Effects of dimethylthiourea in hyperoxic injury

Pretreatment with a single dose of the oxygen metabolite scavenger 1,3-dimethyl-2-thiourea (DMTU) decreased hyperoxia-induced injury (as assessed by measurement of pleural effusions and increases in hematocrits and blood acid-soluble sulfhydryl levels) in rats that were exposed to hyperoxia for 48 hours. However, the degree of protection was not proportional to DMTU dose. An intermediate dose of DMTU (250 mg/kg) reduced injury more than a lower dose of 125 mg/kg and at least as effectively as the higher, widely used dose of 500 mg/kg DMTU. In contrast to its protective action with respect to hyperoxic injury, none of the doses of DMTU that were tested decreased the elevations in lung oxidized glutathione levels or oxidized glutathione/reduced glutathione ratios associated with hyperoxia exposure. These findings indicate that maximal protection from hyperoxic injury may be achieved with doses of DMTU that are lower than the doses used routinely. The failure of DMTU to decrease lung oxidized glutathione and lung oxidized glutathione/reduced glutathione ratio increases after hyperoxia exposure suggests that the mechanism by which DMTU confers protection requires careful evaluation.