Therapeutic Response to Folinic Acid in Methanol Poisoning Epidemic in Shiraz

Background: methanol poisoning may result to death andpermanent complications, sporadic cases of methanol poisoningare fairly rare and the largest experience are generally gainedfrom managing methanol intoxication epidemics. the main metaboliteof methanol is acid formic that is the prime metaboliteresponsible for toxic effects of methanol and since folate dependentsystems are responsible for the oxidation of formi c acidto co2 and water. it is belie ved that administration of folic acidenhances the metabolism of form ate. though therapeutic effectsof folic or folinic acid has never been fully tested in clinicaltrail s in human. our objective was to evaluate therapeutic effectof folinic acid in methanol poisoned persons.methods: in recent methanol poisoning epidemic due tobootleg liquor consumption in shiraz at 2004, sixty-twopatients have hospitalized. folinic acid was admin istered to 19patients and therapeuti c effe ct of folinic acid was studied.results: there was no signi fi cant difference between twogroups of patient s and number of decreased visual acuity , renalfunction, hospital stays and needs to bicarbonate therapyand hemodialysis. the only effect was decreasing acidosis infolate treated patients.conclusion: regardless of prior animal studies and case reports, with attention to our study limitation we didn 't foundsignificant protective ef fect of folinic acid infusion amongmethanol poisoning patients. the only effect was decreasingacidosis in folate received patients. further studies in optimalsituation is needed for definite judgment.