Identification of hypoglycemia in mice as a surrogate marker of ricin toxicosis.
OBJECTIVE
In an effort to develop a non-lethal model of ricin toxicosis, we studied the biochemical effects of the administration of ricin in mice.


METHODS
Mice received an intraperitoneal injection of ricin toxin, after which a panel of 21 biochemical parameters was determined. Effect of ricin administration on blood glucose concentration was studied in greater detail. To determine whether results of biochemical analyses correlated with therapeutic manipulations known to protect against ricin toxicosis, the effect of immunization on blood glucose values after ricin administration was studied.


RESULTS
Of the biochemical parameters studied, only blood glucose and amylase values were affected by ricin administration. Because blood glucose concentration can be easily and instantaneously measured on 25 to 50 microl of blood, using handheld instruments, this parameter was further evaluated. A dose- and time-related decrease in blood glucose concentration was documented. Mice immunized with ricin had smaller changes in blood glucose concentration than did non-immunized animals after ricin administration.


CONCLUSIONS
Blood glucose concentration may be used as a surrogate for lethal challenge as a measure of ricin toxicosis after its systemic administration.
Pincus
Seth H
SH
Department of Microbiology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA.
Eng
Leta
L
Cooke
Corrie L
CL
Maddaloni
Massimo
M
D000818:Animals; D021461:Animals, Outbred Strains; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D019963:Clinical Chemistry Tests; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012276:Ricin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity*; D014611:Vaccination
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D012276:Ricin