Oxotremorine-tolerance: muscarinic blockade or homeostatic adaptation?

Abstract

Tremorine pretreatment of mice induces tolerance to some effects of oxotremorine. In the state of tolerance even the highest doses of oxotremorine did not cause antinociception, this blockade being insurmountable. Oxotremorine decreased motility and amphetamine hypermotility, and both effects were diminished by tremorine pretreatment. Amphetamine hypermotility increased in the tolerance state. The increase of cerebral acetylcholine level due to oxotremorine was diminished by tremorine pretreatment. It is suggested that a special blockade of cerebral muscarinic receptors might play a role in the tolerance phenomenon, moreover it is possible that some excitation develops in the CNS. A homeostatic adaptation may be involved a role in this kind of tolerance.