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Effect of Clostridium perfringens Beta Toxin on Blood Pressure of Rats
Author(s) -
Sakurai Jun,
Fujii Yoshio,
Dezaki Keiko,
Endo Koichi
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
microbiology and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1348-0421
pISSN - 0385-5600
DOI - 10.1111/j.1348-0421.1984.tb02944.x
Subject(s) - hexamethonium , clostridium perfringens , toxin , constriction , blood pressure , guanethidine , tetrodotoxin , biology , endocrinology , medicine , pharmacology , microbiology and biotechnology , stimulation , genetics , bacteria
Guanethidine treatment or adrenal medullectomy significantly inhibited the elevation in blood pressure induced by Clostridium perfringens beta toxin, and the combination of the two drastically reduced the pressure rise, to less than 19% of that in control rats. When rats were pretreated with tetrodotoxin or hexamethonium, the toxin‐evoked rise was significantly inhibited. Elevation in blood pressure induced by the toxin in spinal rats tended to be less than that in control rats. When investigated by a microscopical technique, arteriolar constriction in the mesenteric vasculature was observed after the blood pressure elevation induced by the toxin reached a maximum. Blood flow in the skin decreased with an increase in blood pressure following intravenous injection of the toxin. It is concluded that beta toxin acts on the autonomic nervous system and produces arterial constriction.