SOME PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS OF POLYPROPYLENE GLYCOLS OF AVERAGE MOLECULAR WEIGHT 400, 750, 1200 AND 2000

¹ Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor

1. The low degree of toxicity of the polyethylene glycols in the mouse and dog has been confirmed.

2. Polypropylene glycols of average molecular weights 400, 750, 1200 have been studied and shown to be potent central nervous system stimulants producing a spreading type of increased electrical activity in the cerebral cortex.

3. P400 and P750 have been shown to cause a secondary pressor response in the anesthetized dog, probably as a result of the liberation of epinephrine or sympathin.

4. P400 and P750 are capable of producing a bigeminal rhythm of ventricular origin in the anesthetized dog. Some degree of anoxia, in conjunction with an increase in circulating epinephrine or sympathin, appear to be important factors in the production of this arrhythmia.