Effects of environmental temperature on hypothermia and neuroendocrine changes induced by soman

The effects of environmental temperature on body temperature and neuroendocrine parameters were evaluated following a single acute dose (60 micrograms/kg) of soman. Plasma levels of corticosterone, glucose, and free fatty acids, as well as acetylcholinesterase activity in plasma, erythrocytes, and brain were determined over a 96-hr time course in rats maintained at 23-25, 14-16, and 3-5 degrees C. Considerable inhibition of plasma and erythrocyte acetylcholine hydrolysis activity was observed after administration of soman at all three environmental temperatures. The degree of hypothermia in all soman-treated rats in each environment tested was associated with the amount of brain acetylcholinesterase inhibition. In animals maintained at 23-25 and 14-16 degrees C, changes in plasma corticosterone levels were influenced by central acetylcholine hydrolysis. Hyperglycemia was found only in rats with greater than 45% brain inhibition regardless of environmental temperature. However, the plasma concentration of glucose over the 96 hr test period varied in relation to the hydrolysis of acetylcholine in soman-treated rats. Recovery of plasma acetylcholinesterase was more rapid at lower environmental temperatures. A greater inhibition of central acetylcholinesterase was found in soman-treated rats exposed to 3-5 degrees C. Soman may be more toxic at low environmental temperatures.