Abstract
Acute and chronic toxicity, topical effect and effects on blood pressure and respiration of monoethanolamine (MEA), a new CO2 absorbent in air, were studied histopathologically and pharmacologically. The following results were obtained.
1) MEA caused tonic and clonic convulsion and paralysis of motor nerves in mouse. Its LD50 was 0.335 ml/kg, when it was applied into mouse peritoneally.
2) Continuous daily application of MEA for 7 weeks caused decrease of body weight in guinea pig. In histopathological findings, bleedings in abdominal and thorax cavity were observed.
3) Topical application of MEA on skin caused hypertrophy of the stratum corneum, atrophy of fiber in corium and radix pili.
4) MEA caused inhibition of respiration and transient fall followed by elevation in blood pressure. The transient hypotension caused by MEA mainly due to the central effect, while hypertension caused by MEA due to the peripheral sympathomimetic effect.
