Pre-synaptic Cholinergic and Cannabinergic Signaling in the Expression of Organophosphate Toxicity

Abstract

Organophosphorus toxicants (OPs) inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) leading to acetylcholine (ACh) accumulation and cholinergic toxicity. The current approach for treating OP intoxication has several shortcomings, thus there continues to be a need for alternative treatment strategies. One approach could be to decrease ACh release from the pre-synaptic cholinergic terminal, potentially leading to less ACh accumulation and decreased signs of cholinergic toxicity. Activation of pre-synaptic muscarinic M2 and cannabinergic CB1 receptors can decrease ACh release. Pharmacological activation of these receptors could prove beneficial in OP poisoning. We hypothesized that genetic deletion of M2 and CB1 receptors would lead to loss of inhibitory control over ACh release and in turn increase cholinergic toxicity. We therefore systematically evaluated the sensitivity of M2 and CB1 receptor knockout mice to selected OP compounds in vivo. We also studied the effects of different OP compounds on ex vivo and in vitro ACh reVeterinary Pathobiolog

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