Reactivation of VX-inhibited cholinesterase by 2-PAM and HS-6 in rats

Atropinized rats intoxicated with ethyl-S-2-diisopropyl aminoethyl methyl phosphonothioate (VX), 15 mg/kg iv, were divided into three groups and were treated with normal saline, iv, 30 mg/kg of 2-PAM C1, iv, and 30 mg/kg of HS-6, iv. One hr after administration of therapy they were decapitated and cholinesterase (ChE) activity was determined on blood, brain and diaphragm tissue. Both 2-PAM C1 and HS-6 markedly reactivated VX-inhibited blood and diaphragm ChE. Brain ChE activity was not significantly reactivated by either oxime. The effectiveness of these oximes in restoration of VX-inactivated ChE in vivo offers an explanation as to why conventional atropine/oxime therapy is so effective against VX intoxication.