Toxic Encephalopathy Induced By Occupational Exposure To 1,2-Dichloroethane And Toxicological Effect On Animal Model

[Objective] Most of the previous studies focused on mutagenesis and underground water contamination of 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE). Central nervous system depression and histopathological changes in the brain have been reported in only few cases of acute poisoning. The overall objective of present investigation was to characterize the neurotoxic features induced by 1,2-DCE inhalation in the occupational exposurers. [Methods] Survey on symptoms of 1,2-DCE exposed workers was carried out, and further pathological features it caused on an intoxicated dead was assessed. Followed by establishment of 1,2-DCE poisoned model of rats in vivo by 1,2-DCE at various concentrations of 0, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0 g/m(3) for 12 h, named as "dose-effect groups". To observe the pathological progress tendency with extension of time after exposure, we designed another 4 groups of rats which were treated with 1,2-DCE at the concentration of 10.0 g/m3 and then sacrificed separately at 0, 2, 4, and 6 h after exposure, named as "time-effect groups". Structural alterations and water contents in cortex and medulla were analyzed in the animal models. [Results] The poisoned workers often displayed acute or subacute poisoning symptoms in central nervous system, demonstrate as toxic encephalopathy syndrome. Autopsy of a 1,2-DCE intoxicated victim showed extensive swell in the brain, and obvious edema was found in the electron micrographs. Profound abnormalities in morphology and significantly higher water contents in cerebral cortex and medulla were found in the 1,2-DCE poisoning models in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners, which were correlated with the increment of 1,2-DCE dosage. [Conclusion] In the present study, we primarily reported that 1,2-DCE could induce toxic encephalopathy, the pathological feature of which is cerebral edema. Poisoned animal model could be made by 1,2-DCE at dose-dependent and time-dependent manners.