1
|
Santana Maldonado C, Weir A, Rumbeiha WK. A comprehensive review of treatments for hydrogen sulfide poisoning: past, present, and future. Toxicol Mech Methods 2023; 33:183-196. [PMID: 36076319 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2022.2121192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) poisoning remains a significant source of occupational fatalities and is the second most common cause of toxic gas-induced deaths. It is a rapidly metabolized systemic toxicant targeting the mitochondria, among other organelles. Intoxication is mostly acute, but chronic or in-between exposure scenarios also occur. Some genetic defects in H2S metabolism lead to lethal chronic H2S poisoning. In acute exposures, the neural, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems are the primary target organs resulting in respiratory distress, convulsions, hypotension, and cardiac irregularities. Some survivors of acute poisoning develop long-term sequelae, particularly in the central nervous system. Currently, treatment for H2S poisoning is primarily supportive care as there are no FDA-approved drugs. Besides hyperbaric oxygen treatment, drugs in current use for the management of H2S poisoning are controversial. Novel potential drugs are under pre-clinical research development, most of which target binding the H2S. However, there is an acute need to discover new drugs to prevent and treat H2S poisoning, including reducing mortality and morbidity, preventing sequalae from acute exposures, and for treating cumulative pathology from chronic exposures. In this paper, we perform a comprehensive review of H2S poisoning including perspectives on past, present, and future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Abigail Weir
- Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Wilson K Rumbeiha
- Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fatal poisoning of four workers in a farm: Distribution of hydrogen sulfide and thiosulfate in 10 different biological matrices. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 316:110525. [PMID: 33039903 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We evaluate the distribution of sulfide and thiosulfate (TS) in biological samples of four dairy farmers died inside a pit connected to a manure lagoon. Autopsies were performed 4 days later. Toxicological analyses of sulfide and TS were made using an extractive alkylation technique combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Autopsies revealed: multiorgan congestion; pulmonary edema; manure inside distal airways of three of the four victims. Sulfide concentrations were cardiac blood: 0.5-3.0 μg/mL, femoral blood: 0.5-1.2 μg/mL, bile: <0.1-2.2 μg/mL; liver 2.8-8.3 μg/g, lung: 5.0-9.4 μg/g, brain: 2.7-13.9 μg/g, spleen: 3.3-6.3 μg/g, fat: <0.1-1.5 μg/g, muscle: 2.6-3.5 μg/g. TS concentrations were cardiac blood: 2.1-4.9 μg/mL, femoral blood: 2.1-2.3 μg/mL, bile: 2.5-4.4 μg/mL, urine: <0.5-1.8 μg/mL; liver <0.5-2.6, lung: 2.8-5.4 μg/g, brain: <0.5-1.9 μg/g, spleen: 1.2-2.9 μg/g, muscle: <0.5-5.6 μg/g. The cause of death was assessed to be acute poisoning by hydrogen sulfide (H2S) for all the victims. Manure inhalation contributed to the death of three subjects. The measurement of sulfide and TS concentrations in biological samples contributed to better understand the sequence of the events. Subjects 3 provided the highest concentration of sulfide in brain, thus, supporting the hypothesis of a rapid loss of consciousness and respiratory depression. One by one, the other farmers entered the pit in attempts to rescue the coworkers but collapsed. Despite the rapid death, subject 3 was the only one with TS detectable in urine. This could be due to differences in metabolism of H2S.
