Search for a neuromuscular blocking agent in the blood of patients with myasthenia gravis
WL Nastuk, AJL Strauss, KE Osserman - The American Journal of …, 1959 - amjmed.com
WL Nastuk, AJL Strauss, KE Osserman
The American Journal of Medicine, 1959•amjmed.com1. Plasma and serum samples were obtained from twenty-two patients with myasthenia
gravis and nine normal control subjects. Some of the samples were taken after exercise
under ischemia. 2.2. These samples were applied, in various dilutions, to the frog sciatic
nerve-sartorius muscle preparation in vitro. The twitch and tetanus tensions of the
preparation were measured, using indirect stimulation under three different conditions. 3.3.
Samples from five of the myasthenic patients caused a reduction of maximum tetanus …
gravis and nine normal control subjects. Some of the samples were taken after exercise
under ischemia. 2.2. These samples were applied, in various dilutions, to the frog sciatic
nerve-sartorius muscle preparation in vitro. The twitch and tetanus tensions of the
preparation were measured, using indirect stimulation under three different conditions. 3.3.
Samples from five of the myasthenic patients caused a reduction of maximum tetanus …
Abstract
- 1.1. Plasma and serum samples were obtained from twenty-two patients with myasthenia gravis and nine normal control subjects. Some of the samples were taken after exercise under ischemia.
- 2.2. These samples were applied, in various dilutions, to the frog sciatic nerve-sartorius muscle preparation in vitro. The twitch and tetanus tensions of the preparation were measured, using indirect stimulation under three different conditions.
- 3.3. Samples from five of the myasthenic patients caused a reduction of maximum tetanus tension beyond that produced by those of the control subjects.
- 4.4. Samples from thirteen of the myasthenic patients caused appreciable augmentation of the twitch or end tetanus tension. Such augmentation was seen with samples from three of the control subjects. Possible causes of the augmentation effect are discussed.
- 5.5. The question of the demonstration of a circulating neuromuscular blocking agent in myasthenia gravis is discussed with reference to: methods of bioassay, results reported in this paper and by other investigators, possible properties of such a blocking agent, and clinical status of the myasthenic patient.
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