Selection and Evaluation of L-Aspartic Acid as a Nontoxic Emetic Agent in the Rhesus Monkey.
Abstract
Aspartic acid was evaluated as an emetic agent in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). One-third of a random group of monkeys proved to be consistently reliable vomiters when given single IV injections of aspartic acid, 200 mg/kg in normal saline at 7-7-7-3-day intervals. Lethality was observed in two animals treated with single doses of 4560 and 6880 mg/kg; it did not occur in two treated with 1600 mg/kg. At lethal doses, aspartic acid produced neurotoxicity with tonic and clonic convulsions. Clinical signs observed in animals treated with single and multiple doses included salivation, emesis, facial pallor and a decrease of muscle tone. Physiologic changes observed in animals treated with single doses of 200 mg/kg included an increase in cardiac and respiratory rates and inconsistent changes of blood pressure, with an increase usually followed by a decrease. In summary, aspartic acid is a relatively nontoxic emetic agent which will repeatedly induce vomiting in monkeys previously screened for their emetic sensitivity to this compound. (Modified author abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0778826
Entities
People
- Dan J. Craig
- Robert W. Fleischman
- Ulrich Schaeppi