Potentiation of hexacarbon-neurotoxicity by methyl-ethyl-ketone (MEK) and other substances: clinical and experimental aspects
Altenkirch, H.; Wagner, H.M.; Stoltenburg-Didinger, G.; Steppat, R.
Neurobehavioral Toxicology and Teratology 4(6): 623-627
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0275-1380 PMID: 7170019 Document Number: 196364
Hexacarbon-containing solvents can induce specific functional and morphological disorders in the peripheral and central nervous system. The neurological manifestations consist in polyneuropathy syndromes and neuromyelopathies. Such clinical pictures have been observed both after exposure at industrial work and after abuse of hexacarbon-containing solvents as narcotics. An outbreak of neuropathies among solvent-sniffers after denaturation of the hexacarbon-containing solvent with methyl-ethyl-ketone led to the assumption that the neurotoxic properties of n-hexane can be considerably potentiated with methyl-ethyl-ketone. Experimental studies on laboratory rats have shown that solvent mixtures with n-hexane and methyl-ethyl-ketone bring about an earlier onset of clinical-neurological deficits and hexacarbon-specific morphological changes than exposure to n-hexane alone. First results of a combined exposure to lead and n-hexane solvents also indicate an intensified effect of the combined neurotoxins.