POSSIBLE ROLES OF DIPHENHYDRAMINE, TRIAZOLAM, DILTIAZEM, AND KETOTIFEN IN PROTECTION AGAINST T-2 TOXIN TOXICITY

The efficacy of diphenhydramine, triazolam, diltiazem, and ketotifen o n the acute toxicity of T-2 toxin, a potent cytotoxic trichothecene my cotoxin, was investigated. Mice were received triazolam (20 or 40 mg/k g sc), diltiazem (5 mg/kg sc), or diphenhydramine (50 mg/kg, sc) 24, 1 8, 1 hr before and 6 hr after injection of T-2 toxin (1.8 mg/kg, ip). In other experiments, mice were either administered ketotifen (70 mg/k g, sc) 13, 7, 1 hr before and 5 hr after T-2 toxin (1.8 mg/kg ip) or k etotifen (40 or 70 mg/kg, ip) 4 hr before T-2 toxin (1.8 mg/kg ip). Th e acute lethal toxicity and change in body and organ weights (includin g liver, spleen, and kidneys) were evaluated. Among these drugs, only diphenhydramine prolonged the survival times. When mice received ketot ifen (70 mg/kg, sc) 13, 7, 1 hr before and 5 hr after T-2 toxin (1.8 m g/kg ip), it caused a protective effect against T-2 toxin-induced sple nomegally and weight change. Triazolam (20 or 40 mg/kg, sc) also produ ced a protective effect against T-2 toxin-induced weight change. It is concluded that antihistamines might have some protective effects agai nst acute T-2 toxin toxicity.