ABSTRACT
Aim To investigate the effect on antagonism of benthiactzine and atropine against the function of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors by desensitization of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Methods The whole cell recording configuration of patch-clamp technique was used and the cell model was rat SCG neurons. To identify antagonists' antimuscarinic effect, mAchRs mediated IM-inhibition was measured and nicotine and oxotremorine were used. Results After de sensitization of nAChRs,the antimuscarinic effect ofboth benthiactzine and atropine decreased compared to the normal condition. The decreased antimuscarinic effect of benthiactzine was weaker than that of atro-pine. The antimuscarinic effect of both benthiactzine and atropine recovered gradually with the recovery of nAChRs from desensitization. Conclusion Desensiti-zation of nAChRs weakens the antagonists' antimuscarinic effect.