Re: OT: Cover-up over GM food safety exposed

[Guest guest]

Carbon monoxide is very reactive and not only readily binds to hemoglobin

it also binds to other metal proteins such as the cytochrome enzymes - in

other words it is - to quote Haldane - a tissue poison. It is this latter

mechanism which is the problem, not the relative anemia caused by the loss

of hemoglobin transport. Goldbaum et al removed blood from dogs exposing it

to CO outside the body. When retransfused they achieved a carboxyhaemoglobin

level of 60-70% which if it is achieved by allowing the animal to breathe

some CO is always fatal.

The plasma borne CO is able to poison endothelial mechanisms and alter

characteristics of blood elements such as leukocytes altering their adhesion

and causing obstruction to blood flow and free radical damage.

Because the blood brain barrier is energy dependent it fails becoming very

permeable. The resulting edema causes an increase in intracranial pressure

reducing blood flow and oxygenation. In patients who recover, the mid brain

areas - basal ganglia - are the most damaged because of the dependence of

many areas on venous blood for their oxygenation. A wide variety of

syndromes may result from spastic cerebral palsy to personality disorders

and even short-term memory changes.

Because the changes can occur quickly it is essential to treat as an

absolute

emergency - compare this to anoxia caused by cardiac arrest where we try to

restart the heart as quickly as possible. Every hospital should have at

least a monoplace chamber.

Best wishes to all for the New Year/Century/Millennium.

Philip

Wolfson Hyperbaric Medicine Unit

University of Dundee

Reference

Goldbaum LR, RG, Absalon KB. Joint Committee on Aviation Pathology.

13.

What is the mechanism of carbon monoxide toxicity? Aviat Space Environ Med

1975 46 1289-129.

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