Saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons and unsaturated hydrocarbons

Question 1

Biochemical structure of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons

Answer 1

Question 2

Which are the saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds causing intoxication?

Answer 2

• Gasoline
• Kerosene
• Petroleum distillate

Question 3

Routes of intoxication of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons?

Answer 3

• Inhalation of vapor –> danger of aspiration
• Ingestion of liquid

Used also as a drug of abuse: glue or solvent sniffing

Question 4

Acute and chronic symptoms of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons?

Answer 4

Acute:

• Irritation of mucosa
• Narcotic effect
• Ventricular arrhythmia (sensitization of myocardium to NE)

Chronic:

• Used as drugs of abuse, tolerance
• Pulmonary effects
• Central effects

Question 5

Therapy of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons?

Answer 5

• Symptomatic treatment
• No emesis induction, no gastric lavage (risk of aspiration pneumonitis!!!)

Question 6

Which are the 3 types of unsaturated hydrocarbons?

Answer 6

• Olephines (C_nH_2n)
• Diolephines
• Methyl acetylene

Question 7

Olephines (unsaturated hydrocarbons)

Answer 7

• More toxic
  
  • Toxicity enhances with number of C atoms
• If number of C atoms is ≥ 4 (butylene) ==> seizures and hepatic damage

Question 8

Diolephines (unsaturated hydrocarbons)

Answer 8

• Compounds with triple binding (acetylene)
• Even more toxic

Question 9

Methyl acetylene (unsaturated hydrocarbons)

Answer 9

Beside the narcotic effect, it irritates the alveoli ==> lung edema