Changes in the oxidative stress/anti-oxidant system after exposure to sulfur mustard and antioxidant strategies in the therapy, a review

Abstract

Sulfur mustard, in a chemical name bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide, is a chemical warfare agent. It is cytotoxic and blister forming once spread over the skin. Though exact molecular mechanism of sulfur mustard toxic action remains unknown, inflammation and oxidative stress development are considered as the most relevant pathological consequences. Applications of either low-molecular weight antioxidants or cofactors for enzymatic antioxidants are considered as suitable ways how to ameliorate the poisoning. In this article, survey of literature on countermeasures against sulfur mustard poisoning are given and evidence of oxidative stress role during sulfur mustard poisoning and availability of antioxidants for the therapy are discussed.

Keywords:

• Oxidative stress
• mustard gas
• sulfur mustard
• inflammation
• poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase
• antioxidant
• bis(2-chloroethyl)sulfide

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study/work was supported by a Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic ? long-term organization development plan Medical Aspects of Weapons of Mass Destruction of the Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence.