The effect of the acetylcholine transport blocker vesamicol on central cholinergic pressor neurons

Vesamicol (AH5183) inhibits the uptake of acetylcholine into cholinergic neuronal storage vesicles. Earlier in vitro studies have demonstrated that such inhibition can lead to a failure of transmission, particularly in peripheral cholinergic tissues. The present study was designed to determine whether vesamicol could inhibit central cholinergic transmission in conscious freely moving rats. Central (lateral cerebroventricular) injection of 20 micrograms of vesamicol significantly reduced the hypertensive and bradycardic response to subsequent central injection of physostigmine in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Inhibition of the pressor response was greatest when physostigmine was administered 1 hr after vesamicol. Acetylcholine and choline levels were determined in three brain regions derived from rats treated one hr earlier with either vehicle or vesamicol. Acetylcholine levels were found to be unaltered after vesamicol treatment, although choline levels were significantly higher in two brain regions. These results are consistent with the ability of vesamicol to inhibit the function of central cholinergic cardiovascular regulatory neurons. The mechanism for this inhibition is not related to depletion of total brain acetylcholine content but may be due to depletion of a small critical pool of transmitter.