THE EFFECT OF CERTAIN DRUGS ON THE OXIDATION PROCESSES OF MAMMALIAN NERVE TISSUE

¹ From the Pharmacological Laboratory, Cambridge

1. The effect of various drugs on the oxidation processes of nerve tissue has been investigated by two methods: (a) by observing the time for reduction of methylene blue, and (b) by the use of a modified Barcroft apparatus. Generally, the results of each method confirms the other.

2. Cocaine hydrochloride inhibits oxygen usage in concentrations of 0.2 to 1.0 per cent.

3. Novocaine borate has a similar action, but requires nearly double the concentration to produce a comparable effect.

4. Urethane is effective only in still higher concentrations.

5. Caffeine citrate increases oxidation in concentrations lower than 0.5 per cent. Above this concentration oxidation is diminished.

6. Oxidation is inhibited, not only by drugs which are known to diminish conduction in nerve fibers, but by certain other substances which do not possess the properties of local anesthetics.

7. While glucose 0.1 per cent has no effect on oxygen uptake, galactose in the same percentage concentration enables the nerve to take up oxygen at a uniform rate for at least three hours, whereas in the control nerves, the oxygen uptake falls off after the first hour.

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