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Related Experiment Videos

Low-level toluene disrupts auditory function in guinea pigs.

M L McWilliams1, G D Chen, L D Fechter

  • 1Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma, 1110 N. Stonewall, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73190, USA.

Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
|August 11, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Toluene exposure can temporarily impair hearing in guinea pigs, even at low concentrations. This auditory dysfunction is linked to reduced energy metabolism in hair cells, highlighting workplace safety concerns.

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Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Neuroscience
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Toluene is a common workplace chemical with potential adverse effects on the human auditory system.
  • Assessing toluene's ototoxicity is challenging due to co-exposure with noise and variability in workplace conditions.
  • Previous studies on toluene ototoxicity used high doses in rats, observing permanent hearing loss at 1000 ppm.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the acute effects of toluene on auditory function in guinea pigs at lower concentrations.
  • To identify the underlying mechanism of toluene-induced auditory impairment.
  • To assess the transition from temporary to permanent hearing loss.

Main Methods:

  • Auditory function was assessed using distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE).

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  • Hair cell energy metabolism was evaluated by measuring succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) staining density.
  • Guinea pigs were exposed to 250, 500, and 1000 ppm toluene for 8 hours/day, 5 days/week for 1 and 4 weeks.

    • Main Results:

    • Toluene exposure, even at 250 ppm, acutely disrupted auditory function in guinea pigs.
    • Higher concentrations (500 and 1000 ppm) resulted in greater acute auditory dysfunction.
    • Reduced SDH staining density in cochlear hair cells indicated impaired energy metabolism, particularly in the midfrequency region.

    Conclusions:

    • Low concentrations of toluene can cause temporary auditory impairment in guinea pigs.
    • Impaired auditory function is associated with reduced energy production in cochlear hair cells.
    • Further research is needed to understand the progression from acute effects to permanent hearing loss.