Previous studies have demonstrated that certain pesticides, including carbaryl and endosulfan, can modulate the expression of predator-induced morphology in Daphnia. These pesticides affect the transmission of nervous impulses in vertebrates and invertebrates. The aim of this study was to determine the role of two neurotransmitter systems, excitatory cholinergic transmission and inhibitory gamm...

The possible effects of anticholinesterases on the central nervous system and, in particular, on learning and memory, have generated considerable interest. Food caching in the black-capped chickadee is an excellent natural paradigm of spatial working memory. Its susceptibility to cholinergically active drugs was explored in the present study. Our ultimate objective was to use food caching as a ...

Organophosphorus compounds are irreversible inhibitors of cholinesterase enzyme. Exposure causes a progression of toxic signs, including hypersecretion, tremor, convulsion, respiratory distress, epileptiform seizure, brain injuries and death. To protect brain injuries, administration of diazepam as a neuroprotectant is now considered essential for severely exposed nerve agent casualties. Howeve...

BACKGROUND Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been proposed as a mechanism in the progression of airway diseases and cancer. Here, we explored the role of acetylcholine (ACh) and the pathway involved in the process of EMT, as well as the effects of mAChRs antagonist. METHODS Human lung epithelial cells were stimulated with carbachol, an analogue of ACh, and epithelial and mesenchymal...

The rate of dopa synthesis in the rat superior cervical ganglion was increased 4- to 6-fold during continuous electrical stimulation of the cervical sympathetic trunk at 10 Hz for 30 min. This increase was only partially blocked by 3 mM hexamethonium and was not significantly affected by 6 microM atropine. In the presence of both hexamethonium and atropine, nerve stimulation still produced a 2-...

A novel therapy against organophosphate exposure, the combination of a carbamate eptastigmine and an organophosphate hydrolase (phosphotriesterase) was studied in mice against diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) (1.75 mg/kg) exposure. Mice received eptastigmine (0.9 mg/kg; iv) 10 min prior to the ip injection of DFP. Phosphotriesterase (83 U/g body weight) was injected iv 10 min after DFP. Eptasti...