Citation

Bairaktari E, Katopodis K, Siamopoulos KC, Tsolas O. Clin. Chem. 1998; 44(6 Pt 1): 1256-1261.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, American Association for Clinical Chemistry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9625050

Abstract

The herbicide paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridylium dichloride; PQ), is a poison known to cause delayed mortality due to lung and kidney injuries. High-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy has been extensively applied in evaluating nephrotoxicity by the characteristic perturbations in the excretion pattern of low molecular weight endogenous metabolites. The application of the method allows the rapid localization of the renal injury noninvasively. In this study, we report 1H NMR and conventional clinical chemistry urinalysis in two patients suffering from paraquat intoxication after overdose with suicidal intent. The alterations in the urine NMR spectrum suggest necrosis of the pars recta of the proximal renal tubules. The molecule of paraquat is also clearly detected in the same spectrum. In conclusion, the rapid screening of urine by NMR spectroscopy provides information about both the identity of the poison and the abnormal pattern of endogenous metabolites that characterize the location of the injury in renal tubules and reveals alterations in unusual metabolites that are not commonly measured.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Drug Overdose; Herbicides; Humans; Kidney Diseases; Kidney Tubules, Proximal; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Middle Aged; Necrosis; Paraquat; Suicide, Attempted