Central nervous system effect of 2,5-hexane diol.

Single exposure of 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg 2,5-hexanediol, (2,5 HD) a metabolite of n-hexane showed no significant effect on 3H-spiroperidol binding to corpus striatal membranes when compared with control animals, where as repeated exposure of 2,5-HD, 300 and 600 mg/kg caused a significant increase in 3H-spiroperidol binding. Data of the Scatchard analysis revealed a significant increase in the maximum number of binding sites (Bmax) without any significant alteration in the affinity of the receptor (KD). The effect of hexane diol appears to be reversible, as no significant effect was observed 7 days after the cessation of the treatment. The increase in amphetamine induced locomotor activity and apomorphine induced stereotypy in the animals exposed to repeated doses of 2,5-hexane diol suggests an increase in the sensitivity of the receptors. The biochemical and behavioral studies suggests the involvement of dopaminergic transmitter function in the neurotoxicity of 2,5-HD.