Muscle drug-related injury

The etiology of the acute kidney injury may be related to isometric tension in restrained limbs or to ischemic damage to muscle in the presence of hyperthermia and/or limb compression [161, 166]. While it is possible that the drug itself may possess direct myopathic toxicity when abused in certain settings, it does not induce rhabdomyolysis in unrestrained animals [167]. Animals restrained in immobilizing cages, however, develop rhabdomyolysis, which correlates with isometric muscle tension during the restrained period which can be prevented by prior denervation [167]. 

The ability of conotoxins to selectively block ion channels and neuronal receptors has led to their development into therapeutic agents. So far, most conotoxin applications as therapeutics have been concentrated on the treatment of different forms of pain. The first drug of marine origin is based on the w-conotoxin MVIIA for the treatment of chronic pain (see helow). Other therapeutic applications of conotoxins include treatment of schizophrenia, epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, certain types of cancer, urinary dysfunction, Parkinson s disease, Alzheimer s disease, stroke, and related hrain injuries. Other uses include muscle relaxants, anesthetics, and antiseizure compounds. As the demand for new painkillers and other neuropharmacological agents is expected to increase, the value of the discovery and testing of new conotoxins is expected to continue to expand. 

Dantrolene, which is chemically related to the nitrofuran antibacterials (Chapter 7), was introduced as a myorelaxant with a unique direct action on skeletal muscle that reduces contractility by effecting Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of certain muscle fibers. The CNS is not involved. The drug can control spasticity caused by spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and even strokes, but it is not indicated for arthritis or local acute spasms. 

---