[Effect of acute phosgene inhalation on antioxidant enzymes, nitric oxide and nitric-oxide synthase in rats].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To study the effect of acute phosgene inhalation on the antioxidant enzymes, nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in rats.

METHODS:

Phosgene was produced by decomposing bis (trichdomethyl) carbonate in the presence of N,N-dimethyl formamide. SD rats were randomly divided into two groups: control and phosgene exposure groups. In a special experimental device with equipment modulating the gas flow, phosgene exposed rats inhaled phosgene quantitatively for five minutes. Two hours later, all the rats were sacrificed and the ratio of wet weight to dried weight of lung (WW/DW) was calculated. Peripheral blood, serum and liver were collected to examine the activities of antioxidant enzymes including glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), NOS, and NO level. The total content of proteins were also determined.

RESULTS:

The WW/DW ratio of lung in phosgene exposure group was much higher than that in control group (P < 0.01). The activities of GST in serum and liver of phosgene exposure group increased significantly (P < 0.05). The activities of SOD, CAT, GSHPx and NOS in serum or blood and liver of phosgene exposure group were also increased significantly (P < 0.05). But the content of NO was significantly decreased (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION:

Acute phosgene inhalation may cause a dramatically changes of several antioxidant enzyme activities, and acute injury of liver to some extent in rats. The latter is related to reactive oxygen species. But the elevation of antioxidant enzyme activities suggests that antioxidative treatment for acute phosgene poisoning should not be considered first.

• Authors: Xu-jun Qin, Chun-xu Hai, Xin Liang, Peng Wang, Hong-li Chen, Rui Liu
• Journal: Zhonghua lao dong wei sheng zhi ye bing za zhi = Zhonghua laodong weisheng zhiyebing zazhi = Chinese journal of industrial hygiene and occupational diseases (Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi) Vol. 22 Issue 3 Pg. 200-2 (Jun 2004) ISSN: 1001-9391 [Print] China
• PMID: 15256156 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Chemical Warfare Agents
• Phosgene
• Nitric Oxide
• Glutathione Peroxidase
• Nitric Oxide Synthase

Topics

• Animals
• Antioxidants (metabolism)
• Chemical Warfare Agents (poisoning)
• Glutathione Peroxidase (metabolism)
• Male
• Nitric Oxide (metabolism)
• Nitric Oxide Synthase (metabolism)
• Phosgene (poisoning)
• Poisoning (enzymology)
• Random Allocation
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley