Methemoglobin and sulfhemoglobin formation due to benzocaine and lidocaine in macaques

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

OSTI ID:7043550

Martin, D G; Woodard, C L; Gold, M B; Watson, C E; Baskin, S I

Benzocaine (BNZ) and lidocaine (LC) are commonly used topical (spray) anesthetics approved for use in humans. BNZ has structural similarities to methemoglobin (MHb) forming drugs that are current candidates for cyanide prophylaxis, while LC has been reported to increase MHb in man. We therefore, compared MHb and sulfhemoglobin (SHb) production in three groups of Macaques (Macaca mulata, Chinese rhesus and Indian rhesus, and Macaca nemistrina, Pig-tailed Macaques) after exposure to BNZ and LC. Formation of SHb, unlike MHb, is not thought to be reversible and is considered to be toxic. MHb and SHb levels were measured periodically on a CO-Oximeter. All rhesus (n=8) were dosed intratrachealy/intranasaly with 56 mg and 280 mg BNZ and with 40 mg of LC in a randomized cross-over design. Pig-tailed macaques (n=6) were dosed with BNZ intranasaly 56 mg and with 40 mg of LC. Since no differences in the peak MHb or time to peak (mean +/- SD) were observed among the three macaque subspecies, the data were pooled. LC did not cause MHb or SHb formation above baseline in any monkey.

• Research Organization: Army Medical Research Inst. of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (United States)
• OSTI ID: 7043550
• Report Number(s): AD-P-008849/2/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, 939-949
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
CYANIDES
TOXICITY
MEDICINE
WEAPONS
450600* - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Chemical & Biological- (1990)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
550200 - Biochemistry