The neuromuscular blocking action of spectinomycin on the mouse hemidiaphragm preparation

Y. N. Singh*, I. G. Marshall, A. L. Harvey

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

1. The mechanism of action of the muscle paralysing property of the antibiotic spectinomycin has been investigated on the isolated mouse phrenic nerve‐hemi‐diaphragm preparation. 2. Spectinomycin produced a neuromuscular blockade that was poorly reversed by neostigmine (3 μmol/l) but well reversed by both calcium (5 mmol/1) and 3,4‐diaminopyridine (0.1 mmol/1). 3. Intracellular techniques were used to record endplate potentials and miniature endplate potentials from hemidiaphragms paralysed by spectinomycin. Miniature endplate potentials were reduced both in frequency and in amplitude. The quantal content of the endplate potential during spectinomycin paralysis calculated by the method of variance was 14, a value similar to that found in preparations paralysed by the prejunctionally active magnesium. 4. Thus spectinomycin possesses weak neuromuscular blocking activity by a predominant action on acetylcholine release.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)159-165
Number of pages7
JournalClinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology
Volume6
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1979

Keywords

  • 3,4‐diaminopyridine
  • calcium
  • magnesium
  • neostigmine
  • neuromuscular blockade
  • quantal content
  • spectinomycin
  • tubocurarine
  • adverse drug reaction
  • muscle
  • neuromuscular blocking
  • peripheral nervous system
  • phrenic nerve
  • theoretical study

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