Therapy of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis in rabbits with 4-aminopyridine and 3,4-diaminopyridine
Li, L.; Zhang, Y.P.
Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao 15(4): 358-362
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-9756 PMID: 7801782 Document Number: 435876
The autoimmune myasthenia gravis (AMG) in rabbits was produced by intradermal injection of N-AChR-rich membrane vesicles isolated from the electric organ of Narcine limlei. After iv 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) 0. 8 mg cntdot kg-1 to 8 AMG rabbits, their general posture improved promptly, the features of gastrocnemius compound action potentials and toe twitches elicited by 4-Hz stimuli applied to the sciatic nerve returned to normal, and the tetanic plateau evoked by 50-Hz indirect stimulation was again well sustained. This improved condition lasted 9.1 +- 2.5 h. Other 8 AMG rabbits given 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP) 0.4 mg cntdot kg-1 showed a similar improvement for 9.3 +- 3.1 h. These results indicated that 4-AP and 3,4-DAP were effective in treating the AMG in rabbits, they may be useful in the clinical treatment of myasthenia gravis patients.