OBSERVATIONS ON THE GANGLIONIC BLOCKING PROPERTIES OF A SERIES OF BIS-QUATERNARY TROPANE DERIVATIVES

¹ Pharmacology Section, Sterling-Winthrop Research Institute, Rensselaer, New York

The ganglionic blocking properties of a series of unsymmetric bis-quaternary tropane derivatives, measured by serial carotid occlusion in the dog and the nictitating membrane preparation in the cat, were compared with the hypotensive effects as determined by the cross-circulation technic.

Activity, in approximately half the compounds, was greater by the nictitating membrane procedure than by serial carotid occlusion. The hypotensive activity of this group of compounds was characterized by an abrupt, monophasic fall in pressure with relatively short duration.

Activity, in a smaller group of compounds, was greater by serial carotid occlusion than by the nictitating membrane procedure. The hypotensive activity of this group was characterized by a gradual, biphasic fall in pressure with prolonged duration of action.

The cross-circulation data showed a close correlation with high activity by serial carotid occlusion and indicated a predominant central mechanism in the hypotensive effects produced by the smaller group of compounds. No correlation was observed between the cross-circulation data and nictitating membrane activity indicating a predominant peripheral mechanism in the hypotensive effects produced by the larger group of compounds.