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Immunotherapy in acute arsenic poisoning.
J B Leikin1, R E Goldman-Leikin, M A Evans
1Department of Medicine, Rush-Presbyterian, St. Luke's Medical Center.
Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Immunotherapy using arsenic reactive serum (ARS) shows promise in treating sodium arsenite toxicity in mice. Pre-treatment with ARS significantly reduced mortality from sodium arsenite exposure, demonstrating a protective effect.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Sodium arsenite is a toxic compound requiring effective treatment strategies.
- Immunotherapy presents a potential avenue for mitigating heavy metal toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of immunotherapy, specifically using arsenic reactive serum (ARS), in treating sodium arsenite toxicity.
- To evaluate the protective effects of ARS against acute sodium arsenite poisoning in a mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Female balb/c mice were immunized with arsanilic acid conjugated to ovalbumin to produce ARS.
- The produced antisera were tested for reactivity using radioimmunoassay.
- Mice were pre-treated with ARS or received ARS post-exposure before challenge with sodium arsenite.
- Mortality rates were compared between treated and control groups.
Main Results:
- Pre-treatment with ARS significantly reduced mortality in mice challenged with 0.87 mg/kg sodium arsenite (0% vs 31% mortality).
- Administration of ARS post-symptomatic presentation also suggested a potential reduction in mortality (12% vs 34%).
- No protective effect was observed against higher doses of sodium arsenite or mercury(II) chloride (HgCl2) exposure.
Conclusions:
- Arsenic reactive serum (ARS) demonstrates a protective effect against moderate doses of sodium arsenite toxicity in mice.
- Immunotherapy with ARS may be a viable treatment strategy for arsenic poisoning.
- Further research is needed to optimize ARS efficacy and explore its application in different toxicity scenarios.