The potentiation of the toxicity of some vesicants to the pyruvate oxidase system in vitro by certain dithio-compounds

Abstract

Some dithiocar-bamates and dithiophosphonates potentiate the toxic action of mustard gas upon the pyruvate oxidase system; the effect of diethyl- (or diethanol-) dithiocarbamate has been closely examined. Potentiation is due to the formation of the half product of mustard gas with diethyldithiocarbamate (compound (I), 2-chloroethyl-2-(N-diethyldithiocarbamate)-ethyl sulfde), prepared crystalline under the conditions of the expt. This is much more toxic than either of its components. The bi-substitution product was only slightly toxic, which is explained by its inability to reach the active enzyme center in the brain brei. (I) is not toxic when injected into rats. This is interpreted as due to failure to reach the pyruvate system in vivo.