The Effects of Pyridostigmine and Physostigmine on the Cholinergic Synapse

Abstract

Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) from diaphragm, soleus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles of male albino rats were assessed for morphological alterations following acute exposure by single subcutaneous injections of pyridostigmine bromide and following subacute exposure by subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipumps that contained 10 milligrams/milliliters of pyridostigmine. Recovery processes were monitored up to 90 days. Drug exposure resulted in pre- and postsynaptic alterations. These included partial withdrawal of the nerve terminals from junctional folds, disruption of the myofibrillar organization, and damage to membrane-bound organelles. These lesions were observed as independent occurrences in some NMJs but were present concurrently in other fibers. The extent of the pathology was dose-dependent. Keywords: Pyridostigmine, Carbamate, Acute toxicity, Chronic toxicity, Neuromuscular, NMJ, ChE, Cholinesterase, Anticholinesterase drug, EDL.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1987
Accession Number
ADA223790

Entities

People

  • C. S. Hudson

Organizations

  • University of Maryland School of Medicine

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Blood
  • Cells
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Intracellular Membranes
  • Laboratory Animals
  • Muscle Cells
  • Muscle Fibers
  • Organelles
  • Peripheral Nervous System
  • Poisoning
  • Pyridostigmine Bromide
  • Rodents
  • Skeletal Muscle
  • Synapses

Readers

  • Exercise and Sports Science.
  • Neurotoxicology
  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology