Effect of single dichloromethane administration on the adrenal medulla of male albino rats.

Adult male albino rats received a single dose of dichloromethane (DCM) orally. In response to administrations of DCM, 6.2 or 9.4 mmol/kg body mass, urinary catecholamine excretion increased significantly. 4 h and 48 h following a single DCM dose of 15.6 mmol/kg body mass, morphological investigations revealed cytological changes and a distinct reduction of chromaffin reaction in the adrenal medulla. The norepinephrine contents of cells were decreased strongly 4 h after DCM administration and increased weakly again, but distinct reduced in comparison with the control animals 48 h later. The mean nuclear volumes in the norepinephrine and epinephrine cells were enhanced significantly 4 h as well as 48 h after acute DCM intoxication.