title: Adrenergic agonists protect against soman, an irreversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.
abstract: Adrenergic drugs from several chemical classes were compared with clonidine as protectants against soman toxicity. All agents tested produced some degree of protection. Alpha-adrenergic agonists such as methyldopa, xylazine and clonidine were among the most effective drugs, while a dopaminergic agonist (bromocriptine) and beta-receptor antagonist (pindolol) were the least effective. Potency for protection was related to affinity for alpha-adrenergic binding sites labelled with [3H]clonidine. Atropine acted synergistically with adrenergic agonists to potentiate protection.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Buccafusco
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Aronstam
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001285:Atropine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects*; D012999:Soman / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D013566:Sympathomimetics; D001285:Atropine; D012999:Soman; D003000:Clonidine