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Endocrine effects of organophosphate antidotal therapy

Salim Satar1, Ahmet Sebe, Metin Topal

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Cukurova University School of Medicine, Balcali/Adana, Turkey.

Advances in Therapy
|February 25, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Organophosphate poisoning significantly impacts endocrine function, altering levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, prolactin (PRL), and thyroid hormones post-treatment. Some patients developed sick euthyroid syndrome after treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Toxicology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Organophosphate (OP) poisoning is a significant public health concern.
  • The endocrine system's response to OP poisoning and its treatment is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the endocrine effects of treating organophosphate poisoning.
  • To analyze changes in various hormone levels before and after atropine and pralidoxime treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study in an emergency department.
  • Hormone level analysis (TSH, FT3, FT4, FSH, LH, PRL, PRG, ACTH, cortisol, testosterone) before and after treatment.
  • Statistical analysis using Wilcoxon's sign rank sum test.

Main Results:

  • Post-treatment levels of ACTH, cortisol, PRL, FT3, FSH, and PRG were significantly lower.
  • FT4 levels increased post-treatment; TSH, LH, and testosterone changes were not statistically significant.
  • Six patients had sick euthyroid syndrome on admission; 11 developed it post-treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Acute organophosphate poisoning affects ACTH, cortisol, PRL, FT3, FT4, FSH, and PRG levels.
  • Hormonal changes may stem from neurotransmitter effects, direct toxicity, or poisoning-related stress.
  • Treatment for OP poisoning can alter endocrine profiles, including the development of sick euthyroid syndrome.

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