Sarin gas

• Sarin is a gaseous organophosphate compound that is commonly

used in chemical warfare,
• It is a powerful nerve agent that can cause death to those who
inhale the gas within minutes.
• Sarin is an irreversible inhibitor to the enzyme acetylcholinesterase.
• An enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of the acetylcholine
neurotransmitter into acetate and choline.
• When exposed to sarin, a cell’s normal metabolism of acetylcholine
via acetylcholinesterase is disrupted, leading to excessive activation
of the post-synaptic acetylcholine receptors.
• There are two medications that can be used to treat sarin
exposure.
• The first, Pralidoxime, functions by breaking the bond
between the sarin molecule and the acetylcholinesterase
enzyme, thereby ending the inhibition.
• The second, Atropine, is an acetylcholine receptor antagonist,
which prevents the excess acetylcholine from continually
activating the acetylcholine receptor.
• If these medications are not provided soon after being
exposed, those affected by the toxin may die within hours.