INFLUENCE OF PROSTAGLANDINS-E1 AND PROSTAGLANDINS-E2 ON OUABAIN CARDIOTOXICITY IN CAT

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 203  (2) , 480-484
Abstract
The capacity of prostaglandins E1 (PGE1) and E2 (PGE2) to influence the lethal dose and lethal myocardial content of ouabain was studied in intact cats and cats whose spinal cords were transected. Administration of PGE1 and PGE2 to intact cats was associated with an increase in lethal dose and ventricular content of ouabain. Spinal cord transection alone was associated with an increase in lethal dose and ventricular content of ouabain. Administration of either PGE1 and PGE2 to animals whose spinal cords were transected changed neither the lethal dose nor the lethal ventricular content of ouabain compared with cats whose spinal cords were transected but who received only ouabain. PGE1 and PGE2 are apparently effective agents for prophylaxis of ouabain-induced arrhythmias in the cat. The failure to observe an additional antiarrhythmic effect in animals whose spinal cords were transected implies that the nervous system plays an important role in the antiarrhythmic action of the PG.