Disruption of gas exchange in mice after exposure to the chemical threat agent phosgene.

Abstract

The use of chemical warfare agents, such as the pulmonary irritant gas phosgene, is a real and constant threat not only from belligerent nations but from terrorist groups as well. Phosgene is both easy and inexpensive to produce and as such is a potential candidate for use as a threat agent. Phosgene attacks the deep lung after inhalation and can severely compromise pulmonary mechanics and gas exchange, rendering the exposed individual incapacitated. If exposure is severe, death can ensure by asphyxiation secondary to pulmonary edema formation. This paper examines the effects on lung tissue in mice over 24 hours after exposure to the irritant gas phosgene. Exposure to phosgene produced respiratory acidosis by decreasing pH, partial pressure of oxygen, O2 saturation, and increasing partial pressure of carbon dioxide. Exposure to phosgene also induced temporal increases in lung tissue gravimetric parameters such as lung tissue wet weight/dry weight ratio, which is a positive indicator of pulmonary edema formation, and dry lung weight, an indicator of lung cellular hyperaggregation. Blood gases and pH tend to normalize within 24 hours, whereas gravimetric parameters remain increased. Temporal changes in these physiological indicators of lung injury may help to explain why past exposures to phosgene required lengthy hospitalization.

• Authors: A M Sciuto, T S Moran, A Narula, J S Forster
• Journal: Military medicine (Mil Med) Vol. 166 Issue 9 Pg. 809-14 (Sep 2001) ISSN: 0026-4075 [Print] England
• PMID: 11569447 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Chemical Warfare Agents
• Phosgene

Topics

• Analysis of Variance
• Animals
• Chemical Warfare Agents (adverse effects)
• Lung (drug effects, physiopathology)
• Male
• Mice
• Phosgene (adverse effects)
• Pulmonary Gas Exchange (drug effects)