The Effect of Digitalis on Regional Ischaemia of the Rat Small Intestine

Abstract

Research in recent years has shown that under certain conditions digitalis has a strong vasoconstrictive effect in the splanchnic region. This may imply that in cases of mesenteric ischaemia, digitalization may inhibit a collateral circulation necessary for restoration of the intestinal function. In this investigation the effect of digitoxin on the exchange circulation of the small bowel mucosa was studied in rats with induced regional ischaemia of the intestine. On analysis 30 min after establishment of the ischaemia a statistically significant negative effect of digitoxin was observed.