Effects of sympatholytic agents on amanita phalloides toxicity in the rat.

Some sympatholytic agents have been tested for the ability to counteract either the hepatotoxic or the lethal effect of A. phalloides in rats. Propranolol displayed a marked preventive action on the liver damage induced by the poison, but only a moderate influence on the lethality. Reserpine was uneffective in terms of liver derangement, but exerted some protection against the general toxic effect of A. phalloides. Other alpha- or beta-adrenolytic compounds failed to afford any significant protection with respect to both liver injury and lethality. It is suggested that propranolol might interfere with transport or binding of phallotoxins to the liver.