The following is an excerpt....
BASICS
Description
- Toxicity through inhalation, dermal, or GI tract absorption
- Intracellular toxin that inhibits aerobic metabolism through interruption of oxidative phosphorylation:
- Leads to decreased O2 utilization and ATP production
- Detoxification:
- Rhodanese: Hepatic mitochondrial enzyme responsible for the metabolism:
- Combines cyanide (CN) with sulfur (rate-limiting step) covalently (irreversible) to form less toxic and water-soluble thiocyanate (T-CN)
- Forms less toxic reversible cyanhemoglobin when combined with hemoglobin (Fe 3+)
- Forms nontoxic cyanocobalamin (B12) when combined with hydroxocobalamin (B12a)
- Rate of CN removal requires adequate bioavailability of sulfur compounds (thiosulfate [TS]).
Etiology