as administered in this study does not appear to be a selective developmental toxicant in the rat.