[Protective action of 5-hydroxy-6-methyluracil and ferrocenes in nitrite-ion poisoning]

It is shown that ferrocenes and 5-oxy-6-methyluracil efficiently inhibit methemoglobin-formation in experiments in vitro and in vivo. Preliminary administration of ferrocene or 5-oxy-6-methyluracil to laboratory animals essentially increases life time in case of sodium nitrite intoxication. Ferrocene protection from sodium nitrite intoxication normalizes the level of methemoglobin and lipoperoxidation in erythrocytes as well as activity of superoxide dismutase of erythrocytes. Activity of catalase, glutathione reductase and dehydrogenases of the pentosephosphate way were not normalized during ferrocene protection from sodium nitrite intoxication. In case of ferrocene protection the catalase activity during sodium nitrite intoxication remains lowered, while activity of glutathione reductase and dehydrogenases of the pentosephosphate pathway grows sharply.