The effect of amifostine, a cytoprotective agent, on paraquat toxicity in mice

Background Paraquat (PQ) is a highly poisonous herbicide with a variety of toxic effects, most notably pulmonary fibrosis. In alveolar epithelial cells, it is converted to a PQ radical and subsequently generates other reactive species resulting in lipid peroxidation and cell destruction. Amifostine is a thiophosphate prodrug approved by the FDA for the prevention of toxicities associated with cisplatin and therapeutic radiation. When amifostine is converted to an active metabolite (WR-1065), it functions as an oxygen and DNA radical scavenger that has been shown to protect against lipoperoxidation. The aim of this study was to determine whether amifostine improves survival or lung injury resulting from PQ toxicity.