Collapse
|
3
|
Ventura Spagnolo E, Romano G, Zuccarello P, Laudani A, Mondello C, Argo A, Zerbo S, Barbera N. Toxicological investigations in a fatal and non-fatal accident due to hydrogen sulphide (H 2S) poisoning. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 300:e4-e8. [PMID: 31079988 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is one of the most toxic natural gas and represents a not rare cause of fatal events in workplaces. We report here a serious accidental poisoning by hydrogen sulphide inhalation involving six sailors. Three of them died while the other three survived and were transported to the emergency room. No greenish discolouration of the body, that could be a feature of these type of deaths, was observed at autopsy. Given that blood and/or urine H2S detection does not allow to discriminate if it is related to inhalation or to putrefactive processes, the determination of thiosulphate, H2S main metabolite, is decisive. The succession of fatal events reported here can be rebuilt by toxicological data interpretation: the subject 1 died after a longer interval of time as demonstrated by the highest blood and urine thiosulfate concentrations; the subject 2 died after a short interval of time as showed by a lower blood and urine thiosulfate concentrations than subject 1; the subject 3 died almost immediately after H2S inhalation since he showed the lowest blood thiosulfate concentration, and no trace of sulphide and thiosulfate was found in the urine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Guido Romano
- Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Antonino Laudani
- Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Antonina Argo
- University of Palermo, Via Del Vespro, 129, Palermo 90127, Italy
| | - Stefania Zerbo
- University of Palermo, Via Del Vespro, 129, Palermo 90127, Italy
| | - Nunziata Barbera
- Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Singh SB, Lin HC. Hydrogen Sulfide in Physiology and Diseases of the Digestive Tract. Microorganisms 2015; 3:866-89. [PMID: 27682122 PMCID: PMC5023273 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms3040866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a Janus-faced molecule. On one hand, several toxic functions have been attributed to H2S and exposure to high levels of this gas is extremely hazardous to health. On the other hand, H2S delivery based clinical therapies are being developed to combat inflammation, visceral pain, oxidative stress related tissue injury, thrombosis and cancer. Since its discovery, H2S has been found to have pleiotropic effects on physiology and health. H2S is a gasotransmitter that exerts its effect on different systems, such as gastrointestinal, neuronal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and hepatic systems. In the gastrointestinal tract, in addition to H2S production by mammalian cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), H2S is also generated by the metabolic activity of resident gut microbes, mainly by colonic Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB) via a dissimilatory sulfate reduction (DSR) pathway. In the gut, H2S regulates functions such as inflammation, ischemia/ reperfusion injury and motility. H2S derived from gut microbes has been found to be associated with gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome. This underscores the importance of gut microbes and their production of H2S on host physiology and pathophysiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sudha B Singh
- Section of Gastroenterology, Medicine Service, New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA.
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
| | - Henry C Lin
- Section of Gastroenterology, Medicine Service, New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ryu SJ, Arifin E, Ha SW, Lee JK. On-siteColorimetric Forensic Sensor (II): Quantitative Detection of Toxic S 2-Ion in Blood Plasma Using Metal-Ion-modified Silica Powders. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/bkcs.10482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Jin Ryu
- Department of Chemistry; Seoul National University; Seoul 151-742 Republic of Korea
- Forensic Chemistry Laboratory; National Forensic Service; Seoul 158-707 Republic of Korea
| | - Eric Arifin
- Interdisciplinary Program of Nanoscience and Technology; Seoul National University; Seoul 151-742 Republic of Korea
| | - Shin-Woo Ha
- Department of Chemistry; Seoul National University; Seoul 151-742 Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Kyu Lee
- Department of Chemistry; Seoul National University; Seoul 151-742 Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ryu SJ, Arifin E, Ha SW, Lee JK. On-siteColorimetric Forensic Sensor (I): Quantitative Detection of Toxic H2S and NH3Gases Using Metal-Ion-modified Silica Powders. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/bkcs.10466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Jin Ryu
- Department of Chemistry; Seoul National University; Seoul 151-742 Republic of Korea
- Forensic chemistry laboratory; National Forensic Service; Seoul 158-707 Republic of Korea
| | - Eric Arifin
- Interdisciplinary Program of Nanoscience and Technology; Seoul National University; Seoul 151-742 Republic of Korea
| | - Shin-Woo Ha
- Department of Chemistry; Seoul National University; Seoul 151-742 Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Kyu Lee
