TOXICITY EVALUATION OF 2 TREATMENT REGIMENS FOR CYANIDE POISONING

Toxicological evaluation of two recently reported treatment protocols for cyanide-SN (sodium nitrite) + DMAP (4-dimethylaminophenol) and SN + HA (hydroxylamine)-was carried out in male rats. Both treatments pro duced transient hyperammonaemia and decreased mean arterial pressure. Heart rate decreased and respiratory rate increased, but these changes reached the level of significance only after SN + HA. Histopathologic al lesions in lung, liver (SN + HA) and kidney (SN + DMAP) were predom inantly in the vicinity of blood vessels. The results indicate toxic e ffects in both treatment groups at a dose known to induce methaemoglob in concentration to the level of antidotal efficiency in cyanide intox ication.