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A Facile and Efficient Approach for the Production of Reversible Disulfide Cross-linked Micelles
Published on: December 23, 2016
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Reaction of Dimethyl Trisulfide with Hemoglobin
Xinmei Dong1, Lóránd Kiss1, Ilona Petrikovics1
1Department of Chemistry, Sam Houston State University , Huntsville, Texas 77341, United States.
Chemical Research in Toxicology
|August 16, 2017
Summary
Dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) may cause methemoglobinemia, a condition where hemoglobin is oxidized. This study shows DMTS alters hemoglobin
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) is investigated as a cyanide antidote.
- DMTS functions by donating sulfur to convert cyanide to thiocyanate.
- The full spectrum of DMTS reactions in blood remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reaction pathways of DMTS in blood.
- To determine if DMTS affects hemoglobin.
- To assess the potential for DMTS to cause methemoglobinemia.
Main Methods:
- Analyzing hemoglobin absorption spectra after DMTS exposure.
- Comparing DMTS-induced spectral changes to those of known methemoglobin inducers like sodium nitrite.
- Evaluating the kinetics of methemoglobin formation.
Main Results:
- Hemoglobin absorption spectra changed upon reaction with DMTS.
- These spectral changes mimicked those caused by sodium nitrite, a known methemoglobin former.
- Methemoglobin formation induced by DMTS occurred at a slower rate compared to sodium nitrite.
Conclusions:
- DMTS can oxidize hemoglobin to methemoglobin.
- This oxidation represents a potential side-reaction of DMTS administration.
- The findings suggest a need for further investigation into DMTS's safety profile as a cyanide antidote.
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