- Department of Chemistry; Seoul National University; Seoul 151-742 Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Varlet V, Giuliani N, Palmiere C, Maujean G, Augsburger M. Hydrogen sulfide measurement by headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS): application to gaseous samples and gas dissolved in muscle. J Anal Toxicol 2014; 39:52-7. [PMID: 25336379 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bku114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of our study was to present a new headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) method applicable to the routine determination of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) concentrations in biological and gaseous samples. The primary analytical drawback of the GC/MS methods for H(2)S measurement discussed in the literature was the absence of a specific H(2)S internal standard required to perform quantification. Although a deuterated hydrogen sulfide (D(2)S) standard is currently available, this standard is not often used because this standard is expensive and is only available in the gas phase. As an alternative approach, D(2)S can be generated in situ by reacting deuterated chloride with sodium sulfide; however, this technique can lead to low recovery yield and potential isotopic fractionation. Therefore, N(2)O was chosen for use as an internal standard. This method allows precise measurements of H(2)S concentrations in biological and gaseous samples. Therefore, a full validation using accuracy profile based on the β-expectation tolerance interval is presented. Finally, this method was applied to quantify H(2)S in an actual case of H(2)S fatal intoxication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Varlet
- Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry Unit, University Centre of Legal Medicine Lausanne- Geneva CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Giuliani
- Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry Unit, University Centre of Legal Medicine Lausanne- Geneva CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cristian Palmiere
- Forensic Medicine Unit, University Centre of Legal Medicine Lausanne- Geneva CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Géraldine Maujean
- Institut Universitaire de Médecine Légale, 12 Avenue Rockefeller, 69005 Lyon, France
| | - Marc Augsburger
- Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry Unit, University Centre of Legal Medicine Lausanne- Geneva CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a colorless and potentially deadly gas that may cause rapid loss of consciousness and respiratory depression without warning. Although occupational exposure to H2S and the medical management of H2S-associated toxicity are widely established, it remains a problem in the sour gas industry and in other industrial settings, predominantly in new workers. In this article, the authors report a fatal case of a factory worker who died after breathing in H2S while undertaking a task that he was not trained to perform. Toxicological assessment supported by autopsy findings and circumstantial data was essential to clarify the cause of death, determined as H2S poisoning. This case emphasizes the need to develop work safety initiatives, improve on-the-job training, and introduce more consciousness to put on protective equipment for workers; indeed, correct training and education for workers regarding safety in the workplace may help to reduce worker fatalities.
Collapse
|
9
|
Nagy P, Pálinkás Z, Nagy A, Budai B, Tóth I, Vasas A. Chemical aspects of hydrogen sulfide measurements in physiological samples. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2013; 1840:876-91. [PMID: 23769856 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2013.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2013] [Revised: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 05/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Owing to recent discoveries of many hydrogen sulfide-mediated physiological processes, sulfide biology is in the focus of scientific research. However, the promiscuous chemical properties of sulfide pose complications for biological studies, which led to accumulation of controversial observations in the literature. SCOPE OF REVIEW We intend to provide an overview of fundamental thermodynamic and kinetic features of sulfide redox- and coordination-chemical reactions and protonation equilibria in relation to its biological functions. In light of these chemical properties we review the strengths and limitations of the most commonly used sulfide detection methods and recently developed fluorescent probes. We also give a personal perspective on blood and tissue sulfide measurements based on proposed biomolecule-sulfide interactions and point out important chemical aspects of handling sulfide reagent solutions. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The diverse chemistries of sulfide detection methods resulted in orders of magnitude differences in measured physiological sulfide levels. Investigations that were aimed to dissect the underlying molecular reasons responsible for these controversies made the important recognition that there are large sulfide reserves in biological systems. These sulfide pools are tightly regulated in a dynamic manner and they are likely to play a major role in regulation of endogenous-sulfide-mediated biological functions and avoiding toxic side effects. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Working with sulfide is challenging, because it requires considerable amounts of chemical knowledge to adequately handle reagent sulfide solutions and interpret biological observations. Therefore, we propose that a rigorous chemical approach could aid the reconciliation of the increasing number of controversies in sulfide biology. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Current methods to study reactive oxygen species - pros and cons and biophysics of membrane proteins. Guest Editor: Christine Winterbourn.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Péter Nagy
