Abstract
The time course and extent of the methemoglobinemia induced by intraperitoneal sodium nitrite and p-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) have been characterized in female mice. The peak methemoglobin formation (34%) from sodium nitrite (75 mg/kg) is achieved in about 40 minutes. Comparable levels from PAPP (15 mg/kg) are achieved more quickly (between 5 and 10 minutes) but decline more rapidly to normal. Both nitrite- and PAPP-induced methemoglobinemia afford a significant degree of protection against poisoning by sodium azide when administered in an appropriate time sequence. It was not possible under the same circumstances to protect mice against death from fluoride, cyanate, thiocyanate, selenate, or borate, although some prolongation of survival time was seen after fluoride. The formation of the azide-methemoglobin complex has been demonstrated within intact mouse red blood cells, and small amounts of the complex were identified in vivo in an antidotal situation. We think it important that the protective action of methemoglobinemia has been demonstrated to date only against established inhibitors of cytochrome oxidase.
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