Publication: 3, 4-diaminopyridine reverses respiratory paralysis induced by a presynaptically active snake venom and its major neurotoxin
Issued Date
1994-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
18783503
00359203
00359203
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-0028301869
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Vol.88, No.2 (1994), 243-246
Suggested Citation
George Watt, C. D. Smith, A. Kaewsupo, T. M.E. Davis 3, 4-diaminopyridine reverses respiratory paralysis induced by a presynaptically active snake venom and its major neurotoxin. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Vol.88, No.2 (1994), 243-246. doi:10.1016/0035-9203(94)90316-6 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/9600
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
3, 4-diaminopyridine reverses respiratory paralysis induced by a presynaptically active snake venom and its major neurotoxin
Author(s)
Abstract
Presynaptically active snake venom neurotoxins induce a potentially fatal neuromuscular blockade which cannotbe reliably overcome by current therapy. The drug 3, 4-diaminopyridine (DAP) is effective in other presynaptic paralytic conditions and was therefore tried in anaesthetized rabbits with respiratory paralysis induced by krait (Bungarus fasciatus) venom. A strain gauge pneumograph measured rabbit chest circumference during the respiratory cycle to document objectively effects of toxins and treatments. DAP counteracted the effects of both whole krait venom and its purified presynaptically active component, β-bungarotoxin. Respiratory excursions increased within 4−8 min after DAP injection in animals paralysed with β-bungarotoxin and 4−10 min after the injection of DAP in animals paralysed with 1 mg/kg whole krait venom. The onset of complete respiratory paralysis after a lethal dose of wholekrait venom (2 mg/kg) was delayed significantly by DAP. This is the first indication that presynaptic venom paralysis can be reversed and suggests that DAP merits further evaluation as treatment for this condition. © 1994 Oxford University Press.