Prolonged survival after experimental paraquat intoxication: role of alternative antioxidants

Since paraquat poisoning causes multiorgan damage through the generation of several redox products, the usual therapy includes antioxidative drugs, such as N-acetylcysteine. We investigated whether selected antioxidative drugs can improve survival from acute paraquat toxicity. Forty-eight male 2-3-mo-old Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups receiving paraquat dichloride in a single injection (11 mg/kg bw ip) I h before the administration of normal saline (control ip), S-carboxymethylcysteine (600 mg/kg bw po), propofol (100 mg/kg bw ip) or trimetazidine (10 mg/kg bw po). Animals were observed for 7 d. The median survival time in the control group was 3 d whereas it was 4 (p = 0.15), 4.5 (p < 0.05) or 5 (p < 0.05) d for the trimetazidine, S-carboxymethylcysteine or propofol-treated groups, respectively.