Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Pyridostigmine interaction with soman during chronic exposure in rodents. Interim report, February-November 1987

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6936382

The effects of repeated low-level nerve agent exposure on animal performance and lethality are a major concern of USAF Medical Research. This concern has generated interest in the role that pretreatment drugs such as pyridostigmine may play during simultaneous exposure to soman. This role was investigated by recording lethality, weights, symptoms, and cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition in rats chronically exposed to 4 levels of soman (32, 39, 48 or 59 micrograms/kg/day) while simultaneously receiving 10.0 milligrams/kg/day pyridostigmine, 1.0 milligrams/kg/day pyridostigmine, or vehicle via an osmotic pump. No effect (either protective or detractive) was found in the soman-poisoned animals due to the presence or absence of pyridostigmine. However, rat blood biochemistry is different from that of the primate, warranting further study in the primate before extrapolation to man.

Research Organization:
School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB, TX (USA)
OSTI ID:
6936382
Report Number(s):
AD-A-192138/6/XAB; USAFSAM-TR-87-38
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English