[Use of oximes in the therapy of acute intoxication by organophosphorus compounds]

The treatment of patients who consumed lethal doses of various organophosphorus compounds (OP) still remains a great challenge to clinical toxicologists. The oximes in combination with atropine and diazepam are an integral part of the treatment of acute intoxications with organophosphate. Treatment with atropine, which relieves the muscarinic effects of acetylcholine and anticonvulsive agents (diazepam) is well established. However, the effectiveness of oxime compounds in counteracting the effect of intoxication in still a matter of debate. Based on literature reports, opinions are presented concerning the role of oximes in the treatment of intoxications by various OP.

In vitro reactivation of acetylcholinesterase inhibited by cyclosarin using bisquaternary pyridinium aldoximes K005, K033, K027 AND K048

We have tested four new bisquaternary pyridinium acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) reactivators - K005 (1,3-bis(2-hydroxyiminomethylpyridinium) propane dibromide), K033 (1,4-bis(2-hydroxyiminomethylpyridinium) butane dibromide), K027 (1 -(4-hydroxyiminomethylpyridinium)-3-(4-carbamoylpyridinium) propane dibromide) and K048 (1-(4-hydroxyiminomethylpyridinium)-4-(4-carbamoylpyridinium) butane dibromide) as the potential reactivators of AChE inhibited by cyclosarin. Their reactivation potencies were studied using standard in vitro reactivation test. Rat brain homogenate was used as the source of the enzyme. Oxime K033 seems to be the most potent reactivator of cyclosarin-inhibited AChE. Its reactivation potency is significantly higher than the efficacy of all other tested AChE reactivators.

Reactivation of organophosphate-inhibited acetylcholinesterase by quaternary pyridinium aldoximes

We investigated the relationship between the chemical structure of acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) reactivators and their potency in reactivating this enzyme, after prior inhibition by VX (O-ethyl-S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl)-methylthiophosphonate), tabun, sarin, and cyclosarin. The oximes, pralidoxime (2-PAM), HI-6 [1-(2-hydroxyiminomethylpyridinium)-3-(4-carbamoylpyridinium)-2-oxa-propane dichloride], obidoxime and HS-6 [1-(2-hydroxyiminomethylpyridinium)-3-(3-carbamoylpyridinium)-2-oxa-propane dichloride] were used as representatives of the group of AChE reactivators. Rat brain AChE was used as the appropriate source of the enzyme. Our results confirm that there is no single broad-spectrum oxime suitable for the treatment of poisoning with all highly toxic organophosphorus agents.

Reactivation and aging kinetics of human acetylcholinesterase inhibited by organophosphonylcholines

A great number of structurally different organophosphorus compounds (OPs) was synthesized in the past decades to be used as pesticides or chemical warfare agents. Methyl-fluorophosphonylcholines were found to be highly toxic OPs and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivator pralidoxime was shown to be unable to reactivate inhibited AChE. In the course of the development of more effective AChE reactivators, we have determined the reactivation rate constants of various oximes with human AChE inhibited by methylfluorophosphonylcholine (MFPCh), methylfluoro-beta-phosphonylcholine (MFP beta Ch) and methylfluorophosphonylhomocholine (MFPhCh). In addition, we investigated the potential influence of aging phenomena on the oxime efficacy. Human AChE inhibited by MFPCh, MFP beta Ch or MFPhCh was extremely resistant towards reactivation by oximes. Nevertheless, the newer compounds, HLö 7 and HI 6, were substantially more potent reactivators than obidoxime and pralidoxime. The low oxime efficacy was not due to rapid aging since no decrease in reactivatability was found over 96 h at 37 degrees C. Within this period a substantial spontaneous reactivation was observed, with MFPCh >MFP beta Ch >MFPhCh, which did not follow pseudo-first-order kinetics. In conclusion, the unexpected results, i.e., high resistance of inhibited AChE towards oxime reactivation and aging, and much lower resistance towards spontaneous reactivation, calls for further experiments at a molecular level for a better understanding of the interactions among AChE, its inhibitors and reactivators.

