Effects of Trichothecenes on Cardiac Cell Electrical Function
Abstract
Exposure to relatively small amounts of trichothecenes causes sudden death in humans and experimental animals. Prior to death, heart function becomes abnormal. Therefore, trichothecenes may have lethal effects on cardiac cells or on the nerves in the heart. This 2 year project determined how trichothecenes affect electrical activity in heart cells and how trichothecenes affect neural control of the circulation. The effects of T-2 toxin and roridin-A on heart cell electrophysiology in isolated, arterially perfused tissues from dog hearts were examined. Cells in the sinus node pacemaker, atrial wall, atrioventricular node, atrioventricular bundle, false tendons, and ventricular wall were impaled with microelectrodes during arterial perfusion of each toxin to assess changes in rate of beating, conduction velocity, and action potential morphology. Effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves during toxin perfusion were revealed by blocking their receptors with proranolol and atropine, respectively.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 13, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA185826
Entities
People
- W. T. Woods Jr.
Organizations
- University of Alabama