BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY OF HYDRAZINES TOXICITY

Abstract

The toxic action of 1-1-dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) and monomethylhydrazine (MMH) may be mediated by the inactivation of pyridoxal in the brain. One possibility considered was the formation of a hydrazone between the pyridoxals and the substituted hydrazine. Pyridoxal dependent enzymes were investigated. UDMH and MMH inhibited both glutamic acid decarboxylase and DOPA decarboxylase. Transaminases (amino transferases) which required alpha-ketoglutaric acid as a substrate were not affected by the hydrazines tested. Further work was conducted to refine an ultrasensitive bioassay method for the detection of each congener of the vitamin B6 group. The microorganisms investigated for the assay were a neurospora and a yeast. Some indirect evidence was obtained which implies that UDMH injected intraperitoneally can be detected in the central nervous system. A mathematical model for hydrazines-induced convulsions was developed. It is now possible to predict the time lapse after administration of the convulsigen and the onset of seizure if only three data points are given.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1969
Accession Number
AD0692509

Entities

People

  • Arthur Furst
  • Robert S. Deropp
  • Waldemar R. Gustavson

Organizations

  • University of San Francisco

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amines
  • Amino Acids
  • Biochemistry
  • Blood-Brain Barrier
  • Brain
  • Central Nervous System
  • Chemistry
  • Fungi
  • Glutarates
  • Hydrazines
  • Materials
  • Mathematical Models
  • Nervous System
  • Pharmacology
  • Seizures
  • Toxic Actions
  • Toxicity

Readers

  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology
  • Underwater engineering and Marine Technology.