title: In vivo release of cyanide from sodium nitroprusside.
abstract: Brain cytochrome oxidase activity was measured after the in vitro addition of potassium cyanide (KCN) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Activity of cytochrome oxidase was sensitive to KCN; however, this activity was unaffected by SNP. In SNP- and KCN-treated animals brain cytochrome oxidase activities were measured. At 3 min after SNP injection, inhibition of the enzymatic activity was the same as 1 min after KCN injection. Time to death for SNP-treated animals was longer than for KCN-treated animals. These data suggest that cyanide was released in vivo from SNP and that time was necessary for this release to occur.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology; D003486:Cyanides / Q000378:metabolism*; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000378:metabolism; D005292:Ferricyanides / Q000378:metabolism*; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D011190:Potassium Cyanide / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003486:Cyanides; D005292:Ferricyanides; D009599:Nitroprusside; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; D011190:Potassium Cyanide