THE NEUROTOXICITY OF ORGANIC-SOLVENTS STUDIED USING SYNAPTOSOMES AND NEURAL CELL-CULTURES

The most common acute neurotoxic effect of organic solvents is their c entral nervous system (CNS) depressant effect. The molecular mechanism underlying this effect is not known. The purpose of our studies has b een to evaluate the adverse effects of organic solvents on the CNS in vitro. Synaptosomal membranes, whole brain reaggregate and astrocyte c ultures were studied. Our results suggest that cell membrane integral proteins are targets for solvent impact, but that there are difference s among various cell types. In addition to lipophilicity, the structur e of solvent molecules seems to be important when considering CNS toxi city. Organic solvents increase the fluidity of the membranes, which m ay disturb the lipid-protein interaction and the optimal functioning o f the enzyme. However, direct effects of solvents on proteins cannot b e excluded. In vitro cell models can be used in methods designed to pr edict acute neurotoxic effects of foreign compounds, and in studies of neurotoxic mechanisms.