Prevention of T-2 toxin-induced morphologic effects in the rat by highly activated charcoal.

The efficacy of a highly activated charcoal in preventing the morphologic effects of T-2 toxin was examined in female rats. T-2 toxin at 25 mg/kg (6 x LD50) was given orally to all rats. Half the rats also received the charcoal, at a dose of 9 ml/kg and a concentration of 104 mg/ml, while the other half received water. A charcoal-treated rat (T-2 toxin + charcoal) was killed at the time of death of each positive control animal (T-2 toxin alone). Severe necrosis was seen in the spleen, thymus, stomach, small intestine, liver and adrenal glands of the positive controls (T-2 toxin alone). Lesions were absent or minimal in the paired charcoal-treated rats (T-2 toxin + charcoal).