Introduction: Oganophosphorus compounds (OP) bind to acetylcholinesterase
(AChE) and inactivate it. In the synaptic cleft, undestroyed and accumulated acetylcholine produce the acute cholinergic effects. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, speed of onset and intensity of certain signs of paraoxon
poisoning depending on dose and outcome of poisoning.
Methods: The study was conducted in adult Wistar rats. The median lethal dose
(LD50) of paraoxon as well as protective ratio (PR) of atropine (10 mg/kg intramuscularly) was determined. Clinical signs of poisoning were observed: fasciculations,
tremor, seizures, ataxia, piloerection, lacrimation, exophthalmos, bizzare/stereotypic behaviour and dyspnoea. The time from paraoxon injection to the first appearance of the sign of poisoning was recorded as well as the intensity of poisoning
with evaluation at 10 time intervals throughout the 4 h observational period.
Results: The LD50 of paraoxon was 0.33 mg/kg (subcutaneously) and PR of atropine was 2.73. Dose-dependent, piloerection occurred more often (p = 0.009) and
at higher intensity (p = 0.016) at higher doses. Fasciculations, tremor, seizures and
ataxia occurred significantly earlier at higher doses of paraoxon (p = 0.015, 0.002,
0.021 and 0.016, respectively), as well as the intensity of seizure, tremor and fasciculation. Piloerection (p = 0.002) and seizures occurred more frequently (p = 0.009)
in non-survivors. Fasciculations, tremor, seizures and ataxia occurred significantly
earlier and at higher intensity in non-survivors (p < 0.001, for all parameters), as
well as dyspnoea (p = 0.009 and p = 0.048). In atropine-protected rats, nicotinic
effects persevered, so they were the prognostic parameter of the severity of the
poisoning.
Conclusion: Seizures and fasciculations followed by tremor were strong prognostic parameters of the probability of lethal outcome of paraoxon poisoning. Also, the
mentioned poisoning signs were with their intensity and speed of occurrence in
a clear positive correlation with the administered dose of paraoxon. Even at high
doses of paraoxon, atropine blocked the muscarinic (but not nicotinic) effects and
somewhat mitigated the CNS toxic effects.
