Interaction of Poly-2-vinylpyridine-1-Oxide with Silicic Acid

Abstract

THE ability of poly-2-vinylpyridine-l-oxide (P204) to prevent the pathogenic action of quartz particles in the lungs of experimental animals and the cytotoxic effect in cell cultures has been repeatedly demonstrated¹. Its mode of action is uncertain. Apparently it does not act by coating the particles because it is more effective if the P204 is added to the culture or is injected intraperitoneally into the animal than if the dust is pre-treated with it. Weiss and Harvey2 suggested that P204 may be oxidized in the tissues to poly-2-vinyl-6-hydroxypyridine-l-oxide which might interact with silicic acid formed by dissolution of the quartz. They demonstrated that stable cationic silicon complexes are formed between 2-hydroxypyridine-1-oxide and or^osilicic acid. We have found that interaction occurs between poly-2-vinylpyridine-l-oxide itself and silicic acid by hydrogen bond formation.