The Neuroparalytic and Hemagglutinating Activities of Botulinum Toxin

Muscular weakness as side effect of botulinum toxin injection for neurogenic detrusor overactivity

“…Though the cause is uncertain, it seems obvious that in these two patients the expected tight binding of the toxin locally, which would prevent passage in the circulatory system, and resultant systemic side e ects did not work. 15 There is a de®nite need for close observation of general e ects, and for studies on the optimal dose and the optimal injection technique in this type of treatment. Meanwhile, patients should be warned that temporary general muscle weakness may occur.…”

Botulinum Intoxication of Isolated Retinas

“…Assum ing a molecular weight of about 130,000 [Simpson, 1971;D asG upta and Boroff, 1967], injection of 5 /<g toxin into the 100 ml chamber produced a final concentration of approxi mately 1.9 x 10-9 m.…”

“…Six immunologically distinct forms have been identified in various laboratories. Efforts toward characterization of botulinum toxin have been reviewed [Simpson, 1971], and type A botulinum toxin has been further dissociated by column chromatography into a neurotoxic and a hemagglutinin component [DasG upta and Boroff, 1967], This toxin may be the most powerful, specific neuropoison found in nature. It has been estimated that 0.5-5 fig is an oral lethal dose for humans [Lamanna and C arr, 1967;Zack et a!., 1968].…”

On the Question of Permeability of the Blood-Brain Barrier to Botulinum Toxin

“…The clinical symptoms observed in botulinum toxin poisoned man and animals, how ever, strongly suggest involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) as well. Laboratory evidence for the ability of the toxin (a protein molecule of about 150,000 daltons) to penetrate the blood-brain barrier is for the most part contradictory [Simpson, 1971], Not only is there disagreement on this subject among those working in the field but occasionally the same investigators present data contradictory to their previous conclusions [Bo roff and D as G upta, 1971]. Reports describing histological lesions in the CNS due to botulinum toxin were found lacking convincing evidence [Dickson and Shevky, 1923;W right, 1955], and the presently accepted view is that the lesions produced by the toxin are biochemical rather than anatomical [Cowdry and N icholson, 1924].…”