Toxic neurofilamentous axonopathies and fast anterograde axonal transport. II. The effects of single doses of neurotoxic and non-neurotoxic diketones and beta, beta'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) on the rate and capacity of transport.

The site and mode of action of neurotoxic chemicals producing neurofilamentous axonopathies has been speculated to be the axonal transport system. The current study determined the effects of neurotoxic and non-neurotoxic gamma-diketones as well as beta, beta'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) upon both the rate and quantity of protein transported in the fast anterograde component of the rat sciatic nerve. 2,5-Hexanedione (2,5-HD), given as 4, 6 and 8 mmoles/kg single ip injections reduced the rate of transport by 18.4-24.7% but more significantly reduced the quantity of protein transported 50-63%. 3,4-Dimethyl-2,5-HD (3,4-DMHD) at single doses of 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0 mmoles/kg similarly reduced the rate and capacity of protein transport. The toxicants did not alter the uptake of leucine and synthesis of protein during the three hour time frame used to measure transport. Although high doses of IDPN reduced the rate of anterograde transport, this toxicant, as well as the non-neurotoxic diketones studied, had no effect upon the quantity of protein transported. Therefore, neurotoxic gamma-diketones which produce distal nerve degeneration had a common effect in decreasing the quantity of protein delivered to the nerve after just a single exposure.