Smoke inhalation

Hazardous smoke. The potential for smoke inhalation damage is judged to be most severe in the descending order gasoline, methane, and hydrogen fires. 

Baron-Marano, F.L. and M.C. Izard. 1968. Observation d anomalies ultrastructurales dans la descendance d algues traitees par l acroleine. Compt. Rend. Hebdom. Sean. Acad. Sci. D, Sci. Natur. 267 2137-2139. Barrow, R.E., C-Z. Wang, R.A. Cox, and M.J. Evans. 1992. Cellular sequence of tracheal repair in sheep after smoke inhalation injury. Lung 170 331-338. 

The nervous system is the most sensitive target for cyanide toxicity, partly because of its high metabolic demands. High doses of cyanide can result in death via central nervous system effects, which can cause respiratory arrest. In humans, chronic low-level cyanide exposure through cassava consumption (and possibly through tobacco smoke inhalation) has been associated with tropical neuropathy, tobacco amblyopia, and Leber s hereditary optic atrophy. It has been suggested that defects in the metabolic conversion of cyanide to thiocyanate, as well as nutritional deficiencies of protein and vitamin B12 and other vitamins and minerals may play a role in the development of these disorders (Wilson 1965). 

In addition, other chemicals such as a-adrenergic blocking agents like chlorpromazine (O Flaherty and Thomas 1982 Way and Burrows 1976) or oxygen (Burrows et al. 1973 Sheehy and Way 1968) may be used to enhance the protective action of other antidotes. However, the mechanism of their action is not well understood. Further research for a potent and safe antidote, particularly among smoke inhalation victims who have carbon monoxide poisoning, to mitigate cyanide toxicity is desirable. 

Kirk M, Kulig K, Rumack BH. 1989. Methemoglobin and cyanide kinetics in smoke inhalation [Abstract]. Vet Hum Toxicol 31 353. 

Tobacco smoke and iV-nitrosation are the focus of intense research activity. Workers in the field use the following concepts Tobacco-specific /V-nitrosamines (TSNA) mainstream tobacco smoke (MSTS), smoke inhaled in a puff sidestream tobacco smoke (SSTS), smoke evolved by smoldering cigarettes between puffs nitroso organic compounds (NOC), referring especially to IV-nitrosamines volatile NOC (VNOC) and iV-nitroso amino acids (NAA). 

As shown in Fig. 1, the speed of nicotine uptake in venous blood following several forms of nicotine delivery varies widely, from that of the very slow pattern of nicotine appearance in the blood (several hours to peak level) produced by current transdermal nicotine medications to the explosive rise produced by tobacco smoke inhalation. Nicotine gum, lozenge, tablet, and vapor inhaler can provide more rapid delivery of nicotine than the patch, but the speed and amount obtained are constrained by use patterns. Smokeless tobacco products deliver their nicotine more rapidly than nicotine gum and with less physical effort, but are still slower than cigarettes in their nicotine dehvery. 

At first, the leaves were burnt in religious ceremonies and the priests, who were also the physicians, credited the plant with powers of healing. Later, tobacco came also to be burnt and the smoke inhaled for pleasure. 

Hydrogen cyanide has recently been recognized in significant concentrations in some fires, as a combustion product of wool, silk, and many synthetic polymers it may play a role in toxicity and deaths ftom smoke inhalation." ... 

Figure S.l. Mayan priest smoking tobacco, 1000 bc. Ancient temple carvings depict Mayan priests in Central America smoking tobacco through a pipe. Tobacco leaves became widespread in medicine for use on wounds as a means of reducing pain. Later the Aztecs incorporated smoke inhalation into religious rituals.

H. Valette, M. Bottlaender, F. Dolle, C. Coulon, M. Ottaviani, A. Syrota, Acute inhibition of cardiac monoamine oxidase A after tobacco smoke inhalation Validation study of [ C]befloxatone in rats followed by a positron emission tomography application in baboons, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 314 (2005) 431-436. 

Effect of alpha-tocopherol on the cardiac antioxidant defense system and atherogenic lipids in cigarette smoke-inhaling mice. Inhal Toxicol 2003 15(5) 513-522. 

NT023 Coggins, C.R. A minireview of chronic animal inhalation studies with mainstream cigarette smoke. Inhal Toxicol 2002 14(10) 991-1002. 

NT254 Matsuka, N., K. Furuno, K. Eto, R. Oishi, and Y. Gomita. Effects of cigarette smoke inhalation on plasma diltiazem levels in rats. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 1997 19(3) 173-179. 

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