Organophosphorus chemical nerve

Chemical/Pharmaceutical/Other Class Persistent anticholinesterase compound or sulfonated organophosphorus (OP) nerve agent... 

Alteromonas sp. JD6.5 OPAA has been shown 4-6) to be extremely important for its ability to detoxify chemical nerve agents. For this reason, scientists are feverishly searching for a means to incorporate this unique enzyme into a platform for either the detection or the detoxification of the toxic organophosphorus compounds. The nanoencapsulation, or entrapment, of the enzyme to reduce logistical burden is a strong driving force. 

Gao, X., Lin, H., Ray, R., et al, 2013. Toxicogenomic studies of human neural cells following exposure to organophosphorus chemical warfare nerve agent VX. Neurochem. Res. 38, 916-934. 

Modeling Organophosphorus Chemical Warfare Nerve Agents 215... 

Exposure to nerve agents is not restricted to the battlefield. Possible terrorist use of these weapons and the destruction of the chemical weapon depots certainly will increase the risk of exposure. Since treatment for intoxication with at least some of these organophosphorus (OP) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors is still far from ideal, research efforts are devoted towards finding an effective treatment. 

Even more reactive towards acetylcholinesterase are the organophosphorus derivatives developed as chemical warfare nerve agents, e.g. sarin. Such compounds react readily with the enzyme and form very stable addition intermediates. It is unusual to see fluoride as a leaving group, as in sarin, but its presence provides a huge inductive effect, thus accelerating the initial nucleophilic addition step (see also Section 13.7). 

Antidotes for poisoning by cholinergic drugs Atropine is used for poisoning by organophosphorus insecticides, chemical warfare nerve gases, and as an antidote for mushroom poisoning caused by muscarine in certain species, such as Amanita muscaria. 

Nerve gases Probably the most widely stocked chemical agents liquid, gas or aerosol toxins belonging to the group of organophosphorus compounds, which are absorbed by the skin or lungs, usually within 20 to 30 minutes. 

In addition to battlefield trauma, there is also the risk of exposure to chemical weapons such as the nerve agents, notably the organophosphorus gases (soman, sarin, VX, tabun) [6]. Organophosphorus toxicity arises largely from their ability to irreversibly inhibit acetyl-cholinesterases, leading to effects associated with peripheral acetyl-choline accumulation (muscarinic syndrome) such as meiosis, profuse sweating, bradychardia, bronchioconstriction, hypotension, and diarrhoea. Central nervous system effects include anxiety, restlessness, confusion, ataxia, tremors. 

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