Effects of Pyridostigmine in Flinders Line Rats Differing in Cholinergic Sensitivity (AIBS GWI 0055)

Abstract

The present project had two major objectives. The first aim was to determine whether pyridostigmine would have differential effects on serum growth hormone in rats with differing cholinergic sensitivity. It was confirmed that the Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) rats exhibited greater growth hormone responses to pyridostigmine than the Flinders Resistant Line (FRL) rats. However, there were no significant hypothermic effects of pyridostigmine, suggesting that the sites mediating the growth hormone responses lie outside of the blood-brain barrier. The second aim was to determine whether pyridostigmine had prophylactic effects against the organophosphates chlorpyrifos and diisopropylfluorophosphate regardless of innate cholinergic sensitivity. If anything, the hypothermic responses were greater in the rats pretreated with pyridostigmine, which did, however, protect against diarrhea. These findings indicate that pyridostigmine is not an effective prophylactic against the central effects of organophosphates. Physostigmine, however, was effective in counteracting the hypothermia induced by organophosphates.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA374080

Entities

People

  • David H. Overstreet

Organizations

  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Brain
  • Chemistry
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Neurons
  • Neurosciences
  • Serotonin Agents

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Neurotoxicology
  • Oncology (Cancer Research).