Neurophysiological studies on the relation between the structural properties and neurotoxicity of aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds in rats.

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Abstract
In order to determine the specific structural properties responsible for neurotoxic activity, the comparative neurotoxicity of n-hexane, methyl n-butyl ketone, 2,5-hexanedione and their relatives was investigated in the peripheral nerves of rats. The maximum conduction velocity of motor and sensory fibers and the motor distal latency of the tail nerves of rats were periodically examined in animals receiving repeated s.c. injections of 11 aliphatic monoketone or diketone compounds and their relatives for prolonged periods. A study of the comparative neurotoxicity of n-hexane, methyl n-butyl ketone and their metabolites showed that 2,5-hexanedione was the most actively neurotoxic. A study of other symmetrical diketones with different C numbers showed that 2,4-pentanedione, which was structurally similar to 2,5-hexanedione, possessed a different type of neurotoxic activity than 2,5-hexanedione. Regarding aliphatic monoketone compounds, acetone, 2-pentanone, 2-heptanone and 2-octanone were confirmed non-neurotoxic for the peripheral nervous system. Evidence from previous reports suggested that 3-heptanone, 4-octanone and 5-nonanone might have produced neuropathies by being converted to 2,5-diketones under specific conditions.