SOME MORPHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF STRYCHNINE ON THE SPINAL CORD: A LIGHT AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY

Strychnine poisoning

Strychnine poisoning is an unusual but dramatic poisoning in which convulsions are the major threat to life. Convulsions are predominantly at the spinal level, and the key to recognition of this poisoning is observation of convulsive activity in the awake patient without a postictal phase. Successful treatment requires aggressive airway control and treatment of seizures with benzodiazepines or barbiturates. Neuromuscular blockade may be required. Gastrointestinal decontamination is usually indicated in recent acute ingestions but may precipitate convulsions. Recovery from strychnine poisoning is usually complete and rapid if treatment is aggressive. In the absence of trauma, compartment syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, or anoxic central nervous system injury, no neurologic or musculoskeletal sequelae are expected. Confirmation of strychnine poisoning is best obtained by submitting urine or gastric aspirate for analysis utilizing a qualitative test such as thin layer chromatography (TLC).

The effect of strychnine and light on pigmentation in Blepharisma undulans Stein

The effect of strychnine sulfate and light on pigmentation in the ciliate protozoan Blepharisma undulans has been determined. Upon exposure of cells to strychnine, the pigment granules become loosened from their surrounding membranes. Eventually these membranes break and the granules are simultaneously released from the cell. At the cell surface, a fusion occurs between adjacent membraneless granules with the incorporation of membrane fragments. This fusion of granules and membrane fragments results in the formation of a pigmented "capsule" around the organism. After elimination of the pigment, the granule membranes remaining in the cytoplasm fuse to form apparently empty vesicles. Other cell organelles are generally undisturbed. A similar situation occurs upon exposure of cells to artificial light for 12 to 18 hr, however, the slow elimination of granules from the cells under these conditions does not result in the formation of a pigmented "capsule." The possible mechanisms of these reactions are discussed.