DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/SZJ2-CN93
Defense Date
2013
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Physiology
First Advisor
Bruce Spiess
Second Advisor
Robert Diegelmann
Third Advisor
Roland Pittman
Abstract
Based upon experimental evidence from the 1970’s we proposed that a reduced form of hydroxocobalamin should be capable of producing carbon dioxide (CO2) from carbon monoxide (CO) in blood, and that this conversion should be detectable. Using resonance raman spectroscopy we demonstrated that a mixture of hydroxocobalamin and ascorbic acid could create the reduced form of hydroxocobalamin. We used a closed-loop circulation system with a hollow-fiber membrane oxygenator to produce carboxyhemoglobin. Using sensitive gas monitoring equipment to the gas-out port of the oxygenator we analyzed the CO and CO2 concentrations coming from the oxygenator. The mixture of hydroxocobalamin and ascorbic acid caused a 5-fold increase in the CO2 concentration of the gas-out flow, in comparison to baseline and negative controls. These findings offer initial support for the potential use of a mixture of hydroxocobalamin and ascorbic acid as an injectable antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
May 2013