Method for determining the quantity of a pre-synaptic neuromuscular blocking substance in a sample

摘要

The invention relates to a method for determining the quantity of a pre-synaptic neuromuscular blocking substance (notably botulinum toxin) in a sample, the method comprises the following steps: (i) determining the minimum voltage Vmsm needed to induce the contraction of a smooth muscle tissue, said smooth muscle tissue being linked to an electrical stimulator through an electrically conducting liquid; (ii) adding the sample containing the pre-synaptic neuromuscular blocking substance; (iii) electrically stimulating, at a voltage at least equal to Vmsm, the smooth muscle tissue at certain time intervals; (iv) comparing the effect induced by the sample to the effect induced by a reference substance and thereby determining the quantity of the pre-synaptic neuromuscular blocking substance in the sample. The muscle tissue may be immersed in a buffer which may be a physiological buffer comprising an energy source.