Toxicity antagonistic

This lack of complete effectiveness led to the hypothesis that a second type of histamine receptor existed. In 1972, Black et al. (55) discovered a new series of antagonists which they called H2 receptor blockers. Burimamide was the first highly effective H2 blocker, but it was poorly absorbed orally. The modified compound, metiamide, had better absorption but was found to cause granulocytopenia (57.58). Finally, cimetidine was tested and found to be a potent and relatively non-toxic antagonist (59). Cimetidine is now widely used clinically to treat duodenal ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome and other gastric hypersecretory diseases (32). 

The apparent affinity for zinc metallothionein may someday be found to be useful as an antidote for cadmium toxicity. Antagonists to cadmium toxicity include a pretreatment with selenium and zinc. It is believed that this pretreatment allows cadmium to displace zinc in the zinc metallothionein. 

I6I C. Warfarin baits need contain only 0 025% active principle, and rats are killed after ingesting about 5 doses the bait can be left down and the risk of acute toxicity to man or domestic animals is not serious. In common with other coumarin derivatives, warfarin reduces the clotting power of blood and death is caused by haemorrhages initiated by any slight injury. Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist, and large oral doses of the vitamin can be given as an antidote. 

The side effects or toxic effects that the calcium antagonists have in common are hypotension, facial flushing, headache, di22iness, weakness, sedation, skin rash, edema, constipation, and abdominal discomfort (nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pressure). 

Antibiosis Inhibition or lysis of an organism mediated by metabolic products of the antagonist these products include lytic agents, enzymes, volatile compounds, and other toxic substances. 

Another agent of this general type is nalmefene (47) Despite their useful characteristics, opiates display tolerance, addiction, abuse, and some toxic side effects Antagonists combat some of these effects, most notably respiratory depression and addiction Nalmefene reputedly has significant oral activity as a narcotic antagonist The synthesis of nalmefine concludes by Wittig olefination of naltrexone (46) to nalmefene (47) This molecular transformation resulted in a significant increase in oral potency as well (141... 

FIGURE 8.20 Drugs as subsets of clinical profiles. While burimamide, cimetidine, and metiamide are all active histamine H2 antagonists with ulcer healing activity burimamide lacks a suitable toxicity and pharmacokinetic profile and cimetidine is adequately absorbed but still toxic. Only metiamide fulfills the requirements of a clinically useful drug. 

Picrotoxin is a mixture of pircotin (non-toxic) and picrotoxinin, which occurs in the seeds of the Asiatic climber Anamirta cocculus (levent berry, cockles). It is a non-competitive antagonist at the y -aminobutyric acidA (GABAa) receptor. 

We have gained considerable insight into the therapeutic potential of this protein through the use of TGF-(3 antagonists and transgenic mice with defective TGF-(3 signaling and we have evaluated the potential toxicity of TGF-(3 modulation and its overall efficacy in treating cancer. FC Soluble Type II Receptor... 

Although rare, benzodiazepine toxicity may occur from an overdose of the drug. Benzodiazepine toxicity causes sedation, respiratory depression, and coma. Flumazenil (Romazicon) is an antidote (antagonist) for benzodiazepine toxicity and acts to reverse die sedation, respiratory depression, and coma within 6 to 10 minutes after intravenous administration. The dosage is individualized based on the patient s response, widi most patients responding to doses of 0.6 to 1 mg. However, die drug s action is short, and additional doses may be needed. Adverse reactions of flumazenil include agitation, confusion, seizures, and in some cases, symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal. Adverse reactions of flumazenil related to the symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal are relieved by die administration of die benzodiazepine. 

Cimetidine, an H2 antagonist used therapeutically in patients with ulcers, inhibits activity of hepatic microsomal enzymes. When rats or mice were pretreated with cimetidine, dose-related lethality of methyl parathion was reduced, and cholinergic signs of toxicity were delayed. Simultaneous administration with methyl parathion did not reduce toxicity (Joshi and Thornburg 1986). 

The toxicology of PCBs is complex and not fully understood. Coplanar PCBs interact with the Ah-receptor, with consequent induction of cytochrome P4501A1/2 and Ah-receptor-mediated toxicity. Induction of P4501A1 provides the basis of valuable biomarker assays, including bioassays such as CALUX. Certain PCBs, for example, 3,3, 4,4 -TCB, are converted to monohydroxymetabolites, which act as thyroxine antagonists. PCBs can also cause immunotoxicity (e.g., in seals). 

Atropine acts as an antagonist of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors, but not at nicotinic receptors. By acting as an antagonist, it can prevent overstimulation of muscarinic receptors by the excessive quantities of acetylcholine remaining in the synaptic cleft when AChE is inhibited. The dose of atropine needs to be carefully controlled because it is toxic. 

Some hydroxy metabolites of coplanar PCBs, such as 4-OH and 3,3 4,5 -tet-rachlorobiphenyl, act as antagonists of thyroxin (Chapter 6, Section 6.2.4). They have high affinity for the thyroxin-binding site on transthyretin (TTR) in plasma. Toxic effects include vitamin A deficiency. Biomarker assays for this toxic mechanism include percentage of thyroxin-binding sites to which rodenticide is bound, plasma levels of thyroxin, and plasma levels of vitamin A. 

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