Opiates toxins

Opiates and various derivatives are commonly used to treat diarrhea, partly because they inhibit electrolyte secretion (Suzuki et al., 2000 Tumberg, 1983). Other phytochemicals counter the secretory responses to cholera toxin (Oi et al., 2002). An example would be the decreased chloride secretion caused by proanthocyanide and the ability to inhibit the secretory diarrhea caused by cholera toxin, but only if administered first (Hor et al., 1995). In the light of the co-transport of water and electrolytes by carriers of glucose... 

Toxicants may have three effects on pulse rate bradycardia (decreased rate), tachycardia (increased rate), and arrhythmia (irregular pulse). Alcohols may cause either bradycardia or tachycardia. Amphetamines, belladonna alkaloids, cocaine, and tricyclic antidepressants (see imi-primine hydrochloride in Figure 6.12) may cause either tachycardia or arrhythmia. Toxic doses of digitalis may result in bradycardia or arrhythmia. The pulse rate is decreased by toxic exposure to carbamates, organophosphates, local anesthetics, barbiturates, clonidine, muscaric mushroom toxins, and opiates. In addition to the substances mentioned above, those that cause arrhythmia are arsenic, caffeine, belladonna alkaloids, phenothizine, theophylline, and some kinds of solvents. 

Amphetamines and cocaine (Figure 6.11), tricyclic antidepressants (see imiprimine hydrochloride in Figure 6.12), phenylcyclidines, and belladonna alkaloids at toxic levels increase blood pressure. Overdoses of antihypertensive agents decrease blood pressure, as do toxic doses of opiates, barbiturates, iron, nitrite, cyanide, and mushroom toxins. 

Treatment of tardive dyskinesia is often unsatisfactory, especially in severe cases. A large number of treatments have been proposed (SEDA-20,40), including antiparkinsonian drugs, benzodiazepines, baclofen, hormones, calcium channel blockers, valproate, propranolol, opiates, cyproheptadine, tryptophan, lithium, manganese, niacin, botulinum toxin, ECT, dietary control, and biofeedback training. In an open study, 20 patients (mean age 65 years) with severe unresponsive tardive dyskinesia (mean duration 44 months, mean exposure 52 months) were treated with tetrabenazine (mean dose 58 mg/day) (310). The mean score on the AIMS motor subset, determined from videotapes, improved by 54%. Sedation was the only subjective complaint. 

Detoxify To recover from the action of a toxin on the sy.stem. For example, treatment programs exist to help addicts detoxify from opiates — that is, to stop taking the drugs and adjust to being nonusers. 

Enkephalins are pentapeptides that bind to opiate receptors. In the gut, enkephalins promote the absorption of sodium, chloride and water (Dobbins et al 1980). Racecadotril is an oral enkephalinase inhibitor used in France and the Philippines for the treatment of acute diarrhea. It prevents the degradation of endogenous opioids (enkephalins) and thus promotes absorption of water and electrolytes from the intestinal lumen (Matheson Noble 2000). Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of racecadotril in two models of hypersecretory diarrhea infusion of cholera toxin and castor oil induced diarrhea. Moreover, unlike loperamide, racecadotril did not prolong transit time in the small intestine or colon. Further experiments have shown that racecadotril does not promote bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine (Duval-Iflah et al 1999). There are no reports on the use of racecadotril in horses. 

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