Relationship between the neurotoxicities of soman, sarin and tabun, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition

Abstract

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-induced chewing movements, tremors, convulsions and hind limb abduction at doses of 50–85% LD 50 in rats were monitored in order to determine whether the severity of these different signs would correlate with brain AChE levels and the time course of such a relationship. 30 min after subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of Soman, the intensities of toxic signs were significantly correlated with the degree of striatal AChE inhibition. In the case of Sarin, the corresponding r-values were not significant except for tremors. For Tabun-induced chewing, tremor and hind-limb abduction, the r-values were significant. The neurotoxicity was most intense between 15 min to 2 h after treatment, but at 2 or 6 h, the r-values were well below 0.5. The inhibition of brain AChE was maximal by 30 min and was still high at 24 h.