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Journal of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics, Vol. 115, Issue 2, 127-137, 1955
Copyright © 1955 by American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

PROPERTIES OF A TOXIN FROM THE SALIVARY GLAND OF THE SHREW, BLARINA BREVICAUDA

Sydney Ellis 1 and Otto Kraver 1

1 Department of Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

The toxin found in the submaxillary gland of the shrew, Blarina brevicauda, has been stabilized by drying the fresh gland with acetone. The toxin was concentrated about four times by precipitation with ammonium sulfate ("purified toxin").

The LD50 of the purified toxin in mice is 3.4 mgm./kgm. Cats were killed by similar doses, while rabbits were much more susceptible to the toxin.

The toxin appeared to be protein in nature since it was precipitated by ammonium sulfate, was non-dialyzable, and was inactivated by trypsin and by pepsin.

In anesthetized rabbits and cats, the vascular effects appeared responsible for the lethal action. Atropine amid artificial respiration did not protect the animals. Peripheral vasodilatation probably accounted for the primary fall in blood pressure. Stimulatiomi of suprarenal medullary secretion by the toxin was demonstrated and the release of sympathin may account for the secondary hypertension and tachycardia.

The isolated atropinized guinea pig ileum and the isolated virgin guinea pig uterus were stimulated to contraction by the toxin.

The nature of the histamine-like character of the effects of the toxin on vascular, intestinal and uterine muscles is discussed.

Submitted on January 24, 1955




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