Effects of HI 6, diazepam and atropine on soman-induced IL-1 beta protein in rat brain.

The current treatment for soman-intoxication is the oxime HI 6 together with the anticholinergic drug atropine. This antidote combination is known to have effects on seizures, respiratory system, blood pressure and animal survival in experiments. However, the inflammatory responses following soman-intoxication leading to neuronal damage have not been fully evaluated.

Soman-induced interleukin-1 beta mRNA and protein in rat brain.

Exposure to high doses of the toxic organophosphate compound soman, also known as a chemical warfare agent, causes a progression of toxic symptoms including hyper-secretions, convulsions, respiratory depression, and finally death. In previous studies, we have demonstrated pronounced effects following soman intoxication in dopaminergic, GABAergic, and cholinergic systems in rat brain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects on the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), indicated as mRNA and protein production, at different time intervals following soman intoxication.

Enzyme-based microassay for accurate determination of soman in blood samples.

Successful medical therapy for nerve agent intoxication requires early diagnosis and treatment. Current clinical diagnostic methods do not permit early or definitive confirmation of intoxication. To improve the chances of successful medical therapy against nerve agent intoxication, a sensitive enzyme-based microassay for rapid and accurate quantification of residual soman levels in blood was developed.

Pharmacokinetics and effects of HI 6 in blood and brain of soman-intoxicated rats: a microdialysis study.

The bispyridinium oxime HI 6 (1-(((4-amino-carbonyl)pyridino)methoxy)methyl)-2-(hydroxyimino )methyl)-pyridinium dichloride monohydrate), combined with atropine, is effective for treating poisoning with organophosphate nerve agents. The protective action of HI 6 in soman poisoning has been attributed mainly to its peripheral reactivation of inhibited acetylcholinesterase. In the present study we investigated whether high intramuscular doses of HI 6 can reach the brain in a sufficient amount to reactivate inhibited brain acetylcholinesterase.

The effect of the calcium antagonist nimodipine on the detoxification of soman in anaesthetized rabbits.

The effect of nimodipine, a vasoactive calcium antagonist, on the disappearance of soman from blood was studied in anaesthetized rabbits intoxicated with soman (10.8 micrograms kg-1 i.v.