Haemodynamic alterations induced by toxic level of sodium taurocholate

Haemodynamic effects of sodium taurocholate (S.T.) were studied on isolated guinea pig's auricles, rabbit's heart, rabbit's aortic strip, guinea pig's tracheal chain as well as the blood pressure and ECG pattern changes in pentobarbital anaesthetized dogs. S.T. induced significant negative inotropic and chronotropic effects on the isolated auricles of guinea pig's especially in higher concentrations. Using isolated rabbit's heart, the negative inotropic and chronotropic effects induced by S.T. were found to be depending on the concentration. Cardio-inhibitory actions of the salt are not due to either cholinergic beta 1-adrenergic blocking effect or nicotine like activity. S.T. in all tested concentrations had no effect on the contractile response of isolated rabbit's aortic strip or guinea pig's tracheal chain and did not prevent the contractile response induced by noradrenaline and histamine. In anaesthetized dogs, i.v. injections of the salt in a dose of 30 mg/kg b. wt. produced a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic pressure, but lower doses induced no significant changes. A dose of 30 mg/kg b. wt. of the salt potentiates the decrease in systolic and diastolic pressure when coadministered with the neuromuscular blocking agent, atracurium besylate. Atropine, propranolol and phentolamine did not alter the hypotensive effect of S.T. (neither cholinergic nor beta 1-adrenergic blocking effect). The electrocardiographic pattern induced by S.T. (20-30 mg/kg b. wt.) in dogs were mainly characterized by decrease in heart rate and prolongation of P-T interval.