흰쥐에 급여한 질산칼륨이 혈중 질산염농도와 Methemoglobin 형성에 미치는 영향

Effect of Dietary Potassium Nitrate on Blood Nitrate Level and the Formation of Methemoglobin in Rats

Plasma concentration of nitrite and nitrate, and total hemoglobin and methemoglobin in rats fed diet containing potassium nitrate of 0, 0.3, 6.0, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5 and 2.0 percentage for 11 days were measured. The results obtained were summarized as follows. 1. Plasma nitrite levels were not detectable in all groups tested, but a slight rise of plasma nitrate reflected nitrate levels in feed. However, no correlation were found between nitrate consumed and plasma concentration. 2. Nitrate in feed appeared to give a slight rise of methemoglobin concentration, and distintive correlation were observed between plasma nitrate levels and methemoglobinemia. 3. Per cent methemoglobin of total hemoglobin was more suitable for the diagnosis of chronic nitrate poisoning than a real amount of blood methemoglobin.