Biomaterial Database

[Alteration of potassium metabolism by cardiac glycosides in suicidal intoxications (author's transl)]. 1977

H Heesen, and W Schmiedeberg

The potassium concentrations in erythrocytes, serum and urine were continously determined in 3 patients who had taken acetyldigoxin (45 to 100 tablets Novodigal à 0,2 mg) in order to commit suicide. In the first 3 to 8 hours after ingestion of digitalis the potassium concentration in serum increased while the potassium concentration of erythrocytes declined a little. The elimination of potassium with the urine remained still normal. After this period of time the potassium concentration in serum and in erythrocytes considerably fell, simultaneously large amounts of potassium were excreted with the urine. It was not until after 14 days that the potassium metabolism normalized.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D002301	Cardiac Glycosides	Cyclopentanophenanthrenes with a 5- or 6-membered lactone ring attached at the 17-position and SUGARS attached at the 3-position. Plants they come from have long been used in congestive heart failure. They increase the force of cardiac contraction without significantly affecting other parameters, but are very toxic at larger doses. Their mechanism of action usually involves inhibition of the NA(+)-K(+)-EXCHANGING ATPASE and they are often used in cell biological studies for that purpose.	Cardiac Glycoside,Cardiotonic Steroid,Cardiotonic Steroids,Glycoside, Cardiac,Glycosides, Cardiac,Steroid, Cardiotonic,Steroids, Cardiotonic
D004077	Digoxin	A cardiotonic glycoside obtained mainly from Digitalis lanata; it consists of three sugars and the aglycone DIGOXIGENIN. Digoxin has positive inotropic and negative chronotropic activity. It is used to control ventricular rate in ATRIAL FIBRILLATION and in the management of congestive heart failure with atrial fibrillation. Its use in congestive heart failure and sinus rhythm is less certain. The margin between toxic and therapeutic doses is small. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p666)	Digacin,Digitek,Digoregen,Digoxina Boehringer,Digoxine Nativelle,Dilanacin,Hemigoxine Nativelle,Lanacordin,Lanicor,Lanoxicaps,Lanoxin,Lanoxin-PG,Lenoxin,Mapluxin,Boehringer, Digoxina,Lanoxin PG,Nativelle, Digoxine,Nativelle, Hemigoxine
D004912	Erythrocytes	Red blood cells. Mature erythrocytes are non-nucleated, biconcave disks containing HEMOGLOBIN whose function is to transport OXYGEN.	Blood Cells, Red,Blood Corpuscles, Red,Red Blood Cells,Red Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell, Red,Blood Corpuscle, Red,Erythrocyte,Red Blood Cell,Red Blood Corpuscle
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013406	Suicide, Attempted	The unsuccessful attempt to kill oneself.	Parasuicide,Suicide Attempt,Attempt, Suicide,Attempted Suicide,Parasuicides