Role of GABA receptor complex in low dose lindane (HCH) induced neurotoxicity: neurobehavioural, neurochemical and electrophysiological studies

Drug Chem Toxicol. 1998 Feb;21(1):35-46. doi: 10.3109/01480549809017849.

Abstract

Lindane is widely used as an insecticide and scabicide in mammals. High doses in chronic exposures caused hyperexcitability and convulsions and impaired motor activity involving GABA-ergic mechanism. To investigate the role of GABA/Benzodiazepine mechanism in the neurotoxicity of low doses of lindane, rats were administered 2, 3, or 5 mg/kg orally for 90 days and behavioural, electrophysiological, and neurochemical studies were conducted. The animals exposed to lindane exhibited increased geotaxis and decreased spontaneous drug-induced locomotor activity (which further potentiated by phenobarbitone and increased after leptazol). The EEG of the treated rats showed high voltage slow-wave activity (HVSA) patterns with occasional spindles (9-10 HZ-amplitude of 100 uv). A significant increase (p < 0.01) in GABA levels in cerebellum and significant increase in benzodiazepine receptors in cerebellar membrane measured by (3H)flunitrazepam binding were observed in the animals exposed to 3 and 5 mg lindane. The study suggests that low dose chronic exposure of lindane causes neurobehavioral, neurochemical, and electrophysiological effects involving GABA-ergic mechanism(s).

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / physiology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Electroencephalography / drug effects
  • Hexachlorocyclohexane / toxicity*
  • Insecticides / toxicity*
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Receptors, GABA / analysis
  • Receptors, GABA / drug effects*
  • Receptors, GABA / physiology
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / analysis

Substances

  • Insecticides
  • Receptors, GABA
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Hexachlorocyclohexane