Comments concerning the use of dimethylsulfoxide as a solvent for studies of chlordecone neurotoxicity
Uphouse, L.; Mason, G.; Bondy, S.
Neurotoxicology 3(2): 149-154
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0161-813X PMID: 6186960 Document Number: 184725
Complications regarding the use of DMSO as a solvent for chlordecone studies were discussed. Data were derived from a study designed to provide further information about the effects of neonatal chlordecone treatment on female reproductive function. Male and female rats were injected at 4 days of age with water, DMSO or 0.2 or 1.0 mg chlordecone in DMSO. Long-term effects of the neonatal treatment were examined when the animals were 120 days old. The DMSO vehicle produced endocrine and neural changes in the adult. Because chlordecone was dissolved in DMSO, any long-term effects of the pesticide were potentially confounded by the effects of the vehicle. Luteinizing hormone levels were statistically identical in all 4 treatment groups. Prolactin levels of chlordecone-treated females were similar to those receiving the DMSO vehicle, but the levels were significantly reduced by the DMSO vehicle. DMSO had no significant effects on hypothalamic or forebrain weight while the presence of chlordecone in DMSO significantly decreased hypothalamic weight and increased forebrain weight. Chlordecone (in DMSO) significantly increased hypothalamic ergocryptine binding; but in comparison to water-injected animals, the DMSO vehicle alone decreased binding to an equivalent extent. These results were discussed as examples of the types of complications that could arise when DMSO was used as a solvent. A general recommendation was made against the use of a single vehicle in toxicological studies, and a specific warning was issued against the use of DMSO.