- Department of Molecular Immunology and Toxicology, National Institute of Oncology, Ráth György utca 7-9, Budapest 1122, Hungary.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Dongo K, Tiembré I, Koné BA, Zurbrügg C, Odermatt P, Tanner M, Zinsstag J, Cissé G. Exposure to toxic waste containing high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide illegally dumped in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2012; 19:3192-9. [PMID: 22392688 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-012-0823-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2011] [Accepted: 02/13/2012] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION On August 2006, a cargo ship illegally dumped 500 t of toxic waste containing high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide in numerous sites across Abidjan. Thousands of people became ill. Seventeen deaths were associated with toxic waste exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study reports on environmental and health problems associated with the incident. A cross-sectional transect study was conducted in five waste dumping site areas. RESULTS Of the households, 62.1% (n = 502) were exposed to the effects of the pollutants and 51.1% of the interviewed people (n = 2,368) in these households showed signs of poisoning. Most important symptoms were cough (37.1%), asthenia (33.1%), pruritus (29.9%) and nausea (29.1%). DISCUSSION The health effects showed different frequencies in the five waste impact sites. Among the poisoned persons, 21.1% (n = 532) presented symptoms on the survey day (i.e., 4 months after incident). Transect sampling allowed to determine a radius of vulnerability to exposure of up to 3 km from the point of toxic waste disposal. CONCLUSION The area of higher vulnerability is influenced by various environmental factors, such as size and severity of pollution site, duration of toxic waste pollution on the impact site and locally climatic conditions. The surveillance of effects on environment and human health is warranted to monitor the development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kouassi Dongo
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, (CSRS), Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Maebashi K, Iwadate K, Sakai K, Takatsu A, Fukui K, Aoyagi M, Ochiai E, Nagai T. Toxicological analysis of 17 autopsy cases of hydrogen sulfide poisoning resulting from the inhalation of intentionally generated hydrogen sulfide gas. Forensic Sci Int 2010; 207:91-5. [PMID: 20965672 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2010] [Revised: 09/06/2010] [Accepted: 09/11/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Although many cases of fatal hydrogen sulfide poisoning have been reported, in most of these cases, it resulted from the accidental inhalation of hydrogen sulfide gas. In recent years, we experienced 17 autopsy cases of fatal hydrogen sulfide poisoning due to the inhalation of intentionally generated hydrogen sulfide gas. In this study, the concentrations of sulfide and thiosulfate in blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid and pleural effusion were examined using GC/MS. The sulfide concentrations were blood: 0.11-31.84, urine: 0.01-1.28, cerebrospinal fluid: 0.02-1.59 and pleural effusion: 2.00-8.59 (μg/ml), while the thiosulfate concentrations were blood: 0-0.648, urine: 0-2.669, cerebrospinal fluid: 0.004-0.314 and pleural effusion: 0.019-0.140 (μmol/ml). In previous reports, the blood concentration of thiosulfate was said to be higher than that of sulfide in hydrogen sulfide poisoning cases, although the latter was higher than the former in 8 of the 14 cases examined in this study. These results are believed to be strongly influenced by the atmospheric concentration of hydrogen sulfide the victims were exposed to and the time interval between exposure and death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Maebashi
- Department of Forensic Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine 3-25-8, Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ciesielski W, Dyńska-Kukulska K, Zakrzewski R, Hekner A. Analysis of sulfide ions by densitometric thin-layer chromatography and use of TLSee software. JPC-J PLANAR CHROMAT 2010. [DOI: 10.1556/jpc.23.2010.5.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
13
|
Poli D, Solarino B, Di Vella G, Tattoli L, Strisciullo G, Goldoni M, Mutti A, Gagliano-Candela R. Occupational asphyxiation by unknown compound(s): Environmental and toxicological approach. Forensic Sci Int 2010; 197:e19-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.12.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2009] [Revised: 12/15/2009] [Accepted: 12/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
14
|
