What is it about?
The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the antidotal potencies of methylprednisolone (soluble form, Lemod-solu®), nimesulide, N-acetylcysteine (Fluimucil®) and their combinations in rats treated with 1.0 LD50 (0.23 mg/kg) of trichothecene mycotoxin, T-2 toxin. Their antidotal efficacy was investigated by monitoring their effects on general condition, 24-hour-survival, body weight gain, food and water consumption and pathohistological changes in the gut of Wistar rats acutely treated with a single injection of T-2 toxin during a 4-week period. The highest protective index was obtained with methylprednisolone (2.43). Initial loss of body weight (after first 7 days) was found only in T-2 toxin group. During the whole experiment, in poisoned rats protected by methylprednisolone or methylprednisolone and nimesulide, a significant increase (p<0.001) in body weight gain, food and water consumption in comparison with T-2 toxin group was found. At the end of the experiment, N-acetylcysteine, nimesulide and their combination assured higher (p<0.05) weight gain, food and water consumption in comparison with T-2 toxin group. Signs of hemorrhagic diathesis and necrosis of the gut crypt epithelium and lymphoid tissues were found in the T-2 toxin group. Some of these histological alterations were presented in the gut of poisoned rats treated by nimesulide, Nacetylcysteine and their combination. The gut of T-2 toxin rats treated with a combination of methylprednisolone and nimesulide and especially methylprednisolone alone had a histological structure similar to the control group. These results clearly show that methylprednisolone, a well-known anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drug, exerts the best antidotal effect against T-2 toxin intoxication in rats.
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Why is it important?
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of soluble form of methylprednisolone (Lemod-solu®; MP), nimesulide (NM), N-acetylcysteine (Fluimucil®; NAC) and their combinations on general condition, 24-hours survival, body weight gain, food and water consumption and pathohistological changes in the gut of rats acutely poisoned with 1.0 LD50 T-2 toxin.
Perspectives
This result is probably a consequence of the fact that methylprednisolone acts long enough to cover the peak of the T-2 toxin harmful effects. On the other hand, nimesulide and N-acetylcysteine does start to act soon enough to counteract the first T-2 toxin-induced manifestation of poisoning, but not the later ones. However, this choice could be important for the treatment of repeated or subacute poisonings.
Research Professor Vesna Jaćević
National Poison Control Centre, Military Medical Academy & Medical Faculty, University of Defence, Belgrade, Sebia
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Gastroprotective effects of novel antidotal combination in rats acutely poisoned by T-2 toxin, Acta veterinaria, January 2010, National Library of Serbia,
DOI: 10.2298/avb1006461j.
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