Limiting Content of Theophylline Necessary to Prevent Local Toxic Action of Mercurial Diuretics

Abstract

In a previous paper1 it has been shown that theophylline greatly diminishes the toxicity of Mercurin∗ and Salyrgan at the site of intracutaneous injection. The beneficial action of theophylline in enhancing absorption after intramuscular injection has also been demonstrated2 and it was found3 that one mole equivalent (3.88% of theophylline monohydrate) produces the maximum effect. Since this and other data3 are strongly suggestive of compound formation between theophylline and mercurial diuretics of general structure NaOCO-RII-HgOH it seemed advisable to determine the limiting amount of theophylline necessary to prevent local toxicity.The experimental procedure was the same as that described before1 and consisted in the intradermal injection into the abdomen of the rabbit of 0.05 cc. of Mercurin and Salyrgan to which varying amounts of theophylline had been added. Each solution was prepared to contain 39 mg. of mercury per cc. (about 0.2 M) and its pH was accurately determined with the glass electrode.In ...