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Relationship: 2005
Title
Increased Cholinergic Signaling leads to Cardiovascular dysregulation
Upstream event
Downstream event
AOPs Referencing Relationship
| AOP Name | Adjacency | Weight of Evidence | Quantitative Understanding | Point of Contact | Author Status | OECD Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetylcholinesterase inhibition leading to acute mortality | adjacent | High | High | Cataia Ives (send email) | Under Development: Contributions and Comments Welcome | Under Development |
Taxonomic Applicability
Sex Applicability
Life Stage Applicability
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In the context of cholinergic toxicity induced by AChE inhibition, increased cholinergic signaling leads to impaired cardiovascular function because acetylcholine is an important signalling molecule in the heart. The vagus nerve and cardiomyocytes produce neuronal and non-neuronal acetylcholine, respectively (Saw, 2018, Beckmann, 2013). Cardiac function is controlled by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.The heart is innervated by the vagus nerve, a cholinergic nerve that activates muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M-ChR) on heart smooth muscle tissue.
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While five different muscarinic receptors classes have been identified (M1-M5), the M2 receptor is most abundant in the heart and it is the most well-studied of the muscarinic receptors (Dhein, 2001, Zang, 2005). The M2 receptor is an inhibitory G-protein-coupled receptor that opens potassium channels in the cell membrane, which alters the heart smooth muscle cell electrophysiology and leads to arrhythmia and decreased heart rate (bradycardia) (Lodish, Zang, 2005).
| ID | Experimental Design | Species | Upstream Observation | Downstream Observation | Citation (first author, year) | Notes |
|---|
| Title | First Author | Biological Plausibility |
Dose Concordance |
Temporal Concordance |
Incidence Concordance |
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Biological Plausibility
Dose Concordance Evidence
Temporal Concordance Evidence
Incidence Concordance Evidence
Uncertainties and Inconsistencies
- No known qualitative inconsistencies or uncertainties associated with this relationship.
Response-response Relationship
Time-scale
Known Feedforward/Feedback loops influencing this KER
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The presence of cholinergic effects mediated by the vagus nerve innervation of the heart has been extensively studied in many mammals, including humans, dogs, cats, rabbit, and monkeys (comprehensive review in Coote, 2013).
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In fish, increased transmission of acetylcholine overstimulates the M2 muscarinic receptor regulating heart rate, causing hypoxic bradycardia.