Biomaterial Database

Central and spinal effects of sodium cyanide on respiratory activity. 1993

M A Haxhiu, and B Erokwu, and E van Lunteren, and N S Cherniack, and K P Strohl

Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106.

The pharmacological actions of cyanide on respiratory activity have been known for some time and are attributed mainly to effects on peripheral chemoreceptors. In the studies reported here, we have examined the acute central effects of cyanide when applied topically to the ventral surface of the medulla (VMS) and when administered into the spinal intrathecal space at the C5-T3 level on activities of the phrenic nerve, diaphragm, parasternal intercostal, triangularis sterni, and transversus abdominis muscles. Topical application of 10-100 micrograms (10 microliters of 1-10 mg/ml) cyanide to the intermediate area of the VMS decreased respiratory activity by > 50%, and expiratory muscles were more sensitive to inhibition than inspiratory muscles. The onset of depression of phrenic nerve or respiratory muscle activity occurred within 20 s of administration, and the effects reversed after washout. In contrast, intrathecal administration of cyanide in doses of 10-100 micrograms (100 microliters of 0.1-1 mg/ml) increased electrical activity of the respiratory muscles. Diaphragm activity changed from 17 +/- 2 to 42 +/- 8 (SE) units (P < 0.01), parasternal intercostal activity increased from 18 +/- 3 to 46 +/- 9 units (P < 0.01), and expiratory activity of the chest wall and abdominal muscles increased from 9 +/- 2 to 39 +/- 10 units (P < 0.05). Both topical application on the VMS and intrathecal administration of cyanide caused an increase in arterial blood pressure and a slight insignificant acceleration of heart rate. These data suggest that cyanide acting on the VMS causes respiratory depression and enhancement of sympathetic outflow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007278	Injections, Spinal	Introduction of therapeutic agents into the spinal region using a needle and syringe.	Injections, Intraspinal,Injections, Intrathecal,Intraspinal Injections,Intrathecal Injections,Spinal Injections,Injection, Intraspinal,Injection, Intrathecal,Injection, Spinal,Intraspinal Injection,Intrathecal Injection,Spinal Injection
D008526	Medulla Oblongata	The lower portion of the BRAIN STEM. It is inferior to the PONS and anterior to the CEREBELLUM. Medulla oblongata serves as a relay station between the brain and the spinal cord, and contains centers for regulating respiratory, vasomotor, cardiac, and reflex activities.	Accessory Cuneate Nucleus,Ambiguous Nucleus,Arcuate Nucleus of the Medulla,Arcuate Nucleus-1,External Cuneate Nucleus,Lateral Cuneate Nucleus,Nucleus Ambiguus,Ambiguus, Nucleus,Arcuate Nucleus 1,Arcuate Nucleus-1s,Cuneate Nucleus, Accessory,Cuneate Nucleus, External,Cuneate Nucleus, Lateral,Medulla Oblongatas,Nucleus, Accessory Cuneate,Nucleus, Ambiguous,Nucleus, External Cuneate,Nucleus, Lateral Cuneate
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D012132	Respiratory Muscles	These include the muscles of the DIAPHRAGM and the INTERCOSTAL MUSCLES.	Ventilatory Muscles,Respiratory Muscle,Muscle, Respiratory,Muscle, Ventilatory,Muscles, Respiratory,Muscles, Ventilatory,Ventilatory Muscle
D001794	Blood Pressure	PRESSURE of the BLOOD on the ARTERIES and other BLOOD VESSELS.	Systolic Pressure,Diastolic Pressure,Pulse Pressure,Pressure, Blood,Pressure, Diastolic,Pressure, Pulse,Pressure, Systolic,Pressures, Systolic
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D002534	Hypoxia, Brain	A reduction in brain oxygen supply due to ANOXEMIA (a reduced amount of oxygen being carried in the blood by HEMOGLOBIN), or to a restriction of the blood supply to the brain, or both. Severe hypoxia is referred to as anoxia and is a relatively common cause of injury to the central nervous system. Prolonged brain anoxia may lead to BRAIN DEATH or a PERSISTENT VEGETATIVE STATE. Histologically, this condition is characterized by neuronal loss which is most prominent in the HIPPOCAMPUS; GLOBUS PALLIDUS; CEREBELLUM; and inferior olives.	Anoxia, Brain,Anoxic Encephalopathy,Brain Hypoxia,Cerebral Anoxia,Encephalopathy, Hypoxic,Hypoxic Encephalopathy,Anoxia, Cerebral,Anoxic Brain Damage,Brain Anoxia,Cerebral Hypoxia,Hypoxia, Cerebral,Hypoxic Brain Damage,Anoxic Encephalopathies,Brain Damage, Anoxic,Brain Damage, Hypoxic,Damage, Anoxic Brain,Damage, Hypoxic Brain,Encephalopathies, Anoxic,Encephalopathies, Hypoxic,Encephalopathy, Anoxic,Hypoxic Encephalopathies
D004594	Electrophysiology	The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms.
D000287	Administration, Topical	The application of drug preparations to the surfaces of the body, especially the skin (ADMINISTRATION, CUTANEOUS) or mucous membranes. This method of treatment is used to avoid systemic side effects when high doses are required at a localized area or as an alternative systemic administration route, to avoid hepatic processing for example.	Drug Administration, Topical,Administration, Topical Drug,Topical Administration,Topical Drug Administration,Administrations, Topical,Administrations, Topical Drug,Drug Administrations, Topical,Topical Administrations,Topical Drug Administrations