Subchronic exposure to low-doses of the nerve agent VX: Physiological, behavioral, histopathological and neurochemical studies

Neuropathologic Effects of Chemical Warfare Agents

“…Recently, however, concern has been raised about even low levels of exposure to nerve agents that may not be sufficient to result in symptoms at the time of exposure, but may nevertheless lead to clinical symptoms or neuropathologic effects after long delays, perhaps in the context of chronic or repeated exposure. One scenario in which this might occur invokes an urban exposure to an agent such as VX, followed by incomplete decontamination with prolonged evaporation from persistently contaminated surfaces (Bloch-Shilderman et al, 2008). In addition, practical experience with nerve agent exposure has shown that most episodes involve small or asymptomatic doses (for example, to emergency and medical treatment personnel), as opposed to acute symptomatic toxicity (Levin and Rodnitzky, 1976;Morita et al, 1995;Gray et al, 1999).…”

Improving storage stability of recombinant organophosphorus hydrolase

“…Organophosphate (OP) compounds are neurotoxic chemicals that exert their harmful effect by inhibiting the function of neurotransmitter-metabolizing enzyme [1][2]. OP-compounds are easy to manufacture and are widely used as pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, herbicides and petroleum additives in agriculture and other industries.…”

“…OP-compounds are easy to manufacture and are widely used as pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, herbicides and petroleum additives in agriculture and other industries. Certain OP-compounds developed by the armies as chemical warfare nerve agents (CWNAs) are much more toxic and dangerous and have become important terrorist chemical weapon in today's world [1][2]. Thus, OP-compounds are responsible for large number of OP-associated poisoning cases world-wide.…”

“…Thus, OP-compounds are responsible for large number of OP-associated poisoning cases world-wide. Current treatments available for OP-poisoning include a combined administration of a cholinesterase reactivator (oxime), a muscarinic receptor antagonist (atropine), and an anticonvulsant (diazepam) [1][2][3][4].…”

Repeated Exposure to Sublethal Doses of the Organophosphorus Compound VX Activates BDNF Expression in Mouse Brain

“…Incidents such as the release of sarin in Tokyo subways (Ohbu et al, 1997) and the destruction of an ammunition depot that contained both sarin and cyclosarin during the Persian Gulf War (reviewed in McCauley et al, 2002), as well as concerns about the persistence of VX in the environment due to its low volatility and high stability in surfaces such as asphalt (Gura et al, 2006), have increased awareness of the need to understand the short-and long-term effects of exposure to sublethal doses of CWNA. Bloch-Shilderman et al (2008) have reported that rats exposed to 0.05 LD 50 VX for 3 months via an osmotic minipump show an impairment in the open field test as well as reduction in the expression of vesicle-associated membrane protein in hippocampal neurons. However, CWNA can also be administered repeatedly with minimal overt neurobehavioral effects, suggesting the development of tolerance to the disruptive effects of exposure (Russell et al, 1986).…”