Abstract
Summary
1. The daily intravenous administration of 0.1 mg of digitoxin per kg of body weight to normal rabbits resulted, within 7 days, in an increase in body weight and a reduction in the serum potassium concentration and the exchangeable potassium content. These changes in potassium metabolism were corrected within one week by discontinuing the glycoside. 2. The intravenous administration of a single large dose of digitoxin (0.2 mg per kg) to normal rabbits resulted within 24 hours in a decrease in the mean potassium content of all the tissues and organs. Statistically significant decreases in potassium content were noted in the abdominal and diaphragmatic muscles and in the subcutaneous connective tissue. The results suggest that one of the effects of the administration of digitoxin in these dosages is to deplete the body store of potassium.
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