The Treatment of Peripheral Vascular Diseases with Cyclospasmol

Abstract

This preparation was subjected to an extensive pharmacological int~estiga-tion by Funcke (1). The following is a brief report on the results of his investigations. The spasmolytic activity of a series of esters of mandelic acid was investigated by the usual pharmacological method, viz. by the determination of the amounts required of each substance for the abolition of spasms evoked in an isolated segment of intestine by the administration of aeetylcholine, histamine and barium chloride, respectively. It appeared that the substance later named Cyclospasmol, was the most active of the whole series. It was further investigated in a series of tests whether spasms produced either in intact animals or in animals only slightly mutilated, could be abolished by Cyclospasmol. In intact cats intestinal spasms produced by the intravenous injection of physostigmine or of 20 per cent saline solution disappeared after the administration of Cyclospasmol. The intestinal movements were recorded by means of a balloon inserted into the bowel and connected with a volume recorder. The spasms of the cat's stomach were observed radiologically either after injection of a large dose of morphine, or after severing of the splanchnic nerves and production of a vagotonia by decerebration. The author observed that the spasms disappeared in a number of these cases after administration of Cyclospasmol. Cyclospasmol also abolished spasms of the isolated uterus produced by pilocarpine or posterior pituitary extract. Striking effects were observed in connection with the blood circulation. The now per minute was measured in the perfusion of the hind legs of a frog, of a cat's tail and of an isolated rabbit's heart, respectively. When Cyclospasmol was added to the perfusion fluid, a dilation of the blood vessels was observed. The coronary vessels of the heart could be constricted by means of barium chloride injections. This constriction was considerably less (in general only 50 per cent) when Cyclospasmol had been added to the perfusion fluid. Injection of Cyclospasmol into decapitated cats sometimes causes a slight fall of the blood pressure; here it also counteracts the activity of barium chloride, usually also that of posterior pituitary extract, but not that of adrenalin. Cats fed Cyclospasmol for some time clearly show dilated coronary vessels.From these experiments Funcke drew the conclusion that spasmodic conditions in the human subject may also be influenced favorably by Cyclospasmol, especially vascular spasm. As moreover it had appeared that the substance possessed only a very slight toxicity and that there were no contra-indications, there was every reason to investigate this substance clinically.

Combined Vasodilator Therapy in Peripheral Vascular Diseases

“…The relaxing action on smooth muscle (including that of the vascular system) closely resembles the action of papaverine (13,14). Its clinical value in the treatment of peripheral vascular diseases has been reported by several investigators (15)(16)(17).…”

Etiology and Treatment of Leg Cramps

“…In considering the MAUER etiology, leg cramps may be divided into two main types: ( 1) actual leg cramps, usually accompanied by muscle spasm, and ( 2) leg cramps and paresthesia caused by peripheral neuritis but not necessarily accompanied by muscle spasm. The causes of these two types of leg cramps are listed in table l.…”