In the previous papers,
1, 2) an induction period was observed in the oxidation processes of oxyhaemoglobin to methaemoglobin by sodium nitrite and the mechanism of the reaction was cleared kinetically. In the present report, effects of various substances, which have been reported to be effective on the physiological function of haemoglobin molecule, on the oxidizing reaction by sodium nitrite were studied. When the time length of the induction period was represented as τ (seconds) and the oxidation velocity in the methaemoglobin formation period as υ (μM of methaemoglobin formed/sec), the above mentioned substances used were classified in to the following four types.
1. Substances which cause the change of only τ.
2. Substances which cause the change of τ and υ.
3. Substances which cause the change of only υ.
4. Substances which don't cause the change of either τ or υ.
Substances belonging to the type 3 have not been found out. Such substances should not be found out, because, if the reaction occurs according to the mechanism proposed by us,
1) the change of υ always accompanies with that of τ. The values of τ and υ of inpatients with various diseases were in a wide deviation comparing with those of the healthy. This deviation seen in the inpatients was assumed to be caused by various medicaments pre-scribed in the hospital. Since the oxidation of oxyhaemoglobin by sodium nitrite was influenced by various substances, it was assumed that the estimation of τ and υ value in the oxidizing reaction might be used as a method for early detection of some occupa-tional diseases.
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