Metoclopramide protection of cholinesterase from paraoxon inhibition

This study evaluated the protective effect of the benzamide compound metoclopramide (MCP) against inhibition by paraoxon (POX) as assessed by red blood cell acetylcholinesterase (RBC-AChE) activity. Three groups of 6 rats each were used. All substances were applied ip daily for 5 d, followed by a 2-d rest. The 7-d cycle was repeated 6 times. Group 1 received 100 nM POX, Group 2 received 50 microM MCP. Group 3 received 100 nM POX + 50 microM MCP. Red blood cell acetylcholinesterase measurements were performed at base line and then after each 7-d cycle. Enzyme activities were compared using the Mann-Whitney rank order test. Metoclopramide conferred significant in vivo protection from inhibition of RBC-AChE by POX.

Myosin II is present in gastric parietal cells and required for lamellipodial dynamics associated with cell activation

Nonmuscle myosin II has been shown to participate in organizing the actin cytoskeleton in polarized epithelial cells. Vectorial acid secretion in cultured parietal cells involves translocation of proton pumps from cytoplasmic vesicular membranes to the apical plasma membrane vacuole with coordinated lamellipodial dynamics at the basolateral membrane. Here we identify nonmuscle myosin II in rabbit gastric parietal cells. Western blots with isoform-specific antibodies indicate that myosin IIA is present in both cytosolic and particulate membrane fractions whereas the IIB isoform is associated only with particulate fractions. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrates that myosin IIA is diffusely located throughout the cytoplasm of resting parietal cells. However, after stimulation, myosin IIA is rapidly redistributed to lamellipodial extensions at the cell periphery; virtually all the cytoplasmic myosin IIA joins the newly formed basolateral membrane extensions. 2,3-Butanedione monoximine (BDM), a myosin-ATPase inhibitor, greatly diminishes the lamellipodial dynamics elicited by stimulation and retains the pattern of myosin IIA cytoplasmic staining. However, BDM had no apparent effect on the stimulation associated redistribution of H,K-ATPase from a cytoplasmic membrane compartment to apical membrane vacuoles. The myosin light chain kinase inhibitor 1-(5-iodonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-1H-hexahydro-1,4-diazepine (ML-7) also did not alter the stimulation-associated recruitment of H,K-ATPase to apical membrane vacuoles, but unlike BDM it had relatively minor inhibitory effects on lamellipodial dynamics. We conclude that specific disruption of the basolateral actomyosin cytoskeleton has no demonstrable effect on recruitment of H,K-ATPase-rich vesicles into the apical secretory membrane. However, myosin II plays an important role in regulating lamellipodial dynamics and cortical actomyosin associated with parietal cell activation.

Two possible orientations of the HI-6 molecule in the reactivation of organophosphate-inhibited acetylcholinesterase

The inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by organophosphorus compounds (OPs) causes acute toxicity or death of the intoxicated individual. One group of these compounds, the OP nerve agents, pose an increasing threat in the world due to their possible use in the battlefield or terrorist acts. Antidotes containing oxime compounds to reactivate the inhibited enzyme are highly valued for treatment against OP poisoning. One of these reactivators, HI-6, was shown to be significantly more effective in treating soman toxicity than other oximes, such as 2-PAM, TMB4, and obidoxime. However, HI-6 was less effective in reactivating AChE inhibited by the OP pesticide, paraoxon. In this study, the mechanism for HI-6-induced reactivation of OP-AChE conjugates was investigated using mouse mutant AChEs inhibited with different OPs including organophosphate paraoxon, and several methylphosphonates. Results indicate that the HI-6 molecule may assume two different orientations in the reactivation of AChE inhibited by organophosphate and Sp methylphosphonates. These conclusions were further corroborated by reactivation studies using an analog of HI-6 in which the bispyridinium moieties are linked by a methylene bridge rather than an ether oxygen.

