An experimental study on the combined effects of n-hexane and toluene on the peripheral nerve of the rat

Abstract

An electrophysiological study was undertaken to determine whether toluene affected the neurotoxicity of n-hexane. Separate groups of eight rats were exposed to 1000 ppm n-hexane, 1000 ppm toluene, 1000 ppm n-hexane plus 1000 ppm toluene, or fresh air in an exposure chamber for 12 hr a day for 16 weeks. The body weight, motor nerve conduction velocity, motor distal latency, mixed nerve conduction velocities were measured before exposure; after 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks' exposure; and 4 weeks after exposure was discontinued. Exposure to 1000 ppm n-hexane considerably impaired the function of the peripheral nerve, but exposure to a mixture of 1000 ppm n-hexane plus 1000 ppm toluene resulted in only slight impairment; 1000 ppm toluene had little effect. These results strongly suggest that toluene decreases the toxic effects of n-hexane on the peripheral nerve.