The effect of Diphtheria Toxin and antioxidants on neuromuscular junction of Guinea Pig

Abstract

It's a well known fact that Diphtheria Toxin (DT) causes myocarditis in heart and demyelination in nervous system. DT causes dead via heart attack as a result that DT inhibits protein synthesis in heart muscles by generating mitochondrial damage. Although it's known that DT causes damages in all tissues, the mechanism of it is not clear. In this study, together with some specific antioxidants the effect of DT on contraction responses at neuromuscular junction is investigated. For this reason, at specific times DT and antioxidants are given to Guinea Pigs which are known to be sensitive to DT, phrenic nerve-hemidiaphram preparations are isolated, and direct, indirect and titanic contraction responses are investigated. So, the effect of DT on neuromuscular junction and the role of some antioxidants such as α-tocopherol, β-carotene, resveratrol, catechine, epicatechine whose antioxidants properties is multi directionally known, on this effect is investigated. In conclusion, it's established that DT causes a reduction in contraction responses by acting on neuromuscular junction and the antioxidants have also role on this effect.