3H-digoxin distribution in the nervous system in ventricular tachycardia. [Dogs]

Journal Article · · J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5389994

Frazer, G; Binnion, P

The distribution of 3H-digoxin has been measured in a large number of tissues from the central, autonomic, and peripheral nervous system after the induction of ventricular tachycardia by infusing digoxin into anesthetized dogs. In most parts of the nervous system the tissue digoxin concentration was close to that in the cerebrospinal fluid. Digoxin accumulation in the choroid plexus probably represented a labeling of adenosine triphosphatase. There was a markedly higher concentration of digoxin in the neurohypophysis than in the adenohypophysis, and the very high levels in the neurohypophysis are hard to explain. There may be a relationship between the pituitary and the hypothalamic digoxin levels, although the concentration in the latter was unimpressive. The fornix showed a modest increase in 3H-digoxin concentration and may play a role, as its efferent discharge goes to the hypothalamus. The high concentration of digoxin in the area postrema suggests that this central nervous system structure is responsible, at least in part, for producing digoxin-induced cardiac arrhythmias. It may act as a sensing organ sensitive to blood digoxin concentration. Either it is the only central nervous structure implicated, or it is involved together with the fornix-hypothalamus-hypophysis pathways. Further proof is given for the importance of the autonomic nervous system in cardiac arrhythmias by the high digoxin levels in the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion and adrenal medulla.

• Research Organization: Department of Biomedical Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• OSTI ID: 5389994
• Journal Information: J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol.; (United States) Vol. 3:6; ISSN JCPCD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

551001* -- Physiological Systems-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ACID ANHYDRASES
ANIMALS
ATP-ASE
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CARBOHYDRATES
CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES
CARDIOTONICS
CARDIOVASCULAR AGENTS
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
DIGITALIS GLYCOSIDES
DIGOXIN
DISEASES
DISTRIBUTION
DOGS
DRUGS
ENZYMES
GLYCOSIDES
HYDROLASES
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHOHYDROLASES
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
VERTEBRATES