Toxicity of nitrite and dimethylamine in rats

Successful Liver Transplantation After Neurologically Determined Death Donation Following Sodium Nitrite Poisoning

Sodium nitrite poisoning has been reported with increasing frequency since 2017 and popularized on social media as an effective means to commit suicide. Though accidental, non-intentional consumption has been reported, it is uncommon. Sodium nitrite is a colorless, odorless, yellowish-white crystalline material that resembles table salt, is easily ingested for self-harm, and is readily accessible through purchase from online portals at low cost. The chemical is used industrially as a curing agent for meat, fish, and cheese, as it inhibits Clostridium botulinum and prevents botulism. We herein report a successful case of liver transplantation from an organ donor who suffered brain death after intentional sodium nitrite consumption. Despite conflicting evidence on sodium nitrite's toxic versus protective effects on the liver, our transplant recipient showed normal graft function in the four months following liver transplantation. It would have been helpful and reassuring to have had access to similar positive case reports when deciding to use such a donor.

Synthesis of amphiphilic polysuccinimide star copolymers for responsive delivery in plants

While polymeric nanocarriers are widely used in medicine for controlled release and site-specific delivery, few reports have applied such delivery methods within agriculture, despite the urgent need for specific delivery of pesticides and nutrients. We report the synthesis of stimuli-responsive and biodegradable polymeric nanocarriers designed for delivery to the phloem of plants and describe methods employed to evaluate their toxicity in plant cells.

Effect of ascorbic acid on the hepatotoxicity due to the daily intake of nitrate, nitrite and dimethylamine

It is known that nitrates, nitrites and dimethylamine may react in the gastro-intestinal tract synthesizing the powerful hepatotoxic and carcinogenic dimethylnitrosamine. The purpose of this study was to investigate hepatotoxicity due to the daily intake of nitrates and nitrites administered to rats during 14 weeks together with dimethylamine in drinking water, and to evaluate the protecting effect of ascorbic acid against the hepatotoxicity of the presumably endogenous formed dimethylnitrosamine. The toxicity criteria studied were weight of liver (absolute and relative), free and total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and pyruvic glutamic transaminase, all in the form of serum, and histopathologic tests of the liver. The results gave evidence of hepatotoxicity induced by the intake of nitrate, nitrite and dimethylamine all together, and not through the only intake of nitrate or nitrite or of amine. Daily doses of ascorbic acid [(211 +/- 40) and (18 +/- 4) mg/kg] seemed to hinder hepatotoxicity according to the criteria under investigation.

Synthetic antioxidants: biochemical actions and interference with radiation, toxic compounds, chemical mutagens and chemical carcinogens

Biological actions of 4 commonly used synthetic antioxidants--butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, ethoxyquin and propyl gallate--on the molecular, cellular and organ level are complied. Such actions may be divided into modulation of growth, macromolecule synthesis and differentiation, modulation of immune response, interference with oxygen activation and miscellaneous. Moreover, an overview of beneficial and adverse interactions of these antioxidants with exogenous noxae is given. Beneficial interactions include radioprotection, protection against acute toxicity of chemicals, antimutagenic activity and antitumorigenic action. Possible mechanisms of the antitumorigenic action of antioxidants are discussed. This discussion is centered around antioxidant properties which may contribute to a modulation of initiation-related events, especially their ability to interfere with carcinogen metabolism. The beneficial interactions of antioxidants with physical and chemical noxae are contrasted to those leading to unfavorable effects. These include radiosensitization, increased toxicity of other chemicals, increased mutagen activity and increased tumor yield from chemical carcinogens. At present, the latter one can most adequately be characterized as tumor promotion at least in the case of butylated hydroxytoluene. It is concluded that current information is insufficient to promote expectations as to the use of antioxidants in the prevention of human cancer.