The effect of nitrogen mustard on the rat brain and the therapeutic value of proanthocyanidin.
OBJECTIVE
Nitrogen Mustard (NM) is an alkylating agent that damages cellular nuclear DNA after penetrating tissue. This results in cytostatic, mutagenic and cytotoxic effects. We used the electron microscope to investigate the effect of NM gas administered through the dermal and respiratory routes to rats on the brain cortex and also tried to show whether the antioxidant Proanthocyanidin (PC) could decrease this effect.


METHODS
A total of 32 rats were randomized into four groups: Group I: Control group, Group II: PC group, Group III: NM group, Group IV: NM + PC group. The rats were sacrificed 3 days after NM gas exposure. A segment of the cortical tissue was prepared for electron microscopy.


RESULTS
We used the electron microscope for cellular analysis of NM on cortical neural cells. These investigations revealed degeneration of the cortical neural cell nuclei together with oedema and axonal degeneration in the subcortical neural tissue. The group receiving antioxidants was found to have less oedema and degeneration.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings imply that structural changes induced by mustard gas can be prevented and restored by proanthocyanidin treatment.
Ministry of Health, Training and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Ankara, Turkey. tekinerayhan@hotmail.com
Ayhan
A
Tekiner
Orhan
O
Yucel
Ayse Kose
AK
Sargin
Onur
O
Genc
Belgin
B
Can
Turhan
T
Karayilanoglu
Jale
J
Karakaya
Mehmet Akif
MA
Bayar
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats
D000975:Antioxidants; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; C013221:proanthocyanidin; D008466:Mechlorethamine