Monteiro-Riviere, N.A., Z. Zhang, P.L. Williams, and J.E. Riviere. Sulfur Mustard Causes Vascular and Inflammatory Changes in Isolated Perfused Porcine Skin. The Toxicologist 1994. 14: 104.

sulfur mustard - 00505-60-2

Bis-2-chloroethyl sulfide (sulfur mustard) (HD) is a bifunctional alkylating vesicant. The isolated perfused porcine skin flap (IPPSF) is an in vitro model that mimics physiological responses of skin. The objective was to characterize the vascular and inflammatory responses in the IPPSF after topical exposure to 5.0, 10.0 mg/ml of HD, and control (n=6/treatment). Vascular resistance (VR) was used to assess changes in vascular activity and permeability. Radiolabeled inulin and albumin infusions were used to quantitate vascular volumes. Venous flux of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and F₂ (PGF₂) were examined. VR initially decreased and then increased at 3 hrs after HD exposure. 5.0 mg/ml HD increased VR more than 10.0 mg/ml. Exposure to 5.0 mg/ml HD resulted in an increase in release of both PGE₂ and PGF₂. These findings show that HD causes vascular and inflammatory changes in the IPPSF, and that a knowledge of vascular volumes is required to interpret PG profiles when the PG being measured itself induces vascular changes.