Central effects of paraoxon on haemodynamics in the cat

[Brain changes in parathion poisoning: observations in 42 cases]

A total of 42 cases were examined neuropathologically to determine possible toxic changes occurring in the brain after parathion intoxication. Sporadic anoxic alterations were observed in 7% of 41 cases in which the cause of death was acute intoxication. Nearly all cases (93%), however, showed marked hyperemia, often coupled with small reactionsless, periventricular hemorrhages which occurred in 40% of the cases. In one third of the cases (33%) there was moderate swelling of the oligodendroglia. Whereas histological evidence of edema was found in nearly one third of the cases (30%), comparison of the brain weights in these subjects with those of a large comparative collective showed definite pathologic brain weights in only five cases (12%) with 95% confidence limits. It is true that in 18 cases (42%) the brain weight was above the normal value if the confidence limit is ignored. Pronounced anoxic alterations were observed in only one case in which the individual survived the acute intoxication for 4 weeks after initial respiratory arrest. Predominantly toxic changes, however, could not be detected in any of the cases examined. This negative morphologic finding does not agree with the physiologic alterations reported by other investigators using animal models; they considered the cause of death in cases of parathion intoxication to be the result of toxic paralysis of the respiratory center. The literature was discussed.

The central effects of paraoxon on blood pressure of rabbits after intravenous administration or infusion via a vertebral artery

In the present study paraoxon (28-825 micrograms/kg, i.v.) was administered into rabbits treated with N-methylatropine (1 mg/kg). In urethane-anaesthetized rabbits pressor and depressor effects were observed. In pentobarbitone-anaesthetized rabbits, however, only depresssor effects were noticed. Dexetimide (0.25-0.5 mg/kg) prevented the pressor and depressor action of paraoxon. Furthermore, paraoxon (83-825 micrograms) was infused into a vertebral artery of pentobarbitone-anaesthetized animals. After administration via this route the depressor effect was similar to i.v. administration. 30 min after administration of paraoxon acetylcholinesterase activity was determined in the medulla oblongata, the pons and the hypothalamus. The enzyme has to be inhibited almost completely to induce an effect on blood pressure. It is concluded that the vascular effects of paraoxon seem to be mediated by a mechanism involving stimulation of central muscarinic receptors, probably by accumulated acetylcholine, which in turn induces a decrease in blood pressure.

Inhibition of efferent sympathetic nerve activity by centrally administered paraoxon in the cat

We recently found that central administration of the cholinesterase inhibitor paraoxon lowered blood pressure substantially. It was postulated that the decrease in pressure was mediated by a reduction of sympathetic outflow. In the present study, efferent splanchnic nerve activity in anaesthetized and paralysed cats was recorded, and quantified by measuring the variance of signal amplitude. After administration of 8 micrograms paraoxon into the vertebral arteries, blood pressure and splanchnic nerve activity decreased simultaneously. A mean fall of 46 +/- 6% and 45 +/- 13% (mean +/- S.E.M.) respectively was reached within 12 min and was maintained during the period studied (30 min). When the effect of paraoxon was antagonized by dexetimide, both blood pressure and splanchnic nerve activity returned to control values. Since previous work has shown that the depressor action could not be prevented by efferent vagal blockade it seems likely that the fall in blood pressure after paraoxon was mainly caused by a decreased sympathetic outflow. In addition, we varied the amplifier band width in recording splanchnic nerve activity. The measurement of frequencies between 10 and 225 Hz appeared to be sufficient for studying the change in activity after paraoxon.