Electrophysiological and pathological features of peripheral nerve in rats exposed to 1-bromopropane / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To study the electrophysiological changes and pathological characteristics of peripheral nerve in rats exposed to 1-bromopropane through chronic inhalation.@*Methods@#40 male SD rats were randomed divided into 4 groups, and exposed to 1-bromopropane vapor at concentrations of 1 000 mg/m3, 2 000 mg/m3, 4 000 mg/m3 and fresh air respectively, 6 hours per day, 5 days per week for 12 weeks. The changes of nerve conduction velocity (NCV) , electromyography (EMG) and pathology were observed.@*Results@#After 4 weeks of exposure, the body weights of high dose group are lower than that of the control group. Compared with the control group, the high and medium dose group have a decline in MCV and CMAPs, while SCV and SNAPs descend in the high dose group (P<0.05) . The EMG examination showed that there are denervation changes in high dose group. Sciatic nerve biopsy observed by electron microscope showed that axonal degeneration and demyelination coexist in the rats exposed to high concentration.@*Conclusion@#Chronic inhalation of 1-bromopropane at the concentration of 4 000 mg/m3 can cause peripheral nerve injury, which is characterized by axonal degeneration and demyelination. Axonal degeneration is the main pathological change.