Search

Sulfur mustard (SM) as a chemical warfare agent has short- and long-term complications on its victims. Complications of exposure to SM depend on the level of contamination. Long-term pulmonary complications are the most serious problems. Recent evidence has shown that absorbed SM can be conducted to other tissues by the bloodstream. In this study, we evaluated the long-term effects of SM on the vital activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in SM-exposed patients with long-term pulmonary complications. Our study samples were 110 patients with long-term pulmonary complications in the SM-exposed group and 109 unexposed individuals in the control group. After clinical examination and pulmonary function tests, the severity of pulmonary complications was classified. Also, the participants' peripheral blood was taken into EDTA-treated Vacutainer tubes. Then, the complete blood count (CBC) was calculated, and PBMCs was purified from whole blood using Ficol-Paque gradient method, finally, the vital activity was assessed by MTT assay. The vital activity of PBMCs in the SM-exposed group with the mitogen was significantly lower than that in the control group (P = 0.016). Whereas, there was no significant difference in the viability of PBMCs without the mitogen between two groups. Furthermore, hematologic findings indicated that the SM-exposed group had a significant increase in the total count of WBC, neutrophil, MCV, and HCT values but the lymphocyte count and MCHC value were significantly lower than those in the control group. Exposure to SM even after a long time, can affect hematologic parameters and vital activity of PBMCs. • We evaluated the long-term effects of SM on the vital activity of PBMCs in SM-exposed patients with pulmonary complications. • The vital activity of PBMCs in the SM-exposed group in the presence of PHA was significantly lower than in the control group. • The level of PBMCs' vital activity was lower significantly in severe and very sever patients compared to the control group. • Total count of WBC, neutrophil, MCV, and HCT values were significantly increased in the SM-exposed group. • The lymphocyte count and MCHC value were significantly lower than those in the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), P-, E-, and L-selectins were investigated in seriously eye-injured patients exposed to sulfur mustard (SM). A total of 128 individuals with SM-induced serious eye injuries and 31 healthy male controls were included in this study. The serum concentration of soluble forms of adhesion molecules was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The serum level of soluble ICAM-1 was significantly higher in the SM-exposed individuals with an abnormality in tear meniscus height, corneal verticillata, and pannus compared with SM-exposed individuals without these abnormalities. There were no significant differences in the level of all three measured selectins between the SM-exposed group and the control groups. SM-exposed individuals with corneal defect had a significantly higher level of soluble E-selectin than SM-exposed individuals without this abnormality. The serum level of soluble P-selectin in the SM-exposed group with limbal abnormality was significantly lower than that in the SM-exposed without this abnormality; also it was significantly higher in SM-exposed group with fundus abnormality compared to that in the control group or SM-exposed group without this abnormality. The changes in the levels of selectins and ICAM-1 in the SM-exposed group with various ocular abnormalities is a defense mechanism against the toxicity of SM. Further analysis is required to understand the molecular mechanisms of the relationship between adhesion molecules with ocular complications in SM-exposed individuals. • We found a significant decrease in sICAM-1 and an insignificant difference in sE, sP- and sL-selectins in veterans. • Significantly low sICAM-1, high sE, and sL-selectins, and change in sP-selectin in veterans with some ocular abnormalities. • Sardash study found significantly low sL- and sP-selectins, high sE-selectin, and insignificant sICAM-1 in veterans. • sICAM-1 and sL-selectin in veterans with and without ocular abnormalities were insignificant. • Significantly low and high sP- and sE-selectins found in veterans without ocular abnormities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]