Carbamates, atropine, and diazepam: effects on performance in the running rat.
We have reported that when rats (500 g, male) are exercised to exhaustion on a treadmill, pretreatment with the centrally acting carbamate physostigmine reduced endurance (run time, RT) and increased the rate of rise of core temperature (Tc+). Both RT and Tc+ were restored to control levels by pretreatment with either or a combination of atropine (A), and diazepam (D). Our objective in the present work was to determine whether A+D could also restore the performance and thermoregulatory decrements induced by the peripherally acting carbamate pyridostigmine (PY). After drug administration, rats were run (11 m/min, 6 degrees elevation, Ta = 26 degrees C) to exhaustion. PY treatment resulted in a reduced RT and an increased heat gain that neither A nor D alone (A+PY and D+PY) could restore to control levels. On the other hand, a combination of both A and D restored these variables to control levels. In conclusion, A+D can restore the performance and thermoregulatory decrements resulting from the administration of either a centrally or a peripherally acting carbamate.
Matthew
C B
CB
US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA 01760-5007.
Hubbard
R W
RW
Francesconi
R P
RP
Thomas
G J
GJ
D000818:Animals; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D001285:Atropine; D010830:Physostigmine; D003975:Diazepam