The role of methemoglobin in acute butyl nitrite toxicity in mice.
When mice were exposed to butyl nitrites in an inhalation chamber, a significant level of methemoglobinemia is produced. The potency order for methemoglobin production of the four butyl nitrites (n-, iso-, sec-, tert-) is the same as that of their lethal concentrations (LC50 values) and parallels the ability of the agents to cause methemoglobin formation in mouse erythrocytes in vitro. Pretreatment with a single dose of methylene blue prevents the methemoglobin formation and protects against the lethality of the butyl nitrites.
D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D008706:Methemoglobin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D009573:Nitrites / Q000633:toxicity*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000633:toxicity*
D009573:Nitrites; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; C024225:n-butyl nitrite; D008706:Methemoglobin; D008751:Methylene Blue