Morphological correlates of the protection afforded by Varma mixture in rat cornea exposed to half mustard (CEES): A proposed new treatment for sulfur mustard toxicity

Sulfur mustard gas, a bifunctional alkylating synthetic vesicating agent, h as been used in warfare since World War I. It continues to be a modem chemi cal warfare threat agent of choice of some factions. Whole-body exposure to sulfur mustard gas, or its laboratory simulant, a monofunctional alkylatin g sulfur mustard, GEES, induces cutaneous, respiratory, and ocular impairme nts. Of these, ocular damage resulting from irritation and edema of eyelids , conjunctiva, and especially cornea causes the most immediate incapacitati on. This initial ocular pathology may be followed by secondary intracorneal changes leading to severe corneal opacities. Heretofore there has been no specific prophylaxis except avoidance, and no specific therapy except palli ative for mustard gas-induced ocular lesions. In the present study, we pres ent morphological correlates of the apparent attenuation of GEES-induced oc ular lesions in a rat eye model by a therapeutic mixture compound developed by Varma. Varma mixture consists of compounds known to provide bioenergeti c support, reduce oxidative stress, and support tissue metabolism.