Possible mechanisms of sustained tremor induction by nicotine in pilocarpine treated animals

Alterations of steady state and metabolism of putative neurotransmitters were studied in the brain of rats with a sustained tremor evoked by nicotine and pilocarpine. The norepinephrine content in several brain regions was decreased whereas striatal dopamine was unchanged. Homovanillic acid concentrations were slightly increased, while 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations were markedly increased. Pilocarpine alone increased the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) turnover rate at high ambient temperature (30-32 degrees C), but not at normal ambient temperature (22 +/- 2 degrees C), atropine partially blocked the increase of 5-HT turnover rate by pilocarpine. Pretreatment with p-chlorophenylalanine and hemicholinium-3 decreased the tremor intensity elicited by nicotine and pilocarpine . It is proposed that the increase of cholinergic function caused by nicotine and the activation of muscarinic receptors and the increase in 5-HT function caused by pilocarpine might be involved in the mechanisms of tremor induction by nicotine and pilocarpine.