In: Anatomy and Physiology
Paraquat is one of the more interesting pulmonary toxicants, in
part because it doesn’t have to be inhaled to produce severe lung
injury.
Explain the mechanism of paraquat toxicity, including the role of
metabolism and reactive oxygen species.
Describe the clinical signs and symptoms of paraquat
poisoning.
Explain why the lung is a target organ for paraquat even if the
route of exposure is ingestion.
Clinical Signs & Symptoms
- GI upset and vomiting present at all levels of toxicity
- Compromised renal function
- Mild hypertension
- Pulmonary alveolar damage
- Edema
- Hemorrhage
- Death by respiratory failure
Paraquat mainly accumulates in the lung (pulmonary concentrations can be 6 to 10 times higher than those in the plasma), where it is retained even when blood levels start to decrease. The pulmonary effects can be explained by the participation of the polyamine transport system abundantly expressed in the membrane of alveolar cells type I, II, and Clara cells. Further downstream at the toxicodynamic level, the main molecular mechanism of Paraquat toxicity is based on redox cycling and intracellular oxidative stress generation.