Biomaterial Database

Protective action of methyldopa against ouabain-induced cardiac arrhythmias and lethality. 1993

G P Thomas, and P M Stephen

Department of Pharmacology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.

Methyldopa (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) was studied for its effect on cardiac arrhythmias and lethality induced by slow intravenous infusion of ouabain in guinea-pigs. Methyldopa increased the dose of ouabain required to elicit the arrhythmic stages and lethality. However, it did not provide any protection in reserpinized guinea-pigs. Methyldopa also inhibited the rate of the ouabain-induced rise in blood pressure and the peak pressor response. Yohimbine significantly antagonized the protective action of methyldopa. It is concluded that the protective action of methyldopa against the arrhythmogenic and lethal effects of ouabain may be due to its action on the indirect neural components of ouabain toxicity, mediated through stimulation of alpha 2-adrenoceptors.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008750	Methyldopa	An alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that has both central and peripheral nervous system effects. Its primary clinical use is as an antihypertensive agent.	Methyldopate,alpha-Methyldopa,Aldomet,Alphamethyldopa,Apo-Methyldopa,Dopamet,Dopegit,Dopegyt,Dopergit,Hydopa,Meldopa,Nu-Medopa,Sembrina,alpha-Methyl-L-Dopa,Apo Methyldopa,Nu Medopa,alpha Methyl L Dopa,alpha Methyldopa
D010042	Ouabain	A cardioactive glycoside consisting of rhamnose and ouabagenin, obtained from the seeds of Strophanthus gratus and other plants of the Apocynaceae; used like DIGITALIS. It is commonly used in cell biological studies as an inhibitor of the NA(+)-K(+)-EXCHANGING ATPASE.	Acocantherin,G-Strophanthin,Acolongifloroside K,G Strophanthin
D005260	Female		Females
D006168	Guinea Pigs	A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research.	Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D006439	Hemodynamics	The movement and the forces involved in the movement of the blood through the CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM.	Hemodynamic
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001145	Arrhythmias, Cardiac	Any disturbances of the normal rhythmic beating of the heart or MYOCARDIAL CONTRACTION. Cardiac arrhythmias can be classified by the abnormalities in HEART RATE, disorders of electrical impulse generation, or impulse conduction.	Arrhythmia,Arrythmia,Cardiac Arrhythmia,Cardiac Arrhythmias,Cardiac Dysrhythmia,Arrhythmia, Cardiac,Dysrhythmia, Cardiac