Original scientific paper
The influence of nitrogen oxides and products of their neutralization by ammonia on the myocardium and blood vessels
S. Košmider
; II Clinic of Internal Medicine, Silesian School of Medicine, Katowice, Poland
Abstract
The purpose of this work was to find out whether nitrogen oxides damage the myocardium and blood vessels, and if so to determine, the mechanism of these disturbances. Guinea pigs were exposed to the concentration of 1 mg/m3 of nitrogen oxides and to products of their neutralization with ammonia for a period of 120 days. Nitrogen oxides were found to reduce the activity of enzymes which take part in the electron and active transport in the myocardium. In this way they may increase myocardial ischemia evoked by other components of combustion gases. Nitrogen oxides disturb the metabolism of mucopolysaccharides and lead to their deposition in the aorta wall and to an increased elimination with urine. The neutralization of nitrogen oxides by ammonia prevents, to a great extent, the development of the changes in the myocardium and aorta wall.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
165052
URI
Publication date:
13.12.1977.
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