Premium
Botulinum toxin: Chemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, and immunology
Author(s) -
Brin Mitchell F.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(1997)6+<146::aid-mus10>3.0.co;2-4
Subject(s) - botulism , pharmacology , botulinum toxin , neuromuscular junction , paralysis , medicine , antibody , toxicity , nerve agent , adverse effect , biology , anesthesia , immunology , acetylcholinesterase , microbiology and biotechnology , surgery , biochemistry , neuroscience , enzyme
The seven serotypes of botulinum toxin (BTX) produced by Clostridium botulinum exert their paralytic effect by inhabiting acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction. Each of these zinc encopeptidases cleaves one or more proteins involved in vesicle transport and membrane fusion. The extent of paralysis depends on both doese and volume; the duration of paralysis is further dependent on the serotype employed. Restoration of neuromuscular function follows axon terminal sprouting. The two major commercial preparations of BTX‐A appear to differ in their relative potencies, despite a commmon unit labeling system. Adverse effects are a consequence of the drug's mechanism of action, and can usually be tolerated or mitigated through dosing changes. Patients who are pregnant or lactating, or who have a neuromuscular disease, may not be appropriate candidates for BTX therapy. Development of resistance to BTX‐A therapy, characterized by absence of any beneficial effect and by lack of muscle atrophy following the injection, is an important clinical issue. The incidence of antibody‐mediated resistance as determined by the mouse lethality assay, ks reported between 3% and 10%. Use of the smallest possible effective dose and longer treatement intervals may reduce the likelihood of antibody development. Other serotypes may benefit those who have developed antibody resistance. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Spasticity: Etiology, Evaluation, Management, and the Role of Botulinum Toxin Type A, MF Brin, editor. Muscle Nerve 1997;20(suppl 6):S146‐S168.