stilbenes and Poisoning

This review deals with the three candidate compounds which may combat with dioxins' toxicity. Geranylgeranylacetone (GGA), an antiulcer drug, counteracts suppression of body weight gain and lethality produced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in C57BL/6J mice. Similarly, curcumin, a food ingredient anticipates the TCDD's toxicity on body weight gain. Both GGA and curcumin had no effect on the induction of hepatic ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity by TCDD. These data suggest that both compounds exhibit a protective effect against some forms of dioxin toxicity by a mechanism without involving inhibition of aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation. Further, the mechanism involved in resveratrol action on dioxin's toxicity was also discussed. Prior to the application of these compounds to Yusho patients, the limitation and possibility of these candidate compounds are seemed to be further studied.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Ulcer Agents; Curcumin; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1; Diterpenes; Food Contamination; Humans; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Oryza; Plant Oils; Poisoning; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; Resveratrol; Stilbenes

The efficacy of two free radical scavengers, selenium and zinc, and a microsomal epoxide hydrolase-inducing agent, cis-stilbene oxide on the acute toxicity of T-2 toxin, a potent cytotoxic trichothecene, was investigated. Mice were pretreated daily for 3 consecutive days with either zinc sulfate (4.4 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]), sodium selenite (1, 2, and 3 mg/kg i.p.) or cis-stilbene oxide (50 mg/kg i.p.). A full 24-hr after the final dosing with these agents, mice were given T-2 toxin (2, 2.5, or 3 mg/kg i.p.). The acute lethal toxicity of T-2 toxin (2.5 mg/kg) was reduced by administration of only sodium selenite (3 mg/kg) and cis-stilbene oxide (50 mg/kg). No significant effect on weight gain was observed.

Topics: Animals; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Epoxide Hydrolases; Free Radical Scavengers; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Microsomes; Poisoning; Selenium; Stilbenes; T-2 Toxin; Zinc

Data from 30 fatal cases of dextropropoxphene poisoning occurring in Northern Ireland over three years have been studied. All the victims had ingested more than therapeutic amounts, and many had also taken alcohol or other drugs. Most of the deaths were probably suicides. Death occurred very rapidly suggesting that the narcotic effects of dextropropoxyphene predominated, and this may explain the scarcity of clinical reports, It is suggested that many doctors are unaware of the danger of dextropropoxyphene in overdosage and that the problem of dextropropoxyphene poisoning in the United Kingdom has not been fully appreciated. This supposition, if correct, highlights the absence of a satisfactory early-warning system for serious drug effects including death.

Topics: Acetaminophen; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Chromatography, Gas; Cyclizine; Death, Sudden; Dextropropoxyphene; Ethanol; Female; Humans; Hydrochloric Acid; Hydrolysis; Male; Northern Ireland; Poisoning; Stilbenes; Suicide