Abstract
To evaluate potential oxidative stress in patients with acute phosphide poisoning and the effect of vitamin C. Participants were females and divided into three groups; group I: healthy volunteers group II: healthy volunteers received vitamin C, group III: patients with acute phosphide poisoning received the supportive and symptomatic treatment and group IV: patients with acute phosphide poisoning received the supportive and symptomatic treatment in addition to vitamin C. All the participants were subjected to thorough history, clinical examination, ECG and laboratory investigations were carried on collected blood and gastric lavage samples on admission. Blood samples were divided into two parts, one for measurement of routine investigations and the second part was used for evaluation of malondialdehyde and total thiol levels before and after receiving the treatment regimen. Most of the cases in this study were among the age group of 15-25 years, females, single, secondary school education, from rural areas and suicidal. All vital signs were within normal range and the most common complaint was vomiting and abdominal pain. All cases in this study showed normal routine investigations. The mean MDA levels after receiving treatment decreased significantly in groups II and IV. The mean total thiol levels increased significantly after receiving treatment in groups II and IV. It can be concluded that vitamin C has a potential benefit due to its antioxidant property on zinc phosphide induced-oxidative stress in acute zinc phosphide poisoned patients.
Highlights
Phosphide compounds have been used as pesticides for many years to protect grains in stores and during its transportation
When zinc phosphide comes in contact with water, moisture in the air, or hydrochloric acid in the stomach, a chemical reaction starts releasing phosphine gas which is rapidly absorbed throughout the gastrointestinal tract and the lungs
(11) When ascorbic acid interacts with a reactive and possibly harmful free radical, it donates two electrons, the reactive free radical is reduced and an ascorbyl free radical is formed in its place
Summary
Phosphide compounds (zinc, aluminium, magnesium or calcium phosphides) have been used as pesticides for many years to protect grains in stores and during its transportation. Acute poisoning with zinc phosphides may occur either through direct ingestion of the salts themselves or indirect inhalation of the phosphine gas generated on exposure to moisture. When zinc phosphide comes in contact with water, moisture in the air, or hydrochloric acid in the stomach, a chemical reaction starts releasing phosphine gas which is rapidly absorbed throughout the gastrointestinal tract and the lungs. [6] Circulatory failure is a common and frequent cause of death after ingestion of zinc phosphides. As compared to other free radicals, ascorbyl radical is relatively stable with a half-life of 5-10 seconds and is fairly unreactive. This property explains why ascorbate may be a preferred antioxidant. This property explains why ascorbate may be a preferred antioxidant. [12]
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