Methyl bromide alters catecholamine and metabolite concentrations in rat brain

Neurotoxicol Teratol. 1987 Sep-Oct;9(5):369-75. doi: 10.1016/0892-0362(87)90033-x.

Abstract

The effects of inhalation exposure of rats methyl bromide (MB) on dopamine (DA), homovanillic acid (HVA), norepinephrine (NE), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), serotonin (5HT), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) concentrations of various brain regions (striatum, hypothalamus, frontal cortex, midbrain, and medulla oblongata) were investigated. Rats received a single 8 hr exposure to MB, and amines and metabolites were separated by a reverse-phase HPLC, and were quantified via native fluorescence. An exposure to 100 ppm MB decreased tissue levels of DA and NE in all brain areas at 0 or 2 hr following exposure. HVA and MHPG contents were significantly increased in almost all brain regions. In a second study, rats were exposed to four concentrations of MB ranging from 31-250 ppm, and monoamine and metabolite levels in brain regions measured immediately after the exposure. Again, there were dose-dependent decreases of DA and NE, and increases in HVA and MHPG. Less clear changes in 5 HT and 5HIAA contents were observed. These data suggest that alterations of catecholamine metabolism may be a factor in MB-induced neurotoxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Catecholamines / metabolism*
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Homovanillic Acid / metabolism
  • Hydrocarbons, Brominated / toxicity*
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / metabolism
  • Male
  • Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / metabolism
  • Norepinephrine / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Serotonin / metabolism
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Catecholamines
  • Hydrocarbons, Brominated
  • Serotonin
  • Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
  • methyl bromide
  • Dopamine
  • Norepinephrine
  • Homovanillic Acid