A MODEL FOR QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENT OF SULFUR MUSTARD SKIN-LESIONS IN THE RABBIT EAR

The search for treatment and protection against the vesicant and infla mmatory skin lesions induced by sulfur mustard suffers from the lack o f a good in vivo reproducible model. We applied sulfur mustard (25-500 mu g/cm(2)) to the outer surface of the ears of 10 rabbits and measur ed the edema formation 12, 24 and 48 h post-application with a caliper especially designed for soft matter. There was a dose-dependent linea r increase in edema magnitude in the range from 25 to 150 mu g/cm(2). Maximal edema was observed after 12 h. There was a 12% reduction in ed ema size 24 h after application and a further decrease after 48 h. Ski n thickness, inflammatory cell infiltrate, necrosis and vesiculation w ere evaluated in biopsies taken after 24 h. We found the same dose-rel ated increase both in skin thickness and in degree of blister formatio n. This simple dose-response in vivo model can be used for evaluation of the dermal inflammation induced by topical application of sulfur mu stard. This model has the additional advantage of a built-in control, namely the untreated contralateral ear. Consequently, this model can s erve as a useful tool for future screening of potential compounds for prevention and treatment of sulfur mustard-induced skin lesions. (C) 1 997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.