[Metallic mercury poisoning caused by intravenous injection in vague circumstances--a case report].

Unlabelled: Mercury is a heavy metal found in nature in three forms: metallic mercury, organic and inorganic compounds. It is a general protoplasmatic toxin. The pathophysiology of mercury toxicity is related to its binding to sulfhydryl groups of different receptor proteins and cellular enzymes, interrupting cellular metabolism and in this way causing cell death.

[Massive lamotrigine poisoning--case report].

Lamotrigine is a phenyltriazine derivative used as antiepileptic drug with pharmacological profile similar to phenytoin. It is chemically unrelated to the other antiepileptic drugs and mechanism of anticonvulsant action is that lamotrigine inhibits sodium channels, resulting in neuronal membrane stabilization and block of excitatory neurotransmitter release. Mean therapeutical dose of lamotrigine is 200 - 400 mg/day.

[Acute poisoning due to chemical substances inducing methemoglobinemia--two cases report].

Methemoglobin is an oxidized derivative of hemoglobin. It is generated by oxidization the ferrous form of iron (Fe2+) in the heme molecule to the ferric form (Fe3+). A molecule of methemoglobin is incapable of binding and carrying of oxygen.

[Acute poisoning due to barium chloride--case report].

We reported a case of 52-years-old male, suffering from alcohol dependence, who ingested 20-30 ml 10% barium chloride solution as a substitute of ethanol. We observed gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), numbness and paresthesias of limbs, severe hypokalemia (1.29 mmol/l) resulting in general paralysis of skeleton muscles, dysarthria and dysphagia, ventricular arrhythmias.

[Fatal colchicine poisoning--case report and review of literature].

Colchicine is a natural pseudo-alkaloid found in plants such as the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) and glory lily (Gloriosa superba), which is used to treat gout and some other rheumatological disease. Colchicine binds to tubuline and prevents its polymerization into microtubules. It is thus able to impair those cellular functions that involve microtubules, eg.