ANTIDOTAL EFFICACY OF GLUTAMATE AND ASPARTATE FOR COLCHICINE TOXICITY

Glutamic and aspartic acids were evaluated for their antidotal efficac y in colchicine toxicity. Female adult inbred mice were treated with i p doses of either 1000 mg glutamic acid (GA) or aspartic acid (AA)/kg bw by various treatment schedules relative to the administration of an ip LD50 of 7.8 mg colchicine/kg bw. Mice were observed for survival a nd changes in body weight. Pretreatment with AA increased survival by 42% (p = 0.01). Concurrent AA treatment improved survival non-signific antly (p = 0.07). With post-exposure AA therapy, however, mortality wa s increased (p = 0.005). No significant beneficial effects of GA occur red. Early AA therapy improves survival in colchicine poisoned mice, b utas delay in treatment is increased, AA efficacy is lost.