Exposure to 4-methylimidazole as a food pollutant induces neurobehavioral toxicity in mother and developmental impairments in the offspring

Abstract

4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), is received to humans through the foods and other sources. We have investigated neurobehavioral and developmental toxicity of 4-MEI in mother and offspring in mice. Results in vivo, showed that 4-MEI (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg) can induce neurobehavioral toxicity in pregnant mice by abnormalities in the hippocampus and disrupt neurobehavioral functions. Observation on fetuses showed that 4-MEI induces abortion, decrease the weight and length of the fetus and pathological abnormalities. These results suggested 4-MEI induces neurobehavioral and developmental toxicity. It is hoped that these results will be helpful for awareness of humans which are exposed with 4-MEI.

Keywords:

• 4-methylimidazole
• developmental toxicity
• neurobehavioral toxicity
• abortion
• embryo-fetal toxicity

Disclosure statement

All authors express that they have any conflict of interest.