THE SIMILAR PHARMACOLOGIC AND TOXIC EFFECTS OF PENTABORANE, DECABORANE, AND RESERPINE
Abstract
The investigation was conducted to establish the mechanism of toxic action of pentaborane (B5H9) and decaborane (B10H14) preliminary to the study of possible therapeutic or protective agents. The pharmacological effects of pentaborane and decaborane on mice, rats, and dogs were studied and compared to the pharmacological effects of reserpine. The compounds were administered intraperitoneally; pentaborane was also administered by the inhalation route. Conscious dogs showed signs of limitation of sympathetic activity, evidenced by miosis, nictitating membrane relaxation, bradycardia, dilation of superficial vessels, and sedation with easy arousal. Anesthetized dogs showed an initial rise in blood pressure followed by hypotension, bradycardia, and decreased response to tyramine. Reversal of some of these effects occurred following norepinephrine infusions. Spectrofluorometric analyses of the brains of groups of rats administered any of the three compounds demonstrated depletion of serotonin and norepinephrine. Pentaborane is comparatively more active in producing excitement and convulsions. The boranes closely resemble reserpine in their effects but have a shorter duration of action.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0617691
Entities
People
- Francis W. Weir
- Frederick H. Meyers
- Robert H. Arbuckle
- Swanson Bennett