Effect of atropine and the oxime HI-6 on low-level sarin-induced alteration of performance of rats in a T-maze

1. To study the influence of antidotes on low-level sarin-induced alteration of cognitive functions, male albino Wistar rats were exposed to three various low concentrations of sarin for 60 minutes in the inhalation chamber. One minute following sarin exposure, the rats were i.m. treated with the oxime HI-6 in combination with atropine. Control rats were treated with antidotes as experimental rats but exposed to the pure air instead of sarin. Cognitive functions of the rats were tested using a T-maze where spatial memory and spatial orientation were evaluated. The performance of sarin-exposed and treated rats in the T-maze was tested several times within six weeks (single exposure) or five weeks (repeated exposure) following inhalation exposure to evaluate cognitive impairments. 2. In the case of single exposure to sarin, no statistically significant differencies between the performances of the control and the experimental groups in the alteration of spatial memory and spatial orientation were observed. The repeated exposure of treated rats to clinically asymptomatic dose of sarin (LEVEL 2) did not change the effect of low-level sarin exposure on spatial memory of the experimental rats compared to the single exposure to the same dose of sarin. 3. The decrease in the T-maze performance of the control rats was caused by the impairments of rat's mobility due to the features of a solution of antidotes.

In vitro protection of plasma cholinesterases by metoclopramide from inhibition by paraoxon

Metoclopramide (MCP) is a dopamine receptor antagonist and serotonine receptor agonist widely used as an antiemetic and gastric prokinetic drug. In addition MCP is a reversible inhibitor of cholinesterases from human central nervous system and blood. MCP may have a cholinesterase protective effect against inhibition by organophosphates. The purpose of the study was to quantify "in vitro" by means of the IC(50)-shift the extent of MCP conferred protection, using paraoxon (POX) as an inhibitor. POX is a widely used organophospate responsible for a large number of accidental or suicidal exposures. Cholinesteratic activities (ChE) (with acetyl-thiocholine (A) and butyryl-thiocholine (B) as substrates) in human plasma were measured photometrically in the presence of different POX concentrations and IC(50) was calculated. Determinations were repeated in the presence of increasing MCP concentrations. It appears that the shift induced by the presence of MCP increases with the MCP concentration in a linear manner. In the presence of a clinically easily achievable plasma concentration of 1 micro M MCP the IC(50) of POX for ChE 'shifts' by a factor of approximately 2-3. The protective effect of metoclopramide on cholinesterases could be of practical relevance in the treatment of paraoxon poisoning. We conclude that in vivo testing of MCP as an organophosphate protective agent is warranted.

Intravenous pyruvic acid application in minipigs partially protects acetylcholine-esteratic but not butyrylcholine-esteratic activity in plasma from inhibition by paraoxon

Intoxications with organophosphorus compounds such as paraoxon (POX) are frequent. Oximes are the only enzyme reactivators clinically available. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that l-lactate reduces the inhibition of plasma acetylcholine-esteratic activity (AChEA) (in vitro and in vivo) and plasma butyrylcholine-esteratic activity (BChEA) (at least in vitro and possibly in vivo) by POX. However, a short infusion of 10 g of lactate was unable to elevate the plasma lactate level for >3 h. In this study we tested a substance related to l-lactate, i.e. pyruvic acid. The purpose of this animal experimental study (female minipigs with historical control group) was to determine in vivo whether intravenous (i.v.) pyruvic acid application under normoxic/normocapnic/normohydrogenaemic conditions is able to elevate blood lactate levels and whether it is able to protect AChEA and BChEA from POX inhibition. Animals were anaesthetized, intubated and mechanically ventilated. Each received 1 mg kg(-1) body wt. of POX in 50 ml of saline over 50 min and 10 g (ca. 0.5 g kg(-1) body wt.) of i.v. pyruvic acid in 50 ml of saline over 50 min. They were compared with a historical control group of six animals that received only 1 mg kg(-1) body wt. of POX in 50 ml of saline over 50 min. In central venous blood measurements of plasma AChEA and BChEA, the measurements were performed before (baseline), immediately after POX (50 min after start) and 110, 170, 230, 290, 530 and 1010 min after the start of infusion. A 10 g aliquot of i.v. pyruvic acid had a statistically significant protective effect in vivo on AChEA but not on BChE activity. Further study of the in vivo effects of pyruvic acid and l-lactate after paraoxon intoxication and a formal comparison with standard oxime therapy seems warranted. Also, a combination therapy with l-lactate and pyruvic acid in vivo should be investigated.

