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PubMed1986

Quaternary ammonium compounds efficiently inhibit Plasmodium falciparum growth in vitro by impairment of choline transport.

Hemicholinium 3, decamethonium, and decyltrimethylammonium previously have been demonstrated to be efficient inhibitors, with 50% inhibitory concentrations of 4 X 10(-6), 10(-6), and 7 X 10(-7) M, respectively. We show that lengthening of the alkyl chain of decyltrimethylammonium by successive additions of two carbon atoms up to hexadecyltrimethylammonium results in a very low 50% inhibitory concentration of 5 X 10(-7) M for dodecyltrimethylammonium. Furthermore, hemicholinium 3 and decamethonium exerted their antiplasmodial activity, regardless of the developmental stage of the parasite, whereas decyltrimethylammonium was particularly lethal for the mature forms. After infected erythrocytes with radioactive choline were supplied, the determination of the water-soluble choline-containing compounds, as well as the assay of choline kinase activity, showed that the specific inhibition of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis is related to the impairment of choline entry into erythrocytes. Thus, the impairment of the transport of choline, a natural polar head group of phospholipids, appears to be lethal for Plasmodium falciparum in vitro and could be a reasonable approach for a new malaria chemotherapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1957

Some actions of substituted choline phenyl ethers, particularly of choline 2:6-xylyl ether.

Marked nicotine-like stimulant properties are possessed by choline phenyl ether and choline o-tolyl ether, and to a decreasing extent by choline 2:6-xylyl ether and choline 2:4:6-mesityl ether. The compounds all show neuromuscular blocking properties, which are of short duration and pass from mainly decamethonium-like to mainly curare-like as more methyl groups are added to the phenyl nucleus. This series of compounds also possesses muscarinic, weak anti-adrenaline and vasodilator properties, as well as long-lasting local anaesthetic effects in the two compounds tested by intradermal injection.

Choline↗
PubMed1987

Effects of mast cell stabilizers on a new bronchial asthma model using compound 48/80 in dogs.

Development of a nonimmunologically induced experimental asthma model using compound 48/80 was attempted. Male mongrel dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital-Na were immobilized with decamethonium bromide under artificial respiration. Airway resistance was measured with a modified Konzett-Rössler method and expressed as a change in ventilation overflow (VO). Inhalation of compound 48/80 caused no change in VO even in high concentrations up to a 1% solution. Infusion of compound 48/80 into the bronchial artery at a dose of 0.2 mg/min for 10 min by using the right bronchial perfusion method caused a marked increase in VO accompanied by decreases in perfusion pressure and systemic blood pressure. The compound 48/80-induced bronchoconstriction was inhibited 58% by surgical vagotomy and was almost abolished by chlorpheniramine (10 mg/kg, intraduodenally (i.d.)). Disodium cromoglycate (inhalation of 1% solution along with 5 mg/kg, i.v.), tranilast (300 mg/kg, i.d.) and NCO-650, a new antiallergic drug (100 mg/kg, i.d.) significantly inhibited the compound 48/80-induced bronchoconstriction. These results indicate that compound 48/80 infusion into the bronchial artery produces an asthma-like bronchoconstriction, the main chemical mediator involved in this response would be histamine acting through H1-receptors, and effects of mast cell stabilizers can be evaluated with this model.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1988

Role of calcium-activated potassium channels in transmitter release at the squid giant synapse.

1. Several compounds known to block Ca2+-activated K+ channels were microinjected into squid 'giant' presynaptic terminals to test the hypothesis that these channels mediate Ca2+-dependent neurotransmitter release. 2. Injection of tetrapentylammonium, nonyl-triethylammonium and decamethonium all reversibly blocked transmission evoked by presynaptic action potentials. 3. All three of these compounds blocked presynaptic Ca2+ channels. The actions of tetrapentylammonium on presynaptic Ca2+ influx were examined in detail and found to be quantitatively sufficient to account for the ability of this compound to inhibit transmitter release. 4. Injection of Ba2+, another agent known to block Ca2+-activated K+ channels, also reversibly blocked evoked transmitter release. Ba2+ simultaneously enhanced basal (asynchronous) transmitter release and thus may be decreasing evoked release by depleting transmitter quanta available for release. 5. None of these results provide any support for the hypothesis that Ca2+-activated K+ channels mediate Ca2+-dependent release of transmitter at the squid synapse. However, our results have identified a new class of compounds that block Ca2+ channels from their cytoplasmic surface.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Binding of d-tubocurarine di (methyl-14C) ether iodide and other amines to cartilage, chondroitin sulfate and human plasma proteins.

