Final answer:
Cyanide poisoning is characterized by early symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and vomiting, advancing to seizures, slow heart rate, and low blood pressure with potential respiratory failure. It results from inhibiting cytochrome c oxidase in the electron transport chain, leading to impaired oxygen use and ATP production. Antidote treatments include substances that detoxify cyanide, such as hydroxocobalamin and sulfanegen TEA.
Step-by-step explanation:
Symptoms of Cyanide Poisoning
Cyanide poisoning occurs when an individual is exposed to substances containing cyanide, such as hydrogen cyanide gas or cyanide salts. The earliest symptoms of cyanide exposure include headache, dizziness, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, and vomiting. These can quickly progress to more severe symptoms, including seizures, a slow heart rate, and low blood pressure. In addition to potential respiratory failure, one might observe cherry-red skin, possible cyanosis, confusion, nausea, and patients may gasp for air. Seizures may occur prior to death, and the condition can lead to metabolic acidosis.
Cyanide functions by inhibiting cytochrome c oxidase (COX) in the electron transport chain, which is crucial for cellular respiration and energy production. This interference leads to histotoxic hypoxia, as the body's tissues are incapable of effectively using oxygen for metabolic needs. In the case of cyanide-induced disruption of the electron transport chain, the pH in the intermembrane space of the mitochondria would be expected to increase due to a decrease in proton gradient, and ATP synthesis would be severely impaired, contributing to cellular dysfunction and potential death
Treatment options for cyanide poisoning include the use of antidote kits that contain amyl nitrite, sodium nitrite, and sodium thiosulfate intravenously among others. In addition, hydroxocobalamin and sulfanegen TEA are emerging treatments for quickly detoxifying cyanide into less harmful substances like thiocyanate.