[Use of interferon in hepatic necrosis produced by paraquat and yellow phosphorus: experimental evaluation]

Paraquat and Yellow Phosphorus are toxic substances that ingested, accidentally or for suicidal intentions, produce a high morbimortality usually associated to the resultant hepatic necrosis. We performed an experimental study to evaluate the protector effect of Interferon in intoxicated rats with these two substances. Rats were divided in groups that only received the toxic (Paraquat or Yellow Phosphorus) and other groups that receive both the toxic and Interferon. The results showed a higher survival rate in the groups treated with Interferon, which was more than 20%. Also, the histopathologic findings showed a hepatic protector effect that was more than 90% in the rats that received Interferon. Clinically, Paraquat was more toxic than Yellow Phosphorus. These favorable experimental results obtained with the use of Interferon will need more research in the future to evaluate its usefulness in the treatment of these intoxications.