Comparative toxicity of alkyl-1,4-naphthoquinones in rats: relationship to free radical production in vitro.
2-Methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone causes haemolysis in vivo. This toxic effect is believed to result from oxidative damage to erythrocytes by "active oxygen" species formed via one-electron reduction of the naphthoquinone by oxyhaemoglobin. In the present investigation, seven 2-alkyl-1,4-naphtoquinones have been studied with regard to their haemolytic activity in rats, their ability to cause oxidative damage in erythrocytes in vitro, and their reactivity toward oxyhaemoglobin. A close correlation was observed between the in vivo and in vitro parameters, suggesting that the proposed mechanism of toxicity of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone is correct and is also applicable to other alkylnaphthoquinones.
Munday
R
R
AgResearch, Ruakura Agricultural Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Fowke
E A
EA
Smith
B L
BL
Munday
C M
CM
D000818:Animals; D004798:Enzymes / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D006366:Heinz Bodies / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000097:blood*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009285:Naphthoquinones / Q000633:toxicity*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D004798:Enzymes; D009285:Naphthoquinones; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D005978:Glutathione