Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 12, 2026

Subcutaneous Administration of Muscarinic Antagonists and Triple-Immunostaining of the Levator Auris Longus Muscle in Mice
Published on: September 8, 2011
Effects of atropine and neostigmine on receptor interaction at the neuromuscular junction
Abstract:
Rats treated chronically with atropine or atropine and neostigmine showed marked alterations in the responsiveness of receptors at the neuromuscular junction. Receptors in the phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm interacting with d-tubocurarine were unaffected by atropine but exhibited a supersensitivity after neostigmine administration. Succinylcholine-sensitive sites developed a subsensitivity with both atropine and neostigmine treatment. Acetylcholine-induced contractures in the denervated hemidiaphragm showed a hypersensitivity after both drug administrations, but responses to carbamylcholine were unaffected. It is suggested that there exists a heterogeneous population of receptors at the mammalian neuromuscular junction who can be identified by their responses to the effects of chronic drug application.
Related Concept Videos
Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic
There are two types of nicotinic receptors: neuromuscular (NM/NM/N1) and neuronal (NN/NN/N2). The two families differ based on their location and selectivity to...
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions
At the neuromuscular junction, these agents work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing it to remain bound to the receptor and bind to nearby receptors. This process leads to repetitive firing of the endplate, causing muscle...
Cholinergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade
Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Mechanism of Action
Competitive antagonists prevent acetylcholine from binding to its receptor, inhibiting membrane depolarization. Without conformational changes or intrinsic...
Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Pharmacological Actions
Although all competitive neuromuscular blockers are designed...

