Studies of Spontaneous Recovery of Central Respiratory Function after Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition by Organophosphates.

Abstract

Spontaneous recovery of the central respiratory function was studied in anesthetized guinea pigs intoxicated with either pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate (Soman) or isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (Sarin). The animals were pretreated with atropine methylnitrate to protect muscarinic sites outside of the central nervous system. The intravenous administration of either Soman (38 micro g/kg) or Sarin (80 micro g/kg) produced an immediate disruption of phrenic nerve activity and resulting ventilatory failure. Animals were maintained on artificial respiration until spontaneous functional recovery was complete, as evidenced by the reestablishment of the synchronized burst of activity in the phrenic nerve and the return to tracheal airflow. This usually occurred within 1 hour. To determine whether the spontaneous recovery of respiration and the return of brainstem acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity could be correlated, animals were sacrificed at predetermined intervals after intoxication, and the brainstem homogenates were analyzed for AChE activity. Results showed no significant return of AChE activity after 1 hour, although functional recovery of respiration was complete within this time. (Author Modified Abstract)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1973
Accession Number
AD0757154

Entities

People

  • George K. Adams
  • Henry I. Yamamura
  • John F. O'leary

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acetylcholinesterases
  • Animals
  • Artificial Respiration
  • Central Nervous System
  • Nerves
  • Nervous System
  • Peripheral Nervous System
  • Phrenic Nerves
  • Recovery
  • Respiration
  • Rodents

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Medicine

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Neurotoxicology