Cyanide Intoxication and its Mechanism of Antagonism

Abstract

The biological studies on cyanide are unique in that they preceded the chemical preparation of the substance (1). The last comprehensive review on the pharma­ cology and toxicology of cyanide was written by Dr. Reid Hunt at Johns Hopkins University in 1923 (2); however, this review was written in German. Recently, other books and monographs on cyanide have appeared (3, 4). The present review is restricted to selected aspects of cyanide and is primarily concerned with a descriptive and interpretive appraisal of the status of cyanide intoxication and its mechanism of antagonism. Cyanide bas created complex problems for modem society and these prob­ lems have evolved not only from industrial pollution but, paradoxically, from an inadvertent attempt to resolve pollution problems (5). Its use as a suicidal, homicidal, chemical warfare, and genocidal agent is well known. Toxic prob­ lems have been associated with ingesting cyanide-containing foods, and occu­ pational hazards have arisen as the industrial use of cyanide has increased. In medicine, it has created problems because some drugs with nitrile moieties liberate cyanide. Much of the toxicological interest in cyanide has focused on its rapid lethal action; however, its most widely distributed toxicologic problems are due to its chronic toxicity from dietary, industrial, and environmental factors. Cyanide is not wholly a toxin synthesized by civilization, as it existed in prebiotic times and was involved in biogenesis. In addition, cyanide is produced by various organisms and plants in our environment and has a role in normal metabolism.