Title
Biochemical and behavioral effects of soman vapors in low concentrations
Author
Bajgar, J.
Ševelová, L.
Krejčová, G.
Fusek, J.
Vachek, J.
Kassa, J.
Herink, J.
de Jong, L.P.A.
Benschop, H.P.
Publication year
2004
Abstract
Soman belongs to the most dangerous nerve agents because of the low effectiveness of the presently available antidotes. Soman acts by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) both peripherally and centrally, with a subsequent accumulation of neuromediator acetylcholine and other metabolic changes. From the data published in literature it can be concluded that exposure to nerve agents leading to acute effects or chronic exposure to nerve agents may lead to delayed and persistent adverse effects. The aim of this study was to demonstrate changes in AChE and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities, stressogenic markers (i.e., tyrosine amino-transferase [TAT] activity, and plasma corticosterone level), and neuroexcitability and behavior 24 h and 4 wk following a single soman inhalation exposure at low level. AChE activity in erythrocytes and BuChE activity in plasma was decreased (dependent on the dose of soman) 24 h and 4 wk after the exposure. A similar decrease in AChE activity in different brain parts was observed. One of the stressogenic parameters, TAT, was changed 24 h after exposure only. Behavior of experimental animals was changed 24 h after the exposure, and 4 behavioral parameters persisted 4 wk after the exposure. Neuroexcitability was increased at 24 h after the exposure and had become about normal 4 wk after the exposure. Summarizing, long-term effects (4 wk) were observed after inhalation exposure of guinea pigs to sublethal concentrations of soman.
Subject
Antidote
Erythrocyte enzyme
Nerve gas
Acute toxicity
Animal experiment
Animal model
Behavior
Brain
Corticosterone blood level
Enzyme activity
Enzyme blood level
Enzyme inhibition
Erythrocyte level
Exposure
Female
Guinea pig
Long term exposure
Nerve excitability
Symptomatology
Administration, inhalation
Animals
Behavior, animal
Dose-response relationship, drug
Enzymes
Erythrocytes
Animalia
Cavia
Cavia porcellus
Sus scrofa
Acetylcholine, 51-84-3, 60-31-1, 66-23-9
Acetylcholinesterase, 9000-81-1
Cholinesterase, 9001-08-5
Corticosterone, 50-22-6
Soman, 96-64-0
Tyrosine aminotransferase, 9014-55-5
Acetylcholinesterase, EC 3.1.1.7
Butyrylcholinesterase, EC 3.1.1.-
Chemical warfare agents
Cholinesterase inhibitors
Cholinesterases, EC 3.1.1.8
Enzymes
Tyrosine transaminase, EC 2.6.1.5
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:8599f213-a999-4e2e-a7a8-7b4dd9dff294
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/08958370490442430
TNO identifier
237879
ISSN
0895-8378
Source
Inhalation Toxicology, 16 (16), 497-507
Document type
article