The effect of verapamil on the cardiotoxic activity of Portuguese man-o'war (Physalia physalis) and sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) venoms.
Verapamil, a calcium antagonist, is effective in delaying death in mice after i.v. challenge with sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) or Portuguese man-o'war (Physalia physalis) crude venom. Death caused by these venoms could also be delayed by prior medication of the animals. Continuous EKG monitoring of sea nettle venom-challenged rats demonstrated that a single rapid injection of verapamil might require 4 min to be effective and that up to four repeated injections may be necessary to counteract the venom-induced abnormalities. Verapamil reduced the sea nettle venom-induced positive inotropic effect on isolated guinea pig atrial strips. These data further indicate the effectiveness of verapamil as a therapeutic agent against jellyfish cardiotoxins.
Burnett
J W
JW
Gean
C J
CJ
Calton
G J
GJ
Warnick
J E
JE
D000818:Animals; D003064:Cnidarian Venoms / Q000633:toxicity*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology*
D003064:Cnidarian Venoms; D004573:Electrolytes; D014700:Verapamil