Clinical autonomic research : official journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society
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Venoms and poisons of jellyfish and other marine animals can induce damage to the human nervous and circulatory systems. Clues to the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of these lesions can be obtained from data of human envenomations and animal experimentation. Because many investigators are unaware that marine animal venoms have autonomic actions, this paper aims to elucidate the broad antagonistic or toxic effects these compounds have on the autonomic nervous system. ⋯ Actions on nerves, as well as skeletal, smooth or cardiac muscle occur. Recent studies indicate that the hepatic P-450 enzyme family may be injured by these compounds. The multiplicity of these venom activities means that a thorough understanding of the sting pathogenesis will be essential in devising effective therapies.
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The objective of the present investigation was to describe and localize autonomic dysfunction in acute and chronic stages of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Patients were investigated twice: the first investigation was performed as soon as diagnosis was established during the acute stage of CRPS and the second investigation was performed about 2 years later. Twenty-one patients completed the follow-up investigation. ⋯ In conclusion, the present investigation proved that vasomotor and sudomotor control are substantially altered in CRPS. In the acute stage vasomotor control is decreased in the affected limb whereas sudomotor function is enhanced. This may be the result of disturbances of thermoregulation, but different secondary peripheral mechanisms, concerning vasomotor and sudomotor function, contribute to clinical presentation of CRPS and affect autonomic function at all stages of CRPS.