title: Evaluation of protective ointments used against dermal effects of nitrogen mustard, a vesicant warfare agent.
abstract: Mustard, a vesicant warfare agent, has cytotoxic, mutagenic, and cytostatic effects via alkylation of DNA and inhibition of DNA replication. Since symptoms appear following a latent period, it can cause some subacute and chronic effects to occur and delay in the treatment. Therefore, the main approach should be the use of protective preparation to reduce the skin toxicity. Thus, this study was conducted in guinea pigs (350-400 g) shaved in areas of 10 x 10 cm. Mechlorethamine HCl (100 mg), a nitrogen mustard derivative, in ethanol was applied by spraying on hairless regions where previously prepared pharmaceutical topical formulations were medicated before. The experimental regions of the animals were kept preserved from environmental factors. Forty-eight hours after the application of the protective ointments and mechlorethamine consecutively, skin-damaging effects were macroscopically evaluated in terms of erythema formation, ulceration, necrosis, and inflammation occurrences. Then, punch biopsy was performed from these damaged sites for histopathological evaluation. Although numerous topical formulations were prepared and tested for protection, according to microscopic examination of the pathologic sections, tissue specimen treated with the ointment containing the mixture of zinc oxide, zinc chloride, dimethylpolysiloxane in a base of petroleum jelly was determined as being the most effective protective against skin injury caused by the vesicant agent.
authors.affiliation: Department of NBC Defense, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, 06018 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kenar
authors.forename: Turan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karayilanoğlu
authors.forename: Altan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yuksel
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gunhan
authors.forename: Songul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kose
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kurt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D018890:Chemoprevention; D002712:Chlorides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D023421:Models, Animal; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009824:Ointments; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute; D014494:Unithiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D002712:Chlorides; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D009824:Ointments; D020011:Protective Agents; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D009536:Niacinamide; D014494:Unithiol; D008466:Mechlorethamine; C016837:zinc chloride; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D015034:Zinc Oxide