Date of Award

3-2000

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Michael L. Shelley, PhD

Abstract

Following the Gulf War there were many concerns raised about human exposure to the combination of chemicals and stress. Stress causes several changes in basic functions of a human body, from breathing and blood flow changes to hormonal and enzyme changes, and increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier. Each of these changes can strongly influence chemical uptake, distribution, and accumulation in the body. The purpose of this thesis was to model and predict the changes that will occur when stress is combined with chemical exposure. Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling is one tool that can be used to visualize, predict, and generate a hypothesis about chemical exposures. A PBPK model was developed that simulated human tissue compartments during chemical exposure and different levels of exercise. The PBPK model developed is a valid tool for helping explain and predict the fate and transport of a chemical on an individual under stress. The results suggest that the brain compartment is of high importance when addressing the uptake of chemicals during exercise. The maximal uptake of a chemical from the blood-brain barrier, as well as the decreased enzymatic levels in the brain compartment have been identified as key parameters for further study.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GEE-ENV-00M-16

DTIC Accession Number

ADA377269

Comments

The author's Vita page is omitted.

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