Metabolic Changes in Mouse Plasma after Acute Diquat Poisoning by UPLC-MS/MS

Introduction: Diquat is a fast-acting contact herbicide and plant dehydrating agent. The oral lethal dose 50 (LD50) of diquat in mice is about 125 mg/kg. The purpose of this study is to research the metabolomics in mouse plasma after acute diquat poisoning. Methods: The mice were divided into two groups (the control group and acute diquat poisoning group). The control group was given normal saline by gavage. The acute diquat poisoning group was given 50 mg/kg diquat. UPLC-MS/MS was used to determinate the small molecule organic acid in mouse plasma. Results: Compared to the control group, the L-lysine, Adenine, L-Alanine, L-Valine, Lactic acid, Inosine, Adenosine, L-Tryptophan, L-Tyrosine, L-Arginine, L-Phenylalanine, L-Methionine, Citric acid, Fructose, L-Glutamine, Malic acid, L-Aspartic acid and Pyruvic acid increased in the acute diquat poisoning group (p<0.05); while the L-Histidine decreased (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of metabolites increased or decreased, indicating that acute diquat poisoning induced amino acid metabolism and energy metabolism perturbations in mice.