Direct organ toxicity

Direct organ toxicity. Some substances may directly damage cells of a particular organ or system, either because they or their metabolites are specifically toxic to these cells, or because they are concentrated in one area, e.g. the renal fluoride ion toxicity of methoxyflurane, or the liver damage that occurs in paracetamol overdose because of a toxic intermediate product binding to hepatocytes. Secondary effects. Some effects are only indirectly related to the action of the drug, e.g. vitamin deficiency in patients whose gut flora have been modified by broad-spectrum antibiotics. 

Brack, W., R. Altenburger, U. Ensenbach, M. Moder, H. Segner, and G. Schuurmann. 1999. Bioassay-directed identification of organic toxicants in river sediment in the industrial region of Bitterfeld (Germany)—a contribution to hazard assessment. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 37 164-174. 

Brack W. 2003. Effect-directed analysis a promising tool for the identification of organic toxicants in complex mixtures Ann Bioanal Chem 377 397-407. 

Effluent Guidelines and Standards Electroplating--Definition of Total Toxic Organic Toxic Pollutant Effluent Limitation and Standards for Direct Discharge Point Sources That Use End-of-pipe >10 ng/L 40 CFR 413.02 EPA 1981 40 CFR 414.91 EPA 1987a... 

From an epidemiological point of view, among the causes of AKI of a medical nature, drug-induced and toxic AKI are very important [77]. Nephrotoxic substances include a wide variety of compounds such as heavy metal ions, organic solvents, antibodies and natural toxins. Nephrotoxins induce AKI in humans by direct cellular toxicity, vasoconstriction, and crystal-mediated tubular obstruction. Acute interstitial inflammation is an important factor in pathogenesis of acute interstitial nephritis. In general, a decrement of... 

Sodic (black alkali) soils are a particularly difficult management problem. The water permeability of these soils to water is very slow. The pH of sodic soils is commonly greater than 9 or 9,5, and the clay and organic fractions are dispersed. Dispersed organic matter accumulates at the surface of poorly drained areas as water evaporates and imparts a black color to the surface, hence the name black alkali. Sodic soils are found in many parts of the western United States. In some locations they occur in small patches, slick spots, less than 0.5 ha in extent. Such patches occupy slight depressions, which become accentuated as surface soil particles disperse and are blown away by wind erosion. The percolation of insufficient water to satisfy plants and to control salinity is the main problem associated with sodic soils. In addition, their relatively low soluble-salt concentrations and high pH values can result in direct Na toxicities to the most sensitive plants. 

To address this organ-directed idiosyncratic toxicity we will highlight two drugs, cisplatin and streptomycin, which are chemically distinct (see structure in Figure 13.8) yet have an intriguing similarity of spectrum of activities. 

Combustion processes may be used advantageously for the destruction of different organic, toxic or smelling substances, by their oxidation to carbon dioxide and water. They also find application for removing certain inorganic matericils, which may be burnt to form other compounds which are non-hazardous from the hygienic standpoint. The combustion can be accomplished either directly or indirectly with the help of a catalyst. 

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