OP are esters of:

A-phosphoric,

B-phosphonic,

C-phosphorothiotic, or related acids.

1

OP are used as:

1-insecticides,

2-drugs and

3- chemical warfare:

A-tabun GA,

B-sarin GB,

C-soman GD,

D-GF

E-VX

2

Intoxication from the OP can bring about four outcomes:

1-acute, cholinergic effect by inhibiting cholinesterases, (AChE) and (BChE).

2-OP-induced delayed neurotoxicity, (OPIDN).

3-Long term neuropsycological disorders.

4-Effects in muscles, weakness.

3

Increased cholinergic effects: SLUDGE,

1-salivation, vomiting, cramping, involuntary defecation, emesis, involuntary urination.

2-running nose, increased mucous, bronchoconstriction, cough, breathing difficulty, suffocation, and death.

3-lacrimation, vision difficulty, pain, sweating,

4-myosis, fatigue, muscle tremor, twitching & fasciculations, convulsions,

5-anxious, confusion, seizures, consciousness, headache, agitation.

4

Polyneuropathy:

Lack of muscular coordination, tingling, numbness, fatigue,

cramp-like pain, weakness and paralysis.

OP act on Neuropathy Target Esterase, (NTE), so non anti-cholinesterases.

Time: 1-4 weeks after contact.

5

Psychological disorders:

Impairment of intellectual functioning, academic skills, abstraction, flexibility of thinking, coordination.

Cause: Effect of OP on NTE.

6

Animal studies with Pyridostigmine Bromide, (PB).

A-Histopathological & ultra structural, AChE inhibitor myopathy,

organelle damage, myofibril disorganization, some necrosis.

B-Presynaptic: ACh production & release, denervation withdrawal of nerves from the motor end plate, intrusion of glial cells in synapse, depletion of ACh vesicles.

C-Postjunctional: current voltage, time response.

www.gulflink.osd.mil/library/randrep/…/mr1018.2.chap12.html

7

Two ways of medication:

1-Against the cause,

2-Symptomatic.

1-Antidote: A-AChE reactivators:

a-pralidoxime chloride, (2-PAM), b-obidoxime.

B-Reversible AChE OP, PB as ‘profilactic’

8

2-Symptomatic medication:

A-Parasympaticolytic-Atropine

B-Tranquillisers-Diazepam.

C-Oxygen, assisted ventilation.

D-GK-11, non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate, (NMDA) receptor antagonist, (Lallement, et al 98).

9

Terror of a chemical war.

Gulf War Veterans, (GWV), syndrome.

Long-term effects from OP insecticides:

A-The allergic response.

B-Food contamination.

C-Suspected Adverse Reaction, (SAR).

D-Chronic and delayed effects of OP intoxication.

www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/…/organo.htm

10

Mars. T, Syversen. T. General & Applied Toxicology, 2nd Ed.

Karczmar. A.G. Anticholinesterase agents. (1970).

www .emedicine. comiNEURO/tpoic286 .htm

vww .csis-scrs.gc.ca/eng/miscdocs/chemter_e.html

http://lab.nap.edu/html/ccep_nerve/report.html

www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc63.htm

www.ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1999/Suppl-1/../abstract.html

www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/…/organo.htm

www.gulflink.osd.mil/library/randrep/../mr1018.2.chap12.html

11