sodium-nitrite and Asphyxia

This case report describes a fatal case of sodium nitrite and multiple drug consumption. A 37-year-old female was found in bed with a plastic bottle containing sodium nitrite and a bag containing multiple drugs and a suicide note. The results of the autopsy showed completely fixed grayish livor mortis, signs of asphyxia on the lips, and facial cyanosis. This represents the second case in just a few months and highlights how relatively easy it is to buy sodium nitrite to commit suicide, indicating that specific responses should focus on restricting its access, especially in large quantities. It was also evident that the number of web forums and shadow markets explaining how to use sodium nitrite for euthanasia (several times called the "exit") are increasing.

Topics: Adult; Asphyxia; Autopsy; Female; Humans; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Sodium Nitrite; Suicide

The antihypoxic effect of the newly-synthesized hydroxylamine barbiturate HB-7, compared with the effects of phenobarbital and pentobarbital, was studied in experiments on albino mice, using the following models of hypoxia: hypobaric, anoxic, asphyctic and haemic. A dose-effect dependence was established when the survival of the mice was prolonged under the effects of the barbiturates tested, applying the asphyctic and haemic hypoxy tests. The latter two tests were also used to determine the average effective doses (ED60) of the barbiturates. HB-7 was superior in its action to phenobarbital and pentobarbital, manifesting higher protective indices (PI-LD50: ED50): for HB-7 PI is 4.2, for phenobarbital--3.2 and for pentobarbital--2.5, using the haemic hypoxy test. It is concluded that HB-7, i.e. 2-hydroxylamine-5-ethyl-5-sec, pentylbarbituric acid, manifests a marked protective effect in the hypoxy tests used, exceeding in some cases the effects of phenobarbital and pentobarbital.

Topics: Animals; Anticonvulsants; Asphyxia; Atmospheric Pressure; Hydroxylamines; Hypoxia; Mice; Pentobarbital; Phenobarbital; Sodium Nitrite

The antihypoxic effects of gutimine, piracetam, sodium hydroxybutyrate and lithium hydroxybityrate were studied on different models of brain hypoxia. All the drugs under study produced a remarkable antihypoxic effect in experimental asphyxic hypoxia, increasing brain resistance to oxygen deficiency and rapidly restituting brain function. Drug pretreatment of the animals with carotid artery occlusion raised the number of animals which survived 24 h after the operation. GABA salts appeared the most effective. Sodium hydroxybutyrate increased the lifespan of rats under histotoxic hypoxia.

Topics: Animals; Asphyxia; Brain Ischemia; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Electrocardiography; Electroencephalography; Guanylthiourea; Hydroxybutyrates; Hypoxia, Brain; Lithium; Male; Organometallic Compounds; Piracetam; Rats; Sodium Nitrite; Sodium Oxybate