[The response of erythrocytic system of mature rats to acute nitrite intoxication]

We studied an erythron response to acute nitrite intoxication in 30 white mature female rats. Sodium nitrite was subcutaneously injected into rats (10 and 50 mg/kg). One hour after the injection we observed development of hemolytic anemia followed by urgent reticulocyte withdrawal out of the bone marrow, methemoglobinemia, leucocytolysis and macrophages function depression. Thus, sodium nitrite action in acute intoxication is dose-dependent and involves both erythron and white blood cells system. The results confirm an important role of blood as the buffer-system in toxic effects compensation.