title: Modulation of the dose-dependent effects of atropine by low-dose pyridostigmine: quantification by spectral analysis of heart rate fluctuations in healthy human beings.
abstract: The interaction between a low-dose cholinesterase inhibitor, pyridostigmine (PYR), and atropine was investigated by spectral analysis of heart rate fluctuations in eight healthy humans. Each subject was given increasing boluses of IV atropine during treatment with PYR (30 mg.3/day) or placebo. PYR attenuated the bimodal dose-dependent changes in the respiratory peak (which respresents the parasympathetic control) in response to atropine. We suggest that spectral analysis can be used for quantifying the complex dose-dependent cholinergic agonist-antagonist interactions, and may help to disclose an asymptomatic low-dose intoxication with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Israel Defence Forces-Medical Corps, Tel-Aviv.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Izraeli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alcalay
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Benjamini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wallach-Kapon
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tochner
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akselrod
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001285:Atropine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D001285:Atropine; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide