[Ciguatera: neurophysiological demonstration of toxicity of several ciquatoxic fractions].

Raw extracts from one Polynesian, frequently ciguatera-inducing fish were submitted to fractional distillation by means of a chromatographic process using a silicic acid column. Three out of the seven fractions split this way exhibited either anticholinesterasic properties, or directly toxic properties at the muscle-cell level: fraction 5, which is not antagonized by atropine, presumably accounts for this direct action, as it competes with calcium at membrane sites. Fraction 6 appears to be more specially responsible for the anticholinesterasic action. It revealed a quaternary ammonium ion in its 6-2 sub-fraction. Fraction 7 shows the same properties as fraction 6, but on a smaller scale.