Low-Level Inhalation Exposure to Chemical Nerve Agent Vapor Induces Expression of Neuronal Apoptosis and Regeneration Genes

摘要

For over a decade following end of the first Gulf War in 1991, there has been increasing concern to understand the immediate and persistent effects of sub-acute and low-level exposures to chemical warfare agents. Although low- level exposures may not cause obvious pathology at the time of exposure, they may cause molecular-level toxic injuries in the brain and other vital organ systems. The work described in this manuscript was designed to the measure the gene and protein expression alterations in the brains of male and female rats exposed to sub- and peri-miotic levels of the aerosolized nerve agents sarin (GB) and cyclosarin (GF). Gene expression was assessed using DNA microarray analysis. The microarray data were verified by real-time RT -PCR and Western immunoblotting were possible.