Experimental studies on hydrocarbon neuropathies induced by methyl-ethyl-ketone (MEK).

摘要: An outbreak of neuropathies among Berlin solvent sniffers was closely related to the denaturation by methyl-ethyl-ketone (MEK) mixture used. The composed n-hexane, toluene and ethyl-acetate. Nervous system responses chronic repeated exposure 10,000 ppm pure MEK/n-hexane (ratio 1:9) 6000 MEK were investigated in rats. Motor neuropathy dying back type with giant swelling axons peripheral central nervous developed animals exposed n-hexane. Severe potentiation n-hexane neurotoxicity shortened onset morphological clinical signs demonstrated MEK/n-hexane. alone did not produce under these conditions. findings suggest that commercial mixtures containing should be avoided.