title: A review of methylene blue treatment for cardiovascular collapse.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Historically, methylene blue (MB) has been used for multiple purposes, including as an antidote for toxin-induced and hereditary methemoglobinemia, ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy, and ackee fruit and cyanide poisoning; as an aniline dye derivative, antimalarial agent, and antidepressant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most recently, the use of MB has been advocated as a potential adjunct in the treatment of shock states. Our article reviews the role of MB in septic shock, anaphylactic shock, and toxin-induced shock. MB is proposed to increase blood pressure in these shock states by interfering with guanylate cyclase activity, and preventing cyclic guanosine monophosphate production and vasodilatation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MB may be an adjunct in the treatment of septic shock, anaphylactic shock, and toxin-induced shock.
authors: Department of Toxicology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California.
authors: Jean C Y
authors: JC
authors: Lo
authors: Department of Toxicology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California.
authors: Michael A
authors: MA
authors: Darracq
authors: Department of Toxicology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California.
authors: Richard F
authors: RF
authors: Clark
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012769:Shock / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D008751:Methylene Blue
keywords: anaphylactic shock; methylene blue; septic shock; shock due to toxin