The actions of phenol and pentachlorophenol (PCP) on axonal conduction, ganglionic synaptic transmission, and the effect of pH changes

1. A comparison of phenol, pentachlorophenol (PCP) and procaine effects on axonal conduction were studied in vitro in the sciatic nerves of toad. PCP and procaine were respectively 6.3 and 3.15 times more potent than phenol in blocking axonal conduction. 2. Effects of PCP on synaptic transmission were studied in vitro in the eighth sympathetic ganglion of toad. 3. Axonal conduction block and synaptic transmission block by phenol was reversible, but not that by PCP. 4. When the PCP ionization was increased, a lesser per cent reached the site of action, reducing its capacity to block the axonal conduction and ganglionic transmission. 5. PCP plus, 3,4-Diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP) decreased synaptic transmission block from post-ganglionic compound action potential (CAP) responses to supramaximal preganglionic stimulation.