EFFECT OF NERVE GROWTH-FACTOR IN ETHYLCHOLINE MUSTARD AZIRIDINIUM (AF64A)-TREATED RATS - SENSITIZATION OF CHOLINERGIC ENZYME-ACTIVITY IN THE SEPTOHIPPOCAMPAL PATHWAY

In this study, we examined the effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) ad ministration on cholinergic enzyme activity in both normal and ethylch oline mustard aziridinium (AF64A)-treated rats. Choline acetyltransfer ase (ChAT) and acety(cholinesterase activity were measured in the hipp ocampus and septum of rats chronically administered NGF (0.36-2.85 mu g/day) into the lateral ventricle for 14 days. In both normal and AF64 A-treated rats, NGF increased cholinergic enzyme activity in a dose-de pendent manner. Furthermore, although NGF increased ChAT activity in n ormal rats by 147%, it had a greater effect in AF64A-treated rats, inc reasing ChAT activity as much as 273%. NGF increased acetylcholinester ase activity in normal rats by only 125% but produced a 221% increase in this activity in AF64A-treated rats. These data indicate that AF64A produces an increased sensitivity to NGF in cholinergic neurons.