Asia Pacific Journal of Medical Toxicology
Volume:11 Issue: 4, Autumn 2022

This study intended to investigate blood lead and serum total antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress marker levels of subjects in a lead-zinc mining community of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Sixty-eight (68) occupationally-exposed (OE) and 62 environmentally-exposed (EE) to lead in Enyigba community and 70 non-inhabitants (controls), were recruited for this study. Blood samples were collected from them for blood lead (BL), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), assays using standard methods. Data were analyzed with the IBM SPSS software and means were compared using One Way ANOVA and t-test. Statistical differences was considered significant at p<0.05. Mean BL significantly rose in the OE and EE groups (p<0.0001 respectively) than the controls. TAC decreased significantly in the OE (p<0.01), but increased in EE (p<0.05) compared with the control groups, while SOD, CAT, and MDA decreased significantly in the OE (p<0.01 respectively) and EE (p<0.01 each) versus control group. Significant higher TAC and lower CAT were recorded in the EE compared with the OE (p<0.05) subjects. GPx significantly increased (p<0.05) in the OE compared with the control group. Only CAT correlated significantly with lead in the EE subjects. BL, MDA, and CAT differed significantly (<0.0001 respectively), and SOD (<0.05) varied with age. Children <10 years recorded the highest BL concentration (34.77±12.46) b young adults aged 21-30 the lowest, which was significantly lower than in the other age categories. The elevated MDA concentration and reduced antioxidant activities indicated some oxidative stress damage resulting from lead toxicity.

Snakebite is a medical emergency that frequently occurs in different countries. Considering the incidence of annual snakebite in Iran, this study deals with the epidemiology of snakebite in hospitalized patients. Epidemiological data of patients can improve proper and timely treatment of snakebite This retrospective descriptive-analytical study was performed using census sampling of snakebite patients. The statistical population included all patients referred to Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman from 2016 to 2018. After collecting data, the results were analyzed using chi-square and paired t-test. A total of 36 snake bites were reported, 28 males and 8 females. The highest frequency was in the age range of 21-40 years. Local complications included pain 55.5, swelling 36.9, erythema 36.1, skin ecchymosis 13.9, tenderness 8.3, and bleeding 1%. Systemic symptoms included nausea and vomiting 16.6, headache 2, drowsiness 2, and 72.4 without symptoms. Out of 36 patients, 8 had compartment syndrome and 4 patients required fasciotomy. Chi-square test showed a significant relationship between bite and sex, bite and season. Local and systemic symptoms of patients indicate that Viperidae snakes are more likely to cause bites in this province. Snakebites have been more commonplace among men and in the age group of socially active people and more in summer. The development of treatment protocol by experienced and eager physicians with Local and systemic manifestation of venom caused by venomous snakes in the region is essential.

Scorpion venom contains various biological compounds. Clinical symptoms in individuals and laboratory animals exposed to scorpion venom depend on the response of the host immune system. The secretion of inflammatory cytokines is one of the most critical factors involved in the pathogenesis of scorpion venom. This comparative study aimed to evaluate the expression of inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in rats treated with Hottentotta saulsyi scorpion venom. The venom was obtained from the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute of Ahvaz branch. After determining the H. saulsyi venom LD50, the rats were divided in two groups of test and control (n-12). The test group received 1/3 LD50 dose in 0.5 ml of physiological serum by subcutaneous injection per rat. The exact amount of physiological serum was injected into the control group. After that, cardiac blood samples were taken from rats at 0, 4, 24, and 72 hours after anesthesia. After serum preparation, the levels of IL-10 and IL-6 cytokines were measured in both groups using ELISA assays. The obtained LD50 equaled 1.01 mg/kg of the rat’s body weight. Four hours after experimentally envenomation, the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly increased compared to the control group (P <0.05); but in the taken samples 24 hours after the treatment, there was no significant difference compared to the control group. During 72 hours, the level of these cytokines decreased in the treatment group compared to the control group. Changes in inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels during scorpion stings can be used as a novel clinical finding to assess patients' status and perform appropriate therapeutic interventions to reduce scorpion sting complications.

Alcohol poisoning causes several clinical signs and symptoms. The present study was carry out to examine the epidemiology and characteristics of poisoned patients with alcohol, who were treated at the Sina hospital Tabriz in Iran. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical features and laboratory tests in alcohol poisoning. In the current expressive cross-sectional report, during 2018-2020 details were obtained over referring to all 91 alcohol poisoned patients’ files. The data were obtained based on the time interval between poisoning and time of admission to hospital. The data were then analyzed through SPSS software and descriptive statistics. All over this period, 91 cases of alcohol-poisoned patients were hospitalized, out of which 81 patients (90%) were male and 9 patients (10%) were female. Mostly ethanol was used in poisoning (68.7%) and methanol (28%). 56% of alcohol poisoned patients used alcohol for euphoria, 33.3% used it for suicide, and 10.7% used it recreationally. Most poisoning symptoms occurred between 6 to 12 hours after poisoning. Neurological symptoms occurred among 70 patients (76.9%), 52 cases (57%) had gastrointestinal symptoms, and 19 patients (20.8%) had visual symptoms. Most of poisoned patients were men below the age of 30 years and unemployed. Alcohol consumption for euphoria were more common among people with higher education occasionally for recreation and those with high school education level were for suicide to get rid of problems from living environment. Particular attention of health authorities should be directed towards alcohol drinking prevention measures as well as production and availability of surrogate alcohols in the community.

