Evidence that isopropylthioxanthone (ITX) is devoid of anxiolytic and sedative effect

Enrico Campioli , Manuela Zavatti , Rossella Avallone , Giulia Puia , Gabriele Losi , Mario Baraldi (1)

1 Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences [Modena]

Isopropylthioxanthone (ITX) is a well known photoinitiator in UV-cured inks frequently used in milk packaging materials, yoghurt, ready to feed infant formula and other drinks. Traces of ITX has been found in milk and, as a consequence, there was a rising interest in the study of the biological activity of this molecule and its potential hazard for the human health. Although the ITX genotoxic effects have been excluded by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in USA is still examining its possible toxic potential depending on a dose-effect ratio. Little is known about the ITX activity on the function of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the cerebral neurotransmitters. Using behavioral, biochemical and electrophysiological tests, we reported that: (a) ITX did not exert in vivo anxiolytic or sedative effect, when administered orally to rats. (b) Did not affect the binding characteristics of central and peripheral benzodiazepine receptors studied in vitro. (c) Did not influence the ability of GABA to increase the chloride channel permeability studied by patch clamp technique in single neuron of cultured cerebellar granule cells.

Mots clés: Life Sciences

Enrico Campioli, Manuela Zavatti, Rossella Avallone, Giulia Puia, Gabriele Losi, et al.. Evidence that isopropylthioxanthone (ITX) is devoid of anxiolytic and sedative effect. Food Additives and Contaminants, 2010, 27 (03), pp.389-395. ⟨10.1080/19440040903367153⟩. ⟨hal-00573085⟩