Protective effects of dextran sulfate and polyvinyl sulfate against acute toxicity of paraquat in mice

Abstract

The protective effects of dextran sulfate (SDS) and potassium polyvinyl sulfate (PPS) against the acute toxicity of paraquat (PQ) in mice were studied. The survival rates of mice treated with SDS (2000 mg/kg) or PPS (2000 mg/kg) immeadiately after PQ ingestion (200 mg/kg) were 100% or 100%, respectively. When treated with SDS (2000 mg/kg) or PPS (2000 mg/kg) 15 or 30 min after PQ ingestion (200 mg/kg), the survival rates were 83% or 67% for SDS-treated groups and 67% or 33% for PPS-treated groups, respectively. Treatment with SDS (2000 mg/kg) or PPS (2000 mg/kg) immediately after oral administration of PQ (200 mg/kg) increased the fecal excretion of PQ, decreased the urinary excretion of PQ and decreased the contents of PQ in the lung, liver and kidney. Such effects of SDS and PPS were reduced in the treatment with these drugs at 15 min after PQ. The in sistu small intestinal absorption of PQ was significantly reduced in the presence of SDS or PPS. The binding of PQ to SDS or PPS was determined by an ultrafiltration method. These results indicate that SDS and PPS inhibit the gastrointestinal absorption of PQ on the basis of the increased intestinal transit of PQ and the binding of PQ to the drugs, resulting in the protective effectiveness of SDS and PPS on the acute toxicity of PQ.