The Effects of Pyridostigmine and Physostigmine on the Cholinergic Synapse
Abstract
Diaphragms from male albino, Charles River or Edgewood rates were assessed for morphological alterations following acute or subacute exposures to pyridostigmine bromide. Low acute does (threshold 0.001 Lethal dose 50) seemed to affect the presynaptic area with no apparent effects of the muscle cell. At higher doses (0.01 - 1.0 LD50) both pre- and postsynaptic elements became involved. A 14-day subacute exposure to 20 milligrams of pyridostigmine produced pre- and post-synaptic alterations which were more extensive than those seen following exposure to a 3 mg 14 day exposure. However, no subacute dose created damage equivalent to that seen 30 minutes after a single LD50 dose. Presynaptic alterations included withdrawal of the terminal from the junctional folds, invasion of the synaptic cleft with Schwann cell processes, and disruption oa axon terminal organelles. Keywords: Pyridostigmine, Carbamate, Acute toxicity, Chronic toxicity, Neuromuscular, Anticholinesterase drugs, Che, NMJ, ACHE.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA223645
Entities
People
- C. S. Hudson
Organizations
- University of Maryland School of Medicine