Action of anionic and cationic nerve-blocking agents: experiment and interpretation.

Barbiturates and anesthetics similar to procaine bind to phospholipids in vitro. The former increase the binding of calciumn to the phospholipids; the latter decrease it. The data can be correlated with the effects of these drugs Otl peripheral nerve. The nonpolar portion of the narcotic agents may lie between the lipid chains of the membrane, with the charged region in close approximation to the polar heads of the phospholipids.