EFFECT OF CHLORPROMAZINE ON THE UPTAKE AND EFFLUX OF PARAQUAT IN RAT LUNG SLICES

The uptake of paraquat by rat lung slices was inhibited by chlorpromazine in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. In addition, the efflux of paraquat from lung slices was enhanced by chlorpromazine in a similar fashion. These in vitro findings suggested that chlorpromazine might be useful in vivo in reducing pulmonary paraquat content and, in turn, its pneumotoxicity. However, chlorpromazine potentiated the lethal toxicity of paraquat rather than ameliorating it. This potentiation by chlorpromazine was found to correlate with a reduction in the urinary excretion of paraquat and concomitant increase in pulmonary paraquat concentrations. © 1979.