title: Effect of Bitis gabonica venom on the action potentials of guinea-pig heart. Preliminary results.
abstract: The effect exerted by different doses (50 to 500 mg/kg body weight, or 1 or perfusing solution) of the lyophilised secretion of B. gabonica venom glands has been studied -by intracellular electrodes- on the electrical activity of atrial and ventricular cells from guinea-pigs hearts, by using both open-chested animals and isolated preparations. Noticeable changes in the features and duration of the repolarization phase of the action potentials precede the abolition (reversible, after washing) of the contractile activity. No significant changes of the diastolic potentials have been evidenced in the preparations perfused in vitro.
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014757:Viper Venoms