Interaction of exposure concentration and duration in determining acute toxic effects of sarin vapor in rats

Sarin (GB) vapor exposure is associated with both systemic and local toxic effects occurring primarily via the inhalation and ocular routes. The objective of these studies was to develop models for predicting dose-response effects of GB vapor concentrations as a function of exposure duration. Thus, the probability of GB vapor-induced lethality was estimated in rats exposed to various combinations of exposure concentration and duration. Groups of male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to one of a series of GB vapor concentrations for a single duration (5-360 min) in a whole-body dynamic chamber. The onset of clinical signs and changes in blood cholinesterase activity were measured with each exposure. Separate effective concentrations for lethality in 50% of the exposed population (LC50) and corresponding dose-response slopes were determined for each exposure duration by the Bliss probit method. Contrary to that predicted by Haber's rule, the interaction of LC50 x time (LCT50) values increased with exposure duration (i.e., the CT for 50% lethality in the exposed population and corresponding dose-response slope was not constant over time). A plot of log (LCT50) versus log (exposure time) showed significant curvature. Predictive models derived from multifactor probit analysis of results describing the relationship between exposure conditions and probability of lethality in the rat are discussed. Overall, female rats were more sensitive to GB vapor toxicity than male rats over the range of exposure concentration and duration studied. Miosis was the initial clinical sign noted after the start of GB vapor exposure. Although blood cholinesterase activity was significantly inhibited by GB vapor exposure, poor correlation between cholinesterase inhibition and exposure conditions or cholinesterase inhibition and severity of clinical signs was noted.