Adjuvant potential of selegiline in treating acute toxicity of aluminium phosphide in rats

Abstract

Aluminium phosphide (AlP) is a highly toxic substance with a high mortality rate and no effective antidote. Once exposed to the moisture and acidic conditions of the stomach, AlP releases toxic phosphine (PH3) gas, which results in severe toxicity in poisoned subjects. Selegiline is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor with antioxidant and anti‐apoptotic properties, which is mostly prescribed for the treatment of mood disorders and Parkinson's disease. Since AlP has detrimental effects on cardiac physiology and mitochondrial function, we tested the protective effects of acute selegiline treatment on cardiac mitochondrial function, redox status and electrocardiographic parameters in rats after AlP poisoning. To do this, AlP was given to rats by gavage to induce toxicity. Selegiline was injected intraperitoneally in the treatment groups 1 hour after AlP poisoning. Selegiline treatment after AlP intoxication was not associated with a significant difference in the mortality rate of animals. However, selegiline reduced oxidative stress (decreased the reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde) and increased glutathione in the cardiac tissue of rats exposed to AlP. Further, the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) collapse reversed after treatment with selegiline. Selegiline also improved the electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters and enhanced heart rate. The histopathological evaluation revealed that selegiline eliminated the inflammation and injuries induced by AlP in the stomach and duodenum, as well as cardiac tissue. In conclusion, selegiline treatment can ameliorate the AlP‐induced cardiac and gastrointestinal injuries in rats via boosting redox status and mitochondrial function with no significant effect on survival. We suggest that using selegiline, apart from other clinical treatments, may improve the quality of treatment process for AlP toxicity.

The Prognostic Factors of Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning in Urmia: A-five-years Cross-sectional Study

“…The diagnosis of ALP poisoning is usually based on clinical suspicions; however, silver nitrate testing on stomach contents or breathing vapors is also used to confirm the diagnosis [11]. ALP poisoning presents no specific antidote; however, previous studies have suggested some treatment approaches, such as gastric lavage with sodium bicarbonate and the ingestion of charcoal [12]. Additionally, some specific treatment methods of ALP poisoning have been suggested, including the intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate, sodium bicarbonate, N-acetyl cysteine, digoxin, vasopressor, vitamin C, and vitamin E [10,13,14].…”

Evaluation of Protective Effects of Curcumin and Nanocurcumin on Aluminium Phosphide‑Induced Subacute Lung Injury in Rats: Modulation of Oxidative Stress through SIRT1/FOXO3 Signalling Pathway

“…Based on MDA content assessment in different animal and human samples, it has been shown that AlP significantly elevates levels of LPO. Moreover, AlP can increase ROS levels through disruption in the electron transfer chain and results to free radicals’ overproduction along with a disturbance in the antioxidant systems 30 31 32 . Antioxidant agents are the most important defense system of human body to fight free radicals.…”

Inhalational Wheat-pill Poisoning: A Household Chemical Warfare Agent

“…A reduction in mortality has been seen with gastric lavage with potassium permanganate and mineral or coconut oil [9]. Other articles spoke favorably about other antidotes, including triiodothyronine, acetyl-L-carnitine, glutathione, liothyronine, milrinone, Laurus nobilis L, vasopressin, sodium selenite, sulfate, N-acetylcysteine, 6-aminonicotinamide, boric acid, melatonin, vitamins C and E [10], selegiline [11], and whole blood transfusion [12]. Other articles reviewed the roles of digoxin [13], extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation [14], aortic balloon [15], and prophylactic amiodarone for symptomatic improvement in cardiac function [16].…”