Toxic neurofilamentous axonopathies and fast anterograde axonal transport: III. Recovery from single injections and multiple dosing effects of acrylamide and 2,5-hexanedione

Abstract

Fast anterograde axonal transport has been advanced as a potential site of action of acrylamide (ACR) and the neurotoxic γ-diketones in producing nerve degeneration. The segmental analysis method of axonal transport was used to measure the rate and quantity of protein transport in the rat sciatic nerve from 1 to 24 hr after a single injection of 50 mg/kg (0.7 mmol/kg) ACR or 4 mmol/kg 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD). The single injection of ACR or 2,5-HD resulted in an immediate reduction in transport quantity of 48 and 43%, respectively. Transport remained depressed for 16 hr; recovery occurred from 16 to 24 hr reaching control levels at 24 hr postinjection for both toxicants. Protein transport, measured immediately after the 2nd, 4th, 7th, and 10th injections, was reduced 36–38% by 50 mg/kg ACR and 30–43% by 4 mmol/kg 2,5-HD. Therefore, both ACR and 2,5-HD produce a transient and repeated compromise of fast anterograde transport during the dosing regimen which results in distal nerve degeneration. Assuming a rate of recovery after each subsequent dose similar to the first, the protein delivery to the axon was calculated to be reduced 29% by ACR and 22% by 2,5-HD. Current evidence supports the hypothesis that a toxicant-induced reduction in protein delivery to the axon by ACR and 2,5-HD contributes to development of axonal degeneration.