title: Stereospecific effect of naloxone hydrochloride on cyanide intoxication.
abstract: Cyanide intoxication in mice can be antagonized by the opiate antagonist, (-)naloxone HCl, alone or in combination with sodium thiosulfate and/or sodium nitrite. Potency ratios, derived from LD50 values, were compared in groups of mice pretreated with sodium nitrite (sc, 100 mg/kg), sodium thiosulfate (ip, 1 g/kg), and (-)naloxone HCl (sc, 10 mg/kg) either alone or in various combinations. These results indicate that naloxone HCl provides a significant protection against the lethal effects of potassium cyanide. The protective effect of sodium thiosulfate, but not sodium nitrite, was enhanced with (-)naloxone HCl. The combined administration of sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate was further enhanced with (-)naloxone HCl. This protective effect of naloxone HCl against the lethal effect of cyanide appears to be restricted to the (-)stereoisomer, as the (+)stereoisomer, the inactive opiate antagonist, is also inactive in protecting against the lethal effects of cyanide. The mechanism of antagonism is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003486:Cyanides / Q000506:poisoning*; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011190:Potassium Cyanide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000187:drug effects*; D012977:Sodium Nitrite / Q000494:pharmacology; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013885:Thiosulfates / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D003486:Cyanides; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D013885:Thiosulfates; D009270:Naloxone; C017717:sodium thiosulfate; D012977:Sodium Nitrite; D011190:Potassium Cyanide