Humans are very susceptible to the poison of insects. Some animals can produce substances that cause allergic reactions in humans. In these conditions, the immune system responds through mechanisms that provoke a state of defense in the affected person to fight against the aggression. In many cases, this defense is very strong to the organism itself. The topic: “hypersensitivity due to stings of insects (bees and wasps)” was reviewed by keywords of articles included in the Google Scholar, Web of Science, and PubMed databases. The articles were selected by their relevance. Recently published articles in peer-reviewed journals were included, conducting a detailed review of all contents. The review indicated that the hypersensitivity mechanisms produced by bee and wasp stings are mainly mediated by IgE’s antibodies. In addition, the crucial importance of a rapid response to the first symptoms of hypersensitivity to prevent the venom severe symptoms leading to the patient´s death is emphasized. The current knowledge of hypersensitivity reactions in individuals susceptible to bee and wasp stings was reviewed and summarized, revealing that IgE-mediated allergic reactions are the main mechanism. Adequate treatment after the inoculation of the poison is decisive in the patient´s recovery.

Organotin compounds are organometallic compounds composed of one or more tin-carbon (Sn-C) bonds. Organotin compounds have been shown to have anticancer, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. Based on the several activities of the organotin group, it is hoped that the Dibutyltin (IV) Bis-N-Benzylmethyl Dithiocarbamate compound has the potential to be developed as a new drug candidate. To be a candidate for a new drug, the study was aimed to test and determine the safety level of the compound. Study to determine the LD50 value and category of toxicity of the Dibutyltin (IV) Bis-N-Benzylmethyl Dithiocarbamate compound in white mice (Mus musculus). This research is a laboratory experimental study using 40 white mice, consisting of 20 male mice and 20 female mice. The dose of the test substance was 240, 480, and 960mg/Kg body weight. Observations of mice were carried out for 24 hours by observing the number of dead animals and seeing toxic symptoms, body weight, and ROW (Relative Organ Weight) then the data were analyzed statistically. The results showed that the dose of 960 mg caused the most death with LD50 values of 776.2mg and 794.3mg of toxic symptoms, weight loss in mice, and an effect on ROW. This compound can cause death in male and female mice, with the LD50 value of male mice being 776.2mg/kg body weight and female mice at 794.3mg/ kg body weight, and this compound is categorized as slightly toxic.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) cases have been growing over the years, and the role of environmental agents are at the center of investigations. However, few studies have addressed the role of solvents. Therefore, we reported an SLE case in a patient with long-term low-level exposure to organic solvents in the workplace.

Case Report:

 A 58-year-old black female attended a teaching hospital evaluation due to oral ulcers, 14 kilos loss, and leukopenia. Her occupational history revealed a 24-year exposure to organic solvents with inadequate protection. After investigation, we made an SLE diagnosis related to solvents based on clinical presentation and laboratory tests (anemia, leukopenia, hypocomplementemia, positive antinuclear antibodies, and biomarkers of exposure). The patient’s treatment included corticosteroids, immunosuppressive, and antimalarial drugs. As a result, she gradually improved in clinical and laboratory conditions.

We addressed the potential role of solvents in developing SLE in this case report regarding a patient chronically exposed to them. SLE is a multifactorial disease triggered in genetically-prone individuals by environmental exposure. Although few studies have addressed the relationship between solvents and SLE with mixed results, strong evidence links them with other autoimmune diseases. There is biological plausibility for solvents triggering SLE, as autoimmune diseases share clinical presentation, genetic factors, and physiopathologic mechanisms. 

Our case highlights the potential role of solvents in developing SLE. Although there are mixed results on this relationship, strong evidence associates them with other autoimmune diseases. Considering the wide use of solvents in many contexts and the similarity between autoimmune diseases, we recommend further investigations.

Aluminum phosphide (AlP) is an effective fumigant and rodenticide which is a commonly used agent for suicide in parts of developing countries. AlP poisoning results in serious manifestations involving many vital organs and it has high mortality. Electrolyte and metabolic abnormalities including metabolic acidosis is a common problem in AlP poisoning. 

Case report:

 Here, we report two cases of AlP poisoning who take AlP tablets intentionally. The therapeutic intervention initiated for both of them including glucose, insulin, and potassium (GIK) protocol, antioxidants agents, intravenous magnesium, intravenous calcium, and norepinephrine. The arterial blood samples obtained in a serial manner and interestingly it showed no abnormality.

This is first cases of AlP poisoning with normal acid base balance which emphasis the importance the early initiation of therapeutic intervention