Changes of acetylcholinesterase activity in hepatectomized rats following soman poisoning

Acetylcholinesterase activity in the blood, pontomedullar area, basal ganglia of the brain and diaphragm following sublethal soman poisoning (i. m., 31 micrograms/kg) was studied in four groups of rats (n = 6) pretreated as follows: intact, hepatectomized (65 % of resection), sham-operated and narcotized animals. Soman was administered 12 hours following hepatectomy, narcosis or sham-operation, respectively. Except hepatectomized rats, all animals in the groups survived: in hepatectomized rats, 2 animals died. Acetylcholinesterase activity was decreased in each group. The differences among enzyme activities in these groups were not statistically significant for the blood. The highest and significant (p < 0.01) decrease of this activity in the brain parts and diaphragm following hepatectomy was demonstrated. The results indicate that undiminished liver functional capacity is an important factor influencing soman toxicity.