Einfluß des lokalen Wundstarrkrampfes auf die Kaliumfreisetzung aus der Skeletmuskulatur durch Acetylcholin

Summary

The release of potassiumions from muscle in the state of local tetanus on intraarterial injection of acetylcholine (ACh) was investigated by isolated perfusion of hind limbs in cats. Local tetanus was produced by multilocular injection of tetanustoxin in one of the hind limbs. The reactions of the normal innervated muscles and those treated with tetanustoxin were compared in the same animal. The following results were obtained:

• 1. 3 days after the toxin application no significant changes in the potassium release following the ACh administration were to be seen.

• 2. 6 to 8 days after the toxin injection a significant reduction in the ACh threshold dose necessary for a measurable potassium release could be observed on the muscle in tetanus. At this time the regression coefficient of the dose response curve for the potassium release was significantly lower compared with the corresponding value of the normal muscle.

• 3. 14 to 21 days after the injection of the tetanus toxin a significant and considerable shift of the dose response curve of the potassium release towards that observed in chronically denervated muscle was seen on the muscle in tetanus.

• 4. The untreated muscle did not show any sings of changed sensitivity against acetylcholine, although symptoms of reflex spasms and maintained rigidity were already seen in some experiments.