A study of the hemolytic effects of ethylene glycol ethers

Project manager: Lidia Zapór Ph.D.

Project summary:

The aim of this research task was a comparative assessment of the hemolytic effects of ethylene glycol ethers.Within the framework of the task, the hemolytic effects of the following glycol ethers were compared: 2-methoxyethanol (ME), 2-ethoxyethanol (EE), 2-isopropoxyethanol (IPE), 2-butoxyethanol (BE) and 2-phenoxyethanol (PhE) after single and 28-day subcutaneous administration of those compounds to rats. Also assessed was the hemolytic effect of AAAs, which are metabolites of EGEs, namely methoxyacetic acid (MAA), ethoxyacetic acid (EAA), isopropoxyacetic acid (PAA), butoxyacetic acid (BAA), pentoxyacetic acid (PEAA) and phenoxyacetic acid (PhAA) on human and rat erythrocytes in vitro. Also assessed was the magnitude of the effect of cytotoxic AAAs on Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO-9) cells in vitro. The effect of EGEs on the leukocyte system after single and repeated exposure to those compounds was studied, as well as the protective effect of pyrazole and methylpyrazole in acute butoxyethanol poisoning. An attempt was also made at studying the hemolytic mechanisms of EGEs. In order to do that, the effect of EGEs on the antihemolytic and redox potential of rat erythrocytes and on the peroxidate process in those cells was studied. Also assessed was the effect of AAAs on the ion balance in rat and human erythrocytes and the ability of those acids to chelate Ca and Mg ions in vitro. It was also indicated that the effect of BE on the protease-antiprotease balance and the hemostasis and fibrinolysis in vivo.

Unit: Department of Chemical and Aerosol Hazards

Duration: 01.01.2005 – 31.12.2007