FREE-RADICAL SCAVENGERS AND LIPID-PEROXIDATION IN ACUTE ALUMINUM PHOSPHIDE POISONING

Free radicals scavengers [superoxide dismuatase (SOD) and catalase] an d lipid peroxidation were studied in 45 patients of aluminium phosphid e poisoning irrespective of age and sex admitted to a hospital in nort h India during the January 1992 to December 1993. Serial serum superox ide dismutase (SOD), catalase and MDA (malonyldialdchyde) were estimat ed on days 1, 2 and 5 post-admission depending on the survival of the patients. Serum SOD levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001) but s erum catalase was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in patients than con trols (patients of peripheral circulatory failure and normals) on days 1 and 2 which suggested stimulation of SOD and inhibition of catalase by phosphine resulting In excessive hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) load. Si gnificantly higher levels of MDA (P < 0.001) in patients than controls on days 1 and 2 indicated enhanced lipid peroxidation in this poisoni ng. Twenty four patients died constituting a mortality rate of 53.3 pe r cent. The significantly high levels of SOD and MDA in non-survivors suggested their direct relation to mortality while catalase levels had an inverse relationship. Return of SOD and catalase and MDA to normal or near normal levels in survivors by day 5 suggested abolition of an oxidative stress due to elimination of phosphine.