Botulinum toxin A: is it really that fragile a molecule?
BACKGROUND
Botulinum toxin A is considered to be an extremely fragile molecule, with recommended usage of some reconstituted botulinum toxin A formulations within 4 hours of reconstitution. Extreme caution is recommended to avoid agitation of the vial.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the effect of reconstituted botulinum toxin A is maintained even when it is agitated vigorously.


METHODS
Experimental, comparative, animal study.


METHODS
Sixty-four white Swiss Webster mice, aged 2 to 4 weeks, arranged in eight separate groups.


METHODS
Reconstituted onabotulinumtoxinA (2.5 U/0.1 mL) was placed securely in a battery-operated mechanized apparatus. The apparatus with the vial was placed in the refrigerator, and the apparatus continuously inverted and straightened the onabotulinumtoxinA vial 30 times a minute. Eight mice were each injected intraperitoneally with 1 U of the agitated onabotulinumtoxinA on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 42, to evaluate the efficacy of the continuously agitated onabotulinumtoxinA.


METHODS
Death of the mice, demonstrating efficacy of the onabotulinumtoxinA molecule.


RESULTS
Half of each group of mice (4/8 mice) died within 48 hours of the injection (range 16-48 hours).


CONCLUSIONS
The effect of botulinum toxin type A is maintained even when it is agitated vigorously for up to 6 weeks. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.
Department of Facial Plastic Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, India. debraj_shome@yahoo.com
Debraj
D
Shome
Akshay G
AG
Nair
Rinky
R
Kapoor
Vandana
V
Jain
D000818:Animals; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004355:Drug Stability; D004356:Drug Storage; D005260:Female; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D051379:Mice; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A