The binding of d-tubocurarine di [methyl-14C] ether iodide (d-TCE) and other amines to bovine nasal septum, chondroitin sulfate (CS) and human plasma proteins was examined by equilibrium dialysis. Bovine nasal septum and CS bound d-TCE to a greater extent than they did morphine, d-methadone (d-ME) and l-methadone (l-ME). Cartilage, relative to an equal weight of pure CS, bound slightly more d-TCE, 50% more d-ME and l-ME, and the same amount of morphine. The amount of d-TCE bound to pure CS was similar to that of decamethonium [methyl-14C] dibromide but less than that of two new iodinated bisquaternary compounds: 1,6-bis(N,N-dimethyl-3-iodobenzylamino)hexane dichloride and 1,6-bis[dimethyl-(3-amino-4,6-diiodo-benzyl)amino]hexane dichloride. The binding of d-TCE is greater for pure CS than for impure CS which contains 26% protein, and binding to either preparation was inversely related to sodium ion concentration. In the drug concentration range explored, 30 to 40% of d-TCE is bound to plasma proteins, which is twice that of decamethonium binding but equivalent to the binding of morphine and about one-half the binding of d-ME and l-ME. In this same drug concentration range, each gram of cartilage (dry weight) can bind about 10(-7) mol of d-TCE. This study suggests that the binding of d-TCE to cartilage is an ionic type bonding to the anionic sites of the ester sulfates and glucuronate moieties of CS and that the binding of d-TCE to the protein fraction of cartilage is probably equal to, or less than, its binding to the CS fraction. It is concluded that cartilage may represent a measurable distribution pool for d-tubocurarine.

Amines↗
PubMed1985

In vitro diagnosis and studies on the mechanism(s) of anaphylactoid reactions to muscle relaxant drugs.

By covalently coupling alcuronium, d-tubocurarine and the pancuronium analogue, vecuronium, and using the resultant complexes in radioimmunoassays with patients' sera, we have found high levels of drug-reactive IgE antibodies in some subjects who reacted to these muscle relaxants. This is the first demonstration of IgE antibodies to such compounds. Assays were also developed for the detection of drug-reactive IgE antibodies to the muscle relaxant drugs succinylcholine, decamethonium and gallamine. They involved the coupling of choline and its ethyl analogue, triethylcholine to activated Sepharose. Results of direct binding and inhibition experiments and correlations with clinical findings demonstrated that the assays are relevant to the detection of succinylcholine-, decamethonium- and gallamine-reactive IgE antibodies in patients who experienced adverse reactions to these drugs. Quantitative inhibition studies revealed that IgE antibodies from most patients cross-reacted with all muscle relaxants tested, other quaternary ammonium compounds and some pharmacologically unrelated drugs including promethazine, morphine, neostigmine and pentolinium. Results showed that the specificities of the IgE antibodies are directed towards quaternary or tertiary ammonium ions on the drugs that bind the antibodies. As these ions occur widely in man's environment in drugs, cosmetics, disinfectants, foods and industrial materials, it seems possible that sensitization of patients may occur without previous exposure to muscle relaxant drugs. Thus, we now have assays that will detect antibodies to all six muscle relaxant drugs --alcuronium, d-tubocurarine, pancuronium, succinylcholine, decamethonium and gallamine-- and, for the first time since the work on penicillins, drug-specific IgE antibodies have been found in large numbers of patients and the allergenic determinants have been identified.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed1985

Effects of apamin, quinine and neuromuscular blockers on calcium-activated potassium channels in guinea-pig hepatocytes.

