Intramuscular prednisolone pretreatment does not influence the dermal lesions induced by topical sulfur mustard

The effect of a single intramuscular injection of prednisolone sodium phosphate (14.3 mg/kg) on the development and severity of dermal lesions induced by topical sulfur mustard was investigated in guinea pigs. Control animals received sulfur mustard alone, topical sulfur mustard and intramuscular saline, intramuscular prednisolone alone, or intramuscular saline alone. With topical sulfur mustard alone there were typical mustard lesions consisting of epidermal necrosis and hyalinization, with acute inflammation and necrosis in the dermis, the severity and extent of which were dose-related. Systemic prednisolone therapy had no influence on the nature, severity or progression of the dermal histopathologic response to topical sulfur mustard.