Diethylbenzene-induced sensorimotor neuropathy in rats.

The commercial isomer mixture of diethylbenzene (DEB mixture), 1,2-diethylbenzene (1,2-DEB), 1,3-diethylbenzene (1,3-DEB) and 1,4-diethylbenzene (1,4-DEB) were administered orally to male Sprague-Dawley rats. The experimental rats and the appropriate controls were examined electrophysiologically for motor and sensory conduction velocities (MCV and SCV), and for the amplitude of the sensory action potential (ASAP) of the tail nerve, at weekly or bi-weekly intervals. Oral administration of DEB mixture (750 or 500 mg kg-1, once daily, 5 days per week for 10 weeks) and 1,2-DEB (100 mg kg-1, once daily, 4 days per week for 8 weeks) produced a time-dependent decrease in MCV, SCV and ASAP. Rats treated with DEB mixture and 1,2-DEB exhibited a blue discoloration of tissues and urine. No changes in MCV, SCV and ASAP developed in rats administered orally with 1,3-DEP and 1,4-DEB (500 mg kg-1, once daily, 5 days per week for 8 weeks). The results indicate that 1,2-DEB is the isomer responsible for neurotoxicity and suggest that a metabolic pathway giving rise to coloured compounds is involved in the neurotoxicity of DEB.