Acute T-2 Intoxication: Physiologic Consequences and New Therapeutic Approaches
Abstract
The acute pathophysiological changes produced by Trichothecene mycotoxines are discussed. Symptoms reported following human attacks include a preponderance of autonomic symptoms, as well as blurred vision and convulsive movements, suggestive of involvement of the central nervous system. In experimental animals, a shock-like state accompanied by either paraplegia or ascending paralysis has been observed in several species. Taken together, these human and animal observations suggest that a major factor leading to death in cases of acute exposure may result from centrally mediated cardiovascular and/or respiratory depression. Dose response toxicology studies for T-2 toxin in the awake guinea pig demonstrated no significant mortality and only minimal morbidity at doses below 0.75 mg/kg; however, mortality rate was 37% for animals given a dose of 1 mg/kg i.v., and 73% for animals given a dose of 2 mg/kg i.v. T-2 toxin, at high doses, produces profound bradycardia and hypotension. The relative lack of effect of N-methylatropine, combined with the extremely large increase in plasma catecholamines, suggests that the central nervous system, and particularly central parasympathetic pathways, may play a critical role in mediating the shock state. The beneficial effects of TRH on blood pressure indicate that continuous infusions of TRH, or utilization of TRH-analogs with longer half-lives, may have a beneficial action on the cardiodepression which accompanies T-2 toxin administration.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA175213
Entities
People
- Alan I. Faden
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences