Alteration in Neurotransmitters and their Metabolite Levels in 1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene-Treated Sprague-Dawley Rats.
Abstract
1 ,3,5- TRINITROBENZENE (TNB), a class-A explosive, is an anthropogenic environmental contaminant found in effluent released from facilities that synthesize, produce or demilitarize munitions, or in the leachate from disposal of solid 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) wastes. We have reported that rats exposed to TNB show signs of neurological stress (head tilting, loss of equilibrium and "cork screw" like motion) and bilateral lesions in medulla oblongata and cerebral peduncle. The underlying biochemical mechanism(s) for TNB-induced neurological damage in rats is not known. We analyzed brain tissue for neurotransmitters and their metabolites in control and TNB treated rats using HPLC and electrochemical detection in nine different brain regions. We found statistically significant increases in: a) no-epinephrine levels in all regions except frontal cortex; b) epinephrine levels in brain stem, septum and cerebellum; c) 5-HT levels in thalamus, hypothalamus, frontal cortex, caudate nucleus and cerebellum; d) dopamine levels in thalamus, brain stem, and hypothalamus Significant decrease in dopamine levels were observed in caudate nucleus and septum. Change in neurotransmitter levels in a specific region or regions may be one possible mechanism for TNB-induced neurological damage.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA362513
Entities
People
- Clay R. Miller
- Daniel J. Caldwell
- Latha Narayanan