TOXIC SUBSTANCES FROM MUSCLE

Abstract

The relative toxicities of the various components of muscle extracts vary widely with different test animals. However if rigid exptl. conditions are maintained, adrenalectomised rats, normal mice, and guinea pigs can be used to test for the toxic effects of various solns. Certain "alcoholic" extracts of traumatised or normal dog muscle caused death under the conditions of the test. Muscle protein solns. were much less toxic. No significant differences between the toxicities of extracts from traumatised or normal muscles were found. The toxic factor was found in the ash of the extract and was identified as K. Since many tissues contain a relatively high conc. of K, the possibility should not be overlooked that it might produce a toxic effect when tissue extracts are used to produce shock. The effects of these solns. on the blood pressure of dogs were noted.