Prophylactic and Therapeutic Agents of Acute Phosgene Gas Exposure

Phosgene in its gaseous form is a deadly poison if inhaled at high concentrations within a short period of time. It may induce non-cardiogenic lung edema which may lead to respiratory failure and death. At low and moderate concentrations, phosgene-gas exposure may cause noticeable symptoms like coughing, and burning sensation in the throat and eyes. There are currently no effective pharmacological therapies for managing exposed individuals. In this study, using rats as a widely used and well-accepted animal model, several drugs and some chemical agents with anti-oxidative and/or anti-radiation properties were tested for their efficacy as therapeutic and/or prophylactic agents following or before whole-body exposure to a lethal dose of phosgene (868 ppm for 2 min). It was found that in the absence of these agents, exposure resulted in 100 % fatality mainly due to non-cardiogenic lung edema, while in their presence, the level were survival and pathologic features were improved depending on the type of the agent used.

This manuscript provides valuable insights into the urgent need for effective therapeutic and prophylactic interventions for phosgene gas exposure, a significant concern in both industrial and potential terrorist scenarios. By using a well-established rat model, the study offers a critical evaluation of various agents.