The Molecular Basis of Action of Abused Substances
Frank Lynn Iber in Alcohol and Drug Abuse as Encountered in Office Practice, 2020
Anesthetics and other inhaled agents are highly lipid-soluble, usually water-insoluble materials that dissolve specifically in the lipid plasma membranes of every cell in the body. Alcohol is both water- and lipid-soluble, and shares this property with anesthetic agents. When sufficient anesthetic agent has entered the plasma membrane to make up 1 or 2% of the volume, the properties of the membrane change such that the lipoproteins that must flip-flop through the membrane are retarded, so that function slows or even stops if enough more material is added. Volatile abused solvents, including toluene, benzene, ether, and nitrous oxide, share this property. During anesthesia, lighter doses affect the higher centers and produce a “high,” which for ether, toluene, and aerosols is prolonged. Larger doses produce progressive lethargy, interference with motor function, and unconsciousness; extreme doses produce brainstem depression and death.
Synthetic Approaches to Inhibitors of Isoprenoid Biosynthesis
Peter Grunwald in Pharmaceutical Biocatalysis, 2019
Subsequent reaction of (20) with phosphorous acid and phosphorous trichloride afforded analogue (19) in 38% yield (Scheme 2.4). Studies on the complex HsFPPS-racemic substrate (19) revealed that only R-isomer was present in the active site, highlighting a high enantioselectivity of the enzyme. Reagents and conditions: (i) aminoacetaldehyde dimethylacetal, toluene, 6 h, 110°C; then TFA, BF3 · Et2O, <10°C, 4 days; then Et2O, NH4OH to pH 9. (ii) sulfolane, (NO2)BF4, rt, 6 h. (iii) 10% Pd/C, H2, EtOH. (iv) MeOH · HCl, t-BuONO 0°C to rt, 4 h. (v) NaHCO3, MeOH, hν, 0°C, 3 h. (vi) 10% Pd/C, MeOH, rt, 5 h. (vii) NaOH, 58°C, 4 h. (viii) H3PO3, PCl3, toluene, 110°C, 4 h; then HCl, 100°C, overnight.
Licit and illicit drugs
Jason Payne-James, Richard Jones in Simpson's Forensic Medicine, 2019
Solvents such as toluene volatize at room temperature, allowing users to inhale the fumes, a practice referred to as ‘huffing’. Use of these agents and others such as glue, or gas fuel for cigarette lighters is much less common now than previously. Glue-sniffing was more frequent in the 1980s but still occurs. Clinical examination may reveal traces of the inhalant, such as glue, around an individual's mouth and face, with the persistent odour of the relevant inhalant. Some individuals may have evidence of singeing of beard or hair, or evidence of old burn injury to the face, as many of the agents used for such practices are highly flammable and do not associate well with lighted cigarettes. Toluene, as opposed to the solvents found in hair spray, dry-cleaning fluid and gasoline, is the agent most often responsible for fatal intoxication. The mechanism seems to be the disruption of normal cardiac electrical activity. Inhalation of any solvent will result in transient euphoria, headache and ataxia. Members of this group selectively destroy brain white matter, and a distinctive pattern can be identified in the MRI scans of chronic abusers. Solvents share some properties with other depressants such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines and even alcohol. However, the solvents, as a group, interact with so many different receptor subtypes that their actual mechanism of action remains unclear.
The exposure to BTEX/Styrene and their health risk in the tire manufacturing
Published in Toxin Reviews, 2022
Mehran Nazarparvar-Noshadi, Mehrdad Yadegari, Yousef Mohammadian, Yadolah Fakhri
Acute myelogenous leukemia and blood diseases, immune system damage, menstrual disorders, and changes are the adverse health effects of exposure to benzene (Boogaard and Van Sittert 1995, Lynge et al. 1997). Exposure to toluene can lead to multiple complications, including changes in the central nervous system, such as fatigue, dizziness, lack of coordination, delay in response time, and perceived person’s speed (Wexler 1998). ethylbenzene and xylene also cause respiratory and nervous problems (Substances and Registry 2010, Rajan and Malathi 2014). The health impacts of styrene are acute and chronic effects on the central and peripheral nervous system, decreased consciousness, changes in mental functioning, cognition, and emotions (Rebert and Hall 1994, Morgan et al. 1997, Sumner et al. 1997).
Semi-quantitative health risk assessment of exposure to chemicals in an aluminum rolling mill
Published in International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2021
Ashraf Sanjari, Reza Saeedi, Shokooh S. Khaloo
Fe2O3, Al and Mn were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP OES 710 ES; Varian, Australia) according to the NIOSH 7301 standard method [22]. Quantitative analysis of H2SO4 was done by ion chromatography (940 ProfIC; Vario, Switzerland) after desorption of the samples by carbonate/bicarbonate buffer solution according to the 7903 NIOSH standard method [23]. Benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene were determined by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC CP-3800; Varian, USA) after desorption of the samples using carbon disulfide according to the 1501 NIOSH standard method [24]. The SiO2 concentration was determined after digestion of the samples and measurement of the color of silicomolybdate at 420 nm by ultraviolet–vis spectrometry (AvaSpec-2048; Avantes, the Netherlands) according to the 7601 NIOSH standard method [25]. Counting of rock wool was done manually using a light microscope (Oxion Life Science Microscope, phase contrast; Euromex, UK) according to the 7400 NIOSH standard method [26].
Exposure to a mixture of 23 chemicals associated with unconventional oil and gas operations alters immune response to challenge in adult mice
Published in Journal of Immunotoxicology, 2021
Colleen T. O’Dell, Lisbeth A. Boule, Jacques Robert, Steve N. Georas, Sophia Eliseeva, B. Paige Lawrence
There is also considerable research into health effects from exposure to a mixture of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX; Bahadar et al. 2014; Bolden et al. 2015). Most BTEX research to date has focused on cancer; consequently, non-carcinogenic effects are less well-studied. Nonetheless, there is some evidence that the mammalian immune system is a target of the BTEX (Bolden et al. 2015; Wen et al. 2016; Li et al. 2018); although the majority of studies investigated the effects of exposure to each component individually rather than combined. Additionally, most studies of BTEX immunotoxicity focused on the developing immune system in children (Webb et al. 2014) rather than direct exposure to a fully mature adult immune system. While collectively these studies indicated some components of the 23-chemical mixture impart immunomodulatory effects, research into the effects of these chemicals as a mixture remains limited. Lastly, in many of the cited studies, the individual components were used at higher concentrations than those used in the present study.
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