Marked differences in drug-induced methemoglobinemia in sheep are not due to RBC glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, reduced glutathione, or methemoglobin reductase activity

Technical Report · Thu May 13 00:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI ID:7043518

Martin, D G; Guertler, A T; Lagutchik, M S; Woodard, C L; Leonard, D A

Benzocaine is a commonly used topical anesthetic that is structurally similar to current candidates for cyanide prophylaxis. Benzocaine induces profound methemoglobinemia in some sheep but not others. After topical benzocaine administration certain sheep respond to form MHb (elevated MHb 16-50% after a 56-280 mg dose, a 2-10 second spray with benzocine), while other phenotypically similar sheep fail to significantly form MHb (less than a 2% increase from baseline). Deficiencies in Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and MHb reductase increase the susceptibility to methemoglobinemia in man and animals. Sheep are used as a model for G-6-PD deficiency in man, and differences in this enzyme level could cause the variable response seen in these sheep. Similarly, differences in GSH and MHb reductase could be responsible for the observed differences in MHb formation.

• Research Organization: Army Medical Research Inst. of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (United States)
• OSTI ID: 7043518
• Report Number(s): AD-P-008850/0/XAB
• Resource Relation: Other Information: This article is from 'Proceedings of the Medical Defense Bioscience Review (1993) Held in Baltimore, Maryland on 10-13 May 1993. Volume 2', AD-A275 668, 951-963
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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