[Oxoferin and sodium chlorite--a comparison].

Oxoferin, a preparation approved for wound treatment, has been subjected to an in vitro analysis. 1. Oxoferin produces methaemoglobin even if diluted 500 fold, and leads to additional alterations if added in high concentrations to red cells. Sodium chlorite (NaClO2, 15 mM) is equivalent to undiluted Oxoferin. 2. Oxoferin in fiftyfold dilution damages fibroblasts in cell culture slowly and persistently. This dilution is equieffective with a 200 microM solution of sodium chlorite. Oxoferin and sodium chlorite also damage vascular endothelial cells. 3. The oxidation equivalent of Oxyoferin is 12.3 mM sodium chlorite. Our data indicate that Oxoferin may be equated essentially with aqueous sodium chlorite.