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Neurotransmitter Changes in Guinea‐Pig Brain Regions Following Soman Intoxication
Author(s) -
Fosbraey Paul,
Wetherell Janet R.,
French Mary C.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1990.tb13284.x
Subject(s) - soman , acetylcholine , acetylcholinesterase , neurotransmitter , dopamine , medicine , chemistry , aché , striatum , guinea pig , endocrinology , choline , metabolite , cholinergic , pharmacology , biology , central nervous system , biochemistry , enzyme
The effects of the organophosphate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor soman (31.2 μg/kg s.c.) on guinea‐pig brain AChE, transmitter, and metabolite levels were investigated. Concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh) and choline (Ch), noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), 5‐hydroxytryp‐tamine (5‐HT), and their metabolites, and six putative amino acid transmitters were determined concurrently in six brain regions. The brain AChE activity was maximally inhibited by 90%. The ACh content was elevated in most brain areas by 15 min, remaining at this level throughout the study. This increase reached statistical significance in the cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. The Ch level was significantly elevated in most areas by 60‐120 min. In all regions, levels of NA were reduced, and levels of DA were maintained, but those of its metabolites increased. 5‐HT levels were unchanged, but those of its metabolites showed a small increase. Changes in levels of amino acids were restricted to those areas where ACh levels were significantly raised: Aspartate levels fell, whereas γ‐Aminobutyric acid levels rose. These findings are consistent with an initial increase in ACh content, resulting in secondary changes in DA and 5‐HT turnover and release of NA and excitatory and inhibitory amino acid transmitters. This study can be used as a basis to investigate the effect of toxic agents and their treatments on the different transmitter systems.