Carbon monoxide: mechanism of toxic action, pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of acute intoxication

Introduction. Carbon monoxide (CO) remains one of the most common causes of acute poisoning and death, both in everyday life and in emergency situations, especially in fires.Material and methods. The paper summarizes information about the regulatory effects, mechanisms of toxic action, pathogenesis and clinical picture of intoxication, as well as predictors of the severity of CO poisoning.Results. The main mechanism of the toxic effect of CO is due to its ability to bind to the protohemal iron of hemoglobin (Hb) to form carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO). The toxicity of CO may also be enhanced by impaired functions of the myoglobin of the myocardium and skeletal muscles, mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase, and iron-containing enzymes of the antioxidant system. The leading link in the pathogenesis of acute CO intoxication is a violation of the oxygen transport function of hemoglobin and the associated development of hemic and tissue hypoxia. CO-induced cell and tissue damage due to the induction of mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, free radical hyperproduction, lipid peroxidation, inflammation, and apoptosis also play a role in the pathogenesis of intoxication.Conclusion. The mechanism of toxic action of CO, associated primarily with the formation of carboxyhemoglobin and the development of hypoxia, determines the clinical manifestations of acute intoxication, which depend on the concentration of CO and the duration of exposure, but are almost always associated with the central nervous system and cardiovascular system.

FEATURES OF THE ORGANIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIAL TREATMENT DURING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DEGASSING IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS WITH HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS OF GENERAL TOXIC ACTION

Degassing is one of the most important measures taken in the event of emergency situations with hazardous chemicals of general toxic or general toxic action. This is a large group of toxic chemicals with various mechanisms of toxic action, as well as insufficiently studied mechanisms of action on living organisms. This explains the importance of proper organization and implementation of degassing measures. The purpose of the work was to summarize information about the features of the implementation of degassing as a component of special treatment in the event of emergency situations with hazardous chemicals of general toxic action.

TOXIC ACTION OF COPPER, CADMIUM AND LEAD ON FREE-LIVING SOIL NEMATODES CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS AND CAENORHABDITIS BRIGGSAE

Heavy metals are one of the most common pollutants in environment. The aim of this work was to test the hypothesis assuming that one of mechanisms of toxic action of copper, cadmium and lead on invertebrates’ organisms is adaptive activation of cholinergic synaptic transmission. In experiments with two free-living soil nematodes, namely Caenorhabditis elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae, it has been shown that Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions at concentrations of 60 and 120 µM enhanced the negative effects of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors agonist levamisole on the nematodes’ organisms. Under combined action of levamisole and heavy metals on organisms of C. elegans and C. briggsae the mean time of nematodes paralysis (complete loss of the ability to swim) was reduced. The results of this work show that nematodes C. elegans and C. briggsae can be used as model organisms to study mechanisms of toxic action of heavy metals.

CONCEPTUAL STUDY OF ANTI-TOXIC ACTION OF TAGARADI AGADA ON POISONOUS INSECTS BITE: A SHORT REVIEW

Rapid urbanization lead to frequents encounters with wild animals and insects which leads to health hazards. Poisoning due to insect bite may warrant immediate medical attention. Tagaradi Agada is one of such agada useful in poisonous insect bite which is mentioned in ashtang sangraha uttartantra vishapratishedha adhyaya. Shloka phalashruti has mentioned its specific anti-toxic effect in makshika visha. This review is for collective information of therapeutic and pharmacological study of this agada for makshika visha poisoning.