Permeability of 5 methemoglobin formers through red cell membrane

By measuring the methemoglobin formation, the permeabilities of some cyanide antidotes passing through mouse erythrocyte membrane were studied. K3Fe(CN)6(0.1 mol/L) did not permeate the red cell and no methemoglobin formed. To the red cell suspension, adding PAPP 0.07 mmol/L, an useful cyanide antidote, no methemoglobin was found. On the contrary, PHAPP, the metabolite of PAPP, transported into the cell readily and reacted with hemoglobin to form methemoglobin quickly. DMAP and NaNO2 passed through the red cell membrane easily. With comparable amount of methemoglobin formation, the concentration of NaNO2 was about 200 times as much as that of DMAP. A comparison of the anticyanide potency of DMAP and NaNO2, the permeability rate constant, the half time and activation energy were measured as: 0.217 and 0.0506/min; 3.2 and 13.7 min; 17.1 and 50.2 kJ/mol, respectively. Owing to its ready permeability and formation of methemoglobin, DMAP is a better antidote than NaNO2 against cyanide poisoning.