Volatile Organic Compounds Inhibit Human and Rat Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes.

This manuscript provides evidence to indicate that rats and humans are equally sensitive at the pharmacodynamic level to effects of volatile organic compounds. ? This manuscript also presents novel data that provides a plausible mechanism, disruption of ion channel function,by which perchloroethylene (1,1,1,1-trichloroethylene) may produce acute neurotoxic effects. ? Experiments in this manuscript demonstrate that toluene and perchloroethylene (1,1,1,1-trichloroethylene) disrupt the function of human and rat neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. No species-related differences were observed for either toluene or perchloroethylene on these receptors. However, perchloroethylene was more potent than toluene, which is consistent with in vivo data. ? This information will help to reduce the uncertainty associated with extrapolation of data from rats to humans, and demonstrates the validity of using in vitro techniques to examine modes of action of volatile organic compounds.