Carbamates, atropine, and diazepam: effects on performance in the running rat |
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Authors: | C B Matthew R W Hubbard R P Francesconi G J Thomas |
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Affiliation: | US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA 01760-5007. |
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Abstract: | 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. |
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