Hepato- and Neurotoxicity by Ethylenethiourea

    June 1985 in “ PubMed
    G Ugazio, O. Brossa, Federico Grignolo
    TLDR Ethylenthiourea is toxic to the liver and nervous system, especially with alcohol.
    The study from 1985 investigated the hepato- and neuro-toxicity of Ethylenthiourea (ETU), focusing on its effects beyond the thyroid. It was found that ETU's lethality increased with accumulated doses, especially in male rats, and was exacerbated by ethanol but mitigated by phenobarbital. Acute ETU exposure significantly impaired liver triglyceride secretion, leading to steatosis, and long-term exposure reduced liver microsomal cytochrome P450. Over 30 weeks, 28.6% of animals died, while survivors experienced weight loss, alopecia (80% hair loss), conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and peripheral nervous system issues. The study highlighted the need to consider synergistic effects and non-traditional target organs when assessing environmental toxin tolerance.
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