[Cardiovascular effects of elliptinium. The mechanism of action]

The effects of elliptinium were studied: Firstly, in the dog, in comparison with the effects of histamine, on heart rate and arterial blood pressure. Secondly, in guinea-pig isolated atria. When smaller doses were used (0.375; 0.75; 1.5 mg/kg) elliptinium only induced variations of heart rate. With the dose of 3 mg/kg hypotension and tachycardia appeared. The time-course of these effects was different from that of histamine (5 micrograms/kg): later onset and longer duration. Elliptinium was inactive in isolated guinea-pig atria, as observed in tracheal or digestive isolated smooth muscle. Thus, the cardiovascular activity of this antitumoral agent seems to implicate an indirect mechanism of action. This result is in accordance with the previous results obtained on bronchopulmonary system.