Structural bioinformatics and QSAR analysis applied to the acetylcholinesterase and bispyridinium aldoximes

The methods of bioinformatics, molecular modelling, and quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) using regression and artificial neural network (ANN) analyses were applied to develop safer aldoxime antidotes against poisoning by organophosphorus (OP) agents with high, mean, and low aging rates. We start here from a molecular modelling of the mouse AChE at an atomistic level. Aim is to predict qualitatively the structural requirements of an aldoxime that shows an unique reactivating activity against the three classes of OPs. An antidotal action should occur by a three-site mechanism: the aldoxime groups of the first pyridinium ring should point towards the catalytic site, and the second pyridinium ring and its substituents should be anchored at the peripherical and anionic subsites. Based on this model, it is predicted that a suitable substituent is based on an arginine-like moiety. Then, an ANN-based QSAR analysis using a training set of aldoximes with known structure and activities was applied. Its input layer consisted of seven nodes: the group-membership descriptors that parameterize the type of the OP, the logarithms of the distribution coefficients at pH 7.4 and their squared term, the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies, the scaled molar refractions of the substituents, and their squared term. It was shown that the qualitative prediction made by molecular modelling can be quantified by an ANN prediction.

Equipotent cholinesterase reactivation in vitro by the nerve agent antidotes HI 6 dichloride and HI 6 dimethanesulfonate

The well-documented efficacy of HI 6 dichloride in reactivating acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibited by nerve agents is curtailed by its poor water-solubility at temperatures below 10 degrees C. This drawback can be circumvented by using HI 6 dimethanesulfonate, which has been developed in our laboratory. Since investigations on the efficacy of this new entity are lacking, it has been proposed that some bridging experiments be performed, aimed at demonstrating reactivator equivalence in vitro. The reactivating properties of the two salts were compared on human erythrocyte AChE inhibited with paraoxon, sarin, cyclosarin and agent VX. The comparison was extended to cynomolgus erythrocytes exposed in vitro for sarin and VX. Finally, mouse diaphragm preparations were circumfused with sarin, cyclosarin and VX and reactivation by each of the HI 6 salts was examined in muscle homogenates. AChE activity in erythrocyte suspensions was monitored by a modified Ellman procedure, muscle AChE by a radiometric assay. In all models tested no differences between the HI 6 salts could be detected ( P=0.05). From these data, equipotency in AChE reactivation by the two HI 6 salts can be anticipated.

[Reactivation and aging of acetylcholinesterase in human brain inhibited by phoxim and phoxim oxon in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in human brain caused by phoxim or phoxim oxon, their reactivation with oxime and aging of phosphorylated AChE were studied and compared in vitro.

METHODS

Micro-colorispectrophotometric assay was used to determine the activity of AChE.

