Influence of digitoxin on labile and inorganic phosphates, lactate, glycogen, potassium and sodium in dog ventricle.

THE metabolic action of cardiac glycosides on the intact mammalian heart has not been clearly demonstrated. For example, Wollenberger in his review' cites several instances where increased, decreased or unchanged glycogen levels have been noted following glycoside administration. In hearts given sufficient amounts of glycoside to cause arrhythmias, Wollenberger was unable to detect any change in high energy phosphate content which could be attributed to a direct metabolic effect of the drug. Little change in potassium content follows digitalis administration according to Calhoun and Harrison and Conn, although a significant increase has been reported by Boyer and Poindexter.