title: Long-term effect of a single dose of sulfur mustard on nerve conduction velocity and electromyography pattern in rat hindlimb.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Biological effects of sulfur mustard (SM) on various systems have been investigated in both humans and animals. However, few studies are available on the effect of SM on the peripheral nervous system. In the present study, long-term effects of a single dose of SM on nerve conduction velocity and electromyography (EMG) pattern is evaluated in hindlimb of adult male rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  SM poisoning was induced by two means: subcutaneous injection of 1 and 3.5 mg/kg SM in two experimental groups (1 and 2) and cutaneous application of 8 and 13 mg/kg SM in groups 3 and 4. Sham and control groups received SM vehicle, isopropyl alcohol, and nothing, respectively. Electrophysiological assessments were performed after 26 weeks as follows: sciatic nerve conduction study that included measuring, amplitude, duration, and latency of M-wave, F-wave latency, and EMG study in resting and minimal contraction states.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicate that sciatic nerve conduction velocity did not significantly change in any experimental groups. However, resting EMG records showed some abnormalities very similar to positive sharp waves and fasciculation reported in humans. These abnormalities were observed in 6 of 36 intoxicated rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the present data are in favor of axonal degeneration, to rule out the possibility of other types of degeneration, additional thorough studies at ultrastructural level are suggested.
authors: Research Center for Military Chemical Injuries, Institute of Military Medicine, Baghiyatollah Medical Sciences University, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Alireza
authors: A
authors: Shahriary
authors: Alireza
authors: A
authors: Asgari
authors: Mohammed Taqi
authors: MT
authors: Hollisaz
authors: Hassan
authors: H
authors: Fallah-Husseini
authors: Hedayat
authors: H
authors: Sahraei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D004576:Electromyography / Q000187:drug effects; D006614:Hindlimb; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000633:toxicity*; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D009151:Mustard Gas