RESULTS

The pI(50) of inhibition of AChE in human brain by phoxim and phoxim oxon were 5.39 and 5.77, respectively, whereas the pI(90) were 4.60 and 5.00, respectively. The reactivation rate of 0.1 mmol/L of pralidoxime (2-PAM), obidoxime (LüH(6)), trimedoxime (TMB-4) and pyramidoxime (HI-6) for phoxim-inhibited AChE in human brain was 65%, 97%, 91% and 56%, respectively, and their reactivation rate for phoxim oxon-inhibited AChE in human brain was 97%, 87%, 99% and 89%, respectively. The optimal reactivator for phoxim and phoxim oxon-inhibited AChEs was LüH(6) and TMB-4, respectively. The half aging time of phoxim and phoxim oxon inhibited phosphorylated AChEs were 39 and 28 hours, respectively, and the 99% aging time were 256 and 186 hours, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

LüH(6) or TMB-4 should be used at the earlier as possible after poisoning with phoxim and phoxim oxon, and the reactivator should be consecutively used for more than seven days, even after their acute symptoms have been well controlled.

Reactivation kinetics of acetylcholinesterase from different species inhibited by highly toxic organophosphates

Standard treatment of poisoning by organophosphates (OP) includes the administration of an antimuscarinic agent, e.g. atropine, and of an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivator (oxime). The presently available oximes, obidoxime and pralidoxime (2-PAM), are considered to be insufficient for highly toxic OPs, e.g. sarin. In the past decades numerous oximes were prepared and tested for their efficacy in OP poisoning, mostly in animal experiments. However, data indicate that the reactivating potency of oximes may be different in humans and animal species, which may hamper the extrapolation of animal data to humans and may pose a problem in the drug licensing of new compounds. In order to provide data for a better evaluation of the reactivating potency of oximes, experiments were undertaken to determine the reactivation rate constants of several oximes with human, rabbit, rat and guinea-pig AChE inhibited by the OPs sarin, cyclosarin and VX. The results show marked differences among the species, depending on the inhibitor and on the oxime, and indicate that the findings from animal experiments need careful evaluation before extrapolating these data to humans.

O-Substituted derivatives of pralidoxime: muscarinic properties and protection against soman effects in rats

O-Substituted aldoximes of the cholinesterase reactivator pralidoxime (O-methyl 1, O-benzyl 2, O-propynyl 3 and O-butynyl 4 derivatives) were synthesized and found to exhibit strong binding affinities for muscarinic receptors in rat brain, heart and submandibulary glands. The aldoximes were noncompetitive antagonists of acetylcholine-induced contraction of the guinea pig ileum. A good correlation was observed between binding affinity and pK(B). Weak anticholinesterase activities were observed for these compounds. When given intracerebroventricularly into conscious rats before soman administration (0.9 LD(50), subcutaneously), the aldoximes, like atropine but not pralidoxime, protected against respiratory depression (3,4) and bradycardia (2). No protection against soman-induced pressor effects was noted. The protective effects of these aldoximes may be the outcome of compensatory mechanisms, of which the cholinergic receptor agonist and antagonist properties of these compounds may be important.

Identification of butyrylcholinesterase adducts after inhibition with isomalathion using mass spectrometry: difference in mechanism between (1R)- and (1S)-stereoisomers

Previous kinetic studies found that butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibited by (1R)-isomalathions readily reactivated, while enzyme inactivated by (1S)-isomers did not. This study tested the hypothesis that (1R)- and (1S)-isomers inhibit BChE by different mechanisms, yielding distinct adducts identifiable by peptide mass mapping with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Equine BChE (EBChE) was inhibited to <10% of control activity with each isomer of isomalathion and the reference compound isoparathion methyl. Control and treated enzyme was digested with trypsin, and peptides were fractionated with HPLC. Separated and unseparated peptides were analyzed with MALDI-TOF-MS. Identity of an organophosphorus peptide adduct was confirmed by fragmentation using postsource decay analysis. EBChE inhibited by (1R)-isomalathions or (S)-isoparathion methyl readily reactivated after oxime treatment with 30-40% activity recovered. Enzyme inactivated by (1S)-isomalathions or (R)-isoparathion methyl recovered <2% and <5% activity, respectively, after oxime treatment. MALDI-TOF-MS analysis revealed that inhibition of EBChE by (1R)-isomalathions and (R)- or (S)-isoparathion methyl yielded O,S-dimethyl phosphate adducts. Enzyme inactivated by (1S)-isomalathions produced only O-methyl phosphate adduct. EBChE modified by (1R)-isomalathions or either enantiomer of isoparathion methyl yielded an O-methyl phosphate adduct as well. The results indicate that EBChE inhibition by (1R)-isomalathions proceeds with loss of diethyl thiosuccinate, but inactivation by (1S)-isomers occurs with loss of thiomethyl as the primary leaving group followed by rapid expulsion of diethyl thiosuccinate to yield an aged enzyme. Furthermore, the data suggest that aging of the O,S-dimethyl phosphate adduct occurs via an S(N)2 process with loss of thiomethyl.

