Biomaterial Database

Ganglion blocking activity of cimetidine in the anaesthetized cat. 1985

M C Gwee, and L S Cheah, and H S Lee

Cimetidine produced a dose-dependent and reversible inhibition of contractions of the nictitating membrane elicited through stimulation of the preganglionic nerve supplying the superior cervical ganglion in the anaesthetized cat. Postganglionic nerve stimulation resulted in only a slight and variable inhibition of the contractions. Both hexamethonium and cimetidine also produced a dose-dependent and reversible fall in arterial blood pressure. The ganglion blocking activity of cimetidine was much weaker than that of hexamethonium; the ED50 ratio (cimetidine:hexamethonium) calculated from the cumulative log dose-response curves for the two drugs was 64. The possible mechanism(s) of ganglion blockade produced by cimetidine is discussed including a possible action at nicotinic receptors, either directly or indirectly (via its anticholinesterase activity), and ion channel blockade. The clinical implications of cimetidine-induced ganglionic blockade are also discussed, especially with respect to sexual impotence associated with the use of cimetidine.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009541	Nictitating Membrane	A fold of the mucous membrane of the CONJUNCTIVA in many animals. At rest, it is hidden in the medial canthus. It can extend to cover part or all of the cornea to help clean the CORNEA.	Third Eyelid,Eyelid, Third,Eyelids, Third,Membrane, Nictitating,Membranes, Nictitating,Nictitating Membranes,Third Eyelids
D001794	Blood Pressure	PRESSURE of the BLOOD on the ARTERIES and other BLOOD VESSELS.	Systolic Pressure,Diastolic Pressure,Pulse Pressure,Pressure, Blood,Pressure, Diastolic,Pressure, Pulse,Pressure, Systolic,Pressures, Systolic
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D002927	Cimetidine	A histamine congener, it competitively inhibits HISTAMINE binding to HISTAMINE H2 RECEPTORS. Cimetidine has a range of pharmacological actions. It inhibits GASTRIC ACID secretion, as well as PEPSIN and GASTRIN output.	Altramet,Biomet,Biomet400,Cimetidine HCl,Cimetidine Hydrochloride,Eureceptor,Histodil,N-Cyano-N'-methyl-N''-(2-(((5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)methyl)thio)ethyl)guanidine,SK&F-92334,SKF-92334,Tagamet,HCl, Cimetidine,Hydrochloride, Cimetidine,SK&F 92334,SK&F92334,SKF 92334,SKF92334
D004558	Electric Stimulation	Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses.	Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D005260	Female		Females
D005730	Ganglionic Blockers	Agents having as their major action the interruption of neural transmission at nicotinic receptors on postganglionic autonomic neurons. Because their actions are so broad, including blocking of sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, their therapeutic use has been largely supplanted by more specific drugs. They may still be used in the control of blood pressure in patients with acute dissecting aortic aneurysm and for the induction of hypotension in surgery.	Ganglionic Blocking Agents,Ganglioplegic Agents,Blocking Agents, Ganglionic,Ganglionic Blockaders,Agents, Ganglionic Blocking,Agents, Ganglioplegic,Blockaders, Ganglionic,Blockers, Ganglionic
D006584	Hexamethonium Compounds	Compounds containing the hexamethylenebis(trimethylammonium) cation. Members of this group frequently act as antihypertensive agents and selective ganglionic blocking agents.	Compounds, Hexamethonium
D000758	Anesthesia	A state characterized by loss of feeling or sensation. This depression of nerve function is usually the result of pharmacologic action and is induced to allow performance of surgery or other painful procedures.