title: Retinal toxicity in albino rabbits induced by intravitreal injection of strophanthin-K.
abstract: Time course and extent of strophanthin-K induced disturbances of flash electroretinogram (F-ERG) has been observed in 12 albino rabbits treated by a single dose of 1, 3 and 9 ug/0.1 ml of intravitreal injection. A phenomenon of the dependence of a- and b-wave amplitude changes on dosage was demonstrated. A 9 ug/0.1 ml dose caused a flat a- and b-wave showing the F-ERG wave could be completely suppressed by larger dose of strophanthin-K. Two parameters of "attenuation kinetics" are proposed to identify the pharmacodynamics and toxic kinetics on retina as time profile is concerned: 1) B (the slope of attenuation curve); 2) Et1/2 (half attenuative time). B and Et1/2 are helpful in making a tentative identification of the target cells on retina and in demonstrating a synergism or antagonism between drugs if any. The a-wave of F-ERG, having a steeper slope, is more sensitive than b-wave in terms of strophanthin-K toxicity bringing forth a quantitative criterion in visual pharmacology. The attenuation of amplitude in a-wave may therefore be considered as an early response to this drug. The direct pupillary response test were also done pre- and post-strophanthin-K, and the results of this test support that of F-ERG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Second Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Z J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Gu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000187:drug effects; D011817:Rabbits; D012025:Reflex, Pupillary / Q000187:drug effects; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013328:Strophanthins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D013328:Strophanthins; C029082:strophanthin K