Chapter 623 Delayed Toxin (Please Vote and Subscribe!!!)
“Aren’t VX nerve agents and sarin gas both neurotoxins?”
In the stuffy room, Mumu Shisan turned off the electric fan and asked doubtfully:
“Could it be that they work in different ways?”
"Yes, neurotoxins are toxins that damage the normal nervous system."
Holding his breath, Sakaki Makoto checked the lounge and said:
"They are in liquid form at normal temperatures and are developed from civilian organophosphorus pesticides. Their lethality is the same as dichlorvos."
"But VX nerve agent is much more powerful than sarin gas, and it can be called the most powerful neurotoxin in the world."
"The lethal dose is 30 micrograms, which is one 300,000th of a gram."
After checking the lounge, Sakaki found no liquid suspected of VX nerve agent, and calmed down:
"Under normal conditions, VX is an odorless and colorless oily liquid, just like motor oil. It can be absorbed by human skin and enter organ tissues within a few seconds."
"After heating, it turns into a thick and persistent vapor, which is even more lethal when inhaled."
"Between 1961 and 1968, the United States produced 4,400 tons of VX neurotoxin, an amount that could kill all humans on the planet."
"hiss!"
Mumu Shisan opened his eyes wide and took a breath of air:
“Why does the United States produce so many neurotoxins?”
"Of course it's used against its enemies."
After clapping his hands, Sakaki said calmly:
"The dangers of human nature are unpredictable."
"but."
"Russia also has VX neurotoxin, and the United States is afraid of using chemical means to attack it."
"I remember"
Conan, who was bowing his head in thought, suddenly said:
"There is an antidote for VX neurotoxin."
"Yes, there is indeed an antidote."
Sakaki nodded his head and agreed with his statement:
"The antidote for VX neurotoxin must be taken before the poison occurs."
"Not to mention the issue of whether there is an antidote, when we realized that Masato Saijo was poisoned, it was already too late."
"This colorless and odorless toxin can kill people invisible and is impossible to prevent."
There was one sentence that Sakaki didn't say.
In fact, despite the signing of the Anti-Chemical Weapons Convention, there are still many organizations in the world that still use neurotoxins to carry out assassinations.
for example
Mercad.
Dealing with potential threats from hostile countries, such as scientists, politicians, generals, etc., is the task of the secret service.
And once you are infected with VX neurotoxin, if you don’t discover it immediately
People who are poisoned are basically declared dead.
Especially in certain areas except the southwest and north, assassinations occur more frequently.
"Wait a minute"
At this time, Hattori Heiji asked:
"Since VX neurotoxin is much more powerful than sarin gas, how did Masato Saijo get poisoned?"
"We are all in the same room, he was poisoned, why are we okay?"
"The place where Masato Saijo was poisoned is probably not here."
Tapping his toes on the floor of the lounge, Sakaki said slowly:
"VX neurotoxin is indeed much more powerful than sarin, but..."
"It does not act instantaneously, but is a well-known delayed toxin, so it is favored by agents."
"Delayed toxin?"
Hattori Heiji frowned:
"What kind of delay method?"
"This involves the origin of human life activities."
Faced with Hattori Heiji's question, Sakaki Cheng patiently explained:
“According to scientific research, the process of life activities is carried out under the control and regulation of the nervous system, and the communication between nervous systems relies on the synaptic vesicles released by the presynaptic membrane of the nerve synapse. Chemical Molecular Delivery and Control."
"Once this connection is disturbed, life activities will be dangerous, which is what I often call bioelectricity."
"As for bioelectricity, to put it bluntly, it is nerve impulses."
Litting up a cigarette, Sakaki took two puffs and continued:
"Human brain tissue contains a large amount of acetylcholine, and the content of acetylcholine decreases with age. The elderly decrease by 30% compared with young people, and the decrease in Alzheimer's patients ranges from 70 to 80%."
"This is because acetylcholine is one of the naturally occurring chemicals in the body that transmits nerve activity."
"When acetylcholine binds to choline receptors, the receptors will enter an excited state and transmit nerve impulses, that is, bioelectric currents, to the next level, promoting life activities."
"but."
“If there is too much acetylcholine, the choline receptors will be over-excited, leading to bioelectrical disturbances and errors in life activities.”
Hearing this, Hattori Heiji seemed to understand something.
but.
What Sakaki wants to say next is the most important thing:
"To prevent choline receptors from being overexcited, organisms produce a catalyst called acetylcholinesterase."
"Acetylcholinesterase can break down 300 acetylcholine molecules into choline and acetic acid within 1 millisecond to ensure the normal operation of the neurotransmission process."
“The VX nerve agent happens to have a strong inhibitory effect on the activity of acetylcholinesterase, causing a large accumulation of acetylcholine that has not been decomposed, causing excessive excitement of choline receptors, causing endogenous choline poisoning and severe central nervous system dysfunction. "
"It's like the relationship between the author and the reader. If the author is likened to a donkey, then the reader is the villain with a whip, constantly whipping the donkey to make it work. But if the donkey is already at its limit and the whip is still being used."
"The donkey will be exhausted to death, or quit working. Well, especially if it is not given food, the donkey will go on strike soon."
"Oh!!!"
Conan suddenly realized after slapping his head:
"In that case, those patients with Alzheimer's disease are actually caused by a decrease in the amount of acetylcholine in their brains?"
"That's about right."
Sakaki Makoto pushed his sunglasses and blew out a smoke ring:
"Human life activities require nutrition. Acetylcholine is mostly present in the form of choline in foods such as eggs, fish, and meat. ”
“According to scientific research, eating more foods rich in acetylcholine can promote the activation of brain nerve conduction function, increase transmission speed, enhance memory, improve brain function, and delay aging.”
“It’s like the donkey of the landlord’s house. The more he eats, the more energetic he is to work!”
“If there is nothing to eat, the skinny donkey will soon be squeezed to death.”
Hattori Heiji nodded in agreement:
“In layman’s terms”
“The lethal principle of VX neurotoxin is that after poisoning, acetylcholinesterase is inactivated, resulting in excessive accumulation of acetylcholine, resulting in body dysfunction and death.”
“And the process of acetylcholine accumulation takes time”
“That’s why you, Mr. Sakaki, judged that the place where the criminal poisoned was not in the lounge!”