Effects of drug-induced reduction in oxyhemoglobin affinity on survival time of mice in severe hypoxic conditions.

We studied the effect of ortho-iodo sodium benzoate (OISB) given intraperitoneally to mice. 300 and 600 mg/kg of OISB increased P50 from the control value of 41.2 mmHg to 42.7 mmHg and 45.7 mmHg, respectively. The mice were then exposed to two experimental hypoxias, namely, hypobaric hypoxia and carbon monoxide hypoxia. Mean survival time was prolonged from 67.8 (control saline) to 94.8 sec (OISB 300 mg/kg) and 112.2 sec (OISB 600 mg/kg) in the hypobaric hypoxia, and from 201.3 sec (control saline) to 329.7 sec (OISB 300 mg/kg) and 407.7 sec (OISB 600 mg/kg) in the carbon monoxide hypoxia. We concluded that OISB had prolonged survival time by reducing oxyhemoglobin affinity, thus facilitating oxygen release in severe hypoxic conditions.