Neuromuscular and cardiovascular depression produced by prolonged exposure to Polymyxin B

Can Anaesth Soc J. 1978 Jul;25(4):303-6. doi: 10.1007/BF03005653.

Abstract

It has been reported previously that in cats pre-treatment for 24 to 48 hours with neomycin sulphate resulted in a change in the pattern of neuromuscular block subsequently produced with this antibiotic. The unique characteristics of neomycin-induced neuromuscular block observed during acute exposure gave way to a pattern of block usually observed with tubocurarine. In a similar experiment on six cats we have demonstrated that with polymyxin B prolonged exposure did not result in a comparable time-dependent change in the nature of the neuromuscular block it produced, in terms of train-of-four, tetanic, and post-tetanic behaviour of the neurally-elicited muscle response. The differing characteristics of neuromuscular block seen with various antibiotics, e.g. the aminoglycoside neomycin as opposed to the polypeptide polymyxin B, during acute and sub-chronic exposure is stressed. Previously observed ability of 4 aminopyridine 0.6 mg/kg to reverse the neuromuscular and cardiovascular depression during acute exposure to polymyxin B persisted in prolonged exposure.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Cats
  • Depression, Chemical
  • Female
  • Hypotension / chemically induced
  • Male
  • Neuromuscular Junction / drug effects*
  • Polymyxin B / pharmacology*
  • Polymyxins / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Polymyxins
  • Polymyxin B