Efficacy and physiological effects of human butyrylcholinesterase as a post-exposure therapy against percutaneous poisoning by VX in the guinea-pig

Chem Biol Interact. 2010 Sep 6;187(1-3):304-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2010.02.020. Epub 2010 Feb 20.

Abstract

The physiological effects of human plasma-derived butyrylcholinesterase (huBuChE) administration and its modulation of the effects of percutaneous VX challenge are poorly understood. Percutaneously administered nerve agents are more slowly absorbed than inhaled agents; consequently, signs of poisoning occur later, with a longer duration. Telemetry was used to monitor heart rate, EEG, temperature and activity in guinea-pigs. Treatment with huBuChE at 30 or 120 min following percutaneous VX challenge ( approximately 2.5 x LD(50)) provided 100% protection from lethality. When huBuChE administration was delayed until the onset of observable signs of poisoning only 1 out of 6 animals survived to the end of the experiment at 7 days. This study adds to the body of evidence demonstrating the efficacy of huBuChE in animals by describing the successful therapeutic use of a protein bioscavenger as a post-exposure treatment against dermal exposure to VX up to 2h post-exposure. This study simultaneously used telemetric methods to show that the efficacy of huBuChE is linked to the prevention of detrimental physiological changes observed in control VX-treated animals. Post-exposure therapy is a promising additional indication for the concept of use of this material, and one that has particular relevance in a civilian exposure scenario.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Animals
  • Antidotes / administration & dosage
  • Antidotes / pharmacology*
  • Antidotes / therapeutic use*
  • Butyrylcholinesterase / administration & dosage
  • Butyrylcholinesterase / pharmacology*
  • Butyrylcholinesterase / therapeutic use*
  • Chemical Warfare Agents / poisoning*
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Organothiophosphorus Compounds / administration & dosage*
  • Organothiophosphorus Compounds / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Organothiophosphorus Compounds / poisoning*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antidotes
  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Organothiophosphorus Compounds
  • VX
  • Butyrylcholinesterase