Reversal of cholinesterase inhibition and clinical signs and the postmortem findings in mice after intraperitoneal administration of anatoxin-a(s), paraoxon or pyridostigmine.

The reversibility of inhibition of plasma, red blood cell (RBC), and diaphragm cholinesterase (ChE) and clinical signs in mice given anatoxin-a(s) [antx-a(s)], a ChE inhibitor from Anabaena flos-aquae NRC-525-17, were characterized and compared with the effects of 2 known ChE inhibitors, the organophosphorus compound paraoxon and the carbamate pyridostigmine bromide. To follow recovery of ChE activity, mice were given either a control solution or an LD40 dose of one of the toxicants ip and killed at time points up to 8 d postdosing. After dosing, mice were monitored for diarrhea, fasciculations, respiratory difficulty, salivation, and tremors.