[The effect of sodium nitrite, stable radical of 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl and their mixture on methemoglobin formation].

Sodium nitrite oxidizes the mice hemoglobin in vitro. The stable radical 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl inhibits the process of oxidation. This effect is achieved when the radical is introduced into the system before sodium nitrite. The same effect is achieved in vivo. The level of methemoglobin is not influenced when mice get only the radical in comparison with the control group. We have not found the changes in the level of carboxyhemoglobin in the groups of mice that got the sodium nitrite, the radical and their mixture in comparison with the control group.