Beneficial Effect of Dexamethasone in Decreasing the Lethality of Acute T-2 Toxicosis

摘要

Steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents were evaluated for effectiveness for treatment of acute T-2 toxicosis in mice. Non-steroidal agents, indomethacin, phenylbutazone, and acetylsalicyclic acid, were either ineffective, or potentiated the lethality of T-2 toxin. Steroidal agents, assessed at equivalent doses for anti-inflammatory activity, were all effective, with dexamethasone being more effective than either methylprednisolone or hydrocortisone. The doses of dexamethasone producing the highest efficacy were 1.0 mg/kg and 12.5 mg/kg for im and ip routes of administration, respectively. The mean time to death, mean survival time, and percent lethality were determined for untreated and dexamethasone-treated mice injected with a lethal dose of T-2 toxin.