Neurotoxicity Study of 1,3-Dichloro-2-Propanol in Rats

Abstract

1,3-dichoro-1,2-propanediol (1,3-DCP) is a contaminant of acid-hydrolyzed vegetable protein and a chlorinated compound used in the fabrication of industrial products such as hard resins, celluloid or paints. Several reports have suggested that chronic exposure to 1,3-DCP could produce neurotoxicity in vitro or in neurobehavioral aspects of experimental animals. The present study further explored the in vitro neurotoxic effects of 0.1-100 µM 1,3-DCP on PC12 and N18D3 cell lines. In addition, to investigate the effects of repeated ingestions of 1,3-DCP on neurobehavioral impairments parameters in rats, locomotor activity and landing foot splay tests were preformed, following the treatment of 1,3-DCP at doses of 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg/day for 11 weeks. We demonstrated that no significant neurotoxic effects in vitro and in neurobehavior were observed in the 1,3-DCP-treated rats compared to saline-treated control rats, whereas, acrylamide, used as a positive control, induced significant increases of all neurobehavioral deficit parameters in both male and female rats. On the other hand, body weight gain was significantly decreased in high dose 1,3-DCP-treated male rats as well as in acrylamide-treated rats. Taken together, these results suggest that 1,3-DCP does not produce in vitro neurotoxicity and the neuromotor deficits, at the dose levels of this study. (J Toxicol Pathol 2004; 17: 37-41)