Paraquat: model for oxidant-initiated toxicity

Journal Article · Sat Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1984 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.845537· OSTI ID:5564144

Bus, J S; Gibson, J E

Paraquat, a quaternary ammonium bipyridyl herbicide, produces degenerative lesions in the lung after systemic administration to man and animals. The pulmonary toxicity of paraquat resembles in several ways the toxicity of several other lung toxins, including oxygen, nitrofurantoin and bleomycin. Although a definitive mechanism of toxicity of parquat has not been delineated, a cyclic single electron reduction/oxidation of the parent molecule is a critical mechanistic event. The redox cycling of paraquat has two potentially important consequences relevant to the development of toxicity: generation of activated oxygen (e.g., superoxide anion, hydrogen perioxide, hydroxyl radical) which is highly reactive to cellular macromolecules; and/or oxidation of reducing equivalents (e.g., NADPH, reduced glutathione) necessary for normal cell function. Paraquat-induced pulmonary toxicity, therefore, is a potentially useful model for evaluation of oxidant mechanisms of toxicity. Furthermore, characterization of the consequences of intracellular redox cycling of xenobiotics will no doubt provide basic information regarding the role of this phenomena in the development of chemical toxicity. 105 references, 2 figures.

• Research Organization: Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology, Research Triangle Park, NC
• OSTI ID: 5564144
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 55; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
BODY
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
HERBICIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
HYDROXYL RADICALS
LUNGS
ORGANS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PEROXIDES
PESTICIDES
RADICALS
REDOX REACTIONS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
REVIEWS
SUPEROXIDE RADICALS
TOXICITY