Capsaicinoids, Chloropicrin and Sulfur Mustard: Possibilities for Exposure Biomarkers

Abstract

Incapacitating and irritating agents produce temporary disability persisting for hours to days after the exposure. One can be exposed to these agents occupationally in industrial or other working environments. Also general public can be exposed in special circumstances, like industrial accidents or riots. Incapacitating and irritating agents discussed in this review are chloropicrin and capsaicinoids. In addition, we include sulfur mustard, which is an old chemical warfare agent and known to cause severe long-lasting injuries or even death. Chloropicrin that was used as a warfare agent in the World War I is currently used mainly as a pesticide. Capsaicinoids, components of hot pepper plants, are used by police and other law enforcement personnel as riot control agents. Toxicity of these chemicals is associated particularly with the respiratory tract, eyes, and skin. Their acute effects are relatively well known but the knowledge of putative long-term effects is almost non-existent. Also, mechanisms of effects at cellular level are not fully understood. There is a need for further research to get better idea of health risks, particularly of long-term and low-level exposures to these chemicals. For this, exposure biomarkers are essential. Validated exposure biomarkers for capsaicinoids, chloropicrin, and sulfur mustard do not exist so far. Metabolites and macromolecular adducts have been suggested biomarkers for sulfur mustard and these can already be measured qualitatively, but quantitative biomarkers await further development and validation. The purpose of this review is, based on the existing mechanistic and toxicokinetic information, to shed light on the possibilities for developing biomarkers for exposure biomonitoring of these compounds. It is also of interest to find ideas for early effect biomarkers considering the need for studies on subchronic and chronic toxicity.

Comparison of four different fuller's earth formulations in skin decontamination

“…chlorine) (Gaskin et al, ); (3) vesicating agents (e.g. sulfur mustard) (Pesonen et al, ); and (4) organophosphorous compounds (i.e. nerve agents) (Pereira et al, ).…”

Accumulation of intact sulfur mustard in adipose tissue and toxicokinetics by chemical conversion and isotope-dilution liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

“…Furthermore, in view of the hypothesis of SM accumulation in adipose depots (Kehe et al 2008;Pesonen et al 2010;Somani and Babu 1989) mentioned in several reports but no animal experimental evidences to support this assumption, experiments on the tissue distribution of SM in rats after percutaneous exposure at three doses were performed. The distribution and the toxicokinetic behavior of intact SM in adipose tissues were initially investigated.…”

Properties and reactivity of nucleic acids relevant to epigenomics, transcriptomics, and therapeutics

“…[114][115][116] Despite the different mode-of-action of SMs (hydrolysis and conjugation to glutathione involving β-lyase and S-oxidation) many studies indicate that DNA alkylation is related to its toxicity. 117 The alkylation pathway of both mustards follow a similar mechanism through a three-membered heterocycle and preferentially modifying the N7 position of guanine in DNA, comparable to the natural products leinamycin and azinomycin discussed in the previous section. In a first step the aziridium or episulfonium is attacked by a guanine residue.…”