The use of carbamates, atropine, and 2-pyridine aldoxime methoiodide in the protection of Artemia salina against poisoning by carbophenothion

The acute toxicity of carbophenothion to three age classes of Artemia salina was evaluated. An increase in toxicity of carbophenothion was found following longer development of A. salina. The effect of pretreatment with the nonselective muscarinic antagonist atropine, the two reversible acetylcholinesterase-inhibitors physostigmine and pyridostigmine, and the cholinesterase-reactivating oxime 2-pyridine aldoxime methochloride (2-PAM) on carbophenothion-induced lethality in 24-h-old A. salina was also investigated. The lethal action of carbophenothion was completely prevented by pretreatment of A. salina with 2-PAM. Atropine and pyridostigmine afforded a maximal protection of approximately 87% and 72%, respectively, compared to control values. In contrast, physostigmine was ineffective. The inhibitory effects of combinations of 10(-5) M atropine with physostigmine, pyridostigmine, or 2-PAM were greater than those elicited by either drug alone, with the maximum protection afforded being 92.58%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. In the presence of 10(-7) M atropine, neither pyridostigmine nor 2-PAM provided additional inhibition of the lethality compared to that with either drug alone, whereas the protection afforded by 10(-7) M atropine plus physostigmine increased as the concentration of carbamate increased (up to 10(-3) M). Pretreatment with pyridostigmine or physostigmine plus 2-PAM (10(-6) M) slightly enhanced the maximal inhibition of carbophenothion lethality compared to that with either drug alone. It is suggested that the most active combined pretreatment studied here was physostigmine plus atropine.

Force spectroscopy between acetylcholine and single acetylcholinesterase molecules and the effects of inhibitors and reactivators studied by atomic force microscopy

Force spectroscopy between a single acetylcholinesterase (AChE) molecule and its natural substrates was performed, and the effects of inhibitors and reactivators on the force spectrum were studied with atomic force microscopy (AFM). The force spectrum between normal AChE and its substrates had its special shape. Inhibitors, which inhibit AChE by occupying the active center of the enzyme, could change the force spectrum shape noticeably. Reactivators, which reactivate the inhibited AChE by pulling the inhibitor off the active center of the enzyme, could make the normal shape of force spectrum reappear. This meant the shape features of the force spectrum could be used as a good index to observe the time course of the interactions between a single AChE molecule and its special inhibitors and reactivators in real time. The results of the real-time observation demonstrated that the inhibition times of soman and sarin on AChE were longer than 2 h and that of eserine, a reversible inhibitor of AChE, was 34 +/- 3 min. The reactivation time of HI-6 on soman-inhibited AChE was 6 +/- 2 min. These results indicated that AFM was a useful tool in pharmacology and toxicology, and could reveal time information of the interactions between AChE and its ligands.

