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Hypothermia reduces sulphur mustard toxicity
Lei Mi1, Wenrong Gong, Peggy Nelson
1Kinchyle Enterprises Inc., Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.
Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
|November 14, 2003
Summary
Lowering temperature significantly reduces sulphur mustard (SM) toxicity in human skin cells and guinea pig skin. Early cooling of SM-exposed skin offers a simple method to decrease lesion severity.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Dermatology
- Chemical Warfare Agents
Background:
- Sulphur mustard (SM) is a potent vesicant causing significant skin damage.
- Understanding the factors influencing SM toxicity is crucial for developing effective countermeasures.
- Temperature is a potential modifiable factor in SM toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of temperature on the development of SM-induced toxicity in human skin keratinocytes and hairless guinea pig skin.
- To evaluate the potential of hypothermia as a protective measure against SM exposure.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies using human skin keratinocyte cultures exposed to SM at different temperatures (37°C vs. 25°C).
- In vivo studies on hairless guinea pigs exposed to SM vapor, with post-treatment cooling applied to skin.
- Assessment of cell viability, DNA fragmentation, cell morphology, p53 expression, and lesion severity.
Main Results:
- In vitro: Incubation at 25°C significantly reduced SM-induced toxicity and apoptosis compared to 37°C, though protection was lost upon rewarming.
- In vivo: Moderate cooling (5-10°C) of exposed skin significantly reduced lesion severity, with effects being permanent.
- SM-induced toxicity and lesion development were temperature-dependent.
Conclusions:
- Hypothermia offers significant protection against SM-induced toxicity in both in vitro and in vivo models.
- Early and non-invasive cooling of SM-exposed skin may be a facile and effective method to reduce cutaneous lesion severity.