Neutralization of Saxitoxin by Anti-Saxitoxin Rabbit Serum. The Effect of Antiserum on Toxin Binding to the Sodium Channel and on Toxicity in Mice

摘要

This study examined the ability of anti-saxitoxin rabbit serum to neutralize saxitoxin, both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, two rabbit antisera decreased (3H)-saxitoxin binding to the toxin's site of action--the sodium channel of rat brain membranes. The more potent of these sea, antiserum A, when combined with saxitoxin in vitro, decreased saxitoxin's toxicity based on mouse bioassay. Antiserum A also neutralized saxitoxin in vivo as illustrated by the fact that mice injected i.p. with antiserum A (1:4) survived an injection 1 hr later of 16.7 micrograms saxitoxin/kg (an LD99,s.c.). Finally, antiserum A prevented death when injected i.v. immediately after s.c. injection of 16.7 micrograms saxitoxin/kg; antiserum injected by the i.p. and i.m. routes caused no significant increase in survival. This study indicates that antiserum can neutralize saxitoxin in vitro and in vivo and, therefore, warrants further study as a therapeutic agent for saxitoxin poisoning.