Allylamine cardiovascular toxicity.

The chemistry, industrial usage, general toxicity, and experimental use of allylamine are briefly reviewed. This highly reactive unsaturated alkylamine has had industrial applications in a variety of organic processes, and continues to be utilized, although accurate data concerning production is not readily available. The general toxic effects of the freebase form are primarily related to irritation of the mucous membranes, whereas the relatively long history of experimental use of this chemical has emphasized its' extraordinarily deleterious effects on heart and vascular tissue. Allylamine has been given by a variety of routes to many species in attempts to cause lesions which mimic human acute vasculitis, acute myocardial necrosis, and atherosclerosis; examples of typical lesions are illustrated. More recent in vivo and in vitro experimental work concerning the cellular toxicity of allylamine are summarized, and possible mechanisms of this chemicals' toxic action are discussed.