Bile salts and neuromuscular blocking agents.

The influence of the primary bile salts taurocholate and chenodeoxycholate on the neuromuscular blockade of the non-depolarizing drugs Org 6368, pancuronium, Org NC 45 and hexafluorenium was studied in cats. An increase in the effects of these agents, all possessing widely varying molecular structures, was found following administration of the bile salts. The bile salt concentrations in plasma were similar to those obtained after 9-10 days of extrahepatic cholestasis in cats. The effect of Org NC 45, a new monoquaternary analogue of pancuronium, was increased more than that of pancuronium. This increase in effect is probably a result of inhibition of the hepatic uptake of the neuromuscular blocking drugs. The neuromuscular blocking effect of gallamine was not influenced significantly by the administration of bile salts.