Abstract
Summary
Ouabain increased the force of contraction of isolated guinea pig diaphragm, stimulated directly or indirectly with supramaximal shocks. At higher concentrations of the drugs, the positive inotropic action was followed by a depressant effect. The concentrations at which these effects occurred were similar to those which produced an increase in force of contraction or toxic effects upon isolated guinea pig ventricular strips. Skeletal muscular paralysis in intact guinea pigs following the administration of ouabain was frequently not accompanied by evidence of cardiac toxicity. The significance of these findings in relation to studies on the mechanism of action of the cardiac glycosides which employ skeletal muscle preparations was discussed.
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