Adaptive processes of the central and autonomic cholinergic neurotransmitter system: Age-related differences

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 UTC 1991 · Life Sciences; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-3205(91)90099-W· OSTI ID:5961855

Fortuna, S; Pintor, A; Michalek, H ^[1]

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1. Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome (Italy)

Potential age-related differences in the response of the ileum strip longitudinal and circular muscle to repeated treatment with diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) were evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats. The response was measured in terms of both biochemical parameters (acetylcholinesterase-AChE inhibition, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor binding sites-mAChRs, choline acetyltransferase-ChAT) and functional responsiveness (contractility of the isolated ileum stimulated by cholinergic agonists). The biochemical data were compared with those obtained for the cerebral cortex. In the ileum strip of control rats there was a significant age-related decline of AChE, maximal density of {sup 3}H-QNB binding sites (Bmax) and ChAT. During the first week of DFP treatment the cholinergic syndrome was more pronounced in aged than in young rats, resulting in 35% and 10% mortality, respectively; subsequently the syndrome attenuated. At the end of DFP treatment ileal AChE were inhibited by about 30%; the down-regulation of mAChRs was about 50% in young and 35% in aged rats. No significant differences in the recovery rate of AChE were noted between young and aged rats. On the contrary, mAChRs normalized within 5 weeks in young and 3 weeks in aged rats.

• OSTI ID: 5961855
• Journal Information: Life Sciences; (USA), Journal Name: Life Sciences; (USA) Vol. 48:8; ISSN 0024-3205; ISSN LIFSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550201* -- Biochemistry-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ACETYLCHOLINE
AGE DEPENDENCE
AMINES
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
ANIMALS
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BIOELECTRICITY
BIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION
BODY
CARBOXYLESTERASES
CHOLINESTERASE
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DRUGS
ELECTRICITY
ENZYMES
ESTERASES
ESTERS
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLASES
INTESTINES
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
KINETICS
MAMMALS
MEMBRANE PROTEINS
MUSCLES
NEUROREGULATORS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PARASYMPATHOMIMETICS
PROTEINS
QUATERNARY COMPOUNDS
RATS
REACTION KINETICS
RECEPTORS
RODENTS
SMALL INTESTINE
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
VERTEBRATES