Li L, Hsu A, Moore PK. Actions and interactions of nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide in the cardiovascular system and in inflammation--a tale of three gases! Pharmacol Ther 2009; 123:386-400. [PMID: 19486912 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2009.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2009] [Accepted: 05/15/2009] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulphide (H(2)S) together make up a family of biologically active gases (the so-called 'gaseous triumvirate') with an increasingly well defined range of physiological effects plus roles to play in a number of disease states. Over the years, most researchers have concentrated their attention on understanding the part played by a single gas in one or more body systems. It is becoming more clear that all three gases are synthesised naturally in the body, often by the same cells within the same organs, and that all three gases exert essentially similar biological effects albeit via different mechanisms. Within the cardiovascular system, for example, all are vasodilators, promote angiogenesis and vascular remodelling and are protective towards tissue damage in for example, ischaemia-reperfusion injury in the heart. Similarly, all exhibit complex effects in inflammation with both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects recognised. It seems likely that cell function is controlled not by the activity of single gases working in isolation but by the concerted activity of all three of these gases working together.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling Li
- Pharmaceutical Science Division, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE19NH, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Park SH, Zhang Y, Hwang JJ. Discolouration of the brain as the only remarkable autopsy finding in hydrogen sulphide poisoning. Forensic Sci Int 2009; 187:e19-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2008] [Revised: 01/19/2009] [Accepted: 02/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
16
|
Policastro MA, Otten EJ. Case files of the University of Cincinnati fellowship in medical toxicology: two patients with acute lethal occupational exposure to hydrogen sulfide. J Med Toxicol 2008; 3:73-81. [PMID: 18072164 DOI: 10.1007/bf03160912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Policastro
- University of Cincinnati, Division of Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, OH 45267-0769, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Oesterhelweg L, Püschel K. "Death may come on like a stroke of lightening": phenomenological and morphological aspects of fatalities caused by manure gas. Int J Legal Med 2007; 122:101-7. [PMID: 17486359 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-007-0172-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2006] [Accepted: 03/30/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Due to the decomposition of biological material, hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is produced. In low concentrations, the well-known smell of "rotten eggs" is associated with H2S. In higher concentrations, H2S is an odourless and colourless gas that may cause rapid loss of consciousness, neurological and respiratory depression and imminent death--"... like a stroke of lightening". Hydrogen sulphide poisoning is an un-common incident that is often associated with colleague fatalities. In this study, 4 fatal accidents with 10 deceased victims are reported and the morphological and phenomenological aspects are presented. In these cases, the morphological findings, namely, discolouration of the livores, pulmonary pathologies and sub-mucosal or sub-serosal congestion bleeding were found in nearly all cases. Also the impending threat for colleagues, first aid helpers and professional rescue teams is demonstrated. The suspicion of a fatal H2S intoxication should be based on a precise scene analysis with respect to the possibility of life-threatening H2S intoxication for the helpers, the typical scent of rotten eggs, which may be noted on the corpses and the abovementioned morphological findings. The diagnosis should be confirmed by a qualitative and, if possible, quantitative analysis of H2S.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Oesterhelweg
- Department of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
|
19
|
Ubuka T. Assay methods and biological roles of labile sulfur in animal tissues. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2002; 781:227-49. [PMID: 12450661 DOI: 10.1016/s1570-0232(02)00623-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur is a chemically and biologically active element. Sulfur compounds in animal tissues can be present in two forms, namely stable and labile forms. Compounds such as methionine, cysteine, taurine and sulfuric acid are stable sulfur compounds. On the other hand, acid-labile sulfur and sulfane sulfur compounds are labile sulfur compounds. The sulfur atoms of labile sulfur compounds are liberated as inorganic sulfide by acid treatment or reduction. Therefore, the determination of sulfide is the basis for the determination of labile sulfur. Determination of sulfide has been performed by various methods, including spectrophotometry after derivatization, ion chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography after derivatization, gas chromatography, and potentiometry with a sulfide ion-specific electrode. These methods were originally developed for the determination of sulfide in air and water samples and were then applied to biological samples. The metabolic origin of labile sulfur in animal tissues is cysteine. The pathways of cysteine metabolism leading to the formation of sulfane sulfur are discussed. Finally, reports on the physiological roles and pathological considerations of labile sulfur are reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiko Ubuka
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0193, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|