EFFECTS OF 4-METHYLCATECHOL, A STIMULATOR OF ENDOGENOUS NERVE GROWTH-FACTOR SYNTHESIS, ON EXPERIMENTAL ACRYLAMIDE-INDUCED NEUROPATHY IN RATS

Acrylamide monomer (ACR) causes central-peripheral distal axonopathy. We induced neuropathy in rats by means of ACR injection as an experime ntal model of the dying-back type of peripheral neuropathy to assess t he potential efficacy of 4-methylcatechol (4-MC), a potent stimulator of endogenous nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis, as a therapeutic ag ent for the axonal nerve lesion. ACR-induced neuropathy in rats result ed in a dying-back type of axonal degeneration, and a statistically si gnificant reduction in motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), and den sity of large myelinated fibers. We administered 4-MC and ACR together to rats intraperitoneally and found improved clinical signs, and sign ificantly more NGF content in sciatic nerves, faster MNCV, and greater myelinated fiber density than in rats given ACR alone. These findings suggest that 4-MC can prevent the progression of ACR-induced neuropat hy and decreased NGF levels may be involved in the pathogenesis of ACR neuropathy. (C) 1995 Intox Press, Inc.