Abstract
Summary
When the tetrazolium salt pp'-diphenyl bis 2-3 (3, 5 diphenyl) tetrazolium chloride (Neotetrazolium) is injected subcutaneously, it lodges in considerable amount in the sympathetic ganglia of the nervous system where it is reduced to the insoluble formazan. The satellite cells are heavily colored in contrast to the nerve cells. A series of renal hypertensive rats were given daily subcutaneous injections of from 0.25-0.5 ml of a 0.5% solution of neotetrazolium (NT) for periods of from 5-10 days and the blood pressure recorded by an indirect microphonic method on the tail. The NT lowered the blood pressure within 2 days after the treatment was initiated to levels as low as 60-70 mm Hg. Within 1 week after treatment, the pressure had returned to control levels. Subsequent injections had a comparable hypotensive action. It is suggested that NT may reduce the blood pressure by impairing the metabolic activity of the ganglionic cells, although an indirect effect on other organs such as the adrenal has not been ruled out.
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