DIETHYLENE GLYCOL

Introduction:

 

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Background:

What is Diethylene Glycol?

 

Diethylene Glycol? What does it look like?

    • Diethylene glycol (DEG) is a sweet-tasting, colorless, nonodoriferous, hygroscopic liquid

 

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Where is Diethylene Glycol found?

  • Occupations or Materials 
    • Local or international automotive and cigarettes industry.
    • Diethylene Glycol manufactures:
      • Diethylene Glycol can be used as main component in antifreeze or braking fluid
      • Diethylene Glycol can be used and found in the making of cigarettes.

 

    Image source can be found here                       Image source can be found here

 

 

  • Mechanism of Action:(1)
    • DEG or Diethylene Glycol is metabolized in the liver via the same NAD-dependent pathway as ethanol.
    • DEG is later oxidized to 2-hydroxyethoxyacetaldehyde by NAD-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase
    • DEG is later metabolized even further to 2-hydroxyethoxyacetic acid (HEAA) by aldehyde dehydrogenase.
      • Demonstrations  of how DEG is metabolized and later excreted through the renal passage.

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      • Diethylene glycol is rapidly absorbed and distributed to the kidneys, brain, liver, spleen, and adipose tissue. The kidneys receive most of the DEG.(2)
  • Purpose: (3)
    • Even though Diethylene seem to be toxic, it serves a big purpose in the automotive industry by producing anti-freeze. Therefore, most cars would overheat or freeze without the use of anti-freeze.

 

  • Toxicokinectics:

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    • Absorption:(4)
      • Diethylene glycol is absorbed rapidly in the gastrointestinal tract; transcutaneous absorption is minimal through intact skin. No report of respiratory absorption is described.
    • Distribution:(4)
      • Diethylene glycol is distributed widely throughout the most perfused organs such as kidneys, brain, liver, spleen, and adipose tissue.
    • Metabolism:(4)
      • Diethylene glycol is metabolized in the liver and later it is oxidized to 2-hydroxyetoxyacetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase and then to 2-hydroxyethoxyacetic acid by aldehyde dehydrogenase.
    • Excretion: 
      • Diethylene glycol is excreted through the kidneys and later its out of the body by urination. Diethylene glycol can severely cause renal failure.
  • Toxicity 
    • Signs & Symptoms, Deficiency

 

   Abdominal Pain                 Kidney failing                     Confusion

 

  • Target Organs for Diethylene Glycol: Brain, GI tract, Renal, and systemic impacts

 

  • Historical Exposure:(1)
    •  The first mass poisoning was the sulfanilamide-Massengil disaster in the United States in 1937. DEG was used as a solvent in the elixir of sulfanilamide, an antibiotic
    • It was a substitute solvent for a good deal of pharmaceutical medicine because it was cheap.
    • Recent articles illustrated that this catastrophe led to the passage of the 1948 Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which requires drug manufacturers to demonstrate safety of the product prior to marketing.

 

  • Fun Facts: 
    • Diethylene Glycol was added into wine back in the centuries to have a sweeter taste. Little did they know, diethylene glycol is extremely toxic. Down below there is a video illustrating this interesting fact.

 

  • References:
  1. Diethylene Glycol Poisoning · California Poison Control System (CPCS). 20 Sept. 2018, calpoison.org/news/diethylene-glycol-poisoning.
  2. Marraffa, J.M. “Diethylene Glycol.” Encyclopedia of Toxicology (Third Edition), Academic Press, 14 Apr. 2014, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123864543004905.
  3. Sebastian, Manu. “Renal Toxicity.” Handbook of Toxicology of Chemical Warfare Agents, Academic Press, 22 Apr. 2009, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123744845000389.
  4. Devoti, E., Marta, E., Belotti, E., Bregoli, L., Liut, F., Maiorca, P., Mazzucotelli, V., & Cancarini, G. (2015). Diethylene Glycol Poisoning From Transcutaneous Absorption. American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 65(4), 603–606. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2014.07.032