Hydroxycobalamin as an antidote to acrylonitrile

Abstract

Hydroxycobalamin, a derivative of vitamin B 12, reduced the immediate toxicity of acrylonitrile in mice. The protection afforded was more obvious if sodium thiosulfate was given additionally, but most of the animals died some hours later. Phenobarbital pretreatment was ineffective. In anesthetized dogs acutely poisoned by intravenous infusion of acrylonitrile solutions, the antidotal effect of the mixture was less evident. The acute toxicity of acrylonitrile was due in part to cyanide and in part to a central action. Hydroxycobalamin is not likely to be of great therapeutic value.