Effects of diisopropylfluorophosphate on brain acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and neurotoxic esterase in rats.

The inhibition and the recovery of brain AChE, BuChE, and NTE activities after acute and subacute administration of DFP were studied in the rat. DFP displayed different specificities in inhibiting these enzymes; inhibition was greatest for BuChE followed by AChE and NTE. Recovery was most rapid for BuChE followed by NTE and AChE. The recovery rates of AChE and BuChE following acute and subacute treatment were similar. However, the recovery rate of NTE in subacutely treated rats was significantly faster than that in acutely treated rats. The results suggest that DFP inhibits these three enzymes and the rates of regeneration of these enzymes are significantly different.