title: Dose response of sulphur mustard: behavioral and toxic signs in rats.
abstract: The present study elucidates the behavioral and toxic signs in rats following dermal application of sulphur mustard (SM). Graded doses of SM (0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 LD50) were topically applied to male Wister rats. The body weight as well as behavioral/toxic signs and symptoms were recorded at 1, 2, 3, and 4th day after application of SM. Sulphur mustard consistently decreased body weights of rats in a dose and time dependent manner with maximum decrease on 3rd day post treatment. Sedation and diarrhea were significant in response to doses of SM intoxication in rats. It is concluded that the body weight, sedation and diarrhea may be used as a reliable parameter in evaluating SM intoxication. It is also suggested that hydration and hypertonic saline must be used as a rescue agent within 1-3 days after exposure to SM.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Defence Research & Development Establishment, Gwalior.
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Dube
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Husain
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sugendran
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vijayaraghavan
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Somani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000633:toxicity*; D010863:Piloerection / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D009151:Mustard Gas