Inhalation toxicology
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Inhalation toxicology · Feb 2006
Serum levels of NT-ProBNP as an early cardiac marker of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning may cause cardiotoxicity. The natriuretic peptides, including atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-BNP, and NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide), are endogenous cardiac hormones that may be secreted upon myocardial stress. The aim of this study was to assess the plasma NT-proBNP level in acute CO poisoning and to compare it with healthy control. ⋯ There was a positive correlation between the COHb and the NT-proBNP (r = 0.829, p < 0.01), and between the COHb and the CK (r = 0.394, p < 0.01). There was no difference between groups in other parameters, all of which were within normal range. Thus, in this study we showed that the plasma NT-proBNP level may contribute to the early diagnosis of cardiotoxicity in patients with carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Inhalation toxicology · Dec 2005
Consequences of brief exposure to high concentrations of carbon monoxide in conscious rats.
Exposure to high-concentration carbon monoxide (CO) is of concern in military operations. Experimentally, the physiologic manifestations of a brief exposure to elevated levels of CO have not been fully described. This study investigated the development of acute CO poisoning in conscious male Sprague-Dawley rats (220-380 g). ⋯ Blood pH was unaltered and no death occurred in rats exposed to CO at concentrations <6000 ppm, although COHb saturations were elevated to 14.52, 29.94, and 57.24% in the 1000, 3000, and 6000 ppm groups, respectively. These results suggest that brief exposure to CO at concentrations <10,000 ppm may produce some significant physiological changes. However, exposure to CO at concentrations >10,000 ppm for brief periods as short as 5 min may change RMV, resulting in acute respiratory failure, acidemia, and even death.
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Inhalation toxicology · Oct 2005
Comparative StudyLate respiratory complications of mustard gas poisoning in Iranian veterans.
Mustard gas or sulfur mustard (SM) is an alkylating chemical warfare agent that was widely used during the World War I and in the Iran-Iraq conflict. We aimed to study late toxic effects of SM on the respiratory system of severely intoxicated Iranian veterans. Respiratory examination, spirometry, arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis, and high resolution computed tomograpghy (HRCT) of the chest were performed on all severely SM-poisoned veterans in the province of Khorasan, Iran. ⋯ While there was a significant correlation (p<0.05) between ABG and spirometric results, the severity grades of HRCT abnormalities revealed a significant correlation (p<0.05) only with PaO2. We concluded that SM-induced respiratory complications tend to progress over the years. While spirometry is a valuable diagnostic tool for evaluation of pulmonary impairment during regular follow-ups, ABG and HRCT are more objective and should be more considered for evaluation of the severity and for diagnosis of the respiratory complications.
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Inhalation toxicology · Jan 2005
Gene expression pattern in spontaneously hypertensive rats exposed to urban particulate matter (EHC-93).
Epidemiological studies show associations of short-term exposure to particulate matter with morbidity and mortality. Although many studies investigate the health effects of ambient particulate matter, the associated mechanisms, and the causality, they often focus on classical parameters. The objective of the present study was to gain insight into the roles of a wide range of genes in this process. ⋯ They include genes involved in an oxidative stress response (hemeoxygenase-1, metallothioneins, and thioredoxin reductase), an inflammatory response macrophage inflammatory protein-2, and tumor necrosis factor alpha), transcription factors belonging to the activating protein-1 family, and genes involved in cardiovascular functions. The present study, although not representing an ambient situation, is used to identify the biological pathways implicated in the initial injury response to PM exposure. Using Affymetrix chips, this study shows time-dependent gene expression, it identifies many genes that can be affected by exposure to particulate matter, and it confirms the involvement of oxidative stress in particulate-matter-related effects.
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Inhalation toxicology · Dec 2004
Long-term pulmonary histopathologic changes in rats following acute experimental exposure to chlorine gas.
In this study, we aimed to investigate the long-term histopathologic changes in the lungs of rats exposed to a high concentration of chlorine gas. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: the control group (group I) (n = 8), early-examined group (group II) (n = 8), and late-examined group (group III) (n = 8). ⋯ Interstitial fibrosis and thickening of the alveolar septa were observed in group III. These findings suggest that the people using these cleaning agents are at risk of harming themselves, and the victims of chlorine gas injury should be reexamined at a later period since they may have pulmonary damage even after 45 days of exposure.