Potential neurotoxic effect of ethylene glycol ethers mixtures

Background: ethylene glycol ethers (eges) are widely used as mixtures in various industrial processes and in many household products. 2-methoxyethanol and 2-ethoxyethanol primarily exert gonadotoxic effect,while 2-butoxyethanol and 2-isopropoxyethanol have potent hemolytic activity. eges can cross the blood-brain barrier,but their potential neurodegenerative action in vivo has not been investigated,yet. in the present work,we examined potential adverse effects of eges on some selected brain structures. methods: a mixture of two compounds: one with stronger hydrophilic properties (2-methoxyethanol or 2-ethoxyethanol) and the second more lipophilic (2-butoxyethanol or 2-isopropoxyethanol) were administered sc for 4 weeks. total antioxidant capacity,lipid peroxidation and caspase-3 activity were determined in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. results: it has been found that 4-week administration of a mixture of two eges,with various intensity,decreased total antioxidant capacity,enhanced lipid peroxidation and increased caspase-3 activity in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of wistar rat. conclusion: the obtained results suggested that eges exerted adverse effects on the cns cells and may contribute in pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. copyright © 2013 by institute of pharmacology polish academy of sciences.