Abstract
Previous studies have indicated that workers exposed to styrene present a decreased activity of platelet monoamine oxidase B (MAO B), suggesting that this biochemical assay may represent a biomarker for styrene-induced neurotoxicity. This study was undertaken to determine whether exposure to styrene would cause changes in MAO B activity in the target organ - the brain. Groups of rats were exposed to styrene by inhalation at concentrations of 300 ppm for 4 wk or 50 ppm for 13 wk. Both treatments caused significant decreases of MAO B activity in several brain areas, while MAO A activity was not affected. Decreases in MAO B activity were also found in brainstem of rats given styrene (400 mg/kg) or styrene oxide (100 mg/kg) by ip injection for 2 wk. Styrene, styrene oxide, and other styrene metabolites (mandelic acid, phenylglyoxylic acid, and styrene glycol) had no direct inhibitory effect on brain MAO B activity when tested in vitro. These results indicate that exposure to low concentrations of styrene alters MAO B activity in rat brain, suggesting that the observed changes in human platelets may reflect alterations in the nervous system.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 59-68 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health - Part A: Current Issues |
| Volume | 56 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 8 1999 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Science(all)
- Environmental Chemistry
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Pollution
- Toxicology
- Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis