title: Negative inotropic and arrhythmic effects of high doses of ciguatoxin on guinea-pig atria and papillary muscles.
abstract: Ciguatoxin, the toxin present in fish responsible for ciguatera, at doses equal or above the maximum positive inotropic dose in atria (greater than 0.15 mouse units/ml) induced arrhythmias in atria and papillary muscles stimulated at 1 Hz and dose-dependent negative inotropy in atria. Negative inotropy was enhanced by ouabain or by an increase in stimulation to 3 Hz, little affected by procaine or increasing Ringer [Ca2+] and reversed by lidocaine and tetrodotoxin (TTX). Ciguatoxin caused negative inotropy associated with cell depolarisation in 1.2 mM Ca2+-Ringer and additionally caused signs of Ca overload in 3.2 mM Ca2+-Ringer. Ciguatoxin induced transient after-contractions and contracture in atria which were common in 3.2 mM but not 1.2 mM Ca2+-Ringer and which were enhanced by ouabain. TTX and lidocaine abolished after-contractions and contracture while procaine was less effective. Extrasystoles consisting of short bursts of 1-2 extra contractions per sec were seen in atria and papillary muscles within 45 min of ciguatoxin being added. The effect was observed in 3.2 mM but seldom in 1.2 mM Ca2+-Ringer and was absent when low doses of propranolol or TTX were added prior to ciguatoxin. Flutter was observed in a few papillary muscles after ciguatoxin. These results suggest that the toxic effects of ciguatoxin stem from its direct action of opening myocardial Na+ channels. Extrasystoles appeared to result mainly from its effect on neural Na+ channels causing an increased release of noradrenaline from the nerves associated with the myocardium.
authors: Department of Zoology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia.
authors: R J
authors: RJ
authors: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D005117:Cardiac Complexes, Premature / Q000139:chemically induced; D002922:Ciguatoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008387:Marine Toxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D010210:Papillary Muscles / Q000187:drug effects; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D013779:Tetrodotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D008387:Marine Toxins; D015222:Sodium Channels; D002922:Ciguatoxins; D013779:Tetrodotoxin; D008012:Lidocaine; D002118:Calcium