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Valproic acid (VPA) is a broad-spectrum anticonvulsant drug. Its mechanism of action includes enhancing GABAergic transmission, blocking voltage-gated sodium channels, and affecting dopaminergic and serotonergic transmission (1). The mechanism of VPA toxicity, including its effects on the liver, is not fully known. It is assumed that oxidative stress and/or reactive products of drug biotransformation are responsible for its hepatotoxicity (2). The aim of the study was to verify the hypothesis concerning the influence of valproic acid and its metabolite, 2-propyl-4-pentenoic acid (4-en VPA) on the antioxidant status of patients treated with (VPA-T) and poisoned with valproic acid (VPA-P). The VPA-P group was divided into patients with (VPA-Ptox) and without (VPA-Pnon) toxic symptoms observed during the hospitalization. Oxidative stress was assessed using markers, such as antioxidant potential (FRAP) and reduced and oxidised glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio were measured in the plasma of the study patients. The obtained results showed statistically significant differences between the concentrations of the drug and its active metabolite levels in the VPA-T and VPA-P groups. In the VPA-P group, the increase of the level of 4-en VPA in the plasma correlated with the increase of the concentration of the drug. The influence of VPA on the antioxidant balance in both groups of patients was demonstrated. The plasma antioxidant potential of FRAP decreased with increasing valproic acid concentrations in the VPA-Ptox group. The lowest concentrations of GSH/GSSG ratio were found in the VPA-Pnon group, without symptoms of intoxication during hospitalization.

Quetiapine (QT) belongs to the second generation of antipsychotics. It is mostly used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. During biotransformation via myeloperoxidase (MPO) QT is oxidized to quinoneimine and a reactive radical, which may contribute to the development of oxidative stress during intoxication. The coexisting inflammation may also significantly contribute to the disturbances in the course of QT poisoning. In this study, twenty-one patients poisoned with quetiapine were examined. The study aimed to assess the correlation between blood QT concentration and selected oxidative stress as well as inflammation biomarkers, such as MPO and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the serum of poisoned patients. The obtained results were related to the values of the control group consisting of 21 healthy people, untreated and not poisoned with the drug. In patients with a toxic QT concentration in the blood (3.15 ± 2.11 μg/mL), the activity of MPO and CRP serum level were significantly higher in comparison to the control group. The mean level of CRP in the study group was 76.74 mg/L, while in the control group only 1.86 mg/L. The increase in MPO activity and CRP blood level in patients after QT overdose may confirm the hypothesis of oxidative disorders arising during its biotransformation and concomitant inflammation. Statistically significant relationships between selected biomarkers and blood QT concentration, the patient's clinical condition and the type of therapy were demonstrated.

In recent years, the administration of fentanyl (FNTL) implicitly in transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) has vastly increased in chronic pain treatment. Non-medical and uncontrolled use of FNTL in TFDS (transdermal fentanyl delivery systems) may reveal toxic effects by the route of exposure, dermal or alternative, by ingestion of patches, and drug release in the stomach. The purpose of this study was to present three different cases of FNTL poisonings, two of which resulted in death due to TFDS abuse. The first case is a 66-year-old woman treated for accidental FTNL poisoning resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Two remaining cases are a 31-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man who died as a result of FNTL overdose after on-skin and ingestion application of the drug patches. During the hospitalization of the 66-year-old patient, in blood samples, FNTL was confirmed at a concentration of 10.0 ng/mL. Tests run on blood taken from the corpses of 25- and 31-year-old patients exhibited FNTL presence in concentrations of 29.1 ng/mL and 38.7 ng/mL, respectively. The various routes of administration and ultimately toxic effects are important to present because, in TDDS, fentanyl can be a reason for severe to fatal poisoning, as shown by the three cases above.

Unconventional (alternative, natural) medicine in Poland and worldwide includes hundreds of non-scientifically verified “treatment” modalities. Among the most popular are biological therapies using chemical or natural compounds administered with injection or drip infusion. The latter has found the most excellent use in treating rheumatological and dermatological diseases and certain types of cancer. Vitamin infusions, curcumin, glutathione, perhydrol and dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) have gained popularity among clients of natural medicine clinics. The present study aims to analyse the case of a 37-year-old woman who was administered infusions containing perhydrol and DMSO (0.5 mL 0.04% hydrogen peroxide/0.5 mL p.d.a DMSO in saline) due to a MTHFR A1298C mutation. After having the next infusion, the woman complained of nausea and then became unconscious. Subsequently, she suffered respiratory and cardiac arrest. Adequate resuscitation was undertaken. After being taken to the hospital, the patient was in critical condition and died due to increasing multiple-organ failure. Initially, there was suspected DMSO poisoning as it was the only compound to have been administered as an intravenous infusion. However, it was not until the analysis of the secured evidence that it became clear that the patient had also been given an intravenous solution of hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, and that there had been a mistake in preparing the intravenous perhydrol solution. The autopsy concluded that the immediate cause of death was an acute cardiopulmonary failure due to the toxic effects of intravenously administered hydrogen peroxide. This conclusion was established after the toxicological testing of the evidence and biological material secured during the patient’s treatment and autopsy. Products containing DMSO and perhydrol are not included in the lists of medicinal/therapeutical forms and preparations and thus are not authorised for marketing in Poland. In the case of perhydrol, apart from the topical use of diluted preparations for washing and cleansing wounds, no data on therapeutic use exist in the available scientific literature. Furthermore, “DMSO and perhydrol therapy” cannot even be considered a placebo effect, as both are toxic compounds which could, at most, cause poisoning symptoms rather than improve health.

The review presents data from the last few years on bioanalytical methods used in therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of the 1st–3rd generation and the newest antiepileptic drug (AEDs) cenobamate in patients with various forms of seizures. Chemical classification, structure, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic data and therapeutic ranges for total and free fractions and interactions were collected. The primary data on bioanalytical methods for AEDs determination included biological matrices, sample preparation, dried blood spot (DBS) analysis, column resolution, detection method, validation parameters, and clinical utility. In conclusion, the most frequently described method used in AED analysis is the LC-based technique (HPLC, UHPLC, USLC) combined with highly sensitive mass detection or fluorescence detection. However, less sensitive UV is also used. Capillary electrophoresis and gas chromatography have been rarely applied. Besides the precipitation of proteins or LLE, an automatic SPE is often a sample preparation method. Derivatization was also indicated to improve sensitivity and automate the analysis. The usefulness of the methods for TDM was also highlighted.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on benzene hematotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on rats exposed for 2, 4 and 8 weeks to benzene vapour at a conentration of 1.5 or 4.5 mmol/m3 of air (5 days per week, 6 hours per day) alone or together with ASA at the doses of 5, 150 or 300 mg/kg body weight (per os). Results: Benzene at a concentration of 4.5 mmol/m3 caused a slight lymphopenia, granulocytosis and reticulocytosis in blood. In bone marrow traits of megaloblastic renewal, presence of undifferentiated cells and giant forms of granulocytes as well as an increase in myeloperoxidase and decrease in chloroacetate esterase activity and lipids content were noted. ASA (150 and 300 mg/kg b.w.) influenced some of hematological parameters, altered by benzene intoxication. ASA limited the solvent-induced alteration in blood reticulocyte count and in the case of bone marrow in the erythroblasts count. Traits of megaloblastic renewal in bone marrow were less pronounced. Besides, higher activity of myeloperoxidase and the decrease in the level of lipids in granulocytes were noted. Conclusion: Our results suggest that ASA limited the benzene-induced hematotoxicity.

Introduction. Ethylene glycol (EG) is relatively nontoxic but undergoes a multi-step oxidation to toxic metabolites, aldehydes and acids. The accumulation of organic acids, mainly glycolates, leads to the development of profound, life-threatening metabolic acidosis. A key therapy is an antidotal treatment with fomepizole (4-MP), the inhibitor of the first step of EG biotransformation enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase. Aim. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the efficacy of fomepizole in the prevention of acid-base balance disorders in acute ethylene glycol poisonings in rats. Material and methods. Adult male Wistar rats were given EG (p.o.) with single (i.p.) or multiple (p.o.) doses of 4-MP (EG 3830 and 5745 mg/kg, respectively, 4-MP in single dose of 10 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg followed by 10 mg/kg every 12 hours). Blood gas analysis was performed and blood pH, bicarbonate concentration and base excess were evaluated. Results and conclusions. The single dose of 4-MP was effective in preventing a decrease in blood pH, bicarbonate concentration and base excess during the entire experimental period (pH 7.35 vs 7.21 at hour 12, bicarbonate concentration 27.2 vs 18.3 mmol/dm3 at hour 8, base excess 1.8 vs -8.2 mmol/dm3 at hour 18). The multiple administration of 4-MP started 2 hours after EG poisoning resulted in rapid restoration of proper values of acid- -base balance parameters. Fomepizole is highly efficacious in restraining the acid-base balance disorders which are concomitant with acute ethylene glycol poisonings.