Reaction of Dimethyl Trisulfide with Hemoglobin

Chem Res Toxicol. 2017 Sep 18;30(9):1661-1663. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.7b00181. Epub 2017 Aug 18.

Abstract

Dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) is a promising antidotal candidate for cyanide intoxication. DMTS acts as a sulfur donor in the conversion of cyanide to the less-toxic thiocyanate. The alternate reaction pathways of DMTS in the blood are not well understood. We report changes in the hemoglobin absorption spectrum upon reaction with DMTS. These changes closely match those induced by the known methemoglobin former, sodium nitrite. The kinetics of methemoglobin formation with DMTS is slower than with sodium nitrite. These results support the hypothesis that a potentially significant side-reaction of the therapeutically administered DMTS is the oxidization of hemoglobin to methemoglobin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Hemoglobins / chemistry*
  • Hemoglobins / metabolism
  • Methemoglobin / chemistry
  • Methemoglobin / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Sheep
  • Sodium Nitrite / chemistry
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Sulfides / chemistry*

Substances

  • Hemoglobins
  • Sulfides
  • dimethyl trisulfide
  • Methemoglobin
  • Sodium Nitrite