Neurotoxicity associated with exposure to 1-bromopropane in golf-club cleansing workers.

BACKGROUND: 1-Bromopropane (1-BP) is an alternative to ozone-depleting solvent that is used in degreasing, dry cleaning, spray adhesives, and aerosol solvents. Occupational exposure to 1-BP is associated with adverse peripheral sensory, motor, and central nervous system (CNS) effects. We report our Health Hazard and Medical Evaluation of 6 patients with neurotoxicity associated with occupational exposure to 1-BP. Case series and environmental evaluation. Six workers, 1 male and 5 female, were exposed to high ambient 1-BP concentrations while employed in a golf club cleaning factory. 1-BP was identified in the bulk solvent sample used by the workers and confirmed the workers' daily occupational exposure to 1-BP for 3-10 months. The major presenting symptoms were tingling pain, soreness in lower extremities, and paresthesia. N-acetyl-S-(n-propyl)-L-cysteine (AcPrCys), a 1-BP metabolite, was identified by LC/MS/MS in the urine (0.171-1.74 mg/g-Cr) of these workers 5-26 days following 1-BP exposure. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: An occupational outbreak of 1-BP poisoning occurred as a result of recurrent power outages, condenser, and exhaust fans malfunction, and inadequate personal protection. Occupational exposure to 1-BP may result in peripheral neuropathy as well as adverse CNS effects. Urine AcPrCys may be a specific biomarker for 1-BP exposure.

Cardiovascular protective flavonolignans and flavonoids from Calamus quiquesetinervius.

Tricin-type flavonolignans, (2S)-dihydrotricin 4'-O-(erythro-beta-guaiacylglyceryl) ether, (2S)-dihydrotricin 4'-O-(threo-beta-guaiacylglyceryl) ether, (2S)-dihydrotricin 4'-O-(threo-beta-4-hydroxyphenylglyceryl) ether, tricin 4'-O-(erythro-beta-4-hydroxyphenylglyceryl) ether, tricin 4'-O-(threo-beta-4-hydroxylphenylglyceryl) ether, and (2S)-dihydrotricin 4'-O-(beta-6''-methoxy-4''-oxo-chroman-3''-yloxy) ether namely calquiquelignan A-F, respectively, were isolated and characterized from the EtOAc extract of Calamus quiquesetinervius. Additionally, six known phenolic compounds, including dihydrotricin, tricin, salcolin A, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, (2S, 3S)-trans-dihydrokapempferol and (2S)-naringenin, were also obtained and identified from the extract. Structures of the flavonolignans were assigned based on spectroscopic analyses that included 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques, such as HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY. Bioassay results showed that calquiquelignan A, dihydrotricin and (2S)-naringenin exhibited significant vasodilatory potencies, as indicated by 60.3%, 80.3% and 60.9% relaxations, respectively, at 100 microM. Salcolin A showed potent platelet aggregation inhibition, compared with aspirin. Most of the tricin-type derivatives (calquiquelignan A-B, dihydrotricin and tricin) also exhibited more potent hydroxyl radical ((.)OH) scavenging activity than trolox as characterized by the ultraweak chemiluminescence assay.