NEURONAL DEGENERATION, ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC DISTURBANCES AND POLYSEROSITIS IN RATS PRODUCED BY IMINODIPROPIONITRILE AND PREVENTED BY 1-THYROXINE

Abstract

Paresis and/or paralysis, EEC disturbances and polyserositis were observed in rats after prolonged administration of β–β′-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN). Rats treated with thyroxine simultaneously to the administration of IDPN did not show paralysis or polyserositis and the electroencephalographic pattern of this group was completely normal whereas the intoxicated animals showed electroencephalographic abnormalities. Histopathological examination of the spinal cord demonstrated that IDPN induces basophilic degeneration of the anterior motor horn cells. Thyroxine also prevents this neuronal degeneration. The practical significance of this protection is pointed out.