MODIFICATION OF THE PERIPHERAL-NERVE DISTURBANCE IN CIGUATERA POISONING IN RATS WITH LIDOCAINE

Electrophysiological studies were performed on the ventral tail nerve of adult rats following intraperitoneal injection of a crude extract o f ciguatoxin from known toxic fish flesh. Ciguatoxin induced significa nt slowing of both mixed and motor nerve conduction velocities and als o significant reductions in both motor and mixed nerve amplitudes. Bot h absolute and supernormal periods were significantly prolonged togeth er with an increase in the magnitude of the supernormal response. Thes e electrophysiological disturbances were modified or blocked by intrap eritoneal lidocaine. These findings suggest that lidocaine may have a potential therapeutic application in the treatment of the neurological disturbance in acute ciguatera poisoning in humans.