Effect of Strychnine upon the Rate of Epinephrine Output from the Suprarenal Glands of Dogs

Abstract

In the present investigations the rate of epinephrine liberation was determined on the etherized dogs by means of the cava pocket method and the rabbit intestine segment method. Strychnine nitrate or sulphate, as watery solution, was mostly intravenously and infrequently hypodermically applied. A small dose, as less than 0.2 mgrm. per kilo of body weight, as well as a large dose, as more than 4mgrms. per kilo, namely the paralytic dose, was proved ineffective in causing an augmented liberation of epinephrine from the suprarenal glands. A moderate quantity, as 0.25 to 3 mgrms. per kilo of body weight, was invariably capable of provoking an increased output of epinephrine. In some instances 4-5 times of the initial rate was reached by the administration. About ten to twenty minutes after the administration the highest rate due to strychnine poisoning was usually discovered, and the increased discharge continued twenty or forty minutes after the injection or longer. That so great emphasis should not be laid upon the dose above given is explained in the text. The occurrence of the augmentation depends upon the integrity of the splanchnic nerves.