Antidotal Efficacy of Vitamin B 12a (Hydroxo-Cobalamin) in Experimental Cyanide Poisoning

Abstract

Summary and Conclusion

1. Vit. B_12a (hydroxo-cobalamin), but not vitamin B_12a (cyano-cobalamin), has been found to be capable of preventing in mice the toxic symptoms and death due to cyanide administration. 2. When injected into mice exhibiting complete respiratory arrest and coma due to cyanide poisoning, vit. B_12a effected rapid recovery of most animals. 3. In mice injected with potassium cyanide followed by vit. B_12a some of the cyanide appears in the urine as thiocyanate, but a greater percentage of the cyanide appears as vit. B₁₂ having formed this compound by reacting with the vit. B_12a.