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67562

Early L-carnitine Therapy in Severe Acute Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Article

Last updated: 22 Jan 2023

Subjects

-

Tags

• Pesticide Toxicology

Abstract

Introduction: Aluminum phosphide (AlP) is a common solid fumigant pesticide used for agricultural and nonagricultural purposes. In Egypt, AlP tablets are frequently used to commit suicide, and AlP poisoning constituting a frequent cause of admission and mortality in poison control centers. Current management of AlP poisoning is limited to supportive care; as there is no specific antidote. Objectives: to evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of early L-carnitine administration, as an antioxidant, in treatment of severe acute AlP poisoning. Material and methods: This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial. It was conducted in Tanta Poison Control center (Emergency Hospital, Tanta University). Fifty acute AlP intoxicated patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups A and B using the sequentially numbered, opaque sealed envelopes method. Group A received only the routine treatment. Group B received L – Carnitine therapy as follow: 9 ampoules (9 gm) of L- Carnitine in 500 ml of 0.9% normal saline given as continuous IV infusion, until improvement or death in addition to the routine treatment. Complete physical examination, routine laboratory investigations and oxidative stress markers; malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were assessed for each patient. Results: Comparison between groups A and B 12 hrs after admission revealed significant reduction of the mean MDA levels in group B than group A (7.54± 1.74 and 16.22± 2.95 respectively, p<0.001). At the same time, group B showed significant elevation in the mean TAC (5.70±1.55 and 12.88±2.49 respectively) and GSH levels (2.37±.89, 4.09±.86 respectively). Additionally, the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation was significantly lower in group B compared to group A (20% versus 56 % respectively). However, there was non-significant reduction in the number of deaths in patients on L-carnitine therapy (group B) compared with group A (60% and 80% respectively, p >0.05). Conclusion: Early administration of L-carnitine IV infusion was effective and safe as an adjuvant treatment of AlP poisoned patients.

DOI

10.21608/ejfsat.2020.17184.1097

Keywords

Aluminum phosphide, L-carnitine, Oxidative Stress, Malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, Total Antioxidant Capacity

Authors

First Name

Fatma

Last Name

Elgazzar

MiddleName

M

Affiliation

Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt

Email

fm.elgazzar@gmail.com

City

-

Orcid

0000-0002-2353-9223

First Name

Walaa

Last Name

Keshk

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

biochemistry,faculty of medicine, tantauniversity

Email

walaa.keshk@med.tanta.edu.eg

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Heba

Last Name

Khalifa

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

forensic medicine&amp;amp;clinical toxicology,faculty of medicine , tanta university

Email

hebokamel@gmail.com

City

-

Orcid

-

Volume

19

Article Issue

4

Related Issue

8913

Issue Date

2019-12-01

Receive Date

2019-11-06

Publish Date

2019-12-01

Page Start

147

Page End

164

Print ISSN

1687-0875

Online ISSN

2535-1915

Link

https://ejfsat.journals.ekb.eg/article_67562.html

Detail API

https://ejfsat.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=67562

Order

9

Type

Original Article

Type Code

429

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

The Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences and Applied Toxicology

Publication Link

https://ejfsat.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

-

Details

Type

Article

Created At

22 Jan 2023