Inhibitory effect of 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) on Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange current in guinea-pig cardiac ventricular myocytes

1. The effect of 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM), a 'chemical phosphatase', on Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange current (I(NCX)) was investigated using the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique in single guinea-pig cardiac ventricular myocytes and in CCL39 fibroblast cells expressing canine NCX1. 2. I(NCX) was identified as a current sensitive to KB-R7943, a relatively selective NCX inhibitor, at 140 mM Na(+) and 2 mM Ca(2+) in the external solution and 20 mM Na(+) and 433 nM free Ca(2+) in the pipette solution. 3. In guinea-pig ventricular cells, BDM inhibited I(NCX) in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC(50) value was 2.4 mM with a Hill coefficients of 1. The average time for 50% inhibition by 10 mM BDM was 124+/-31 s (n=5). 4. The effect of BDM was not affected by 1 microM okadaic acid in the pipette solution, indicating that the inhibition was not via activation of okadaic acid-sensitive protein phosphatases. 5. Intracellular trypsin treatment via the pipette solution significantly suppressed the inhibitory effect of BDM, implicating an intracellular site of action of BDM. 6. PAM (pralidoxime), another oxime compound, also inhibited I(NCX) in a manner similar to BDM. 7. Isoprenaline at 50 microM and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) at 8 microM did not reverse the inhibition of I(NCX) by BDM. 8. BDM inhibited I(NCX) in CCL39 cells expressing NCX1 and in its mutant in which its three major phosphorylatable serine residues were replaced with alanines. 9. We conclude that BDM inhibits I(NCX) but the mechanism of inhibition is not by dephosphorylation of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger as a 'chemical phosphatase'.

Cholinesterase inhibition by aluminium phosphide poisoning in rats and effects of atropine and pralidoxime chloride

AIM

To investigate the cholinesterase inhibition and effect of atropine and pralidoxime (PAM) treatment on the survival time in the rat model of aluminium phosphide (AlP) poisoning.

METHODS

The rats were treated with AlP (10 mg/kg; 5.55 x LD50; ig) and the survival time was noted. The effect of atropine (1 mg/kg, ip) and PAM (5 mg/kg, ip) was noted on the above. Atropine and PAM were administered 5 min after AlP. Plasma cholinesterase levels were measured spectrophotometrically in the control and AlP treated rats 30 min after administration.

RESULTS

Treatment with atropine and PAM increased the survival time by 2.5 fold (1.4 h+/-0.3 h vs 3.4 h+/-2.5 h, P < 0.01) in 9 out of 15 animals and resulted in total survival of the 6 remaining animals. Plasma cholinesterase levels were inhibited by 47 %, (438+/-74) U/L in AlP treated rats as compared to control (840+/-90) U/L (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This preliminary study concludes that AlP poisoning causes cholinesterase inhibition and responds to treatment with atropine and PAM.

The influence of anticholinergic drug selection on the efficacy of antidotal treatment of soman-poisoned rats

The influence of some anticholinergic drugs (atropine, benactyzine, biperiden, scopolamine) on the efficacy of antidotal treatment to eliminate soman (O-pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate)-induced disturbance of respiration and circulation and to protect experimental animals poisoned with supralethal dose of soman (1.5 x LD(50)) was investigated in a rat model with on-line monitoring of respiratory and circulatory parameters. While the oxime HI-6 in combination with atropine prevented soman-induced changes in monitored physiological parameters insufficiently and very shortly, the combination of HI-6 with benactyzine or biperiden is able to prevent soman-induced alteration of respiration and circulation much more longer. Nevertheless, only rats treated with HI-6 in combination with scopolamine were fully protected against the lethal toxic effects of soman within 2 h following soman challenge. Our findings confirm that anticholinergic drugs with the strong central antimuscarinic activity, such as benactyzine, biperiden and especially scopolamine, seem to be more effective adjuncts to HI-6 treatment of severe acute soman-induced poisoning than atropine.

