In vitro cyanide release of four prussian blue salts used for the treatment of cesium contaminated persons

J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1993;31(4):553-62. doi: 10.3109/15563659309025760.

Abstract

Prussian blue salts are used in clinical practice as an antidote for the treatment of humans contaminated with radioactive cesium. A decomposition product of these Prussian blue salts may be the highly toxic cyanide. A method to simulate gastrointestinal cyanide-release was applied to four different Prussian blue salts: K3Fe[Fe(CN)6], Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3, NH4Fe[Fe(CN)6] (pur. and unpur.). Cyanide-release was higher in artificial gastric juice than in water and artificial intestinal juice. Under all conditions cyanide-release from Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3 was the lowest. Since Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3 also binds more cesium, it appears to be the most suitable Prussian blue salt for use as an antidote after radiocesium contamination in humans.

MeSH terms

  • Antidotes / chemistry*
  • Antidotes / therapeutic use
  • Cesium / poisoning
  • Cesium Radioisotopes
  • Ferrocyanides / chemistry*
  • Ferrocyanides / therapeutic use
  • Gastric Juice / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Cyanide / chemistry*
  • Radiation Injuries / drug therapy
  • Radiobiology

Substances

  • Antidotes
  • Cesium Radioisotopes
  • Ferrocyanides
  • Cesium
  • Hydrogen Cyanide
  • ferric ferrocyanide