The bee venom peptide, apamin, has been radiolabelled with 125I, the monoiodinated derivative purified, and its binding to intact guinea-pig liver cells studied. At 37 degrees C 125I-monoiodoapamin associated with, and dissociated from, guinea-pig hepatocytes remarkably rapidly. The association and dissociation rate constants were 1.4 X 10(8) M-1 s-1 and 0.035 s-1 respectively. Equilibrium binding studies demonstrated a saturable binding component compatible with 1:1 binding to a single class of site and having an equilibrium dissociation constant (KL) of 390 pM. The maximal binding capacity was 1.1 fmol mg-1 dry wt. of tissue. Unlabelled apamin displaced bound 125I-monoiodoapamin with a KI of 380 pM, which is consistent with the concentration of apamin required to inhibit Ca2+-activated K+ permeability (PK(Ca) ) in these cells. Inhibitable binding of 125I-monoiodoapamin to rat hepatocytes was much less than to guinea-pig hepatocytes and could not be reliably quantified. Neither was there any discernible inhibitable binding to human erythrocytes. This is in keeping with the reported lack of apamin-sensitive Ca2+-activated K+ channels in these cell types. Various agents were tested for their ability to inhibit monoiodoapamin binding to, and Ca2+-mediated K+ efflux from, guinea-pig hepatocytes. All compounds tested which inhibited binding also blocked K+ efflux at similar concentrations. TEA and quinine affected hepatocytes only at high concentration (KI = 5.8 and 0.51 mM respectively). 9-aminoacridine, quinacrine and chloroquine were slightly more effective (KI = 70-180 microM). By far the most active compounds (apart from apamin) were the neuromuscular blocking agents; tubocurarine, pancuronium and atracurium (KI = 7.5, 6.8 and 4.5 microM respectively). Gallamine was slightly less effective (KI = 14 microM) and decamethonium and hexamethonium much less so (KI = 620 and 760 microM respectively). 3,4-diaminopyridine, alpha-bungarotoxin and tetrodotoxin were among several compounds which showed little or no affinity for apamin binding sites or inhibition of K+ efflux in guinea-pig hepatocytes. The saturable binding of 125I-monoiodoapamin to guinea-pig hepatocytes corresponds to about 1700 sites per cell. Assuming, tentatively, that binding sites correspond to channels the rate of K+ loss observed following agonist action can readily be explained if these channels have unitary conductances in the range reported for PK(Ca) in other tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

[On the plurifactorial determinism of the organophosphorous-induced teratogenesis on bird embryos; trials of protection by various compounds: oximes, hydroxamic acids and nicotinamide analogs (author's transl)].

Simple methods were applied to study the teratogenesis in Quail embryos induced by two important organophosphorous compounds: parathion and dicrotophos. Parathion led only to vertebral malformations, as other natural and synthetic cholinomimetics: nicotine, carbamylcholine, decamethonium, neostigmine... Dicrotophos induced not only vertebral malformations (specific to neuromuscular junction poisons) but also beak, legs and feather abnormalities (peripheric malformations which are also produced by insuline and sulfanilamide). Oximes and hydroxamic acids, some of these being analogs of nicotinamide, were tested as antiteratogens. The 3-(CO-NH2), or -(CO-NHOH), substituted pyridinic compounds (nicotinamide, nicotinohydroxamic acid) prevent perfectly dicrotophos-induced beak and legs malformations, in tertiary amine form, but very little in quaternary amine form (methyliodide). The 4-substituted pyridinic compound (isonicotinohydroxamic acid) and aliphatic oxo-oximes were quite ineffecient against these malformations. The vertebral malformations, as a rule, were not lessened by the compounds tested, except for isonicotinoyl-formaldoxime methyl iodide and in some degree for nicotinohydroxamic acid. From these observations, it results that teratogenesis induced by compounds as dicrotophos is rule by a plurificatorial determinism. The beak and legs malformations are prevented by analogs of nicotinamide. In the contrary, the vertebral malformations induced by parathion or dicrotophos are nicotinamide unsensitive and are only prevented by powerful cholinesterase reactivators as pralidoxime or TMB4 (MEINIEL, 1976 b) but are reduced little or not at all by less potent cholinesterase reactivators (HEATH).

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1981

Isolated, blood-perfused phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation of the dog: description of a new method and effects of neuromuscular blocking agents on twitch tension and blood flow.

An isolated, blood-perfused phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation of the dog was developed for pharmacological investigation. A hemi-diaphragm with the ipsi-lateral phrenic nerve intact was excised from a dog anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium and was perfused with arterial blood from a donor dog through the phrenic artery. This preparation maintained its tone and response in good condition for 10 hr without any deterioration of twitch tension. Effects of succinylcholine, d-tubocurarine, decamethonium, and gallamine on twitch tension and blood flow of this preparation were studied. Drugs were injected into the phrenic artery. All four compounds produced a dose-dependent depression of twitch tension elicited by indirect stimulation applied to the phrenic nerve without any depression in the tension elicited by direct stimulation applied to the muscle. The ratios of the potency to produce a 50% depression in twitch tension elicited by indirect stimulation among succinylcholine, decamethonium, d-tubocurarine, and gallamine were roughly 1:1/3:1/3:1/30 on a weight (mg) basis. d-Tubocurarine produced a dose-dependent increase in blood flow. Other compounds did not cause significant changes in blood flow. The increase in blood flow produced by d-tubocurarine was markedly inhibited by diphenhydramine, which suggested histamine release by d-tubocurarine.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Isolation and determination of quaternary ammonium compounds by means of XAD-columns and thin layer chromatography.

The potentials of XAD-columns for the isolation of quaternary ammonium compounds from aqueous media have been investigated. When adequate amounts of counter ions (perchlorate, chloride, phosphate, nitrate) were added to the aqueous sample, to the column pretreatment fluid and to the aqueous washing fluid, most quaternary compounds investigated were retained on the column and could be recovered by elution with methanol. Quantitation of decamethonium isolated in this way from urine samples could be performed on silicagel thin layer plates through visualization with iodine, followed by densitometric evaluation. Detection limits were 0.1 microgram/ml. Recoveries at the 1 microgram/ml level were between 80-90% with variation coefficients of less than 10%.

Chromatography↗
PubMed1992

Actions of a series of bisquaternary compounds on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in insects: ligand binding and electrophysiological studies.

A series of bisquaternary ammoniums, with chain lengths of between 4-12 carbon atoms (C4-C12), have been tested for their ability to block acetylcholine-induced responses in the fast coxal depressor motor neurone (Df) of the cockroach (Periplaneta americana) and to displace [125I]alpha-bungarotoxin from membrane preparations of the CNS of the cockroach. The physiological studies showed that tetramethonium was inactive, whereas hexa-, octa- and dodecamethonium showed an enhanced ability to block acetylcholine-induced responses as the chain length increased. Decamethonium resulted in a slight increase in acetylcholine-induced depolarizations. Ligand binding studies showed that the ability of the compounds to inhibit the specific binding of [125I]alpha-bungarotoxin increased with size from C4-C12. The results show that neuronal nicotinic receptors in insects differ in aspects of their pharmacology from both the major subclasses of nicotinic receptors of vertebrates.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Properties of acetylcholinesterase in lobster axonal membrane.

1. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity of axonal membrane vesicles prepared from lobster (Homarus americanus) walking leg nerve is about 200 mumol ACh/hr/mg protein. 2. The enzyme is a membrane-bound glycoprotein that can be solubilized by lysolecithin and digitonin but is rapidly inactivated by Triton X-100 and other nonionic detergents. 3. The walking leg nerve enzyme contrasts most markedly with postsynaptic AChE in its lack of inhibition by excess substrate and its poor susceptibility to peripheral anionic site ligands. 4. Axonal AChE is competitively blocked by eserine sulfate (1 microM) and by low concentrations of procaine (0.1-0.5 mM). 5. Lidocaine, a tertiary amine, and its quaternary ammonium derivative QX-314 are equipotent non-competitive enzyme inhibitors (Kiapp 2-3 mM), while the primary amine compound GX-HCl is totally inactive. 6. Calcium (10 50 mM), propidium (1 microM) and decamethonium (1 microM), peripheral anionic site ligands in the synaptic enzyme, do not protect the axonal enzyme against inhibition by local anesthetics. 7. Although it is possible that this enzyme is an isozyme of the true AChE of excitable membranes, or that it is an incomplete enzyme fragment, it is also possible that there is a unique membrane-bound AChE present in large quantities in crustacean peripheral nerve.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1989

Improvement of systemic absorption of insulin through eyes with absorption enhancers.

A painless, simple, and practical method has been developed for systemic delivery of peptide drugs through eyes. In order to increase the amount of peptides absorbed into systemic circulation, effects of enhancers on insulin absorption into systemic circulation and reduction of blood glucose concentration have been studied. Saponin showed the highest potency to enhance insulin absorption, while Tween 20 was the least effective. The efficacy order of seven compounds studied can be arranged as follows: saponin greater than fusidic acid greater than BL-9 = EDTA greater than glycocholate = decamethonium greater than Tween 20. Since 1% of saponin reached the maximum effect to enhance insulin absorption and decrease blood glucose concentration, not more than 1% of saponin should be used for enhancing peptide absorption through eyes.

Absorption↗
PubMed1984

The channel-blocking action of methonium compounds on rat submandibular ganglion cells.

The effects of drugs of the polymethylene bis-trimethylammonium (methonium) series on the characteristics of the synaptic currents (e.s.cs) recorded from voltage-clamped rat submandibular ganglion cells have been studied. The drugs studied were from C4 to C10 (decamethonium). All of the drugs except C4 shortened the initial decay phase of the e.s.c.; C9 and C10 produced an additional slowly decaying component. These effects were interpreted in terms of an open channel block mechanism, the calculated rate constants for association with the open channel at -80 mV being fairly similar (5.9 X 10(6) to 18.1 X 10(6)M-1S-1) for all of the compounds except C4, which had no effect on the e.s.c. decay. All of the compounds produced use-dependent block when tested with short trains of stimuli at 10 Hz, or with trains of ionophoretic pulses of acetylcholine, consistent with their channel blocking property. Tubocurarine had a similar effect, but not trimetaphan or mecamylamine. Recovery from use-dependent block with short chain methonium compounds, up to C8, was very slow in the absence of agonist, being incomplete even after several minutes. With C9 or C10 or tubocurarine, recovery from use-dependent block was complete within a few seconds. With C6 recovery in the absence of agonist was unaffected by membrane potential, but could be accelerated by applying acetylcholine with the cell depolarized to -40 mV. This persistent block was ascribed to the ability of the blocking molecule to become trapped by closure of the channel. With C9 and C10 it is assumed that their presence inhibits channel closure, so they can escape without the help of agonist. When use-dependent block is avoided by leaving the ganglion unstimulated during equilibration with the blocking drug, the first e.s.c. elicited shows no appreciable reduction of amplitude, though with C6, C7 or C8 subsequent responses elicited at 0.1 Hz become progressively more blocked. Even at 1 mM, C6 does not prevent acetylcholine from opening ionic channels. It is concluded that all of the effects on e.s.c. amplitude can be interpreted in terms of channel block, there being no evidence of any receptor blocking action.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1983

Anaphylaxis to muscle relaxant drugs: cross-reactivity and molecular basis of binding of IgE antibodies detected by radioimmunoassay.

IgE antibodies that bind the muscle relaxant alcuronium were found in sera from six patients who experienced anaphylactic-like reactions following administration of the drug during induction of anaesthesia. Drug-specific antibodies were detected by radioimmunoassay employing a covalently coupled alcuronium-Sepharose complex and 125I-labelled anti-human IgE. Quantitative inhibition studies undertaken with the sera revealed specificity differences between IgE antibodies from different patients. One serum reacted with alcuronium but not with five other muscle relaxants, decamethonium, gallamine, pancuronium, succinylcholine and tubocurarine. IgE antibodies in the other sera cross-reacted with the muscle relaxants, other quaternary ammonium compounds and some pharmacologically unrelated drugs including promethazine, morphine, neostigmine and pentolineum. The inhibition experiments revealed that the alcuronium-IgE reaction could be prevented or diminished by structures containing a substituted ammonium ion. As these ions occur widely in man's environment in drugs, cosmetics, disinfectants, foods and industrial materials, it seems possible that sensitization of patients may occur without previous exposure to muscle relaxants.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The pharmacology of cholinoceptors on the somatic muscle cells of the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum.

1. Acetylcholine (ACh) elicited depolarization and an increase in input conductance of the somatic muscle cells of the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum. 2. The relative potency of nicotinic and muscarinic agents was studied in this preparation. The order of potency of these compounds was metahydroxy-phenylpropyltrimethylammonium (HPPT) greater than 1.1 dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium (DMPP) greater than ACh greater than carbachol greater than nicotine greater than tetramethylammonium (TMA+) greater than muscarone greater than furtrethonium greater than arecoline. Decamethonium was also a weak agonist. McN-A-343 elicited a very weak depolarization at concentrations above 1 mmol l-1. Bethanechol and methacholine were without effect up to 1 mmol l-1. Pilocarpine and muscarine elicited a slight hyperpolarization of up to 3 mV with a threshold for the response of around 500 mumol l-1. Oxotremorine (1 mmol l-1) was without effect. 3. The nitromethylene insecticide 2(nitromethylene)tetrahydro 1,3-thiazine (NMTHT), an agonist at insect nicotinic receptors, was without effect on Ascaris muscle cells up to 1 mmol l-1. 4. Mecamylamine and benzoquinonium were the most potent antagonists of the acetylcholine response. The order of potency of the other antagonists was tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP) greater than quinacrine greater than pancuronium, curare greater than trimethaphan greater than atropine greater than chlorisondamine, decamethonium greater than hexamethonium greater than dihydro-beta-erythroidine. 5. The agonist profile of the Ascaris muscle cell ACh receptor clearly indicates that it is nicotinic. The potency of ganglionic and neuromuscular nicotinic receptor antagonists in Ascaris does not enable a further subclassification of this nicotinic receptor. The Ascaris nicotinic receptor seems to possess some of the pharmacological properties of each type of vertebrate nicotinic receptor. The pharmacology of the Ascaris nicotinic receptor is discussed in relation to that of nicotinic receptors in other invertebrate preparations and in vertebrate preparations.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1983

