Selective inhibition of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors in human IMR-32 cells by low concentrations of toluene

C.J.W. Meulenberg, H.P.M. Vijverberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Effects of the neurotoxic organic solvent toluene on human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) and gaminobutyric
acid type A (GABAA) neurotransmitter receptors were investigated in whole-cell voltage-clamped IMR-
32 neuroblastoma cells. Ion currents evoked by near maximum effective concentrations of 1 mM acetylcholine (ACh)
and 1 mM g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are inhibited by toluene in a concentration-dependent way. Concentration/
effect curves of toluene yield IC50 values of 2769/26 and 399/6 mM and slope factors of 1.49/0.2 and 0.89/0.1 for
inhibition of the ACh- and GABA-induced ion currents, respectively. The results demonstrate the selective inhibition of
human GABAA receptors by toluene at concentrations comparable with brain concentrations associated with
occupational exposure.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)243-248
Number of pages6
JournalToxicology
Volume190
Publication statusPublished - 2003

Keywords

  • Diergeneeskunde (DGNK)

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