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Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare (2008) - The Black Vault

Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare (2008) - The Black Vault

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PROCESS<strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Aspects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Chemical</strong> <strong>Warfare</strong>Fig. 10–3. General schema for the study <strong>of</strong> acute and chronic lung injury.HOCI: hypochlorous acidINF: interferonH 2O 2: hydrogen peroxideH 2O 3: dihydrogen trioxideIL: interleukinLT: leukotrienePAF: platelet-aggregating factorRBC: red blood cellTNF: tumor necrosis factorCourtesy <strong>of</strong>: US Army <strong>Medical</strong> Research Institute <strong>of</strong> <strong>Chemical</strong> Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.lation exposure can provide a wealth <strong>of</strong> informationabout pathways that may lead to successful treatmentstrategies. One <strong>of</strong> the most important pathways is theglutathione (GSH) cycle. GSH is an important andubiquitous intracellular antioxidant. <strong>The</strong> GSH redoxcycle is activated in response to free-radical–mediatedtissue and cellular injury. GSH also aids in maintainingthe proper balance between naturally occurringfree radical metabolism processes and antioxidantdetoxification. Basically, it helps to create equilibriumin the antioxidant/oxidant ratio. Exposure to inhaledchemical toxins can elicit a response that favors theliberation <strong>of</strong> extremely toxic free radicals. Exposure tophosgene has been demonstrated to cause a significantdecrease in lung tissue GSH across a range <strong>of</strong> species. 65Concurrent with decreased GSH protection in the lungtissue, BALF shows a marked increase in GSH levels. 65Increased BALF GSH is believed to be a response <strong>of</strong>damaged lung tissue for the purpose <strong>of</strong> transportingGSH to critical areas in the alveolar regions. This occursto protect the surfactant and epithelial integrity<strong>of</strong> the gas-exchanging units in response to free radi-352

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