In earlier experiments on frog myelinated nerves it was found that the steroidal alkaloid batrachotoxin (BTX) considerably decreases the affinity of Na channel binding sites to various amine blockers (local anesthetics, antiarrythmics, strych-nine, yohimbine) (for review see Khodorov 1978; 1981) as well to oenanthotoxin (Dubois and Khodorov 1982) however, the blocking action of neutral benzocai...

Ion permeation through voltage-gated sodium channels is modulated by various drugs and toxins. The atomistic mechanisms of action of many toxins are poorly understood. A steroidal alkaloid batrachotoxin (BTX) causes persistent channel activation by inhibiting inactivation and shifting the voltage dependence of activation to more negative potentials. Traditionally, BTX is considered to bind at t...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) (BOTOX) over 16 months in the treatment of bilateral primary axillary hyperhidrosis. DESIGN A 16-month study with initial double-blind randomization to 50 U of BTX-A or placebo per axilla. After 4 months, participants could receive up to 3 further treatments with open-label BTX-A over 12 months. SETTING Fourteen...

The bacterial genus Clostridium produces a diverse array of protein toxins, many of which have played an important role in disease and medicine. Although initially known for their ability to do harm, many clostridial toxins have been shown to have therapeutic value for a diverse array of diseases. The articles included in this special issue provide insight into some of that diversity and show t...

Objective We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether a combination of repeated botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) and conservative treatment is more effective in decreasing toe-walking than conservative treatment alone at 24 months follow-up. Patients and Methods Children between 2 and 9 years of age were randomized either into the conservative (CO) or botulinum treatment (BTX) group...

Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) selectively cleaves synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) and results in inhibition of the fusion of synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters with the presynaptic membrane to undergo exocytosis and release. The aim of this study was to investigate whether BTX-A inhibited the pyloric smooth muscle contractility induced by acetylcholine (ACh) aft...

OBJECTIVE To review the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin A (BTX) in the treatment of sialorrhea. DATA SOURCES A PubMed search and reference list review was performed to find clinical trials on BTX in the treatment of sialorrhea. The search was limited to English-language trials involving human subjects. Articles from 1965 to October 2006 were searched, using key words botulinum, botulin...

Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) blocks the release of acetylcholine vesicles into the synaptic space, and has been clinically used for aesthetic indications, neuromuscular disorders and hyperhidrosis. Several studies have demonstrated that BTX-A enhanced the blood flow and improved ischemia in animal models. Our objective was to assess the effects of BTX-A on cutaneous ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) inju...

BTX (benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene and p-xylene) and meteorological parameters were measured in ambient air of an urban site located in Carmen City, Campeche, Mexico. A total of 412 samples were collected for BTX and analyzed by Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID). Meteorological parameters were measured by a portable station. A marked diurnal variation was found for al...

Despite the favorable outcomes seen using botulinum toxin (BTX) for voiding dysfunction using BTX, a standardized technique and protocol for toxin injection is not defined. We reviewed the current literature on intravesical BTX injection for DO (detrusor overactivity). Specific attention was placed on defining optimal injection protocol, including dose, volume, and injection sites. In addition,...