Neuroprotective effects of currently used antidotes in soman-poisoned rats

The neuroprotective effects of antidotes (atropine, obidoxime, obidoxime/atropine mixture) on rats poisoned with soman at a sublethal dose (54 microg/kg, im, 80% of LD(50) value) were studied. The soman-induced neurotoxicity was monitored using a functional observational battery (FOB) and an automatic measurement of motor activity. The neurotoxicity of soman was monitored at 24 h and 7 days following soman challenge. The results indicate that obidoxime alone is not able to protect the rats from the lethal effects of soman. Three soman-poisoned rats treated with obidoxime alone died within 24 h. On the other hand, atropine alone or combined with obidoxime allows all soman-poisoned rats to survive within 7 days following soman challenge. Atropine alone and combined with obidoxime seems to be relatively effective antidotal treatment for the elimination of soman-induced neurotoxicity in the case of sublethal poisonings, although the antidotal mixture is significantly less effective than atropine alone because obidoxime can counteract the beneficial effects of atropine. Obidoxime appears to be practically ineffective to diminish soman-induced neurotoxicity. The neuroprotective effects of antidotal mixture consisting of atropine and obidoxime depend on the antimuscarinic effects of atropine only. Thus, the replacement of obidoxime by more effective acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivators is necessary to increase the neuroprotective efficacy of antidotal treatment in the case of soman poisonings.

[Effect of the cholinesterase reactivator dipyroxime in various models of delayed hypersensitivity during acute intoxication by acrylonitrile]

Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response with respect to sheep erythrocytes was studied on various models in CBA mice against the background of acute intoxication with nitrile acrylic acid (NAA). The effect of dipiroxime on the DTH response under these conditions was determined and the relationship of these reactions with the activity of alpha-naphthylbutyratesterase in splenic cells and popliteal lymph nodes was assessed. Dipiroxime partly recovered DTH in various experimental series (except for the reaction of suppressor cell transfer) by restoring the alpha-naphthylbutyratesterase activity in cells of the lymphoid organs studied.

Effect of diacetylmonoxime on blood enzymes in fenitrothion-dosed buffalo calves

The effect of iv diacetylmonoxime (DAM) alone or in combination with atropine was determined on blood enzymatic activities in fenitrothion-exposed buffalo calves. Fenitrothion given po at 435 mg/kg bw produced pronounced inhibition of blood acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and elevation in serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, acid and alkaline phosphatases, and lactate dehydrogenase within 30 min. The administration of DAM alone or in combination with atropine significantly reactivated AChE activity. The administration of DAM + atropine decreased serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase enzymes within 1-3 d. The reversal effect of DAM + atropine on serum phosphatases and lactate dehydrogenase was greater than that of DAM or atropine alone.

High-level expression of human butyrylcholinesterase gene in Bombyx mori and biochemical-pharmacological characteristic study of its product

The human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, EC 3.1.1.8) gene was highly expressed in Bombyx mori using baculovirus vector, and the biochemical-pharmacological properties of its product were studied. BChE cDNA was cloned into transfer vector pBn96 and co-transfected with wild-type Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) DNA into BmN cells. The recombinant virus with the highest enzyme activity was sorted out and purified. Once the BmN cells or silkworm larvae had been infected with the recombinant virus, recombinant human BChE (rhBChE) could be secreted into the culture medium or the hemolymph of the larvae at levels of 1.5 mg x L(-1) and 35 mg x L(-1), respectively. Western blot and enzymatic staining of the electrophoresis gel of non-denatured protein showed that rhBChE manifested similar antigenicity and enzyme activity to native human BChE (nhBChE). The production of rhBChE in the hemolymph was 23-fold higher than that in BmN cells and about 280-fold that in Chinese hamster overy cells (125 microg x L(-1)). This is the first report of human BChE expression in silkworm with the highest level of yield so far. rhBChE was highly similar to nhBChE in respect to substrate affinity, inhibitor sensitivity, and reactivity of the inhibited enzyme. It is suggested that rhBChE functions as well as nhBChE and has potential practical value.