Heterogeneity of binding sites on cardiac muscarinic receptors induced by the neuromuscular blocking agents gallamine and pancuronium.

The binding of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB) to cardiac muscarinic receptors was inhibited not only by classical muscarinic antagonists but also by nicotinic blocking agents and inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase. Gallamine, pancuronium, ambenonium, and decamethonium were the most potent of these agents examined. All of the nicotinic antagonists with significant muscarinic receptor activity had two or three quaternary nitrogens, and the potency of a series of these compounds was a function of the distance between quaternary nitrogens. The effects of gallamine and pancuronium were studied in detail because these neuromuscular blocking agents showed heterogeneity in their binding to cardiac muscarinic receptors, whereas classical muscarinic antagonists such as QNB and atropine did not. Gallamine did not compete for all of the [3H]QNB binding sites on atrial membranes, but left at least 20% of [3H]QNB binding unaffected. Curves of pancuronium competition for [3H]QNB binding were shallow, consistent with two binding sites for pancuronium, with approximately 20% having low affinity. Additionally, in the presence of gallamine or pancuronium, [3H]QNB binding sites were no longer homogeneous, and Scatchard plots became nonlinear. Guanine nucleotides did not alter the effect of gallamine or pancuronium on [3H]QNB binding. Gallamine and pancuronium showed no agonist activity but, like atropine, completely antagonized muscarinic receptor-mediated inhibition of cyclic AMP formation. However, differences in the behavior of gallamine and atropine suggested that gallamine was not a purely competitive antagonist. Gallamine did not protect against receptor alkylation by propylbenzilylcholine mustard, and [3H]QNB dissociation was apparently slowed by gallamine. We interpret our data to suggest that gallamine not only competes for [3H]QNB binding sites, but also binds at a secondary site on the receptor, forming a ternary complex with [3H]QNB. Heterogeneity in ligand binding is proposed to result from the dual actions of gallamine and pancuronium as ligands at both primary and secondary sites on the cardiac muscarinic receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1961

Studies on the mode of action of methyridine.

Methyridine [2-(beta-methoxyethyl)pyridine] reached the blood and all regions of the alimentary canal following oral or subcutaneous administration of therapeutic doses of the drug. Concentrations in the lower gut were highest following subcutaneous administration, and there was a close association between blood and intestinal levels suggesting that the drug is excreted into the alimentary canal along its whole length. In vitro experiments with intact nematodes (Ostertagia spp. from sheep; Nematospiroides dubius and Heterakis spumosa from mice; and Nippostrongylus muris from rats) and with preparations of Ascaris sp. have demonstrated that methyridine passes through the cuticle and exerts an "irreversible" paralysing effect on the worms. This action is obtained within 1 hr at concentrations similar to peak levels shown to be present in the alimentary canal following the administration of therapeutic doses. Concentrations of the drug were found to be higher in the abomasum than in the intestine of sheep and yet the anthelmintic activity of methyridine is greatest against intestinal nematodes. No significant differences in the resistance of various nematode species to the drug were demonstrated, but the amount of methyridine entering ascarids was significantly greater at pH 8 than at pH 5 or 3. In addition, the in vitro anthelmintic activity of the compound was greatest in alkaline solutions, which probably accounts for the differences in anthelmintic activity noted in various parts of the alimentary canal. The paralysing effect of methyridine on nematodes is probably due to a neuromuscular block of the decamethonium type, and this can also be produced in the host by over-dosage. It is suggested that nematode tissues are more sensitive to this action than vertebrate tissues.

Abomasum↗